Happy birthday to my bing cherry addicted, flippy-floppy lovin’ friend Carrie!
Posted in Cupcakes.
Tagged with cupcake, flipflops.
By Queen Bee
– August 2, 2009
A Sweet Time
Chocolate. This convention has been all about chocolate. Chocolate collars, chocolate flowers, modelling chocolate, and on and on. I will dutifully learn about, sample, paint and roll the delicious stuff. This is a trend I am glad to jump on.
One of my favorite decorators who does a lot of chocolate modelling is Mike McCarey from Mike’s Amazing Cakes.
How cute is this little guy? Those waves are set out from the cake as a collar of chocolate.
Splashing Dragon
Here is a close up of good ol’ Puff. He is made entirely of chocolate.
Splish'n and splash'n
And if chocolate isn’t your thing, there is plenty of other forms of sugar. These guys will look familiar to any fan of
CakeWrecks.
Naked Mohawk Carrot Jockeys
Posted in Musings and Inspiration, Travel.
Tagged with cakeshow, ICES.
By Queen Bee
– August 1, 2009
This cake was a team effort representing Virginia. More specifically it was made by the Cake and Sugar Artists of Northern Virginia (CASANOVA). We added one element during each month’s gathering. (Don’t worry, there is Styrofoam under there- not real cake!) That RHS branch is totally me, can’t you tell? LOL. Did you know that dogwoods are the official flower (tree flower?) of Va? Cardinals are the state bird and I love the top hat on the groom. Hey, Virginia is for lovers and that dude has style!
CASANOVA Cake
Check out this giant rose. It’s as big as my hand and was made out of CHOCOLATE by Jing Palasique. I cannot to get home and try this.
Chocolate Rose
Here is the finished cake showcasing chocolate roses and orchids. Totally wireless, totally edible, totally chocolate.
Chocolate roses and orchids
Posted in Musings and Inspiration, Travel.
Tagged with cakeshow, ICES.
By Queen Bee
– July 31, 2009
More great demos today. My favorite was Carrie Bigger’s presentation on chocolate wraps. How fun is this?
Modeling Chocolate Wrap with Inlay Design
It becomes even more appealing when you can smell the chocolate fudge icing. Trust me. You can see her other creations at Carrie’s Cakes.
Today was also the official opening ceremony. No idea why it takes place on Friday of conference week, but I do know that it signals the opening of the cake room (display cakes brought by attendees) and the vendor area. Which pretty much means that I was not the only one to skip my afternoon class and go shopping.
There is lots to see and do at each booth though. In this photo, Alan from Global Sugar Art (one of my favorite shops) is showing Trevor and I how to use the new patchwork cutters with mexican paste (think cookie cutters and play dough).
There also MAY have been some accidental stalking of James Rosselle from Elle Cakes. (Really James, we were not following you!) And maybe some accidental purchases. I needed a 25 pound bucket of fondant, right?!
Posted in Musings and Inspiration, Travel.
Tagged with cakeshow, ICES.
By Queen Bee
– July 31, 2009
Last night I had another hands on class. The focus was on gumpaste pansies and violets.
I was looking forward to it because the instructor, Nicholas Lodge, of ICSA (International School of Confectionary and Sugar Arts) has a fabulous reputation as both an artist and a teacher. So I finally took the plunge, and I did have a great time!
These kinds of classes start out with group instruction and a demo of each method and piece of equipment used.
Instruction
Then we are each assigned to a kit of toys ( I mean tools!) and get to work.
After petal, stamens and leaves are added the flower really blooms.
Pansy blossom and bud
Although it is the painting (with food safe dust colors) and a quick trip through a steam shower that really brings it to life.
Pansy and violet
Posted in Musings and Inspiration, Travel.
Tagged with cakeshow, ICES.
By Queen Bee
– July 31, 2009
