2010 the year that was!

The end of the year is always special to me- not because it means I get to take a short break and spend time with Friends and Family- and not because it is My birthday and Christmas all in the same week- but because it is when I get a chance to look back and see what awesome clients I have had over the year and what truly stunning cakes they have had me make!

Whilst for many December is a month where things slowly come to a close- in my world it is all go- then stop!

Jam packing every second into every day could easily be my mantra. This was certainly the case when I received a call on Friday in December asking if I had a few minutes spare to answer some questions about Cakes and Cake decorating trends.

Without being flippant about it- I have fielded these types of calls on may occasions- and whilst I heard the words "Brisbane News" I wasn't certain if this was indeed a serious piece or whether or not the journalist was just after some "fluff" for an article she was creating.

To my delight- and subsequent surprise- this little "chat" was for real- a story about cakes- Designer Cakes- and they were asking ME! But that was no where near the best bit either.......... after confirming details with editor I was told a Photographer would contact me in regards to an image for the piece. Well someone did contact me- and not for just some picture- but to ask if I could please submit two cakes (the very next morning) to be shot as.........................

THE COVER IMAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG- were they serious??? Little SJ form Cake That! getting one of her cakes on the cover of a stylish magazine! You bet :)

So after running around like a crazed cake lady- calling my cake bestie Karen from KVW cakes to run through ideas (and calm me down) I managed to pull off Two pretty smashing cakes- If I do say so myself.

There was a brief- a cake that I thought was the way cake fashion is trending and the photographer also requested a textured cake.

Low and Behold I managed to make both- and after spending a ridiculous amount of time on my Black and White beauty... the photographer flipped out for the Textured one. Don't get me wrong- that cake was awesome too- and most probably far more appealing to most- but I Loved the Black and white one too!

My Mum came with me to the cake shoot- I honestly thought it would be a 10 minute in and out kind of session- but perfection takes time- and after the lovely Courier Mail Photographer ooohed and Aaahed over the cakes and took a bucket load of shots- I was amazed that over 1.5 hours had passed by. Cake Models can be temperamental LOL!

The turn around was super fast! About days after the shoot- there she was.......

My Cover girl!!!!!! Pretty isn't she!

Although my mug didn't make it inside-two more of my recent cakes did- which was just the cream on top!

The Mag came out a few days before my birthday which was just lovely!

This year I had the most surprising birthday ever - and not just because of the magazine- but because one of my sisters organised a surprise birthday party for me!

For my friends and family that know me well know I never miss a trick- but somehow this time was a complete success......... I was shocked to turn up at a restaurant and see 30 of my closest family and friends shouting "SURPRISE"!! I was in a dream like state- I couldn't believe it!

And of course a birthday isn't complete without a cake- My mum had created a wicked ice cream cake- with Oreos Chocolate and even peanut butter mixed in (my fave ice cream is Baskins Choc peanut butter)- DELISH!!!!!!! I feel so very humbled by my magnificent family and friends. My family especially who help me week in week out without question nor want of reward- and then I get such a fantastic surprise- You are all the best!

So with my Birthday out of the way it was time for my second annual Cake That! Xmas Cracker!! I am blessed to know and work alongside some of the best in the Brisbane Wedding industry. Without them and their support My business would not be half the success it is today.

As a small token of my thanks I invited some colleagues to come over for an evening of Fabulous food and Drinks- to unwind and reflect on the year that was.

I know I had a great time- and I hope that that my guests did too! 

With such a busy end to the year I had my great friend Natalie from Dux Gutz Catering make and theme the menu for the night... not a single crumb left.

Natalie Wowed my guests with deliciousness such as  Duck Salads- Chermoula Spiced Lamb on braised lentils- Warm roast veg tartlets...... and so so much more.

Of course there was a Christmas Cocktail menu- and if I do say so myself- the Spicy Tart rocked- a gorgeous blend of Pear Absolut  and Spiced Sugar Syrup- created a cocktail that tasted almost like a pear and apple pie mmmmmmmmm.

Being all about cake- of course there was something sweet!

I LOVE creating Lolly Buffets- since my sister Alex' 21st I have been hooked- and each one has to be different to the last.

