tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52698801680969775972024-02-20T09:00:01.692-07:00Judy's CakesJudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-6372427378772322732014-11-07T10:47:00.000-07:002014-11-09T16:59:28.683-07:00How to Make Fall Leaves - Part #2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4P8QxVYx39E/VFv1EZxi-dI/AAAAAAAACC4/a5UW8MNRRhw/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B321rawwm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4P8QxVYx39E/VFv1EZxi-dI/AAAAAAAACC4/a5UW8MNRRhw/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B321rawwm.jpg" height="598" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> This is the second half of a 2 part tutorial on making fall leaves. In the first half I showed you how to cut out a leaf and make it look more realistic. <a href="http://judyscakes.blogspot.com/search/label/autumn">Click here</a> to read Part #1. In Part #2, I'll discuss using different petal dusts on your leaves to achieve bold vibrant colors.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">At the top of this picture is a plain yellow leaf that was cut out of gum paste. Below it are three examples of the same basic leaf that were brushed with different colors of petal dust. Yes... even the orange leaf started out yellow. The color possibilities are endless!!!</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dGiYd38Ysdw/VFv6e1i4n5I/AAAAAAAACDQ/nx_AfOj0auE/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B296rawwm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dGiYd38Ysdw/VFv6e1i4n5I/AAAAAAAACDQ/nx_AfOj0auE/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B296rawwm.jpg" height="524" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here's a similar example to the one above. Except I used pink gum paste instead of yellow to make the basic leaf. </span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Before we get started, here are a few basic rules to keep in mind:</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1- Never start out using dark colors. </span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You can always make a color darker... but it's almost impossible to lighten it up! This same rule applies to both gum paste and petal dust. By starting out light, it's easier to vary the value and intensity of each color.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u>2- Less is more.</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Begin by adding colors a little at a time. You can always apply more color later... but it's very difficult to remove once it's on. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u>3- Blend the edges of the colors together.</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Doing this will make the colors flow together naturally, so they won't look spotted or splotchy. Be careful, however, not to over blend! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u>4- Don't worry if the tips or small parts of your leaf break off.</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The truth about fall leaves is that they're either drying up or already dead. Take a look at real leaves... you'll notice that they're all shriveled up, crumbly, torn, or even have holes in them. Leaves are not perfect. In fact, they'll look more realistic if they have flaws.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u>5- Use many different colors of petal dust on each leaf.</u> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Don't be afraid to make extra leaves and experiment with your colors. You won't know how they work unless you try them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u>6- Use a lot of different brushes.</u> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I use small paint brushes to apply the petal dust. For this tutorial, I used one brush for the yellows, one for the greens, one for the light reds and oranges, and one for the dark reds and burgundy. Plus I had one very tiny brush for only dark brown. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">OK... let's start with the yellow leaf.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oy9iNnKZiak/VFwDJseYTaI/AAAAAAAACDg/O99kcmP-g0U/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B297rawwm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oy9iNnKZiak/VFwDJseYTaI/AAAAAAAACDg/O99kcmP-g0U/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B297rawwm.jpg" height="640" width="596" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I began by dusting a mid-tone yellow here and there, concentrating on the center of the leaf.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gdAP-j9usVE/VFwDoRU1QPI/AAAAAAAACDo/--JQKEhKUw0/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B298rawwm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gdAP-j9usVE/VFwDoRU1QPI/AAAAAAAACDo/--JQKEhKUw0/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B298rawwm.jpg" height="640" width="564" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Then I randomly add light orange to a few other places on the leaf.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-crusMGa86Xc/VFwHL1o8vwI/AAAAAAAACD0/k4TfhPMD5Hc/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B300rawwm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-crusMGa86Xc/VFwHL1o8vwI/AAAAAAAACD0/k4TfhPMD5Hc/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B300rawwm.jpg" height="640" width="562" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Next, I deepen the color by adding a mid-tone orange to the outside edges of the light orange spots.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sc-KXDx9-Rc/VFwIMwsyXUI/AAAAAAAACEA/C32mk6Wg77k/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B303rawwm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sc-KXDx9-Rc/VFwIMwsyXUI/AAAAAAAACEA/C32mk6Wg77k/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B303rawwm.jpg" height="640" width="566" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Then I add a couple of different reds to the outside areas of the dark orange. The farther out from the center I go, the darker the colors become. Finally, I hit a few of the lighter spots with bright yellow. This helps add vibrancy to the leaf.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vhW_cn3Bz58/VFwLRMPK7mI/AAAAAAAACEM/S8kHbLlJPdM/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B306awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vhW_cn3Bz58/VFwLRMPK7mI/AAAAAAAACEM/S8kHbLlJPdM/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B306awm.jpg" height="640" width="574" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The next step is to add a just a touch of dark brown. Using the flat side of your tiny brush, stroke upward across the very outside edge of your leaf. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This helps bring dimension and realism to it's appearance.</span></span> </span></span>Finally, add just a hint of brown to the veins. Be careful not to go too dark, or the veins will look like you drew them in</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">.</span></span> </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p2qA-i9brY8/VFwhnfyOpHI/AAAAAAAACEc/jC93oAXjswM/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B318rawwm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p2qA-i9brY8/VFwhnfyOpHI/AAAAAAAACEc/jC93oAXjswM/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B318rawwm.jpg" height="568" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There's a huge variety of colors you can make with a basic yellow leaf. Play around a little, and see what kind of colors you can come up with.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Next up... the red leaf.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ehTWC3M5bs/VFwq4sL69gI/AAAAAAAACFA/eJmoN9OI35A/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B307rawwm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ehTWC3M5bs/VFwq4sL69gI/AAAAAAAACFA/eJmoN9OI35A/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B307rawwm.jpg" height="640" width="636" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I start by adding a reddish orange color to different parts of the leaf.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mguSzVVmfCE/VFwrWzO3NbI/AAAAAAAACFI/jW1RilySs-4/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B308rawwm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mguSzVVmfCE/VFwrWzO3NbI/AAAAAAAACFI/jW1RilySs-4/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B308rawwm.jpg" height="638" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Next I brush on a mid-tone red to the remaining areas.