I'm Back!

Thats right My Annual July holidays are over for another year- I am back to work, in full swing again! I seriously forgot how often my phone rings!

I have had a huge start to the week with not only some big wedding cakes- but it is also my niece's 3rd Birthday and My baby sisters 21st Birthday!
I will blog about all of these cakes- and more early next week!!

After my break I have a serious back log of clients waiting for consultations- and as per usual everyone wants a Saturday or Evening timeslot. Curretly Saturday appointments are booked out through to Mid September.
Saturday times are ONLY available subject to my delivery schedule. This means that IF I have time to see clients on a Saturday it is restricted to either an 8am or 9am consultation. Delivering cakes to their respected venues on time is my utmost priority on a Saturday, and as I would hope you would expect from me on your wedding day- my weddings for the day are the priority and not new clients.
I schedule all of Tuesday afternoon/evening to see the majority of my clients- and also offer formal quotes via email should you not be able to attend a consultation.


Bookings for Autumn 2010 are filling up fast- I am taking bookings now for all dates up to 30 June 2010.

To arrange a consultation please call me on 0404 388 219.

New Section

Hi!
OK everyone Loves a real wedding!
I am so grateful to receive such wonderful feedback and beautiful images from my clients every week that I thought that I should share with you all.
Seeing as I cannot hep myself but to "fiddle" with my new website, I have started to add a new section tittled " Featured"- which has images of some of my Gorgeous couples from their wedding day- along with their written thanks.

I am in the slow process of adding more of my couples, and the images they have kindly sent to me.
Along with the quoted words from the couples themselves- I was thinking of adding details about the cake they chose- and perhaps the flavours inside????? Let me know what you would like to see!

Where indicated ( or when I know) I will also include links to the Photographer and any other service provider the couple may have mentioned.
This way you can all get to see how fabulous the weddings have turned out!



Like I mentioned- this will be a slow but ongoing process adding to this section- the first 5 couples have taken me 3 hours this morning! hehehe!

I look forward to adding more of my magnificent clients shortly!

If you are a past client and have previously sent me images, and would like to be included in this section let me know. I am more than happy to add you in, along with links to your favourite vendors.

End of Financial Year....

Time certainly does fly when your having fun! Another Financial year over already!Before I post about some of the awesome cakes I made for the last weekend in June- I have to pas on a MASSIVE Thank you to Thaddeus of TWK studio. Now in one of my previous posts I mentioned how Thaddeus has hos couples write their own blog of their wedding day- which he shares through his studios blog along with images from their day. Now Thaddeus was Kind enough to send through this image of Leslie and Quyen's wedding cake That I made in May- as I never got to see the cake complete with the fresh flowers!

I really appreciate his Generosity in supplying me this image- thank you thank you thank you!

Now the last week in June was a busy one indeed. I had this glorious chocolate ad Strawberry cake collected in the Saturday morning to be taken up to Mt Tambourine.


Milk chocolate chards and sweet fresh berries made up this moorish cake!

I has allot of red that weekend- with this three tier cake with trailing deep red roses and red satin ribbon.


Held down at the Grange Sanctuary cove- this was to be the only white element in a warmly decorated room themed for a Celtic style wedding. The cake was positioned high in a stand that had been covered in black fabric- dramatic indeed.

I had 2 cupcake towers for the weekend- Both Birthdays!
The first I unfortunately do not have an image of- was for a repeat client for her son's 21st Birthday.
The next was a Tower of pink cupcakes- just like the ones I did for the pink Breakfast last year.


It looked awesome set up! I love how just having different colour in the icing can make such a dramatic design.

One of my favourites for the week would have to be the next cake.
So pretty- for a vintage theme, elegant and graceful. The tiers in this cake only have a 2" step- rather than my usual 3" between the tin sizes.


Pretty piping detail and delicate ice pink roses, combined with chocolate brown and baby pink ribbons wrapped around and Ivory cake- stunning!

The Last cake for the week was actually for a long time family friend.
He and his now Bride had a "surprise" wedding at their home.
Steven and Sherree came to see me about a cake around a month or so before their "engagement" party was being held- they told me their little secret. I was excited to be making their cake for them, but with their design choice it was going to be hard to keep this "secret" from my family- who are very involved with my cake business.


My Mum and Sister had been hanging out with me in the days leading up to their wedding- and in an effort to put them off the idea that their engagement party was anything more than that- I had to make out that Sherree and Steven wanted a "wow" style engagement cake, which had my family wondering what the "wedding cake" will be like if this three tier is simply for the engagement!
After we arrived in the afternoon- the cat was out of the bag and everyone knew that Steven and Sherree would be married later that afternoon!