This year my vision was for a White chocolate Rocky road Xmas tree cake center piece! After loaning a meter (plus) high Croquembouche cone from my friend Amanda from Deliberately Delicious- I set about the mammoth task! 

To create the Rocky Road "tree" took over 5kg Marshmallows- 8KG white chocolate- Coconut, Jubes and Jellies- not to mention all the fondant used to decorate this monster- it weighed a tonne!

I modelled some cute little elves over the "tree" This one in particular has a special place in my heart!

I couldn't forget to make actual "Cake" so I had made Xmas themed cupcakes too!

Thank you to everyone who came and made the night extra special!   

 

Nigel and Justina from NKN Photography Jennine Florabella Design  Sandee Always Fabulous Flowers   

It may have rained buckets and created a river in my backyard- but it was allot of fun.

 

The vivacious Anne Campbell from Anne Campbell Weddings  Lisa Clark from Lisa Clark Photography Ben Clark Ben Clark Photography and Debbie Thomas from St Photography

Thank you to everyone who came and made it a fabulous night!

Well that was 2010!

So far 2011 has bee a ripper- and I look forward to sharing this with you soon!

Thanks for reading

SJ

Hello Holidays.....................

OK- in order to actually catch up and get into 2010 I thought I had better couple the last weeks of 2009 together.

Some truly wicked cakes finished off last year.

I often have people ask if I can make the toppers in different outfits rather than a "generic" wedding outfit. OF Course!!! All of the toppers are made to suit the clients and thier likeness- including any unusual traits or designs that they might desire.

The weekend of the 12/13th December was no different.

I had a chocolate creation with a bride and her "Conan the Barbarian" Groom! Too cute!

"What's that clinging to the side??" you ask- well it is their grey kitten of course! Pets and children can certainly be included in the figure sets.

I also did a variation of a Mad Hatter design that was sent to me over email.

The original bakers design had extended tiers, heart detail and a blingged up Monogram initial- but this couple chose to incorporated their love of all things horses and have three horse heads emerging from the top- as well as golden horse shoe decorations!

  

This cake really captures the "Mad hatter" Feel- bright and bold, personalised and all out fun!

The "Invitation Print" Cake design on my site is a very popular cake choice lately.

The cake was originally created for a couple to match their invites from Amity Invites 

Since the original cake was posted in my blog and site I have had numerous requests to recreate it. The design is simple and elegant- with a contemporary feel. The Invite designer actually contacted me after I sent clients her way that wanted to purchase the invites to match the cake- usually it is the other way around ( invite pattern onto the cake!) She seemed delighted to have had her design on the cake- and was kind enough to send me through a heap of her Invite samples to have available for my clients to look through when they come in for their cake consultation.

A gorgeous cake for Gianni's Portside late on a Summer Friday afternoon saw me running into the fabulous Jennine from Florabella! Jennine was doing the wedding flowers for the same wedding and was waiting for access to the venue when I came to deliver the cake. Unfortunately I was not able to personally place the cake on the cake table ( as the venue was not set)- but the wonderful Jennine sent me images of the cake beautifully set up!

The four tier cake had a royal icing finish- with piped teardrop and silver cachous detail. A band of Ivory sugar "ribbon" and  Sugar Ivory roses covered the top- Just beautiful. Another stunner to add to my favourite monochromatic cakes!

Brush Embroidery cake designs are also quite vogue with the popularity of the Vintage theme.

This design included teardrop Swarovski Crystals attached to champagne ribbons- arranged at differing heights over the tier. The Brush embroidery technique can be used to replicate lace patterning or a flower detail onto the icing surface. The raised effect adds texture and a touch of elegance to the design.

Purely because of availability- I generally don't get to make many birthday cakes during the year- as for most people it is a last minute thought about ordering a cake.

I do have some savvy clients though who understand the importance of booking early- which means I have the availability to create  a magnificent cake for their event!

One of my last cakes for the year was for  Singer/Music teacher- who wanted something "Funky" for her Birthday.

Together we cam up with a design that incorporated her party colours- her fun personality- and her love of all things music!

Edible Glitter Music Notes wound up and around the tiers all the way to the big "40" at the top! In amongst the black piped icing pearls was the occasional red one- just for something different!

Putting the cake on a Black iced board really lifted the design and made the tiers stand out.