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HobS2cZVy94/VFwrqxRQ0tI/AAAAAAAACFQ/XCLqVbssuT4/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B312rawwm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HobS2cZVy94/VFwrqxRQ0tI/AAAAAAAACFQ/XCLqVbssuT4/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B312rawwm.jpg" height="640" width="614" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I deepen a few of the reds by adding an even darker red color.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7uuvs5BW7E/VFwsIxcoH9I/AAAAAAAACFY/5zPuPemTULA/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B314rawwm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7uuvs5BW7E/VFwsIxcoH9I/AAAAAAAACFY/5zPuPemTULA/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B314rawwm.jpg" height="640" width="580" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Finally, to make the dark reds look even richer... add burgundy to a few spots. You can also add some pink or light orange to brighten the lighter areas. Finish off by touching just the outside edge of your leaf with dark brown, and then lightly trace over the veins. (Do this the same way it was described above for the yellow leaf.) </span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J0bPWDS2b3s/VFwszYC_tDI/AAAAAAAACFs/p7CB6LAHEZI/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B316rawwm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J0bPWDS2b3s/VFwszYC_tDI/AAAAAAAACFs/p7CB6LAHEZI/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B316rawwm.jpg" height="560" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here's an example of a variety of colors you can achieve by starting out with the same basic pink leaf. Try using different shades of orange, pink, red, burgundy, and even a little dark green. </span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">These fall leaves are a great way to practice your skills. Don't be afraid to play around and use a variety of color combinations. You can even try adding blue or purple to your color scheme! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If a leaf breaks... don't worry, it doesn't matter. You can still use it! The whole idea is to discover new ways to use color and to have fun. You might even be surprised at how artistic you can be!!! </span><br />
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Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-74286038570125366732014-11-06T09:51:00.001-07:002014-11-07T10:55:34.242-07:00How to make Fall Leaves - Part #1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Fall is my favorite time of year! The harvest season finally is over, the crisp autumn air moves in, and the kids go back to school. It seems that life becomes more relaxed, and everything begins to slow down just a bit. One of my favorite things about this time of year is watching the leaves transform into a beautiful display of colors!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Where I grew up, the leaves pretty much went from green to yellow to dead. Although it was beautiful, those leaves can't compare to the kaleidoscope of autumn colors found in other areas of the country. I now live in Utah, surrounded by majestic mountains with several canyons only minutes away from my front door. If you drive through these canyons during the fall season, the array of colors you'll see is simply breathtaking! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A few weeks ago, I decorated a cake with several different fall flowers and leaves. Some people asked me how I made these leaves, while a few even thought they were real! Now that's quite a compliment! (Pardon me... I'm blushing at the moment. LOL) So I thought I'd put together a tutorial to show you how it's done. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This tutorial will be broken up into to two blog posts. Part #1 will show you how to cut out the leaves. Part #2 will show you how to color the leaves. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">PART ONE:</span> Cutting out the leaf.</b></span> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">You'll need: gum paste, rolling pin, ball tool, foam pad, triangle makeup sponge, leaf cutter, and a leaf veiner. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BxZPJukRO7c/VFqlSHgWtjI/AAAAAAAACA8/ApXMx9W1NmY/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B138awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BxZPJukRO7c/VFqlSHgWtjI/AAAAAAAACA8/ApXMx9W1NmY/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B138awm.jpg" height="514" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Roll the gum paste out until it's thin. Place it over the top of the leaf cutter. Roll the rolling pin over the gum paste, then run your finger across the edge of the cutter. Doing this will give you a much cleaner cut edge. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YQVYCpt_xp4/VFqmTBKyicI/AAAAAAAACBI/lsvTLY5fchw/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B140awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YQVYCpt_xp4/VFqmTBKyicI/AAAAAAAACBI/lsvTLY5fchw/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B140awm.jpg" height="640" width="630" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The leaf cutter I used has an annoying thick stem at the bottom of the leaf. (I have no idea why they designed it that way!) Use a sharp knife to cut the outer edges of the stem off so it'll look more realistic.</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ePC6ncRsL3A/VFqnMkK-0_I/AAAAAAAACBU/6eM1PIi5CNc/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B141awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ePC6ncRsL3A/VFqnMkK-0_I/AAAAAAAACBU/6eM1PIi5CNc/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B141awm.jpg" height="552" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Next get your veiner and makeup sponge ready.</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wtOuQPdmzZA/VFqnoYbl_xI/AAAAAAAACBc/WuqtO3SrZrs/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B142awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wtOuQPdmzZA/VFqnoYbl_xI/AAAAAAAACBc/WuqtO3SrZrs/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B142awm.jpg" height="640" width="624" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Place your leaf over the top of the veiner. Then, using the makeup sponge, press down on the leaf to imprint the vein details onto the gum paste.</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3tOcbvJhIt8/VFqoGy5emkI/AAAAAAAACBk/WuhjdorNBtY/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B143awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3tOcbvJhIt8/VFqoGy5emkI/AAAAAAAACBk/WuhjdorNBtY/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B143awm.jpg" height="618" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fold your leaf in half to make the center vein more defined.</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ecwnOOXFokE/VFqodTy80MI/AAAAAAAACBs/FaFQkLPp224/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B144awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ecwnOOXFokE/VFqodTy80MI/AAAAAAAACBs/FaFQkLPp224/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B144awm.jpg" height="576" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Place the leaf on a foam pad, then use the ball tool to thin the outside edges of the leaf.</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j8dzG2KOoJ0/VFqo-tn9VvI/AAAAAAAACB4/9qfv-YMp9EI/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B180awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j8dzG2KOoJ0/VFqo-tn9VvI/AAAAAAAACB4/9qfv-YMp9EI/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B180awm.jpg" height="640" width="610" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Using your fingers, pinch together the bottom stem and the tip of each rounded edge on your leaf. You can see above that the edges on the right side are pinched, while the edges on the left are not. </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Forming little points like this instead of leaving the edges round makes a huge difference. </span> I think this one of the most important steps in making your leaf look more realistic.