It was great to be able to see them get married in front of family and friends!
Congratulations to you both!

Well That is That for the year ending 2008/2009!
Looking forward to the year ahead!

Back in June......

Ok- so I am a little teeny bit behind with my blogging, between having a busy June ( no rest for the wicked) and then a short break- finalising my new website, and now getting ready to start work again- it seems that my blogging has been left a bit behind. But never fear- I have sat down to finish off June and catch you all up with my world of cake!

Back in the week ending the 14th June- I ad a really fun cake to make.A three tier Luggage stack- that had not only a Bride and Groom on top (holding Dumbbells- as the couple met at the Gym) But it also had a figurine of the couples dog Huxley- the cutest Turner and Hooch dog you have ever seen!



The cake itself was iced in an Ivory plastic icing- with silver detail on the buckles ad a bling Luggage tag at the base.

I also had my first ever trip out to Brookwater Golf club! While I was starting to think "Are we there yet?" after a long time in traffic as well as taking a drive for the first time- it was well worth the wait!

I replicated the "fresh Bride" design form last December for Natasha and Benjamin's wedding- and fell in love all over again!
Each little piped pearl, the subtle luster and the Gorgeous Roses- just divine!

The next weekend I had two cakes I just adored.
The First Cake was for a couple I never got to meet. Renee had organised the entire wedding from interstate. As a Surprise to her new groom (Michael) She had organised a "special" set of personalised toppers for the cake.

Now Renee had a gorgeous gown, and I had more than a few raised eyebrows when I delivered the cake- complete with cartoon bride- and a Monkey Groom.
Michael has the nickname "Monkey" amongst his friends and family, (and Renee correct me if I tell the tale incorrectly) after attempting to teach a friends one year old to say "Uncle Mikey". Aptly named by Renee- The "Monkey and Me" topper certainly was a talking point for both the venue staff and the guests in the night.


Through the wonders of Facebook- I was able to see How gorgeous both Renee and Michael looked on their wedding day- thanks to an image from the Vivacious Anne Campbell- their brilliant celebrant! Michael looked nothing like the cute monkey I had made though ;)) LOL!
I was delighted to hear that Renee and Michael Loved the cake- both inside and out the very next day! Congratulations to you both- Sorry we never met in person- and all the very best for the year ahead.

The weekend of the 20th/21st June was not over with the cake above- I had another cake for Snug Harbour on Sunday.
Although I have done more than a few of this striped overlay design in the past month or so- I really loved the delicate Orchids and Monogram that was on this design.
I am vigilant when it comes to reconfirming every detail with each of my cake orders. Because I allow the flexibility to change your mind, going back through each and every email I receive from a client and checking the instructions/requests off against the order sheet is imperative for smooth sailing. So when I had Written on the order Purple orchids- but had an email with Pink written on it- I called the Bride before I ordered the blooms - Just to be sure.
Pink it was! However- During my appointments on the Saturday Morning I received a call from the Bride asking me to please call her ASAP. She sounded a but upset and frazzled. I called her straight away to hear that she had just collected her Bouquets and would it be possible to now change from Pink orchids to Purple ones. The Bouquets had come in in the wrong colour orchids!

I am a sucker at the flower market- and nearly always treat myself to some fresh blooms when I am there collecting my orders for the week- just by chance I saw the most gorgeous velvet like purple orchids- that I "Just had to have!". Having just been on display in my home for about 14 hours- I offered these to Nadine instead of the pale pink ones- Problem solvered! I was glad to be able to create one less "stress" for the wedding day!

Well after Delivering the cake to Snug Harbour- I took my mum, my Nana, My MIL and My Grandmother in Law all up to Mt Tambourine for High Tea. The weather was pitiful to say the least. Allot of fog, cold winds and rain rain rain! I had read mountains of glowing reviews for the tea house, and had waited almost 4 weeks to get a booking. To say we were disappointed was an understatement. Whilst I could not fault the food- the service was appalling. We had to ask for Tea- The food was served before we were even given our tea ( by at least 15 minutes) no one cam to ask up if we wanted more tea/water etc....As it was raining buckets outside- a group that arrived 5 minutes before their allotted time was told to stand outside (no cover) as they "weren't ready" for them yet! and to top things off I was reading through their menu at the end of the high tea ( I had gone up to the desk and collected it myself as there was NO ONE in the tea room)- to my astonishment one of the staff members came and ripped the menu out of my hands and told me that I cannot read it! I was flabbergasted.
I don't believe this is the place to name and shame- but I will certainly be using my consumer powers and not going there again.
What began as a lovely day with my mothers and grandmothers ended with a slight sour taste in our mouths. We enjoyed the each others company, however the rude and unprofessional staff at the tea house left us with negative conversation for the hour drive home.

