"Handy" the mixer: 08/2001-10/30/2009

Last night was a sad cake night for me. My trusted assistant since 2004 has passed on. It was the summer of 2001 when I spotted this little hand mixer at the BYU creamery. I knew it would be worth way more than the $10 I purchased it for. I stored it away in my hope chest and brought it to life when I married in 2004. It got some use but it really came in "handy" (get it?) when I started my little cake hobby. It has worked so hard for me with every cake batter, every filling, and every icing I have ever made the last year and a half. I will never forget our good times together. It will be missed.

Okay, I knew I was going crazy when I almost kept my burned out hand machine for sentimental value. I forced myself to coffin, bury and memorialize it. :)

Elmo!!

What kid doesn't love Elmo? My cute little nephew turned 2 and had an Elmo birthday. This Elmo came out a little "plump" but it was easier and cuter than I thought it would be. I think I like the Sesame Street sign the best though. Happy birthday Klayton!

Pink and Purple Princess

The little girl this was for loves pink and purple so of course when they requested the princess cake, I had to incorporate both colors. I also used a different tiara template and it only took me the one try this time-yeah! Sadly my awful office lighting butchered the colors and pearl look. :( This was actually my 3rd request for this cake. Someone in Connecticut had asked about it but I'm too chicken to attempt shipping a cake. If anyone knows how or has any tips, please let me know! I think it can be done but from what I found out, it seemed unlikely it would make it there in one piece. Hmmmmmm...

Mini Cake

One of my beehives turned 13 yesterday so I thought I'd make her a mini cake. I don't know if you can tell in this picture but this cake is a a lot smaller than my usual cakes. It's a 6" and a 4". Happy birthday Chloe!

Pink Ladybug's

So I'm thinking that pink ladybugs are way cuter than red ones. This was for a little girl turning one and we of course had to do a little "smash" cake for her. I need to find a large cake pan that rounds out a little better. I thought the one I got would work but not so much. Again, my kids were very said to part with this one but it's a sad part of life they are learning to deal with. :)

Monkey's 1st Birthday

I haven't done a lot of sculpting with fondant but I think my monkey turned out pretty cute. I also really like the bananas. I think this was a perfect cake for a little boy turning one. My boys were both so excited when I made it and were asking for it after the cake was gone. Like I always say...way fun!

Iron Man

My little boy turns 3! :( I can't believe it's been a year since I made that first motorcycle cake. I was just barely getting into cakes then. So this is nothing fancy by any means. Not even really blog worthy but oh well. When I asked my son if he wanted a chocolate, white or strawberry cake, he said "I want an Iron Man cake." Funny thing is, he doesn't even really like cake. He loves to eat the fondant off of it which is what he did. We pealed off the iron man face for him and he was thrilled.

Zoe's Cake

I wasn't sure what to title this cake-it's got a lot going on. This family gave me a picture of a cake they wanted replicated. I thought it would be super easy because not only did I not have to think of anything (a lot of times more than half the battle), but the colors were simple/easy to make. It's been a while since I've had a cake give me so much trouble. I haven't done the wire design yet and it didn't work, although it looks like it did in the picture. It kept sliding around and flipping the designs over. I know next time to use something totally different than the wire I used. Overall, I love the colors and the cake is so fun.

Bowling

How cool did the bowling ball turn out? It wasn't the color I was going for but it has the marble/shiney appearance of a bowling ball. It's also made of rice treats which was something new for me. This was for Brian's aunt who I had no idea was big into bowling. I was way impressed as she bowled a turkey (3 strikes in a row). I guttered it twice and gave up. :)

Black scrolls and pink bridal shower cake

For sure my best square cake yet. It's actually level! Imagine that. And both tiers are the same height. I have wanted to do this scroll design but it's free hand and seemed difficult. I sure took a chance with using black for my first swirly design because if I messed up, there was no redoing it. Luckily, it turned out awesome (at least I think so)! :) And I always thought if I ever had a girl, I would decorate with pink and green but I'm really liking the black. So fun! This is the first of 3 cakes for this weekend...stay tuned.