Saturday 20 November 2010

A cool Surprise


 

The 4th Weekend in October bought me yet again an eclectic mix of cake designs- as well as cakes traveling all over SEQ.
It certainly was (as always) a mixed bunch this particular week. I often get asked by potential clients questions like:
"what is the craziest cake you have ever done?"
or
"What is your favourite cake"
or my all time favourite
"Did you make your own cake??- and would you choose the same again?"

The last question is the easiest to answer- Yes I made my own cake- and given my much further and greater experience since then- I would definitely have something much grander- however the cake I made was a very classic style (albeit pink) ;)

I have so many Favourites- being blessed with awesome clients who choose cakes that really ignite your creativity and design skills- choosing a dead set all time favourite is very hard.

And for Crazy- each to there own I say. 
Having a novelty wedding cake is something very personal- and so often I have clients who choose these designs and it is "so" them. It makes the reception that bit more special- and all of the guests can relate to why it was chosen. I admire clients who go out of the norm and choose a really unique design that reflects themselves.

This week in October I had allot of cakes that had very personal touches- and for that every week I am grateful!

The first to leave the "cake room" was a three tier with Brush embroidered mid tier cake.

Classic and elegant. This cake headed north to Scarborough, where it was later topped with fresh flowers from the couples florist. 


The next cake to go on it merry way was a three tier cake with a hand painted monogram plaque.
This cake was taken over to Stradbroke Island by the Brides Family.


I don't often get to make Birthday cakes- this Single tier cake was for a past bride. She loves pink and Pearls- so this sharply iced extended height pink cake- with strung pearls wrapped around the base- a variegated pink "30" and a white open blossom- complete with a disco pink centre! 



Clean and simple = classy with a touch of fun!
The next cake went to Brett's Wharf.
A variation of the "Heidi's Dream" cake on my website- the flower centers were made yellow to match in with the Bright yellow Black and white theme.
This room had a gorgeous set up- including stunning table centerpieces by Karen @ Bliss Floral.
  

I love the natural feel of this next cake. A twist on the "normal" cherry blossom effect- incorporating white flowers and some forest green leaves. 



With the Ivory iced cake- the green and chocolate brown really came together to  give a warm earthy feel.

The next design is a version of the "All Class" cake on my site.
I first made this cake a few years back and it has been super popular ever since.
Just like its name- it is just simply classy.
Smooth finished icing- and a simple double flat bow around the base of each tier.

As I have mentioned in previous blogs- there was no Sunday rest for me during wedding season.
I headed to The beautiful Topairies at Beaumont House to set up this three tier cake- complete with a cartoon family on top!


 I am a huge fan of the Navy and Ivory together.

It seems that lately there has been allot of family cake love. To be honest I swear my friend sand family are sick of my cake- we see it- smell it , and eat it ALL the time. So when my Cousin's birthday came around I thought- lets do something a bit different.

So Whilst doing my household shop in Woolies- I had a brainwave- about cool cake for my cousin! And before you go thinking I went down the "Betty Crocker" path- think again
What is more iconic in your childhood birthday memories than your actual birthday cake???????



If my sister had her way her answer would be Fairy Bread- and although I can see a cool layer "cake" with thin bread layered with 100's and 1000's- it wasn't to be.
Instead I created a giant Chocolate Crackle!
A double batch of chocolate crackle recipe- straight from the rice bubbles/copha pack- set into an 8" round tin- then turned out and iced in ganache and finished with chocolate chards and scrolls- to form the facade.
Whilst it was mega tasty- it was bloody hard to cut- I seemed to have compacted it too much in the tin that you kind of needed a circular saw to cut it- but it tasted amazing!
And BTW Chocolate crackles are gluten free- yeah!

So that was the 4th weekend in October- where is the year going??

I will have a small Xmas selection available for order soon- with Christmas cakes and Christmas themed treats for you to share with your friends and family. Details to come.

Don't forget you can see my latest cakes and what I get up to during the week on my Facebook page

Thanks for reading
SJ

Sunday 7 November 2010

Bows and Bling!