Any Brisbane High tea places you can recommend?

New Website!

Well after a long drawn out 12 months or so- I finally have a BRAND NEW WEBSITE!!! Built by me, giving a fresh new look to Cake That!
While I literally have JUST gone live, please understand that there may be a few start up hiccups, especially given that this is being controlled by me- a cake decorator with limited IT experience.

If you have any issues with the new site, or even have any feedback at all- I woudl love to hear it!
After all the site is for you all to see the fab cakes I get to make.

Firefox users please note that because the new site is a "flash" site- there is a known issue (firefox's end) where the site may not always open- this is being worked on, and in the interim you can always veiw the site in internet explorer. Adblock Plus is the reason given for this issue.

Well I hope you like the new site!

Where's the Cakes????????????

Hi Everyone!
Just a quick note to let you all know that I am in KL and Phuket for a Week- so- I will post cakes as soon as I return!
Thanks to all theregular readers for thier messages!

Annual Leave

After a massive start to the year I am having my annual leave for the month of July.
During this time I will not be hosting consultations or making any cakes- however I am still contactable via email should you wish to place an order.
I hope to catch up on all of my blogging during my break!

I am headed to KL and Phuket for a short break before returning to Brisbane for some paperwork catch up time. I plan to make a whole new set of display cakes too!
So I won't be totally out of touch with cakes- but just not ordered ones.

If you do send me an email, please note that my response times will be longer than normal- as I will not be on the computer every day.
Looking forward to catching up on my blogging, and sharing my holiday stories with you all soon!

How Did you Find Me???.....

This is the question that I ask all of my clients when I meet them. I don't really advertise, not because I am so up myself that I think I don't need to- but because it is so expensive. I have such a small advertising budget that if I started booking adverts in every bridal magazine, expo and website that approached me, I would be up for tens of thousands of dollars each year- something that I just don't have.
I really value the word of mouth advertising that I receive from both my clients and fellow vendors alike. I have no question in recommending a vendor that I meet whose work is consistently outstanding, and is all round a pleasure to meet. While we all seem to be frazzled on a Saturday in this industry- it is a welcome sight to see a friendly smiling face from a wedding provider you share a client with.
Building a rapport with venues and vendors is really important to me and my business. It is often quite lonely working on your own, so building relationships based purely on admiration of the product or service becomes helpful to both me and my customers. By knowing about other services I can help pass on names and suggest businesses that may be able to help make a perfect wedding day.
Lately I have had Thaddeus form TWK studio let me know that 3 of my past couples have mentioned me in his blog. Thaddeus has his clients write their own "wedding review" reflecting on their special day through his photography blog.
I have never met Thaddeus- I wouldn't know him if I fell over him in the street- but his kindness in letting me know that our mutual clients have mentioned my business in his blog is just lovely.
You can see the amazing photos from each wedding on the TWK Blog:
Michelle and Craig- March 2009
Vicki and Rob April 2009
Leslie and Quyen May 2009

I actually had a cake yesterday- for another couple I have never met either- only to realise that they had found me through the fabulous Anne Campbell. I noticed on Anne's Facebook that she had commented she was about to do a rehearsal at Brookwater. I had a cake at Brookwater too! Renee and Michael? I wonder..... Yes!- Anne quickly replied to inform me "how do you think they found you ;) ??" she is a champion indeed!

I am also on Toni Snell's blog this week too! She is just awesome, so when I knew we had a like client in Holly and Sean's wedding back in May- I sent her and her dad (who shoots with her) a box of cupcakes. I didn't send cupcakes as a bribe to be included in the blog, but just as a thanks for all the referrals. I know that Toni's Mum also likes cupcakes so I left a note to make sure that she too got her share.

I have a great site meter that lets me know where all of my blog and website visitors come from- so I get to see so many mentions of "Cake That!" on blogs and websites all over the world.
It is rather overwhelming that an ordinary girl from Brisbane is being bookmarked by fans all over the globe- who have RSS feeds of my blog and await a new entry from me.
I have some exciting times ahead, not only with cakes, but on a personal front too.
My baby sister is turning 21 in August- and together ;) we have designed a kick A** cake for her Black white and Bling party! I also have cakes to make for the Brisbane Ekka.
I am looking forward to sharing some great stories with all of you soon!

