Toomer's Corner Cake (Auburn)

A friend of mine proposed to his girl under the Toomer's Corner tree. He asked me to replicate the tree for his groom's cake. This may have been the first time (aside from the peacock feathers) that I was stumped as to how I would pull it off. I was worried about it...I must be honest. I tried to do some research but I couldn't find anything about how to make a 3D tree for a cake. There is very little info on the matter. I took what I had and ran with it. So I'm going to spill the beans as to how this tree was created. Firstly, I'm not too crazy about inedible attachments, etc. for my cakes. But when it comes to the structure and stability of a cake, you have to use the necessary hardware to make it happen. You don't just stack a wedding cake with out cake boards...you follow?? So, with that in mind, I began with wire. I used wire gauges of all different sizes. I began first with a thick dowel and rice crispy treats. I created the tree trunk out of that and then began wrapping it with wire. I let things progress organically and when I finally became comfortable with the shape, etc., I wrapped all the wire with floral tape. (This took about 15 years.) After that, I tempered some chocolate and began painting and swirling chocolate all over the tree. It added a lot of much needed stability to it. I did attempt to make and use modeling chocolate but preferred the look of tempered chocolate instead. So that's that! Although I'm not an AU fan (it about killed me to make this cake), it might be one of my favorites :) A lot of work and love went into this one.

Peacock Wedding Cake

I was asked to make a Peacock Wedding Cake. It is all the rage these days. I was stumped, however, when it came to making those pesky feathers. I decided the best way was to not replicate them, per se, but to go for an art deco look. After much, much effort working with different colors, shapes, paints, etc. I finally found what I was looking for. I'm very lucky to have a sister and a friend that I could put to work in helping me make over 100 of those feathers! (Featured in these pictures is my lovely, dear husband who had just come in from tinkering on a little project of his own. He makes me nervous.)

Yo Gabba Gabba

I'm thinking the creators of Yo Gabba Gabba are certainly on crack. My daughter used to watch and love the show. I often wondered what the repercussions would be. I dare say though, it might be my nightmare as a mom, but as a cake artist, it's a dream come true. I'm still holding out to make a giant version with all of the characters. Making Brobee was a good start, though.

Pirate Cake

This was for a friend of mine. She wanted a Pirate Cake and I couldn't help but go overboard. I pulled my sister in to help me with this one. We had an awesome time making it.

Fancy Nancy Cake

Now this one was quite interesting. I didn't know where to start with little Fancy Nancy. I had loads of fun coming up ideas and was happy with the end result.

Peacock Barbie

I was curious as to how I would make a peacock dress. I had no idea how this one would turn out. Always very interesting to see where a cake idea will lead you...

The Mystery Machine

I look forward to my niece's birthday every year. So far I've made a Nemo cake and a Tim Burton inspired Alice in Wonderland cake. This year she was in to Scooby Doo. This was my first cake post my new little baby, Ada. I would have liked to have spent another 10 hours on this one making it perfect, but being a mommy comes first!  Lane (my niece) loved it all the same!

Micky Mouse Guitar Cake

This cake was made for a 3 year old boy. His two favorite things? Mickey Mouse and guitars. I got to see his sweet face when he saw his cake. I love my job!

Wedding Cake

This cake was so much fun! First of all, when the bride booked me to make her wedding cake, she did so knowing that I would be 2 weeks away from my due date with baby #2. She took a major gamble and luckily it paid off! My first child was a week late so I thought I would probably be ok. Um, no. But it could have been worse! A few weeks before their wedding, I went into preterm labor and was put on temporary bed rest until I hit the 37 week mark. I notified the bride (who, by the way, might be the most laid back, incredible person ever) who basically said whatever happens happens and it will make for a great story at the end of the day. We came up with a back up plan to have the cakes baked and ready to go, and if necessary, her sister could pick them up, ice, and stack them. Countdown to the wedding day began. Four days before the big event I was back in the hospital sure I was in labor. Things calmed down after five hours and I was sent home to rest. By the time the big day arrived, I was rested, full of energy, and able to finish the cake and deliver it.

 I had so much fun with this project because it was different from a traditional wedding cake. I loved figuring out how to decorate it to get the desired look. The bride chose a White Almond Sour Cream cake with traditional Buttercream icing.

WWE and Guitar Cake

I recently had the opportunity to make two cakes for two siblings who happen to share a birthday...only a few years a part. The guitar cake initially was supposed to be a mini version to represent the real deal, but I couldn't resist doing it a little more to scale. The WWE cake was totally different from other cakes that I have done in that I knew nothing about the WWE. I do now! It was fun getting these cakes together and having two projects going at the same time.

National Lampoon's Vacation Cake

I made this for my college roommate's 30th Birthday. National Lampoon's Vacation is one of my all time favorite movies, so needless to say, I enjoyed every minute of working on this cake! Here are some pictures complete with Aunt Edna on top of the family Truckster, purse in hand.

First Birthday

I made this for a little girls first birthday. Simple buttercream.

Big Bird Cupcakes

These little gems were a lot of work. They are cupcakes frosted with buttercream icing and topped with fondant feathers, eyes, and beak. I was very concerned that I would fall short as far as them looking like big bird. I was pleased to see all of the pieces fall into place! 

Mermaid Cake

This past week I have been busy with cakes! It's been wonderful. Here is a mermaid cake based loosely on The Little Mermaid. I enjoyed all of the little details that went into this piece.