See You Later Alligator!

It's difficult to say goodbye to good friends. My oldest son had a classmate that was moving away and so as the "room mom" for his class, I wanted to make something sweet for his last day with the class.

Not just anything though. This was not only a classmate, but a whole family moving from our neighborhood. A GREAT family that is kind, giving and just downright nice people. (We are REALLY going to miss them!)

So.....what do you say to friends when they are leaving????

NEVER say goodbye.....ALWAYS say "See you later alligator!"

So that's what we did.

Hallmark has this great funZIP gift box that fits just this occasion.


I love his zip away teeth!

Let's take a look at what our gator friend is munching on......


At least one for everyone in the class!

Let's make sure our message is clear.....we are NOT saying goodbye!

See you Later Alligator

I'm glad you're my friend!

After while crocodile.

Giddy Up Cowgirl!

How fun!
A first birthday party with a cowgirl theme. The Mom found a cake that she really liked and asked me to make a similar cake. After we adjusted the design for servings needed and added some coordinating cupcakes.....here is the final design!

The cowgirl hat is made from a combination of fondant and gumpaste. As well as the fringe and stars around the sides.


Here is a close up of the fringe along the sides.


These cupcakes are topped with a buttercream swirl and then accented with chocolate boots, hats, horseshoes and fondant stars.

Get along little doggie.....it's your birthday!
Happy 1st Birthday Raegen!

Hugs and Stitches!

This is a popular first birthday girl theme. It is called "Hugs and Stitches". I love all the details that make it look like fabrics that have been pieced together.


I changed some of the colors to give it more pinks (that's what Mom wanted). I loved working on all the little 'stitching'.
Baby's Firsts are always fun to do!
Happy 1st Birthday Ella!

A Fun Present to Show You

My DH went overseas to The Netherlands for business and after a long 10 days he returned bearing gifts for us all. The kids got some cool soccer jerseys and some other little things. I got a bag from a jewelry store! So I wanted to share with you this fun experience. Really it was quite surprising.....I don't usually get jewelry as a gift!

I had never heard of Thomas Sabo... and after some research on the internet, found that they do not have stores in the U.S. nor do they ship direct to the U.S. You can buy his jewelry through other retailers, you just can't buy direct from them and ship here.

Inside the big bag was this cute smaller bag.

Thomas Sabo's Charm Club seal.

Inside the sealed bag this totally cute little round striped box!

See how cute this box is?

Cute! I tell you.

Here is the charm I received. Want to see closer???

A chocolate brown with a silver swirl and a pink dollop on top! My own little cupcake charm!

Here it is next to a dime to give you an idea of just how CUTE this little charm is!

I don't have a charm bracelet, but I think I just found the cutest reason ever to start one!
Thanks honey....I LOVE it!

CNA ~ Certified Nursing Assistants

In our lives, at one point or another we have all been helped or will be helped by a CNA.
You really have to give a great big hand to anyone working in the medical profession.... I mean those people save lives and everything!
CNA's sometimes get stuck with the "dirty" work of taking care of people....and yet they do it every day, because they know how important it is to each and every person they help.

When I was asked to make a cake for a CNA graduating class, I of course added some of the things that help them do their jobs......a scrub smock,
a stethoscope,
a syringe,
some medicine
and a band-aid.
See....you feel better already don't you?

The teacher of the class didn't want to forget one of the most important skills a CNA must possess...

the ability to take care of a bedpan!

Okay....I know what you're thinking.....ewwwwwwwww!
But really this cake is 100% edible and actually I would say the "poo" is really quite tasty! It's a delicious chocolate buttercream recipe that I make with Hershey's cocoa powder....yum ~yum! I even made a "poo" border around the "bottom" edge of the cake to ensure everyone would get their fair share of the goodness!
(I haven't heard back to see how it all went over with the students....but I'll keep you posted.)

CNA's do have BIG hearts!

Congratulations everyone....you did it!

Burnt Orange Calla Lilies

These Calla Lilies are made from gumpaste.

Gumpaste (sugar paste) is edible, but the main reason to use gumpaste vs. fondant is that fact that you can roll it much thinner (giving you a more realistic look to flowers and leaves) and when it dries, it dries quite solid (allowing you to make your items well in advance without worry of spoiling). So while it's not really the best thing to put in your mouth, it is the best thing to use when you want realistic looking flowers!

This is the top view of my lilies after I placed them on the cake. I made a coordinating bow and green spirals to give it depth and texture.


I started with an orange base color of gumpaste.
I used my Arum Lily Cutter Set from FMM. This cuts the shape you need and also gives a veining texture to the flower making it appear more realistic. I created yellow stamens the day before and then wrapped them with the flower body and formed them into the shape I wanted. Once they were completely dry (overnight) I then shaded them with petal & luster dusts to add even more dimension. I used ruby, sunflower and sage green.

The theme for the party was sage green and burnt orange. I used a scrolling pattern on the sides of the cake and a nice message of love for the intended bride and groom.

(The cake was quite stunning ~ too bad I don't have a nicer camera to really capture the details and true colors.)

Tybee Island Lighthouse Wedding

When I make a wedding cake I always ask questions about what the bride and groom want their cake to look like. Many times they find a picture of a cake somewhere and ask for something similar. I don't mind using other cake artists for inspiration....because lets face it.....there are some wickedly talented cakers out there! But I also like to get a picture of the wedding gown and know what the venue looks like to ensure that the cake will fit in at the reception.
This is Liz's wedding gown. It's so beautiful and perfect for a beach wedding. The skirt makes me think of waves......

Liz and Dave got married on Tybee Island Georgia. They were married on the beach and the reception was held at the famous Tybee Island Lighthouse.

Here is the lighthouse.....
Here is the reception area under the tent on the lawn behind the lighthouse....

Here is my cake CENTER STAGE under the tent!
(I love that something I contributed gets an important place at the event)
Here is the front view of the cake. I incorporated the calla lilies that Liz was having at the wedding with the chocolate sea shells and edible sand and pearls.

(Can I tell you how excited I was when I saw the cake serving set? Perfect match!)
This is the "back" view of the cake. I wrote their new monogram in the sand.

The design was white buttercream with chocolate waves in the teal/sea blue color of the bridesmaids.
(See how I used the wave feel from the bride's dress?)
Here is a close up of some shells and the chocolate wave with edible sand and pearls.

Congratulations Liz and Dave!
It was a pleasure working with you....wishing you many happy years together!