 This year October had 5 Friday's- 5 Saturday's and 5 Sunday's- this little phenomenon only happens every 83 years, and it seemed that I was destined to have a wedding on each and every one of these days this year!
Friday weddings are very popular- like an extended long weekend- where you can sit back and enjoy the rest of the weekend with your guests after the Wedding and Reception is all done and dusted.... or simply keep partying through and have a three day event!

This particular Friday had me driving form one side of Brisbane to the other to deliver two Wedding cakes.
My first stop was out to Walkabout Creek at The Gap.
The Wonderful Miranda Greer was Photographing this wedding ( and one of my Sunday weddings too)- so I look forward to seeing her pro pics !!!!
A three tier present stack cake- on the wedding colour theme.
The base tier was iced in a lilac colour with the box "lid" piped with a pattern that mimicked the invitations.  A string of tiny diamantes around the base for a bit of sparkle and Pearl finish sugar bows over the cake gave the design a "wrapped up" feel.


 The bows on this cake were the first of many sugar bows that I made for this weekend.




Unfortunately it was yet another wet week in Brisbane. With soft drizzly rain- the sort of rain you want to simply lie in bed and have a little snooze in kind of weather. This time- Luckily- the rain was not so bad as to interfere with the cake decorations and icing though.

After Walkabout Creek- I headed East to Sirromet- right over the other side of Brisbane. Being a Friday I didn't have any delivery helpers- so it was just me in the car- with the cakes-  crossing my fingers that the traffic would be not so bad- and it was OK.
When I got to Sirromet the wedding was beginning to be set up in Restaurant Lurleens. I LOVE This restaurant- the food is simply amazing.
These clients had chosen a three tier cake- with the top and base tiers quilted, with tiny crystals at each cross point. It was sweet and delicate- so pretty.


I think I found a new sugar flower which I love to make- Carnations!  So frilly  and oh so pretty! With the increasing renewed interest and popularity of this flower in Bouquets, it has made my head spin with display cake ideas....... so come December- January when I replace all of my display cakes- I am certain to include a carnation inspired design.



This next cake was all about bows and Carnations.


 A three tier cake with twisted tiers, sugar ribbons and bows all across the cake.
This cake was set up at the Pavilion at Albion.  I received such a lovely thank you from the bride the very next day! It is always so wonderful to hear back from my clients!
Saturday had me tripping all over Brisbane delivering.

The next cake is one that I have been waiting to make ever since I met the beautiful Bride and her family way back last year at the Royal on the Park Wedding Expo.

A bride who knew exactly what she wanted, and chose a stunning cake too! The Bride and Groom were not Brisbane Based- so everything was organised via phone and email.
Organising a cake without a personal consultation is something I get to do on a regular basis. Being able to help out couples who cannot physically come into meet with me is no worries at all. I appreciate the trust they put into me and my product- to create a beautiful cake for their special day. 


Set onto short pillars- with magnificent creams and pink coloured roses in between the layers and on top. A piped "bubble" effect rose up from the base of each tier. Pretty Delicate and elegant!
I saw the always smiling and super friendly Linda from The Party Girls setting up. I love running into fellow vendors when delivering- working on your own really makes you cherish the fabulous rapport you can build with other wedding specialists.
Next stop was Victoria Park- where I did a slightly different version of my Mummy cake.
This cake was Two double height tiers- with a soft coffee/pearl bow at the base.  

 This design had evolved over the years- with this extended tier version adding to the possibilities for this style of design.
Another beautiful sugar bow at the base.

From Victoria Park Golf course to McLeod's Country Golf Club.
I had the pleasure of working with Jennine from Florabella design on this cake. Jennine provided the fresh flower topper and pretty blue Delphiniums that were scattered in amongst the stand.

 

Unfortunately I missed Jennine at the venue but she was so kind as to send me through an image of the completed cake.
A slight variation on the Creative Bride design off my website- incorporating the colour theme of the wedding. A Candy pink colour and ivory, with little hunts of blue.

I Zig-Zagged back across town to The Landing at Dockside to set up another cupcake tower- this time a smaller replica of one I did back in 2008 for Cherie and Dan.  


Greens and cream icing, and a cute little personalised couple standing on top!




