Slowly catching up.....

I know I keep saying this, but I just have no idea where the year went!!

It seems like it's been an incredibly busy winter and spring is just around the corner.  I'm slowly catching my breath after a month with no weekends - with the teaching and the cakes and life in general.  On top of that, I've been cajoled into entering the Perth Royal show....again!!   

I was so adamant that I was not going to place an entry this year...so sure up until 2 weeks ago when entries were closing.  Sigh, and yet again, I've entered myself into 4 catergories - enough to make me lose my hair!  So, if I get a little slack in the blogging department...you will all know what's happened to me!

So here are some catching up pics of the goings on inside the sugar filled half of my life.

A Marie Antionette inspired cake.  White chocolate & mango, with macrons and Persian fairy floss.

Tiffany coloured mini lamingtons for a gorgeously styled 21st, and of course a Tiffany box & key to match.

 

I hope Yvonne had an amazingly memorable birthday and perhaps got a little blue box in her present pile as well!!  ;-)

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Our Classic 103 class also went off without a hitch, and our students produced the most beautifully romantic cakes.  It's amazing to watch the creative process take over and how the same design can lend itself to so many different interpretations.  That, I suppose, is what artistic expression is all about.

I simply adore the basis of this design, textured wraps, lace appliques and simplistic but beautiful flowers.  I can't wait to run the next workshop again!

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And some updated news in the world of cake and all things sweet.

 Seung Yun from Savour is headed to Paris to compete in the World Chocolate Master final.   Wishing her a safe trip and all the moral support I can muster ;)   I miss Savour so much.  I still dream of those petite fours & entremets!

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Even more exciting news that the ultra talented Margie Carter (co author on both Planet Cake books) is to be joining Handi's Cakes on a part time basis. 

Being able to watch Margie at work is one of the most amazing experiences, and certainly one that added to my desire to pursue cake decorating as more than a hobby.  I can't wait to invite her to Perth.  3D cakes that defy gravity....here we go!!!

Love,

Winter sweets and tweets

I love winter.  I love the cold.  I should move to New Zealand where the weather is nice and cool 9 months of the year.....maybe one day I will be able to afford a lovely apartment on the shores of a lake in Nelson or Wellington and just sit and stare at the beautiful view all day!  I cannot believe we are in the middle of winter, where on earth did the year go???

Anyways, it's been pretty busy around the place lately, orders, classes, logistics and of course finally the confirmation of Handi's classes in October/ Novemeber.  I can hardly wait for spring now!!

- here he is with Adriano and his National Cake Decorator of the Year award -

Handi will be arriving 27 October for back to back intermediate and advanced classes.  Registrations are now open through the Cake Love Couture Cakes website.

Classes include :  

The timelessly elegant double barrel (intermediate / advanced)

The technical and stunning Mad Hatter (Advanced)

The adorable Circus train (Beginner / Intermediate)

Gravity defying Figurines (intermediate / advanced)

Naturally, Glenda and myself will be hosting the Beginner and Intermediate classes leading up to Handi's workshops between now and October.

There are only a few spots left on a few classes, so don't wait too long!

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Show case of cakes over the last couple of weeks.

A special thank you delivery to the Burswood Events team for the recent Western Force ball.  (the boys got cupcakes too.....but we aren't allowed to show photos of them eating them)

An adorable cake for Isabella's first birthday.  Hoot from ABC's Giggle & Hoot, who she adores.

A beautiful stylish cake with a art deco feel designed by the birthday girl - who said she didn't want a birthday party, and then got so excited planning it.  Happy birthday Tracey - Fabulous at Forty!!

Another milestone birthday for Kamal, turning the big 5 Oh.  As the construction engineer of the very impressive Lotus Temple in Delhi, India, the cake makes reference to the design and construction masterpiece.

And lastly some cute lovebirds for the Slaters.  Celebrating 10 happy and wonderful years!

  Congatulations!

Love bird production......

