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.

Thai'd the knot

Last month my little sister eloped to Thailand.  They came back to Manitoba in May for a small reception that I got to host.  His parents flew out for supper and then brunch the next day.  We all had a wonderful time.  I would have loved to be there, but this was the next best thing.

My signature chocolate Reeses peanut butter cake with PB butter cream, chocolate ganache and mini Reeses cups.
I wanted it to be simple and classic, Laura's style.  The symbols on the front of the cake are Thai for "I love you"

I love the Damask them with Robins egg blue.

Top view

John cutting the cake.

My inspiration for the cake and party them.  I framed a piece of wrapping paper as the mat was being signed by friends and family.

Here are the chocolate with vanilla bean buttercream cupcakes.  Along with coconut vanilla cupcakes with cream cheese lime icing, these were my favorite...yummers!

Chocolate covered bride and groom strawberries. Amongst them hide chocolate dipped and chocolate ganache topped brownies.  Laura helped with bow ties and buttons!

And of course just because they eloped they couldn't avoid all the fun.  We dressed them up in tacky clothes and took some of our own family wedding pics.  Here Laura is wearing a lace tablecloth around her as well as in her hair. 

But of course you can't make this girl look bad.  We got some great pics with the apple tree blossoms.  What a catch, we are blessed to have John in the family.

Congratulations Laura and John!

Here's to many years of happiness together.

Mr Happy cupcakes

These cupcakes were an effort to help cheer up my little guy who was so sad his favorite ball popped.

Oh to have the problems of a 5 year old and then to fix them with cupcakes and a new ball.

Mr.Happy not so happy after he met the branch.
 My little guy was even less happy :(

Chocolate chocolate chunk cupcakes with vanilla buttercream icing was the cure.
To top it off was a hand painted yellow gumball.
We even shared some with the neighbours who also saw Mr. Happy sail over their fence.

So easy and quick and not to mention Yummy:)

A Happy Mothers Day for me:)

I feel blessed to have been spoiled today by my four wonderful boys.  They brought me flowers, hand made cards and a beautiful cake -- all I asked for was lots of hugs!

Local "Flowers" picked fresh by my boys.

A chocolate cake with vanilla butter cream icing covered in fondant.  My husband found my supplies and went to work with the boys all morning.  They even bought a new apron for me - love it boys.

They even thought to put five butterflies to symbolize our family.

The secret recipe my hubby made up :))

It was a beautiful cake and I could taste the love, which happens to taste better than chocolate:)

This was a wonderful Mothers Day I will cherish forever.

 Thanks boys.