Cakes for a Cure

I am not a perfectionist. It took me many years and two children to learn this nugget of information. Now that I know, I truly live differently; more freely.

I am not ultimately creative. I steal others' ideas and make them my own. Creating from scratch makes me stressed, headachey and grouchy.

I am not a great chef or baker. I am only now learning to roast a chicken and bake chocolate chip cookies that will be eaten by actual humans.

However, it is a little known fact that I love making cakes. I started 3 years ago when a playgroup friend needed a cake and our actual cake-making-super-creative friend was unavailable. She told me how to do it and wha-la: a Caterpillar. From there, I made cakes for friends' kids and my kids and baby showers, etc.

Today, I'm embarking on an ambitious endeavor of actually charging real money for my creations (that are by no means perfect or ultimately creative; although it is certainly my goal!). I'm raising money for the Susan G. Koman 3-day for the Cure breast cancer walk. (I'm also walking the 3-day in September. More on that later)

Please consider supporting and getting a cute cake too! What kind of party are you having? What cake design do you want?

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Cami cake

We always celebrate my mom's birthday with a beach theme. This year we decided that was getting old. . . we needed something new. Now, mom and dad just adopted Cami, ("the duchess") a beautiful golden retriever puppy:

Cute, right?!

Our something new: my sister-in-law, the illustrious Michelle Robblee of michellepaige.blogspot.com created the most awesome puppy party. To see details of the party go here:

http://michellepaige.blogspot.com/2011/08/puppy-themed-party-for-nana-nana-and.html

Anyhoo- my job, of course, was the cake and voila:

white cake with raspberry frosting/filling and chocolate puppy prints.

Cakes for Eli and Clara

We are blessed with awesome neighbors who moved in about 2 years ago. Our boys play outside in the front yard waiting for Eli and Clara to come out to play. Just this summer have we taken to knocking on each other's doors asking if kids can come out to play. So cute.

So of course, I was excited to do the birthday cakes. Last year, I made Eli an adorable robot. . . this year the theme was Cars, so I made my standard racetrack- this time in a 5.

A month or so later was Clara's turn for a birthday. Here is her Hello Kitty cake- white with strawberry filling.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Ode to my Dishwasher

Every good baker needs a great dishwasher. Most days, I can get the cake done before I fall over. Thankfully, I've got this guy. He gets my dishes cleaned, dried, put away- all with a smile :)

Yum! Every good bowling party needs a cake- a white cake purple ball with 5 chocolate chip cookie bowling pins. Happy birthday, Jack!

Monday, June 20, 2011

Well, it's funny now. . .

Let me tell you a story:

I spent much of last week contemplating, stressing over, and constructing a pirate ship cake. By Friday afternoon, I was quite pleased with myself and my product.

Off I went to the Mariner's game. Upon returning home, I opened the fridge to "check" on my cake and perhaps pat myself on the back that it looked so good. I immediately closed the fridge and began hyperventilating. After some tears and more than a few choice words, I set to work again. At midnight (cake was due at noon on Saturday) new cake was baking.

My children loved having ruined cake! Nathan said to me earlier: "do you know why I'm so into pirates now? It's because you're making that pirate cake for that kid I don't know."

The second cake turned out just as cute and far more structurally sound.

I also made 4 dozen of these darling pirate cupcakes. It turns out I LOVE making cupcakes.

Great story right? I'll tell you, you are glad you were not there!

Hannah Montana Karaoke Party

This was white cake with buttercream and fondant flowers for Julia's 7th birthday!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Tying up loose ends

Looking back through the blog, I've noticed a lack of updates! I need to tell you about my 3-day walk.

I originally started the blog and little cake business to raise my money for the Susan G. Komen Breast cancer 3-day walk. I indeed raised all the necessary funds and indeed walked all 60 miles. It was an overwhelming weekend. Thank you to ALL of you who supported me and bought cakes!

Through the experience, I realized that my headline is still correct. I am not a perfectionist. This personality quark makes a cake business difficult. I still enjoy the occasional job and I really enjoy the variety of creative ideas. I will never support our family on this business or have my own show nor will I likely ever do a wedding cake.

In addition, I will also probably not walk the 3-day again (Lord willing!). This year a portion of my proceeds will go with my cousin and aunt walking for 2011. The rest of the money is being saved for our trip to the Dominican Republic with Children of the Nations . . coming in 2012.

Here is our team at the starting line with Jenean and Terry our survivors in the pink cowboy hats!