Thursday 17 February 2011

Just a few things I spend my time doing!


Roses, macaroons and blossoms

Hello,

This week I have been sugar crafting like a mad woman in preparation for what is to be a VERY busy few weeks! I have been designing and creating lots of very cute toppers for cupcakes; teapots, teacups, roses, daisies, macaroons, bees and ladybirds as well as preparing teapot handles and spouts. I have taken photos of some the designs before they proudly adorn their rightful cupcake or cake, at the moment they are waiting patiently in a dark draw before they can come out and wow their new owners!


Little teapots and teacups ready to sit on top of cupcakes




Wednesday 16 February 2011

Afternoon tea wedding



Last year I catered for a wonderful wedding at Beechenhill Farm in Ilam, Derbyshire. The couple had a full afternoon tea wedding complete with vintage china, tea and cakes! It looked so lovely and the venue very in keeping with the theme!

Beechenhill farm is a great venue to get married at and the couple who own it are lovely and very accommodating to your ideas.





Friday 11 February 2011

Lights, camera...cake!

Hello! I wanted to share with you how to make a camera cake!

I made this cake for my friend Si's birthday. His lovely girlfriend Wendy decided she wanted to have a little surprise get together for his birthday and was after a cake that reflected him... he is a photographer and a brilliant one at that, so a camera cake it was!

Here we go...

Firstly I baked a 10 inch square vanilla sponge and then popped it into the freezer overnight, this really helps when you come to cut it to shape as when its defrosted its nice and cold and easier to work with. I then cut it to shape using a photo of Si's make of camera as a guide. This is the crucial stage and one that you should take your time on, as once you have this part right the rest is easy; famous last words!



Once I had it to the exact shape I wanted I filled and covered it with vanilla buttercream; make sure you really cover the whole cake as the buttercream creates the lovely smooth finish of your shaped cake. This is the canvass for your icing so take time and get it smooth and even. I iced the lens of the cake separately to the main body of the camera just because it will be easier when you come to ice it later. I cut the lends out of the sponge using a large circle cutter.






Woooow lens is way too big...


That's more like it, wouldn't want Si to get a big head now!


Now you can add your finishing touches


When you have your finished butter creamed cake, put it into the fridge for about 20 minutes so it forms a 'crumb crust'. Go and make a cuppa... then take your cake out of the fridge and using a palette knife dipped in boiling water smooth your cake.

Take your black sugarpaste and cover your cake. Now I know this is the hard part but practice makes perfect. Just ensure you have enough sugarpaste so you can cover the cake and then place it over with a rolling pin, tucking and smoothing down all the sides with your hands then with cake smoothers, making sure you don't get any folds in the icing (VERY hard but oh so satisfying once its done!) Then do the same with your lens.

So when that's done and you are happy with your icing, get on with making all your buttons and wheels etc for your camera and then place them on using edible sugar glue. Really take your time as this is the fun part and the time when you can get it looking like a real camera.


The finished cake


Side view...

...and the back complete with little happy birthday message

As you can see Si is very happy with his cake, gimmick mustache and all. Happy Birthday Si!



x

Monday 7 February 2011

The Winner is...


The winner of my Valentine's cupcake giveaway is...Steph from Cupcakes and Crafting! Congratulations Steph, please email me your postal address and you will receive some lovely cupcakes in time for Valentine's Day! xx



Thursday 3 February 2011

Beginners millinery workshop for Cancer Research UK



I have been asked by the Vintage Amours girls to help promote their new brilliant workshops to help raise money for Cancer Research. So of course I jumped at the chance! They will be running a series of millinery workshops; you will get the chance to create your very own cocktail hat as well as raising money for an amazing charity. To book just head over to their website.

Over to the Amour Girls for all the information you need...

"The 31st March sees the first in many workshops to come from the Amour Girls.

With spring fast approaching and weddings hot on everyone's lips why not stand out of the crowd and make your own cocktail hat with Vintage Amours.

Whether you’re a stay at home mum looking for a fun filled girly evening or a new graduate wanting to leave your work at the office - this beginners workshop is definitely for you!

No experience is needed our experienced Amour Girl Charlotte will be there to guide you. An experienced milliner working with the renowned Jenny Packham, Stephen Hakes and Marchesa she is currently designing a range of fascinators for a London accessories designer, Anjili Shah on the internationally famous South Molton Street.

With Charlotte you’ll learn basic millinery techniques to keep for life as well as making your very own cocktail hat that you’ll be able to treasure forever! So come on down to The Railway on Clapham High Street on the 31st March from 12pm to 5pm and help us raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Places cost only £38, with that includes your cocktail hat base and other necessary materials (as well as a sneaky cocktail). After all if you’re going to do something you might as well do it in style!

For every place booked we'll donate £7 to Cancer Research"






Photo credits: Charlotte Emilie Hardwick