</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pLP2tEVs-4k/VFqtsuT_NvI/AAAAAAAACCE/edaruBq4Ixo/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B177awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pLP2tEVs-4k/VFqtsuT_NvI/AAAAAAAACCE/edaruBq4Ixo/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B177awm.jpg" height="640" width="628" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here's the finished leaf! </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Dry your leaves on crumpled aluminum foil or egg crate foam to keep them from being too flat. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now let the leaves dry <u>completely</u> before adding any color.</span></span></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Learn how to add color to your leaves by reading the second half of this tutorial tomorrow.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> In part #2 we'll use colored gum paste (instead of white) to make the leaves. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The difference</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> is that when you dust color on white gum paste, the leaves will have more of a pastel appearance. While leaves made with colored gum paste will look bold and bright when you're done. T</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">he same steps, however, apply regardless of what color gum paste you decide to use. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://judyscakes.blogspot.com/2014/11/how-to-make-fall-leaves-part-2.html" target="_blank">Click here</a> to read Part #2. </span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">COMING UP NEXT-</span> </span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Part #2: Next I'll explain how to add vibrant colors to your leaves that will really make them pop! </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rVLnNISllkE/VFqx1qHEarI/AAAAAAAACCQ/i2EQbIaKwXA/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B321rawwm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rVLnNISllkE/VFqx1qHEarI/AAAAAAAACCQ/i2EQbIaKwXA/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bfall%2Bleaves%2B321rawwm.jpg" height="598" width="640" /></a></div>
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Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-30382655316990412122014-09-30T12:34:00.002-06:002014-11-05T17:21:20.143-07:00Fall Cake<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My last blog post was all about the tragedy of my poor broken dahlia. Well, here's the cake where my dahlia is now lives... </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lNztmCUG8XA/VCoTLigBCPI/AAAAAAAAB-c/tsbBwOO_1bo/s1600/fall%2Bsi%2Bcake%2B019awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lNztmCUG8XA/VCoTLigBCPI/AAAAAAAAB-c/tsbBwOO_1bo/s1600/fall%2Bsi%2Bcake%2B019awm.jpg" height="600" width="640" /></a></div>
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Happy fall!!! :)<br />
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Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-32983428300988697072014-09-29T11:08:00.002-06:002014-11-09T16:59:58.980-07:00Note to Self: 12 Rules of Cake Decorating<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u><b>NOTE TO SELF: </b></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>1.</b> It takes 2-3 days to complete a large sugar dahlia flower. (I already knew this.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>2.</b> When applying the final row of petals, do not sit on the foot to view flower from above. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>3.</b> Sitting on your foot for an extended period of time may cause paralysis in that extremely. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>4.</b> While standing up, be aware that said foot may be completely asleep. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>5.</b> When trying to use this appendage, remember the foot will be completely numb and ineffective. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>6</b>. Putting weight on it at this time, may cause the foot to suddenly collapse under your body weight. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>7.</b> A rapid decent will ensue causing you extreme embarrassment! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>8.</b> <span style="color: red;">CAUTION:</span> DO NOT, I repeat... DO NOT hold the sugar dahlia while testing this theory.... during your rapid decent, said sugar flower may suddenly fly from your hand landing face down upon the tile floor. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>9.</b> Be very cautious, small broken pieces of the delicate petals will fly in every direction causing extreme anger and frustration. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>10.</b> Be careful which words are allowed out of your mouth at this time! Language may contain a colorful hue. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>11.</b> The next day you may see areas of purple and green coloring located on various parts of your body. There may also be slight pain and stiffness involved. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>12.</b> The best remedy for this situation? Take a deep breath and relax.... it's only sugar. Life goes on, it could be a whole lot worse, and sometimes unexpected events force you to stretch your limits. You may even end up accomplishing things you didn't know you could! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b><span style="font-size: small;">NOTE TO SELF:</span></b></u> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">After all was said and done... I did a little petal repair and was able to salvage my poor broken dahlia. It's not perfect like it was before... but hey, nothing in nature's ever perfect anyway. Right??? I decided it gave my flower a little unexpected "character". And hopefully, I gained a little character along the way as well... ;) </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Py9u79RgTkw/VCmQhf7s9HI/AAAAAAAAB9I/sKZDOiDAiO8/s1600/broken%2Bdahlia%2B003awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Py9u79RgTkw/VCmQhf7s9HI/AAAAAAAAB9I/sKZDOiDAiO8/s1600/broken%2Bdahlia%2B003awm.jpg" height="360" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(Not to mention a pretty good story!) </span><br />
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Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-55622461919919454692014-09-16T20:20:00.000-06:002014-09-30T13:15:24.016-06:00Pink & Lace Cake<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love it when things come together better then expected!!! </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Usually I have a pretty clear picture in my head of how a cake will turn out. Sometimes I'm excited and eager to get started on it... at other times I'm a little worried. I'll have to admit, that I was worried about this one. The cake pictures I had to work with were two completely different types. One cake was modern and minimalistic in it's style; while the other was very frilly, delicate, and more traditional. I just couldn't imagine the two styles combined together into one. But when all was said and done... I was very pleased! Oh Happy Day!!!!!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8rJZo5MlKmA/VBibhNeuFgI/AAAAAAAAB6M/jL6nVgNiNsM/s1600/Janessa%27s%2Bcake%2B016abwm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8rJZo5MlKmA/VBibhNeuFgI/AAAAAAAAB6M/jL6nVgNiNsM/s1600/Janessa%27s%2Bcake%2B016abwm.jpg" height="640" width="476" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0BVKswz17WQ/VBikhX2DwyI/AAAAAAAAB60/v-mghJrIVvI/s1600/Janessa%27s%2Bcake%2B019awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0BVKswz17WQ/VBikhX2DwyI/AAAAAAAAB60/v-mghJrIVvI/s1600/Janessa%27s%2Bcake%2B019awm.jpg" height="361" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I placed a pearl border around the top edge of each tier. Then I added another pearl trim above the row of lace points. (Someone else called them lace "scoops"...LOL.) The pearls seemed to pull the two looks together very well.</span> </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lO9MsEeLZaw/VBibZBkytXI/AAAAAAAAB6A/ykLBBS8hqHQ/s1600/Janessa%27s%2Bcake%2B001awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lO9MsEeLZaw/VBibZBkytXI/AAAAAAAAB6A/ykLBBS8hqHQ/s1600/Janessa%27s%2Bcake%2B001awm.jpg" height="483" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, my son had the camera. He likes to take pictures of me while I'm setting up the cakes. Sometimes the looks on my face are... well... not very flattering. You know when you get in "the zone", and you're unaware of everything else around you?</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apparently, I pull some strange faces when I concentrate really hard.</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My face isn't too bad in this picture... so I decided to post it. Maybe one day I'll post the ugly ones too. (Yeah right, maybe</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">when pigs fly. LOL)</span><br />