And the finished products.  Tweet Tweet (the sound birds make...)

pics courtesy of friends via facebook

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And lastly French macaron class at the DKA Showroom

 Yes, you know your students are serious when they BYO aprons!!

 

 I hope everyone enjoyed the sweetness in their lives this week!

Winter babies

 It seems that a lot of people I know have birthdays in July, August and September.   I read somewhere that it has something to do with which seasons we are more likely to make babies.... ;) and hence a lot of winter babies.

I had a great time this week making adorable cakes for some littlies turning 1.  Firstly an adorable tiger cake for Jensen.  Jensen is was born in the year of the tiger - which naturally makes him a born leader!

A yummy white chocolate & raspberry cake was made for a lovely family lunch.  

Too cute to eat?  Luckily he's made for keeping and not for eating ;)

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Enough blue?  Well how about some pink?

Well........more like a whole LOT of pink!

This massive cake was made for little Ayda at a big birthday celebration.  And there was enough malted marble cake to feed 50 people!

A lot of pretty girly details and hand painted to match the theme of the garden party, along with astro turf placemats.  The little ladybird was a bit lonely, so I added some friends for her.

It sure was hard to part with the cake!  But yummy mummy Donna, who was so excited about the cake, told us that Ayda loved eating it.  Which really, if you ask me....is what it is all about!

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What is so great about being able to make special cakes is seeing how different we all are.  I love making cakes that show personality and are meaningful to the people who receive them.  We may not always know what we're passionate about, but it is important to have passion in life, be it cooking, singing, reading, dancing, travelling and the list goes on.   It gets us through the day and makes life far more interesting.

So, on that note, it was really interesting to make a Poker inspired cake for Nimitr.

A small cake for a family gathering.  This cake sure had a lot of interesting things on it!

For me who has never played poker, or smoked a cigar, it was kinda fun to do some research on what would be most meaningful for someone who loves the game.

I hope all the cakes were eaten with much laughter and the birthday boys and girl were surrounded and spoilt by the people they love.

One year ago.......

What were you doing one year ago today?

Maybe its the cold weather....maybe its age slowly creeping up on me, maybe a combination of the two?  But the lovely Clare posted comment on facebook last week and once the thought got in my head....well, it was kinda hard to shake it. 

So, here it is, what I was up to a year ago, with never before publicly seen photos!!  Heeheee.
Photos courtesy of Linda Harden.

So here I am, July 2010, at Planet Cake headquarters, in the Basic Series Masterclass along with some really, really cool cake artists. (I don't look so great in this pic.......um....a bit out of my depth....?)

The beautiful Linda & Anna Maria.  A year later, Anna Maria is still teaching a whole new line up of cake enthusiasts and Linda is still jetting around the world as well as teaching in between exotic locations.

 Taa daaa! My topsy turvy cake that ended up in the display window of Alex & Alex Shoes in Sydney.

A year on, what we're all up to....

Mary is making the most beautiful & romantic cakes under her own label Couture Cakes in Sydney and Leonie is being kept very busy with making cakes for family and friends.

Effie is making bold and beautiful cakes under her own label Designer Cakes by Effie as well as joining forces with the very talented Fran at the soon to be up and running Cake School in Melbourne.

Sharon is making pretty and elegant cakes under her own label Sharon Wee Creations in Sydney.  (Yes, we were very stressed out making hundreds of sugar petals!)

 

Sam is still ultra passionate about her cakes and makes them under her own label Sweet Sovaria.

Lesley's landed a dream job and is now a permanent fixture at Planet Cake Sydney.

 Clare has also realised her dream of a opening a studio in the gorgeously breathtaking town of Wanaka in the south island of New Zealand- aptly called Cakes of Wanaka

Kanissa, along with little Amerah is making fabulous cakes under her own label The Sweet Design Company in Wellington New Zealand.  

 And me, well, you all know what I get up to........

What I remember most about this class, are the great friends we made, how we all still keep in touch (thanks to social networking).

 

....and all the food that we ate during the 4 day sugarfest!!

Yep..... cake is VERY good for you!!

Love,