Cupcakes everywhere!

Christmas is a crazy season.  We're all so busy with our usual lives that for some strange reason, the impending approach of the end of the year seems to signal some sort of "Gee, I've got to catch up with so and so, before Christmas!"  and all of a sudden you have a whole score of people you haven't spent enough quality time with during the year!

I am in the exact same position.  When my supplier accidentally delivered 10kgs of almond meal instead of the 2kgs that I had ordered, I set about making an insane number of flourless chocolate cakes......hopefully my friends will like me better if they get chocolate cake......

So, if you to have quality time with friends debt, be like my client Nuong, and gift cupcakes to your friends!

Cupcakes for a couple one who is a mechanic and along with their 3 pets.

 Some cupcakes for her friend Niyaz who's birthday is on Christmas day.

For a family who just celebrated the arrival of a baby girl.

 and then mini cupcakes to share for a cocktail party!

I was seeing cupcakes everywhere!!

 Also congratulations are in order for Ling getting her new shop up and running before Christmas.

 AEC specialises in Education consultancy, advising hundreds of students each year on the best courses suited to their interest and talents.  These were gifted to some current students.   The mini books are printed in edible ink on rice paper.  Computer science, business management and quantum physics featured as the covers.

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And then of course there was the 'big cake' of the week.

This was made for the wonderful Gino and Maria.   The cake is missing a giant ring that is to sit atop the cake - hopefully Maria will share a pic.  The wording is replicated from the invitations and cut from fondant.

The filligree design and flowers were inspired by the placecards.

I hope they had a lovely day and maybe I'll get to make the wedding cake next year!

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Christmas and look forward to seeing you all next year!

Inspirations

Inspirations can come from the strangest places.  Only 10 days to Christmas and I am finding my inspiration is running low.   So, I thought I'd share with you some images that have inspired me this year, just in case yours is running low too!

Beautiful images

 

Wall painting by Shona Heath at Twig and thistle

The deligthful work of Dazey Chic

This "So very happy" card really made me smile!

Illustrations and all sorts of pretty things by JooJoo

Stunning dusk photos of the family Fuji orchard in Japan by She who eats

 Beautiful shots by Jacinta at Bawkbawk

Beautiful places

Laurent winery, Margaret River

Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

Morning fog in Oslo, Norway.  Photographer unknown

 

I don't know where this is, but its the sort of place that I'd imagine where all the stresses of life would cease to exist.  If you know where it is, please let me know!!

Beautiful Sweets

Vogue Korea

 The Picasso of pastry - Pierre Herme Collection

The Dalloyau Christmas Catalogue

with over 200 years of pastry making experience!

Lenoire Christmas Collection, Paris

and of course the hallowed macaron

The store pictures are from the famous Laduree in Paris.  The macarons and macaron trees are from Bobbette & Belle, and the beautiful dessert displays are from Amy Atlas.  Collage by Cookie Creatives.

and of course, beautiful cakes

Ben Ron Israel

 

 

 Cake Opera

I dream of cake creations, collage by Something old, something new
 

Couture cakes by Faye Cahill.
Collage by Petitmode

I hope you enjoy looking at these pretty things, as much as I enjoyed putting this post together.

Making adorable cakes

It's so lovely when you are able to make cute little figurines and decorative sugar work to adorn your cakes. Such was this week's brief when Ann asked to make some cute penguins for a baby shower. 

 Such a refreshing change, that the mommy to be has chosen not to find out the sex of the baby opting for a happy surprise on the big day.  So, pink and blue penguins it was!

All ready and teetering delicately to go off to their new home.

Ann said via email:

  All I could hear was ooooooh and aaaaaaah.  Not only did they look amazing, but they tasted great too!  Thank you so much – they were a real winner!

Penguins at the picnic.  Photo courtesy of Ann via email

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Onto the larger cakes this week.....

There is something satisfying about seeing a table of ganached and ready to be covered cakes.

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It turned out to be a beautiful weekend for Carolyn & Ezra's wedding.  A whole team of friends worked hard to coordinate the reception.  I've never delivered a cake to a venue, with so many people offering to help!

Carolyn initially came to me with a Peggy Porschen designed quilted cake in black and white.   The black was vetoed by the mother of the bride, and so we opted to go for a dusty pink with black details as a sort of middle ground.

I thought that the combination of romantic flowers, dusty pink bows with A diamond brooch fit just nicely into the shabby chic category.

I'm sorry the photo is not very good, but by the time the flowers arrived, the lights had been dimmed and generally speaking, not the best for photography.  Perhaps Carolyn will have a better pic when she returns from her honeymoon!

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Lastly, the touching occasion of Isaac's baptism.

Father Michael presents baby Isaac after the service and the family heads off to celebrate with food, wine and cake!

The Elite Cake inspired design, complete with sugar booties commissioned by his doting godmothers.

And a little rubber ducky for good measure!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!  Less than 3 weeks to Christmas.  Where oh where did the year go??