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Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-49364787987653996432012-12-02T19:25:00.000-07:002014-09-16T20:07:26.101-06:00Vote for My Gingerbread House!!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well, I finally finished my gingerbread house. YEAH!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And....... I entered it into a local competition. EEK!!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So now I'm going to loose all my pride and beg you to please go and vote for it! (It never hurts to beg...right?) LOL</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm a little behind in the voting right now so I'm hoping you'll help me out. If I win, they will donate $1000 to a charity of my choice. I chose "Share a Smile". This is a charity organization started by Dr. Eric Vogel DDS. He's a local dentist who travels to other countries around the world providing free dental care to those in need. He's a great man and it's a great charity! Dr. Vogel is battling cancer right now, so I'm sure he'd be even more grateful for the donation to help his organization and to help these people in need.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's how you vote. Go to this facebook page:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ivoryhomes?sk=app_180881568718542">https://www.facebook.com/ivoryhomes?sk=app_180881568718542</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">First you'll need to "like" the Ivory Homes facebook page. (You can always "unlike" it again after you've voted.) Then a page will come up with pictures of all the gingerbread houses in the competition and you can cast your vote. My house is <b>#9- Anderson Family</b>. The voting lasts until Wednesday (December 5th). Thank you sooooooo much for your help. I really appreciate it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm always a little leery of contests like this. Too many times they turn out to be more of a popularity contest then a contest based on ability. So we'll see what happens. But I'm still BEGGING and PLEADING for your facebook vote!!!! ;) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IZWHQDLflvg/ULv0ysMI9BI/AAAAAAAABpo/WsxZjhKKpmM/s1600/gingerbread%2Bhouse%2B022awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IZWHQDLflvg/ULv0ysMI9BI/AAAAAAAABpo/WsxZjhKKpmM/s400/gingerbread%2Bhouse%2B022awm.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I had a lot of fun putting this house together. However, it took sooooooo much longer than I'd ever imagined! It wasn't the decorating that took so long... it was the construction. I'd glue a few pieces together with royal icing, then wait, and wait, and wait for them to dry before I could continue. This house had so many pieces that my daughter's bed was completely covered with cookie sheets and boards filled with gingerbread house pieces! Anyway, here are some pictures.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of the many boards covered with gingerbread pieces.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i6auBNHv6_g/ULv6zxAOxNI/AAAAAAAABqI/XJ2SS3YB4lg/s1600/gingerbread+house+1+007awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i6auBNHv6_g/ULv6zxAOxNI/AAAAAAAABqI/XJ2SS3YB4lg/s320/gingerbread+house+1+007awm.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some of the pieces a little farther along.... plus the little Christmas trees I'll put in 2 of the windows.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GC_24Jjcpt4/ULv63dhMCXI/AAAAAAAABqQ/d9XCqli_Kpk/s1600/gingerbread+house+1+006awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GC_24Jjcpt4/ULv63dhMCXI/AAAAAAAABqQ/d9XCqli_Kpk/s320/gingerbread+house+1+006awm.jpg" height="259" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For the windows I used gelatin sheets. They work really well because they come with the diamond design already there!</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OUSrv_F92n8/ULv72VPz7sI/AAAAAAAABqg/7yyFFbE9oCw/s1600/gingerbread+house+1+001awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OUSrv_F92n8/ULv72VPz7sI/AAAAAAAABqg/7yyFFbE9oCw/s320/gingerbread+house+1+001awm.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Starting to put it all together. The white sections are where windows will be placed. And to the left is the beginnings of a large Christmas tree. It's made with Rice Krispie Treats and covered in white chocolate. </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wLF1EWIZ3mM/ULv8JYrs-MI/AAAAAAAABqw/AbQs6qG4XxE/s1600/gingerbread+house+017awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wLF1EWIZ3mM/ULv8JYrs-MI/AAAAAAAABqw/AbQs6qG4XxE/s320/gingerbread+house+017awm.jpg" height="320" width="319" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's the same Christmas tree covered in fondant. I'm about half way done clipping little sections to make it look like a pine tree.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2baI1GUxYnc/ULv8Mkw-M1I/AAAAAAAABq4/tx7TfVprcm4/s1600/gingerbread+house+009awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2baI1GUxYnc/ULv8Mkw-M1I/AAAAAAAABq4/tx7TfVprcm4/s320/gingerbread+house+009awm.jpg" height="190" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Getting the roof put together... it was sooooo nerve wracking!!! I was worried it would fall in, but it held together very well.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U4gDnTLZnYk/ULv8QToa8ZI/AAAAAAAABrA/GxT9ByPUvk8/s1600/gingerbread+house+007awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U4gDnTLZnYk/ULv8QToa8ZI/AAAAAAAABrA/GxT9ByPUvk8/s320/gingerbread+house+007awm.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I colored the gingerbread dough a dark brown color. To make the shingles I rolled out the dough and made impressions with a fork to create some texture. After cutting out the little squares, I trimmed off the bottom edge with a wavy blade. This added an awesome detail to the shingles. I baked them for 12 minutes and they were done.... did I mention I made approximately 1700 little shingle pieces!!!! Wow, it took the better part of a full day just to make these little squares. But I was very pleased with the end result! </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YmieykzauKs/ULv8UIlCNiI/AAAAAAAABrI/uPxB96MB_U0/s1600/gingerbread+house+011awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YmieykzauKs/ULv8UIlCNiI/AAAAAAAABrI/uPxB96MB_U0/s320/gingerbread+house+011awm.jpg" height="219" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Adding the shingles... see the 2 large bowls filled with shingles. Every time I closed my eyes all I could see were little brown squares.... LOL</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IoGVKemtLLI/ULv8fLhI6UI/AAAAAAAABrY/CiZlxFvMI-4/s1600/gingerbread+house+005awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IoGVKemtLLI/ULv8fLhI6UI/AAAAAAAABrY/CiZlxFvMI-4/s320/gingerbread+house+005awm.jpg" height="261" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's the stone siding. On the right you can see what a difference it made after I brushed a little gray petal dust into each of the cracks.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bRoD-Tyj_To/ULv8klWbGWI/AAAAAAAABrg/4zNSR1ewqCc/s1600/gingerbread+house+022awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bRoD-Tyj_To/ULv8klWbGWI/AAAAAAAABrg/4zNSR1ewqCc/s400/gingerbread+house+022awm.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The finished product!!! :D</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hWMN7YT-ZGk/ULv8pQ23YuI/AAAAAAAABro/X5Q-6cOvYpM/s1600/gingerbread+house+028awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hWMN7YT-ZGk/ULv8pQ23YuI/AAAAAAAABro/X5Q-6cOvYpM/s320/gingerbread+house+028awm.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here you can see more little details like snow on the rooftop. The base board measured 34 x 28", and the house was about 16" tall.