I find it funny when people recognise my cakes as mine. I felt quite flattered to hear from another fabulous local decorator- Amanda from Deliberately Delicious- to say that she had seen this very cake at the venue and "just knew it was a Sarah-Jane cake". And when I posted these pictures on the Cake that! Facebook page the talented Karen from Bliss Floral Design also mentioned that she had seen the cake at The Landing that day too!LOL!

After all the Saturday Deliveries it was off to my sister in law- Alison's- 30th Birthday!
Happy Birthday Alison! Where is her cake you ask?????????
Well Alison - being the lovely and humble person she is- didn't choose a flashy big shindig- instead opting for a small intimate and Gastronomic meal with those closest to her.
I did sneak in a small box of decorated cupcakes for her, but didn't overwhelm her with a cake masterpiece. She was more than chuffed! Happy Birthday Alison!

Sunday had me on yet another day of delivering. This time with my wonderful Mum in tow. She is such a proud mum, when I went to pick her up she was all dressed and ready in her "Cake That!" shirt- looking very corporate indeed. My poor dad was left home alone- to his own devices- as mum took the long trip down to Kirra and back with me.
Before we went to Kirra though- we had one last CBD delivery- possibly my Favourite cake of the week even :o

Firstly a huge Thank you to Bronwyn and Josh for choosing me to make their cake. Without the clients choosing the fabulous designs I would not be able to share the awesome cakes with you all!
This Mad Hatter was colour themed to match in with the invitation paper. It really makes me smile when I can colour match the icing- pretty much perfectly- if I do say so myself!
This cake also marked the last of the Sugar bows for the week! 
A giant pearl white bow on top- Gorgeous!   
  
 
The base tier with e varied thickness striped overlay- then the retro circle pattern all topped off with the solid colour top tier and big beautiful bow!

I would love to share the wonderful Thank you I received from Bronwyn 

"Hi Sarah-Jane!
Just a quick email of thanks for our SPECTACULAR wedding cake - the day was an amazing success and we had so many comments on the cake - from the design, to the detail to the flavour! Dark choc and raspberry - divine, white choc macadamia - exceptional, choc peppermint - well that remains to be tasted, but i know it will be amazing too!
Thank you so so so so so so SO much!
Looking forward to sending you some photos soon!
Bronwyn"
There was no hiding how much I loved this cake- it was fun and funky- but still was elegant.  

I delivered the cake to the Panorama room at the Urban hotel- magnificent set up and beautiful skyline views! My mum also took much pride in telling the staff all about the cake and how I had made it- so sweet of her.

Miranda Greer was on board as the Photographer for this wedding too- so I look forward to seeing some shots of Bronwyn and Josh's day from her soon.

After Urban Hotel it was straight down to Kirra. A note to those looking for Kirra on your GPS- it doesn't actually exist ( to them anyway) Kirra is an Iconic Gold Coast Suburb- but in fact it is a "satellite" suburb- so a name within a name- so after three calls to the restaurant and finally working out that the GPS liked Coolangatta as the address- we made our way down.
A Glorious blue sky day- just a little bit of wind chill off the ocean- but perfect none the less!

Kane and Denise had commissioned me to make their wedding cake, organising the wedding from their home in Canberra. I was lucky to meet with them on a trip to QLD to do some wedding planning- and was delighted to see Kane at the Restaurant when I delivered the cake.
It was lunchtime when we arrived at the restaurant to deliver the cake for the evening reception- so mum and I had a "work" lunch right there! Very nice food and a beautiful venue.
The reception was held upstairs at Le Monde Restaurant- which overlooks Kirra Beach- and is right next door to Kirra Surf.



This three tier cake was so tall with the silver willow sticks that I had to cut off some of the shot in the tent! Deep pink red sugar frangipani's and crystal detail- as well as draped icing completed this design. Denise and Kane also sent me a lovely Thank you and some stunning wedding pictures- I was blessed with client love this week for sure!


So after the long drive back home to Brisbane I dropped mum back home to dad- and then took myself home for a brief rest before waking up to start all over again on Monday.

Well that is a wrap for that weekend
Thanks for reading 
SJ