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.

80th Birthday

Today I delivered this cake to a lady celebrating her 80th birthday.

She had requested a square cake with white icing and red roses around the words:

Mum ..... Nan

Happy 80th birthday.

Now my ability to write on cakes has never filled me with confidence so I tend to look for easier ways of communicating the message. You will notice the ribbon around the cake.Well the story is that  I scoured the internet for a suitable product. I couldn't find anywhere in Australia who was able to help. The only place which Google turned up was in the UK - Rule Britannia - I say!

Now Pearl was suitably impressed when I said I had sent to the UK for the said ribbon and more impressed when I said the quoted price would still remain the same. I know I can hear people say that I am a big softy!!! 

Anyway HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEARL. I am not in this business to get rich but to bring smiles to the face of complete strangers. [Hmmm I wonder if this is Rupert Murdock's business mantra?}

Fisherman Cake

"Janet thank you so much for the cake. My husband liked it and it tasted great. Everyone loved it.I have your details by the phone and will have no hesitation in using you again and recommending you to my friends"

The cake was requested by a lady whose husband was turning 60.

The theme 'The Great Outdoors" He enjoyed fishing, and he had just bought a tinny [boat]. He was a former rugby player. Although living in Australia for over 20 years he was a proud New Zealander. I decided to include the icons of kiwi and the sheep and designed the rugby jersey including the White Fern and 60. I couldn't resist the gum tree and the snake which are Aussie icons.

Fun With Colour

I had been asked to create a Princess Cake for a little girl but the customer pulled out.  I contacted a friend who was a teacher to ask if she knew of anyone who might like a cake. 

Kelly, her daughter was having a birthday  - perfect opportunity! 

So with some redesigning a new cake was born. The birthday girl was also heavily pregnant [hence the bump] The cake was two tier with the base being a dark chocolate mud cake and the upper tier a 3 level cake of choc and strawberry - very girlie. The cake covered with ganache and topped with sugar fondant coloured with electric colours - BRIGHT. The gum paste model is hand made.

Star Wars Cake

I love getting feedback, this time by email and printed word for word:


Hello there Janet,
                            My apologies,  I've been meaning to contact you in regards to Reubens birthday cake,  I must say it was a winner for sure!  And you were worried that it was going to be too sweet,  well it was supurb!!!!  Mmmmm,  Very very Yummy indeed.  Reuben was most satisfied, as was everyone else.  I wish to thank you again for your scrumsious creamy buttery icing!!  Two thumbs up!!!!!!!  Thanks again Janet!!!
Regards  Jodie P


How nice.

Patchwork cake [70th]

Just received this feedback from a happy customer:


Dear Janet,
I just want to say thank you for the lovely 70th birthday cake you made for me. I was delighted with the patchwork theme which was a special touch. The cake got many compliments at my party and it tastes as nice as it looks. I had a lovely time with family and friends and my birthday cake just set it off.
Thanks again and best wishes,
Lyn R

FASHIONISTA - high heel shoe for Amy's birthday.

First shoe box cake. Shoe made with help from a shoe from Vinnies [St Vincent de Paul charity shop/ Op Shop as they are known in Australia.] The shoe formed both the pattern and platform for the shoe [a size 7 Australian is best]

Model of my beautiful daughter, whose birthday we were celebrating. Figure, beads and shoe made from gum paste. The shoe box was a rich chocolate mud cake with [fondant tissue paper] holding up a polystyrene lid.

Dorothy the Dinosaur in her Rose Garden

Charlotte [3 year old granddaughter]is adorable and she loves Dorothy the Dinosaur and so what  a wonderful excuse ....... there followed the learning of how to make roses [from the internet - Cake Central to be precise] so that Dorothy could sit in her rose garden. My husband Mel even got in on the act - fixing up her teeth for me [Dorothy of course not Charlotte!]