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ILK0Cg-e1WE/ULwCZh1DHUI/AAAAAAAABs4/dpVGUXJujfk/s1600/gingerbread+house+024awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ILK0Cg-e1WE/ULwCZh1DHUI/AAAAAAAABs4/dpVGUXJujfk/s320/gingerbread+house+024awm.jpg" height="207" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is a closeup of the front. In the windows you can see a Christmas tree and a picture of Santa Claus hanging on the wall.</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kyAlBV5Qlic/ULv8sp1oIuI/AAAAAAAABr0/zOKYYexN0IY/s1600/gingerbread+house+035awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kyAlBV5Qlic/ULv8sp1oIuI/AAAAAAAABr0/zOKYYexN0IY/s320/gingerbread+house+035awm.jpg" height="229" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The little lights were chocolate covered sunflower seeds.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s4nkIqAeHSQ/ULv84bKPauI/AAAAAAAABsE/3_Hp_VyYjHY/s1600/gingerbread+house+029awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s4nkIqAeHSQ/ULv84bKPauI/AAAAAAAABsE/3_Hp_VyYjHY/s320/gingerbread+house+029awm.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On the left you can see the large finished Christmas tree. Cotton candy made great smoke coming from the chimney.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iersHYcqCl8/ULv88mXgFgI/AAAAAAAABsM/_-3auW8UkwA/s1600/gingerbread+house+040awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iersHYcqCl8/ULv88mXgFgI/AAAAAAAABsM/_-3auW8UkwA/s320/gingerbread+house+040awm.jpg" height="196" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is the right side of the house with a small tree trying to hang on to the last little bit of Autumn.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kyaxx8tMP-8/ULv8_voDQOI/AAAAAAAABsU/k-2yO1ebmps/s1600/gingerbread+house+044awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kyaxx8tMP-8/ULv8_voDQOI/AAAAAAAABsU/k-2yO1ebmps/s320/gingerbread+house+044awm.jpg" height="202" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">View of the back.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iiBsA3WBVO8/ULv9Cx2pVfI/AAAAAAAABsc/xVzgAXyrRAw/s1600/gingerbread+house+047awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iiBsA3WBVO8/ULv9Cx2pVfI/AAAAAAAABsc/xVzgAXyrRAw/s320/gingerbread+house+047awm.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Close up of the back where you can see a 2nd Christmas tree in the bay window. The other window has frilly lace curtains. Just outside the door is a stack of wood, an ax, and a bucket of coal waiting to keep the little house warm and cozy for the holidays!</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Making this gingerbread house kind of reminded me of pregnancy. Quite often after your first delivery, you vow to<u> never</u> put your body through that again! But over time you forget about the morning sickness, mood swings, discomfort, and pain. You begin to remember the good times... and after a while you decide it wasn't so bad after all. Then you end up having another child.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Will I ever attempt another gingerbread house with this much detail??? Give me a few months to forget about the<u> 2 weeks</u>... <u>all day</u>... <u>everyday</u>... the <u>late nights</u>... and the <u>early mornings</u> I spent working on it. Then come next October or November I'll probably decide it wasn't so bad after all and end up doing it all over again!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the mean time..... GO VOTE!!!! :)</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/FDAD45D60B5FA95259D623E24398D409.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" /></a> </div>
Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-50536389464236849132012-11-15T21:59:00.001-07:002012-11-16T04:53:23.575-07:00.....A Mouth Full of Gingerbread<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I hope I didn't bite off more than I can chew!!!<br />
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Christmas is the time of year we start thinking about singing carols, baking cookies, making candy, giving gifts, going to parties, decorating our homes, trimming the tree, hanging lights on the outside of the house, attending The Nutcracker Ballet, Jolly Old St. Nick, the birth of Christ.... and gingerbread houses!<br />
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A few nights ago I woke up at 3 am tossing and turning. Despite my best effort, I couldn't go back to sleep. (Have I ever mentioned that I have an on again/off again relationship with insomnia? UGH!) When I realized I'd probably be awake for a while, I got out of bed and sat down at my computer. I began visiting web sites about cakes and looking at lots of cake pictures. I'm always amazed at how creative some decorators can be with their cakes! Anyway, as I was browsing the internet the thought came to me.... "I ought to make a gingerbread house!"<br />
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Hmmmm.... interesting idea, especially since I've never actually made a gingerbread house before! I've put together those cute little houses with graham crackers and store bought candies, but I've never actually made a genuine gingerbread house. You know, the kind made from home baked gingerbread? Well, the next morning I just happened to run across a blog that mentioned a gingerbread house contest that was being held in a nearby town. Hmmmm..... coincidence? <br />
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To make a long story short, I decided to give it a shot and enter the contest!!! This particular contest is sponsored by a local home builder, so all the gingerbread houses need to be based on one of their house plans. There were about 200 floor plans to choose from....YIKES! Should I try to keep it simple, or should I go for it and give it 100% of my effort? I've never been one to be conservative and start out small... so I chose to go BIG!<br />
<br />
I began checking online and found a strong "structural type" gingerbread recipe. Since I have no idea what I'm doing... I thought it might also be a good idea to do a little research and find the best way to construct a gingerbread house!!! One common suggestion was to first make the house out of card stock or cardboard. This way you can see how it will look after you're done, and it will also give you the templates needed for cutting out each gingerbread piece. So for the last couple of days I've been constructing a cardboard structure of my gingerbread house. I have to say that I've gotten a <u>LOT</u> of help from my husband.... he's much better at the mechanics of doing something like this than I am. I'm <u>much</u> more right brained!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L1SKd4EIY10/UKWWAc2nDZI/AAAAAAAABoU/RjUT4G83xRg/s1600/gingerbread+house+037awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="257" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L1SKd4EIY10/UKWWAc2nDZI/AAAAAAAABoU/RjUT4G83xRg/s400/gingerbread+house+037awm.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="400" /></a></div>
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I've finished my cardboard house, and I think it turned OK. Now it's time to start the next phase of cutting and baking the gingerbread... then putting all those little pieces together. I have zero
confidence with this next step! I'm
very nervous about being able to get everything to fit together properly and securely. (Probably because I've never done this before!)<br />
<br />
I have a horrible re-occuring nightmare that keeps going round and round in my head: After delivering my gingerbread house to the venue, I let out a huge sigh of relief as I place it down on the display table. "Whew!" I think, "I really did it!!!" At this point, I'm feeling a little smug and quite pleased with myself. As I turn to leave, I hear a horrible crashing noise!!! I quickly whip back around just in time to see my gingerbread house crumbling into a thousand pieces as it hits the floor!!! <br />
<img alt="" src="http://cdn1.iconfinder.com/data/icons/lin/32/11.png" style="height: 32px; width: 32px;" /><br />
...serves me right for feeling so smug with myself! Hopefully this whole scenario doesn't actually happen!<br />
<br />
Anyway, I can't wait until it's time to start decorating and detailing my house! I just wish I could skip the whole construction process and jump directly to
