Too Cute Not to Share.

I made these cakes for a friend at work's daughter over the weekend and I am just so happy with how they turned out that I had to share (and do a little advertising!) You can see all of my cakes at http://thecakeboutiquecharlotte.blogspot.com/

Thank you for all of the sweet comments about my news! I can't tell you how happy we are - and how much of a relief it is to be able to talk about it and not worry who is listening! I am due February 13th - sorry I left that out on the last post!

P.U.M.P.E.D.

I just got a fantastic break in my cake business! I have been asked to do my first wedding cake!!! And while the lovely bride can back out on me with no hard feelings if she so desires, I am deeply honored that she would even ask. Pumped, I tell ya.

Since I found this hidden talent of mine, I have become more and more interested in pursuing it as an actual career and working for myself from home - especially after we have kids. I don't plan to leave my job anytime soon (for those of you who work with me - don't freak out) but I'm just saying that is a long-term goal of mine. Wedding cakes are a sure-fire way to successfully make enough money to help with bills. So we'll see how that goes in the future.

I was also asked to do a high school reunion cake which is fabulous, because that's getting my cakes exposed to 100s of people - how awesome is that! I just had to take a moment and thank the good Lord. Maybe I was meant to have a house that always smells like cake and icing? Fine with me!

In other news, we have a new fence! While I really, really like it and think we are going to enjoy it endlessly this summer - Bailey LOVES IT! No more leash in the backyard - just run, run, run chocolate dog! I already feel safer and like people can't see me anymore. It's glorious. Thanks, Daddy! (He put it up.)

Old Red Barn!

Just thought I would share :) This was my first "stand up" cake and everything is edible except for the animals. It was a big hit at this 3 year old's party!

Fondant!

Yay for fondant!! Don't look too close as this is my first time ever using it. That junk is HARD to knead. Whoa carpal tunnel. Fun to do, though!

The reason for my absence..

I have been literally up to my elbows in icing this week. No complaints though! Cake business is growing! Here are the cakes done this week...

Easter Rose Cupcakes.

Musical Celebration.

March Madness Cake.

Full explanation of the themes is over at http://www.thecakeboutiquecharlotte.blogspot.com/.

Course 2: Complete!

Guys, I finished Course 2 tonight, and this is the final product!

Everything on the cake is edible! The basket weave technique on the side is beautiful, and I'm happy with the way all of the flowers turned out. I'm very pleased with it! Course 3 starts soon and that's an intro to fondant (which is what you see on like Ace of Cakes). That's what I really want to know how to do, so I'm looking forward to it!

I have a few weeks off from class so I promise to actually get back to writing about interesting topics (I definitely have a few in mind) and not so much about cakes. Happy Tuesday!

The Cake Boutique.

I created a website that's dedicated to my cakes only. That way I can give that website out to people rather than the link to my blog. Believe it or not, not everyone cares what I have to say... :)

Here's the link: The Cake Boutique. Feel free to check it out, but I'll still post some pics of my cakes on here too.

Meet Spongebob.

I love him! This cake took about five hours to do - but I am so happy with him. My aunt will be purchasing this from me tomorrow! I'll try to remember to post a picture of my cousins with him before we hack him up. So sad, but it must be done! *Ohhhhhh, who lives in a pineapple under the sea...*

Selfish.

So I'm a little peeved at my cake class tonight. Mom & I showed up to start the Course 2 tonight, and low and behold there are 6 extra people there - people we've never seen (there were only 5 total in Course 1). Come to find out, Michael's had screwed up big time, and those 6 people were there for Course 1 with a different teacher. This "Course 1" had been cancelled and no one took the time to call the folks and let them know.

Instead of politely apologizing and telling them to just go sign up for the next class, my instructor told them that "they hadn't missed anything in the first class and that they could just catch up." The three of us who had just taken the first class were pissed.

We sat there idly while she "caught the others up" on things like mixing icing and how to fill a bag and how to put the tip on - all things you learn in Course 1. It was not fair to us at all. We literally were ignored for an hour and forty-five minutes. Eventually the three of us just started trying things on our own.

I could complain but it wouldn't really do any good, we need Course 2 and it started tonight and we're on a schedule and that's that. I just needed to vent. Apparently, the instructor is under the impression that we should all be on the same page next week - we'll see. I'm gonna go ahead and say no we won't, but whatever.

I really think, too, that the others are being gypped. They're always going to be a step behind, and not know how to do little things. Three of the people considered leaving, but somehow they got talked into staying. It just sucks all around for everyone, except for the teacher. What really happened: she saw dollar signs for having 10 people in her class and didn't want another instructor to have the money. Doesn't anyone think of others?

Course 1: Complete!

I finished Course 1 of my cake class tonight!! I got a certificate and everything! We started learning how to do roses (which are effing hard) and I was really pleased with my cake. Bear in mind, the cake should be 2 layers, but my Mom and I have been splitting the cake mixes so we don't waste it. I would do this cake again for a bridal shower or something, but would definitely make it a lot taller.

Apparently, Course 2 focuses a lot on flowers and we will only be making one actual cake. Good times!

Rainbow Cake.

This is the cake we made tonight in class. Not so bad! When I got home Nate was offended that I had put his name on a "rainbow" cake. I told him to get over it - his name was easy to write!

Class was interesting - there were two women who literally hurried through decorating the cake like it was some sort of race. Like to the point that they were making my Mom nervous. Their's ended up being sloppy and it looked, well, rushed. We just took our sweet little time, used the 2 hours of the class and made some great looking cakes.

And the answer, just in case you were wondering, is yes - I'm for hire :)

A Day of Cakes.

February is a big birthday month for my Dad's side of the family - tomorrow the whole fam is coming to my house to celebrate. So, Mom & I decided to try our hand at making some birthday cakes. Here's what we got!

This is my brother Jake's cake! (He plays the guitar, among many talents) It took a while to do, and it is very detailed - but I am so proud of it. I've got to get better at taking pictures of my cakes though, it looks way better than this in person I must say!

This cake is for my grandparents. It's a "topsy turvy" cake. So much easier to make, and I'm pretty pleased with the outcome.

Making cakes is a tedious project. I have new found respect for the art! My Mom worked hard to get the homemade icing just the right consistency and color, and I did most of the decorating. We made a good team, and I'm looking forward to making more!

Inspiration.

One of my favorite gifts this Christmas was a sexy sleek black KitchenAid Mixer. I have wanted one since I got married, and Natea Clause came through for me! My Mom also hooked me up with a 110 piece cake decorating kit, so I am set and ready to open up shop!

Though I've never decorated more than cupcakes and sugar cookies, I have always loved to bake. I don't actually enjoy eating that many sweets, but I really love making them. I randomly had this idea that I just might be good at it. I'm nerdlicious in many ways, and this will be just a new item to add to the list.

I mean you can make beautiful wedding cakes, birthday cakes, or just plain funky cakes like this one:

I'm really excited about it, and if any of you have any tips or ideas, I'm all ears. Big, fat, nerdy ears :)