Inside the cake was another surprise- one layer was a gluten free red velvet cake! The Bright red cake was a fabulous way to distinguish the gluten free tier for the guests.

I also had my sister Alex's boyfriends birthday cake to make. It is Joe's birthday just one day after mine- and in exchange for an uber cool cake from me Alex made my Birthday cake!

What else would a 20 something year old want but a Transformers cake???? I made this wicked design from the Transformers logo- simple yet effective.

With a blood red glossy board- and hand painted silver "face" detail- this cake certainly turned heads at the restaurant where the birthday was held. It was a hard ask to actually get Joe to cut and share the cake- but all good things must come to and end- so carve away!!

My Last Wedding cake for 2009 was simply STUNNING!!! I loved it to pieces.

The Bride had organised the entire cake via email- as they lived overseas- and I put together what she ordered.

In the Stamford Plaza River room I layered 4 tiers of chocolate chard covered cakes- and placed some gorgeous roses ( supplied by the couple) in between the tiers. The soft coloured Ivory and white roses with the stunning Buckles(also supplied by the clients) just looked so elegant- a real "Wedding" cake.

 

What read as a "simple" cake on paper really came together as a stunning way to finish 2009- A certain favourite for the year!I must email the Bride to ask where she bought the buckles from- they were gorgeous!

With all the "client cakes" done and dusted for 2009- I was on Holidays from cake making for a month- taking time out to sort paperwork, get ready for the New Year inquiry Rush, and generally take a break from all things sugar for a while. My family received the last cakes of the year- a Christmas cake for both my family and My husbands family.

Just to add a bit of fun to the Xmas table!

With 2010 now in full swing- it is February already  : o !!

Catching up on Blogging is a slow and steady process- but I am getting there!

Thanks for reading

SJ

Cake That! Xmas Party!

November and Early December are definitely the dates for Festive Xmas Celebrations! Taking time out to relax with colleagues and let your hair down, while your boss collects the tab from a great time out really helps workers moral and show the appreciation for the year gone.

I don't have a boss- not do I have "employee's" per se- but I do have a fabulous Family that helps me out during the year, not to mention a fabulous network of fellow industry workers- most of whom also work solely from home- so this year I decided that I would throw a Xmas party!

An afternoon of fabulous food-excellent company- and not to mention so wicked cocktails and drinks created by my sister Kate!


A huge thank you to everyone who was able to make it- and those who couldn't make it this time- there is certain to be many more gatherings like this in the near future!

Amongst the Amazing Vendors that were able to attend were:
Miranda Greer (photographer), the Vivacious Anne Campbell, Kathleen from Platinum Weddings, Dominique from Invitique, Amanda from Deliberately Delicious, Adrian from Princess Luxury Classics, Karen from KVW Cakes, Gina from Cakes Actually, Karen from Bliss Floral, Glenda from Glenda Pradella Flowers, Leonie form Icing on the cake and Linda from the Party Girls!

I would recommend all of these businesses in a heart beat!

To keep in the party mood- there was a cake (of course) Designed by my sister Kate- who came up with the idea of creating a cupcake tower that resembled a Xmas tree.
It sat in the center of the Lolly Buffet- which was a massive hit with both the kids and the adults. A red Green and White theme- and yes the mini "presents" under the Xmas cupcake tree were also cakes- chocolate fruit cakes!
I was truly humbled by the gifts received- totally unexpected. Thank you!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful afternoon- I certainly enjoyed having everyone over!

Thank you to all of my fellow vendors who continue to support me and Cake That! Without your glowing referrals and friendship my job would not be half the fun it already is!

To my family- every weekend- without a second thought- you offer to help and are often delivering cakes all over SEQ for me, running to collect supplies, or just in general helping me clean up the never ending trail of sugar- Thank you for your continued support and willingness to work to help me create a better business. Thank you also for keeping me real and reminding me what is most important in life.
To my fabulous Husband Steve!! Thank you for once again helping me get through another huge year! Giving up every weekend after working a full week yourself to deliver cakes with me- putting up with my "crazy cake lady" moments and last but not least choosing great "staff" lunches each Saturday! Together we delivered over 300 cakes in 2009- what a year!

I am already looking forward to the next Cake That! Xmas party- Xmas in July perhaps???