decorating.... then I'd be on cloud NINE! <br />
<br />
So we'll see what the next day or two brings. If all goes well, I'll finish putting together my house without too many glitches and begin the fun part. But if all doesn't go well.... then I don't even want to think about it!!!<br />
<br />
Hmmmm.... have I bitten off more than I can chew? I'm not sure yet, but I'll let you know in the next couple of days! Wish me luck!!!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/FDAD45D60B5FA95259D623E24398D409.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" /></a></div>
Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-23832427179659653502012-11-05T19:40:00.000-07:002012-11-08T20:18:37.144-07:00Monogram & Roses<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Monogram + Roses = Simply Elegant! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some people think I'm crazy... but I LOVE doing large wedding cakes! Don't get me wrong, large cakes can be much more stressful to make, deliver, and set up. Mainly because soooooo many things can go wrong!!! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I find that the larger size gives me much more of a "canvas" to work on and more space to create and decorate.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GQwggVFEPzY/UJheW9E0CUI/AAAAAAAABk8/oM_EjtWxy80/s1600/erica%27s+cake+266awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GQwggVFEPzY/UJheW9E0CUI/AAAAAAAABk8/oM_EjtWxy80/s320/erica%27s+cake+266awm.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="241" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you see a 4 plus tier wedding cake set up at a reception, the larger size really stands out and
can become a beautiful focal point for the room. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7h8gF1CnAmA/UJheZ32mpxI/AAAAAAAABlE/tuhiSmAd_o0/s1600/erica%27s+cake+275awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7h8gF1CnAmA/UJheZ32mpxI/AAAAAAAABlE/tuhiSmAd_o0/s320/erica%27s+cake+275awm.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="293" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was a red velvet cake
with white chocolate truffle filling. YUM! As the bride and groom cut
into this cake, the bright red color really stood out and looked amazing next to the pale
colors of the fondant. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jWE2l96_qqI/UJhec5EokiI/AAAAAAAABlM/roY3L68xEjo/s1600/erica%27s+cake+267awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="271" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jWE2l96_qqI/UJhec5EokiI/AAAAAAAABlM/roY3L68xEjo/s320/erica%27s+cake+267awm.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NrTVvDVxffo/UJhefyOnM2I/AAAAAAAABlU/1Tn6xA2jewU/s1600/erica%27s+cake+273awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NrTVvDVxffo/UJhefyOnM2I/AAAAAAAABlU/1Tn6xA2jewU/s320/erica%27s+cake+273awm.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The rose topper and monogram plaque were made several days before the wedding. So when the time cake to put them on the
cake, they were completely dry and easily set into place.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/FDAD45D60B5FA95259D623E24398D409.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" /></a>
</div>
Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-357302135672470622012-10-31T21:39:00.000-06:002014-11-05T17:22:03.127-07:00Tutorial: How to Vein Leaves<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Guess what gang... I think it's time for another tutorial!!! (YEAH, the crowd goes wild!) LOL </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When I think of fall cakes, I quite often think of Autumn colors like </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">orange, red, yellow, and brown.</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Eating yummy cake flavors like apple, pumpkin, or spice. I picture
sunflowers, pumpkins, gourds, wheat, apples, and of course... fall
leaves. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There
are several different ways you can make veins in your fondant or
gum paste leaves. Some ways are easier than others, some are cheaper than
others, and some are much more realistic looking than others. If you're making a sophisticated cake, then
you may choose something that will give you a realistic effect. If
you're designing a whimsical cake, then you might want a more simple
looking vein. It just depends on what effect you want to achieve. I'm going to show you how to make veins using the following items:</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K11_DqFuxJ0/UJHTal_ut3I/AAAAAAAABhE/PrZXTKq9dPM/s1600/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+006awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K11_DqFuxJ0/UJHTal_ut3I/AAAAAAAABhE/PrZXTKq9dPM/s320/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+006awm.jpg" height="248" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In many of the pictures below you'll notice that I put the fondant/gumpaste leaf cutout on top of a thin piece of pink foam. The foam acts as a cushion preventing the vein imprint from going too deep. When I make leaves, I usually thin the edges of the petals with a ball tool. In the following examples, however, I didn't bother to do this.</span><br />
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<b><u>1) <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Real</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u> leaf:</u></b> Find a leaf that has very </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">heavy or defined veins. Place
the real leaf, vein side down, on top of your cut out. Press down using a
cosmetic sponge. The sponge helps to give gentle and even pressure as
you push.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AXfGioAw5Ww/UJHUjzXQKmI/AAAAAAAABhM/g8n9kNkz95k/s1600/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+007awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AXfGioAw5Ww/UJHUjzXQKmI/AAAAAAAABhM/g8n9kNkz95k/s320/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+007awm.jpg" height="200" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ydQY34Lm1k/UJHUl5wDJXI/AAAAAAAABhU/cHTQ62e9QZU/s1600/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+008awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ydQY34Lm1k/UJHUl5wDJXI/AAAAAAAABhU/cHTQ62e9QZU/s320/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+008awm.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qTKMKrTsaXs/UJHUouDV2_I/AAAAAAAABhc/ZVEv0wlhg6U/s1600/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+010awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qTKMKrTsaXs/UJHUouDV2_I/AAAAAAAABhc/ZVEv0wlhg6U/s320/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+010awm.jpg" height="224" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>2) Toothpick:</b></u> Use gentle pressure to push down on the toothpick. Be careful not to push the pointed end too deep, it can leave small holes.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IJl9lr-P758/UJHWzAmGOeI/AAAAAAAABhk/xEu-jBIpMQs/s1600/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+032awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IJl9lr-P758/UJHWzAmGOeI/AAAAAAAABhk/xEu-jBIpMQs/s320/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+032awm.jpg" height="286" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PxxtmKnIE9s/UJHW448TwGI/AAAAAAAABhs/mBRy0fDm6Po/s1600/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+034awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PxxtmKnIE9s/UJHW448TwGI/AAAAAAAABhs/mBRy0fDm6Po/s320/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+034awm.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) Veining tool:</span></u></b> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Using the narrow end of the veining tool, drag it across the leaf leaving vein lines behind.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--9oUzP2P9ao/UJHZbz54EcI/AAAAAAAABiA/0eBpD-a2GqQ/s1600/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+028awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--9oUzP2P9ao/UJHZbz54EcI/AAAAAAAABiA/0eBpD-a2GqQ/s320/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+028awm.jpg" height="292" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>4) </u><u>Plastic vein from a silk leaf:</u></b>
Take a silk or fabric leaf and pull the plastic veins off. Place the
veins on top of the cutout and gently push down with a cosmetic sponge.