So how did you find out about me??
SJ

Queens Birthday Weekend

The Long weekend in June - for me- usually signifies the slowing of the wedding season, and that my annual leave is near ;)
This Queen's birthday long weekend I was able to actually let my hair down and unwind, as I didn't have any cakes for the Sunday or Monday to deliver.
My week started early this week, with a cake being sent to Hervey Bay for a wedding there. Michelle had organised her wedding cake from FNQ, for the actual wedding being held at Hervey bay. Her parents flew from Cairns to collect the cake in Brisbane and Drive up to Hervey bay. ( For the overseas blog readers- Cairns is a 2.5hour flight or 1800km drive and Hervey bay is 3 hour drive from Brisbane). I also sent a cake to Stradbroke Island this week, so "Cake That!" cakes certainly made their way around.


This cake was themed for a black and white wedding- a really popular colour theme at the moment, and one which looks strikingly elegant. This three tier design was banded with black 15mm ribbons and had a leaf and vine piping detain in the middle.

I has another cake collected this week- being sent out to Glengariff Estate at Dayboro.

This two tier cake featured Burgundy roses and Ivory roses on a white cake with sugar draping.
After the two collections earlier in the week, it meant that Saturday's deliveries were a little easier than usual.
I had heard on the radio that there was a big "garden party" on in James St- for the long weekend and was concerned about delivering a cake to The Vine Restaurant on James St- turns out that whilst there was a garden party on- it was in the confines of a hotel there- and not nearly as impressive as what it sounded on the radio.
The cake for the Vine Restaurant was my first all fruit traditionally iced cake in a VERY long time. I love fruit cake- but it seems that many people simply don't. Albeit that they have probably had bad experiences with dry bitter cakes- rather than deliciously moist fruit cakes ( I am seriously salivating typing this). I have a few fruit cake recipes that I love, all for different reasons. I am so "bad" with fruit cake that I could eat a 6" cake all on my own in a couple of days hehehe!


Anyway- this cake had a fine piped icing dot pattern around the top edge and sugar Singapore orchids over the design. The cake also had a ceramic bride and groom topper and silver car added to the design at the venue, which I unfortunately do not have a great shot of. In fact- that week overall- my photos were pretty poor, with allot of overcast dark days coupled with my point and shoot Pentax, resulting in mediocre images.
After New farm- it was off to Customs house. I really love going to Customs house- not just for the beautiful Long Room with the magnificent dome ( That Steve comments on each time "why don't we have one of these in our house?? hehehehehe") but because the staff are always so great- the room is always set, and it just keeps my day flowing nicely.
I have done this cake design so many times at Customs House- and so many couples choose it because they had been on a "walk through" of the venue and seen it set up. I love the design as it is soft pretty and elegant- without being kitsch.


Ice pink and cream roses on the top, with cream butter cream and a single pink sugar rose petal on top of each cake.

Steve is the cupcake master- his precision placement of each cupcake, so that they are not a single millimeter out- he fiddles with each and everyone so that it looks just perfect. I usually get shots of his hand in my photos, as he is still twisting and placing each cupcake perfectly when I am ready to shoot the cake. This time I made him pose beside his fabulous arrangement. He is a champion at making sure my cakes are looking smashing for the reception.
After Customs house it was off to the Treasury to deliver a true "Cake That!" popular design.

Known as one of the Bridal white designs on my website, this cake has the piped icing pearls rising up the side of the tiers. I first did this cake for a client almost 4 years ago, and it has been so popular ever since.
My last delivery of the day was to Victoria Park's Marquee. When I got to the room- I noticed some familiar chair tie backs- like the ones used at Rachelle and Tom's wedding the week prior- then the Event decorator form "Miss Weddings" asked me if I did the cake last week, and we realised yes we had done the same weddings together two weeks in a row. We both commented on the popularity of the Black and white theme, and how awesome it looked.
This cake was for a couple who I unfortunately never got to meet in person. Emily lived in Sydney and organised the entire wedding from interstate. Her cake was just awesome- and probably my favourite for the week.


A three tier cake, with piped dots over the top and base tiers, in perfectly straight lines, and then a random thickness striped overlay on the middle tier, and a sugar bow to finish things off. It looked very classy in their marquee.

