Glam it up, take a pic cake

"Maybe she's born with it, Maybe it's........"

I was asked to do a make up/photo shoot cake for a little girl named Maybel.

This cake was begging to be all about pink, green and Maybelline.  As luck would have it those colours just happen to be the party colours as well.  

6" and 8" chocolate caramel cake with vanilla butter cream, chocolate ganache and Skor chocolate bar pieces.  

Side view

Back View

And what good is a vanity unless it lights up???
I had so much fun despite the intense amount of mathematics this took to make symmetrical.

Using black gumpaste I cut all the vanity pieces needed. This is challenging as you only get one chance to cut it right.  If you try later when it's dry the pieces crack and look bad.  So this meant lots of planning ahead and measuring.

Box assembled and has to dry some more.

Applying the confectioners glaze for that extra shine.  I use a disposable brush as it is VERY difficult to clean.  I like using this product on pieces that will not be eaten, even though it's technically edible not sure it tastes great as it smells.

Bulbs all glued in place and evenly spaced.  My math nightmare :)

Turned out great even though it did take some patience to have them all sticking out the same distance.

Hubba Bubba time!!!
I read somewhere you could shape it and was waiting for a chance to try it.

What better than bubble gum lipsticks and nail polish.  I cut the piece lengthwise and faced wrong sides together then twisted into the lipstick shape.   The nail polish is two red pieces shaped into a bottle with a black fondant top.

There are 12 little party girls so each gets a bubble gum treat.

Fondant polaroid  films to enhance the photo aspect of the cake.

Lip stencil for airbrushing the top tier.

Using the stencil.

Lower tier with supports.
 I inserted the straw to clear the way for another straw that will act as the housing for the vanity wiring.

I did this to both tiers, through the boards as well.  I cut a hole in the middle of the boards to allow the straws to pass through.  I also made a cut from the centre hole to the outside of the cake boards to allow cutting the cake to be easier.  It will also allow the b-day girl to save the vanity if she wants.  I should mention I had to glue two straws together to get the height of the cake and I made a lengthwise cut down the straws for easy removal of wire.  

Straw clearing the cake through the cake board.

Power supply for lights running through the centre of the cake.  

Power supply disguised as a girly camera.  This was tricky as the on/off level had to be exposed for use.

My inspiration for the cake colours.
I also incorporated it on the cake with a Happy Birthday message.

Top tier with airbrushed lips and Happy Birthday mascara.

Lower tier with polaroids.

This cake was a good challenge to make and I was able to try some news things like bubble gum and electricity.
I just loved how it all came together.

I wish you a very special 10th birthday Maybel.
I hope your birthday party is a blast and the photo shoot goes beautifully.

Like a fine wine at 50

I was asked to do this cake by a friend who was throwing a surprise 50th for her young at heart mom.  The theme was "aged like a fine wine" and I thought it was great that each guest brought a bottle as a gift.  She'll be well stocked till next year, lucky girl.

My signature Reeses chocolate cake with a few extras.
I tried working with gumpaste, isomalt and covering a cake board for this one.

#1 of 3 making of the gumpaste wine bottle.

 1 of 2 Bottle halves that has to dry for days like this then repeat on reverse side for a match.
Much harder than it sounds.

My bottle in the end with confectioners glaze to add that shine.  Along with hand painted fondant labels.  1961 of course.

One of the most expensive Red Wines available 1961 bottle would average $9,939.
How ever you could also pay $49,820 for a 1945 bottle if you can find one.

My inspiration.

All the layer carved into shape about to be dirty iced.

Marshmallow fondant covered and then airbrushed silver.

Fondant covered cake board.
I impressed lines and wood grain effect by hand and then airbrushed.

I wish my hardwood floors looked this good.
Turned out great.

Skor bites dipped in green coloured  white chocolate and Reeses bites dipped in burgundy coloured white chocolate.  This step is dangerous as it's too easy to pop them in your mouth. I dreamed up this idea, so I was thrilled it looked great in the end.

Green grapes assembled around a fondant stem.
Use a touch of unused melted chocolate to assemble in place.

Red grapes being assembled.

They looked great against the wood grain.
I also made ice tongs for the side.

Just add ice.
 These ice cubes looked too real made from isomalt.
 My first time candy making which was a good test of patience.

Some extra treats I made from leftover cake carvings and icing.
I wrapped them pretty and gifted them away.

And just like that the cake was done.
I was happy with how it all came together even though delivery was stressful.

Aimee thanks for trusting me with such an important event.

Hope your mom was thrilled and loved her  Romanee Conti wine treat:)

"40 my ass" cake

My sister in law turned 40 this week, she looks amazing so I themed the cake "40 my ass".  As no one would believe her age.  We had a delicious meal at Mona Lisas and then enjoyed pole dancing lessons by Winnipeg pole dancing which everyone attempted no matter how shy.   

Gumpaste model of Tracey doing a crazy upside down pole.  This took weeks to dry in the proper position and I ended up making two as I was unhappy with dancer #1.  I got a good workout making the skirting as there is  5 1/2 feet of fondant. Note when mixing gumpaste to sculpt mix 50/50 with fondant to prevent cracking. 

Yes that's "underboob" .
I learned a lot while doing this research, probably too much!

I love hand painting fondant so I gave her gold eye shadow, ruby lips and luscious lashes.

Drying in second position,
It was a challenge to keep gravity and body placement in mind.
Notice the big "40" , I went Kardashian size!!!

I don't remember Tracey trying this pose, maybe that's why we signed those waivers!

"Show her the money"
She earned if after completing the entire nights routine for us all.- what a natural.

Happy Birthday Tracey!
Hope it was a memorable one.
Here's to health and happiness and to never stop dancing.

Baby bot cake

This cake was for a one month old cutie who was having a party with lots of girls!!!!

I couldn't make it to the baby shower but hope they enjoyed the treat.

His bedroom is done in Robots so I dreamed this design up with that in mind.

Fondant robot boy playing fetch robot style.

Thade does really have a dog.
I have a feeling they'll be best buds.

Congratulations Kim and Jeff may you cherish all those new baby moments.