Since these veins are made of plastic, they're more rigid. So be careful
not to push too hard.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BxsaD82ho0o/UJHaWbPZetI/AAAAAAAABiQ/bNrsuqfXOvg/s1600/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+011awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BxsaD82ho0o/UJHaWbPZetI/AAAAAAAABiQ/bNrsuqfXOvg/s320/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+011awm.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KPYRdb0Cuys/UJHaY1NACMI/AAAAAAAABiY/kH7HFZhAkkI/s1600/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+012wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KPYRdb0Cuys/UJHaY1NACMI/AAAAAAAABiY/kH7HFZhAkkI/s320/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+012wm.jpg" height="275" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>5) Corn husk:</u></b> Corn
husks are one of my favorite ways to add veins to leaves and flowers.
You can find corn husks at the grocery store in the Latino food section.
Take a small piece of husk and put it on top of the leaf. Push
down using the cosmetic sponge. You can reposition the husk several times and push
down again if you want more veins.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmL6m9Hfn7Y/UJHb0T9dCEI/AAAAAAAABig/jeRYjxdLv5A/s1600/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+019awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmL6m9Hfn7Y/UJHb0T9dCEI/AAAAAAAABig/jeRYjxdLv5A/s320/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+019awm.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i1okufCi2h0/UJHb1410v_I/AAAAAAAABio/CFyd1Q8mbbE/s1600/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+020awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i1okufCi2h0/UJHb1410v_I/AAAAAAAABio/CFyd1Q8mbbE/s320/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+020awm.jpg" height="270" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dt_X9ebq9fU/UJHb3hgJT1I/AAAAAAAABiw/bVCSjvbt3yI/s1600/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+021awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dt_X9ebq9fU/UJHb3hgJT1I/AAAAAAAABiw/bVCSjvbt3yI/s320/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+021awm.jpg" height="286" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><u>6) <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leaf Veiner:</span></u></b> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You
can buy dozens of different leaf veiners. As a matter of fact, you can
probably find a specific veiner for every leaf or flower petal out
there. The sky's the limit! Place your leaf face down on top of the veiner and push down with the sponge. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vZY4_djCjGQ/UJHd81BPx5I/AAAAAAAABi8/rVcjMA-_ptw/s1600/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+013awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vZY4_djCjGQ/UJHd81BPx5I/AAAAAAAABi8/rVcjMA-_ptw/s320/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+013awm.jpg" height="251" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mvJXmKNza6w/UJHeC2dXdcI/AAAAAAAABjM/k8Frf3m66As/s1600/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+017awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mvJXmKNza6w/UJHeC2dXdcI/AAAAAAAABjM/k8Frf3m66As/s320/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+017awm.jpg" height="205" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>7) Double sided veiner:</u></b> These veiners are the most expensive, but also the most realistic type
of veiner. Simply match the two halves together and push down with even pressure. Before you place the leaf cutout on the veiner, make sure to
dust both sides of the form with cornstarch or powdered sugar. Dusting keeps the
fondant from sticking to the form. You can see the excess powder still
on the leaf in the picture below. Just use a small brush and gently
brush it off. This kind of veiner leaves an imprint on both sides of the
leaf. Pretty awesome!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vro6aDJYuEs/UJHgQBCQaTI/AAAAAAAABjU/dD22WRKbg6I/s1600/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+023awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vro6aDJYuEs/UJHgQBCQaTI/AAAAAAAABjU/dD22WRKbg6I/s320/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+023awm.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t106MfLNkvk/UJHgVNiA2gI/AAAAAAAABjk/-gd618lYFOo/s1600/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+026awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t106MfLNkvk/UJHgVNiA2gI/AAAAAAAABjk/-gd618lYFOo/s320/blog+how+to+vein+leaves+026awm.jpg" height="269" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>8. Plunger cutter:</b></u> Another way to put veins in your leaves is to use a "plunger cutter".</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> After cutting out the leaf,
simply push down on the plunger to remove the fondant from the cutter.