I am slowly catching up on my blogging!! I am about to head off on holidays for 10 days at the end of next week- July 11 brides don't despair- I will be back for your wedding cakes- before heading off on my Annual leave for the rest of July.
Thanks for reading, and don't forget to leave a comment or ask a question about any of the cakes if you like!
SJ

May Days

The last Saturday in May was a long day indeed. With 5 Saturdays in the month- the entire month felt long.
I completed and delivered 39 cakes during may- which is a huge feat- basically- on my own (with the exception of my Husband Steve helping me to deliver- and my 'lil sister Alex typing up my delivery notes) I felt a huge sense of achievement having made it through the month in one piece.
The first cake to be featured for the week is a style that I have done a few times this month. A two tier cake with a pearl striped overlay, and fresh ivory spray roses on the top.


This cake was for a wedding at the Stamford- the Bride to be lived in WA- and had organised the entire cake by email.

Each stripe is cut out by hand, then applied to the cake- before the icing sets and cracks- then once dried into place the shimmer is applied to the stripes.
The numbers for this wedding really grew from the initial quote- proving that you should never bank on 10-20% not being able to attend.

I actually had 2 cakes that day at the Stamford- which was great- one less delivery stop!
The next was a popular chocolate design- White heaven.
White chocolate callebaut scrolls stand vertical in a solid chocolate collar. The cake is iced in a white chocolate butter cream icing, leaving the rich chocolate centre disguised by the white exterior.


The reaction to this design is generally the same- after being overpowered by the intense white chocolate smell- the urge to just sneak a scroll from the cake is almost irresistible.
This cake design always reminds me of the first clients I ever made it for. Like many of my clients- they were so warm and friendly- and really gave me a fabulous opportunity to prove myself, by commissioning me when my business was so new. I am so grateful for their faith in me, and the business I have received from the design they chose.

Another design that I have had much requests for since I first made one was the Marbled chocolate design.


Each cake is unique, with the swirled white and chocolate fondant forming patterns through the icing- freestyle. This cake was for a Friday wedding out at Sirromet. The warm chocolate tones of the Barrell hall would have been a great compliment to this design.

It is not often I get the chance to make birthday cakes- but when I do they are normally pretty special.Although this cake is a single tier- it has long chocolate chards- and about 30 chocolate lollipops exploding from the top. My sister Alex did actually help with this cake- helping "bling" up the lollipops with cachous- keeping the design random and fun- rather than too structured. The bright bold colouring added allot of fun too!

The last delivery of the day was cupcakes. now I LOVE this design- a really elegant example of how a cupcake tower can fit into a stylish wedding.There were 3 designs in the cupcakes- each one iced differently, with an Ivory sugar bloom on top- either a mini rose and leaf, or a slightly bigger more open rose, or a cut blossom. The top tier was iced in Ivory fondant- with a combination of all three blooms on top.

Whilst I absolutely adored the cake ( and the clients)- the venue was another story. Hosting a wedding at your venue is not like hosting a dinner for 70 guests- it is a special one off event- celebrating a huge milestone in your life- and you pay for the privilege to be treated and respected accordingly.
Unfortunately the venue seems to have forgotten the fact that the impression of this day will last for a very long time on the memories of the Bride and groom- and all of those who attended it.
Changing their mind ( venue re access times) only a month out- meant that the couple's vendors only had a window of 1/2 hour before the on site wedding ceremony was taking place, to deliver and set up the venue. Being at the venue setting a cake when guests are arriving- in my opinion- makes me look to be running late and unprofessional.
Having the Groom, groomsmen and Father of the bride present at the venue while I am setting up- and while the venue still has lunch guests seated- with the event decorators setting tables around them seem ludicrous. Guests arriving and the reception is no where near ready looked like a complete shambles.
With all due respect to the Bride and groom themselves- they had chosen a fabulous location with a potentially awesome atmosphere- which had unfortunately been tainted by the venues obvious unwillingness to shorten the lunch service to accommodate the reception that evening. Had the clients been billed as if they were simply hosting 70 guests for dinner, then I would have no issue with the late set up- but a premium price is paid- which is in place to cover the need to allow greater set up time, and to ensure a more intimate service.
I am glad to say that I hear all went fabulously that evening- if only the guests could have entered the ceremony seeing a ready set venue with an air of calm- rather than panic by time pressed external vendors.

In the end all cakes were delivered, and from initial feedback everyone was delighted!
I am slowly catching up to my blog entries...........watch this space for more to come!