Christmas 2011

The house seems strangely quiet as the Rentons have gone home to Brisbane. Amy, Liam and the two twinkle sisters. What a great time it was. The family Christmas was especially sweet. Well the cake came out for the occasion - JOY TO THE WORLD:

Vineyard cake

I was asked by a friend to design a cake for a family get together in the city of Mildura in N. Victoria. Grapes and a large bow were requested as the family were producers of grapes. Oh and it was discussed that it might be cute to have a tractor on the cake.

The family have strong Christian values and I wasn't sure how to get the Christmas message into the design so included the name EMMANUEL which equals 'God with us' Always up for a challenge .... never done a bow... never done a tractor...  but the cake was designed, baked and presented. We were a bit concerned as to how it would travel in 35 degrees + but it was boxed up with instructions to keep it cool and with confidence the happy couple [and the cake] started their 8 hour journey via an overnight stop in Melbourne.

HAPPY ENDINGS - COMMENT FROM HAPPY CUSTOMER

Hi Janet,

The cake was a real hit, and carried well. The highlight of our lunch.

FIRST FONDANT BOW!

The 18th Birthday at Whale Beach.

Well I am back at home after a quick trip to Sydney with Ken and Mavis to attend the 18th birthday of their grandson Matt. The cake was a joint effort where Mavis baked a superb chocolate cake and I decorated it. Decided on something which would travel well - a party theme. The result was stars and streamers on a white cake supported on a black fondant covered board.



Travelled by plane - THANK GOODNESS for the Wilton cake carrier as the cake travelled beautifully - but nearly lost it at Sydney airport - it was nearly mistaken for a suspicious incendiary device. Anyway all ended well and the authorities released it after checking for explosives! [I have embellished this story somewhat!] Anyway I was a bit stunned at the positive  attention it attracted from perfect strangers who were also travelling. Shucks I should have had some business cards handy!!

The cake then went to Whale Beach [N Beaches Sydney] A very special place to have an 18th birthday party. Thank you the Downing family for inviting me to decorate a cake  and attend the birthday bash.

Diamond Wedding Cakes

2 cakes in one day for the same couple? How did that happen? Well over four months ago Dulcie commissioned me to design a cake for her celebration of 60 years married? I began chipping away at ideas, and then Nev and Dulcie met with me to confirm their order. 2 tiers - fruit base and then caramel mud cake. Top tier, with diamond pattern imprinted in fondant around the side. NO WORRIES I lied, when I remembered that my last experience with the diamond imprinter was a tad frustrating! ANYWAY always up for a challenge - thats me, as long as it doesn't involve bouncing upside down from a bridge over a ravine! Yes you guessed it - I like the quiet life. Two weeks in the wild and desolate Scottish highlands at the age of 18, canoeing raging torrents, rock climbing sheer rock faces and walking at high level with backpacks  of extreme weight cured me of wanting an adventurous life!!! No I was not training for the SAS but rather for the risky life of a Phys Ed teacher.

Anyway back to cakes - here are the pictures:

I loved sculpting the figures and I think they do have a certain likeness to the happy couple!

The second cake was commissioned 2 days before the event by the Pastor of Albury Baptist Church. Had to include the Treble Clef as Dulcie is a strong musician. Quite pleased with how it turned out.

Cupcake Tower for an 80th Birthday.

Customer  Peg wanted all things pink for her 80th birthday.
The large gum paste rose sits on top of a small cake covered in buttercream. Each cupcake is covered with buttercream and fondant roses.
The first tier rose buds and the mid tier a small pink rose and the bottom tier a fully open rose of a deep pink sprinkled with sparkle.
All cupcakes in silver cases.

VERY PINK.. VERY CHIC.

30th Wedding Anniversary Cake

Emma brought a picture of the original wedding cake, 30 years before and asked me to make a contemporary version. Gerberas replaced the original flowers and the colours were a more electric blue. The cake itself was a marbled mudcake covered in white chocolate ganache and topped with fondant.

The following message posted on Flickr page

"Hi Jan

What a lovely cake. It was enjoyed by all on the night and tasted great. Thanks so much and I will definitely pass your number on."

Emma Mount

Bluebirds

We had a great weekend in Melbourne at St Kilda. Went to the Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band concert - very good. But a trip to Melbourne has to include a trip to Cake Deco for more supplies. Well today is the actual anniversary and so I decided to use a Love Birds Motif which had been waiting for such an event as this. Love Birds sitting on a fruit cake [our favourite] then covered with almond paste and marbled fondant.