The plunger leaves the imprint of veins on the leaf. I don't own a
plunger cutter, but a lot of people like using them.</span><br />
<img src="http://www.globalsugarart.com/product_images/20829_I1PNHBO4_20829.jpg" style="height: 93px; width: 140px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Give these examples a try, experiment with different ways</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> to vein your leaves.</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You may even come up with a new method that works better for you! One thing I've learned is that there's no<i> "one way" </i>of doing things. So never be afraid to branch out and try new ideas!</span></div>
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Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-76241128336152229872012-10-28T19:28:00.001-06:002012-10-28T20:11:23.410-06:00That Cute Little Pink Mouse<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;">She's one of my favorite Disney characters!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It was so much fun adding the cute eyelet lace at the base of this cake. I was trying to mimic the look of a little <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">girl<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">s skirt with frilly lace trim peaking out from underneath. Lace and bows... could a cake get any more girly???</span></span></span></span></div>
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Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-66249518962633332342012-04-12T12:58:00.000-06:002012-04-13T03:40:33.926-06:00The Grand America<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I recently delivered a cake to the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City. It's really a beautiful hotel and an absolutely gorgeous venue for a wedding reception.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The bride chose white and gold as her colors. The architecture of the room was designed with gold detailing in mind. There was gold in the paint, the mirrors, the lighting, the chandelier, the furniture, the fabric, and even the grand embellishments on the walls. So I brushed the edges of the top fantasy flower with gold to help bring everything together. The room was really breathtaking!</span><br />
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You might be asking yourself.... "How many little flowers did she make to cover that cake????"</div>
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Over 650!!!! .......Every time I closed my eyes, all I could see were tiny flowers! ;)</div>
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</div>Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-89166198076531116752012-02-29T19:21:00.002-07:002012-09-04T13:40:37.760-06:00My Son's Wedding & Cake<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I'm a mother-in-law!!! It's hard to believe... seems like only yesterday that I was the newlywed. But then I remind myself that next year will be my 30th wedding anniversary! This doesn't mean I'm getting old does it??? Wait... don't answer that question! ;) </div>
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Earlier this month, my son got married to a wonderful young lady. I'm very happy and excited for the two of them. Their wedding day was beautiful and everything turned out better than we'd even hoped for.<br />
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In case you were wondering... yes, I made their wedding cake! Some people tried to convince me not to make it. They said it would put too much stress and pressure on me then send me over the edge! Well, I really <u>wanted</u> to make their cake! (I can be a little feisty at times... by the way.) So I gave myself plenty of time and planned out a VERY detailed schedule! All in all I learned one thing about myself... if I really want to do something, then I'll find a way to do it! (Like I said... I can be a little feisty at times!)</div>
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They wanted their cake to be five 6" tiers with two 1" spacers. The colors were peach and gray. They asked for Sahara and Vendella roses, large open white ranunculus with green centers, and peach/green blushed hydrangeas. They were worried about the color gray not showing up enough in the cake so we covered the 1"spacers with gray fondant and added gray berries to the floral design. I also made a pale gray/green leaf (kind of like the lambs ear plant) to further incorporate gray into the floral design. I added a fondant wrap accented with silver dragees at the base of three tiers. Someone said to me, "I guess if your mom's the cake decorator, then the sky's the limit!" I suppose they're right! LOL</div>
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<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the base of the plateau to the top of the flowers this cake measured about 41-1/2" tall.</td></tr>
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<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from the other side.</td></tr>
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<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of the flowers on the base tier.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A fun angle from the top looking down as I put on more flowers.</span></td></tr>
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<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the large open ranunculus.</td></tr>
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<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding the final details.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">As I was setting up the cake, a video was playing in the background of the bride and groom. The video showed many pictures of them from their births to their engagement. It was accompanied by beautiful love songs. This was the first time I'd seen the video. OH MY GOSH!!!! Seeing those pictures... especially the baby pictures of my son made me <strike>a little</strike>, <strike>kind of</strike>, <strike>slightly</strike>, <strike>quite,</strike> <strike>very</strike>... OK OK OK <b><u>extremely</u></b> emotional! In fact I was crying so hard, that I couldn't even see the cake because of all the tears! Didn't you notice the huge bags under my eyes in this picture?!? I'm such a mom...*sigh.</span></td></tr>
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<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luckily I pulled myself together before the reception that night.</td></tr>
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<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bride and groom cutting their cake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Me and my hubby of almost 30 years!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My 17 yr old son caught the garter. He's was so cute... a little embarrassed and not quite sure what to do with it. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Their first dance as husband and wife.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The mother and son dance.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bYAINUcn7oo/T05tswgWp8I/AAAAAAAABWs/Q0RnVkCOUas/s1600/Austin%27s+wedding+122a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="326" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bYAINUcn7oo/T05tswgWp8I/AAAAAAAABWs/Q0RnVkCOUas/s400/Austin%27s+wedding+122a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here are my other three children. They're all awesome kids!!! And I know... they don't look like each other at all!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Enib4osi0Xs/T05t7BZ9OoI/AAAAAAAABW8/iruSa0DqmFk/s1600/Austin%27s+wedding+132a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="347" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Enib4osi0Xs/T05t7BZ9OoI/AAAAAAAABW8/iruSa0DqmFk/s400/Austin%27s+wedding+132a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Instead of throwing rice or blowing bubbles... they wanted a shower of sparklers to send them on their way. </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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If I had it to do over, would I make their wedding cake again? Absolutely... it was a labor of love and I enjoyed every moment. The key to making it possible was "planning and preparation". And of course being a little bit feisty never hurts!</div>
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It was an amazing day for two awesome people! I wish them nothing but the best for their future life together!!! </div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/FDAD45D60B5FA95259D623E24398D409.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-8707224986996258422012-01-18T20:02:00.000-07:002012-01-18T20:02:47.133-07:00Berry Excited!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yup, I've been extremely busy lately. I'm working on a <b>very</b> special wedding cake.... it's for my son! He's the first of my children to get married. So I'm pretty excited about making his cake!</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today I've spent most of the morning making little gray berries. They're pretty simple, and you can make quite a few in no time at all. So I thought I'd put together a quick tutorial on how to make these cute little berries.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HmUmTbKXkt4/TxdqSRTMmzI/AAAAAAAABQU/Bdw1wkd9dKE/s1600/grey+berries+tutorial+052a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HmUmTbKXkt4/TxdqSRTMmzI/AAAAAAAABQU/Bdw1wkd9dKE/s320/grey+berries+tutorial+052a.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">You'll need: gumpaste, wire, a small circle cutter, a rolling pin with spacers, gum glue, and an umbrella tool. (Yes, that's what the green tool is called.... I'm not sure why. I didn't know it's official name so I had to look it up.... "umbrella tool"? Strange... I would have named it something special like "that green pointy thingy"! )<br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GRc8jazdw2k/TxdqZF245VI/AAAAAAAABQc/4AehYLlDcLM/s1600/grey+berries+tutorial+053a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="223" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GRc8jazdw2k/TxdqZF245VI/AAAAAAAABQc/4AehYLlDcLM/s320/grey+berries+tutorial+053a.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Roll out the gumpaste to an even thickness... using spacers on your rolling pin makes this quick and easy. Cut out some small circles. The circle cutter makes the gumpaste pieces identical so all of your berries will be the same size.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WDyMewwM60Y/Txdqchx7ENI/AAAAAAAABQk/I1Pnzh5VbHM/s1600/grey+berries+tutorial+057a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="233" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WDyMewwM60Y/Txdqchx7ENI/AAAAAAAABQk/I1Pnzh5VbHM/s320/grey+berries+tutorial+057a.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="320" />,</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Roll the gumpaste into a small, smooth ball. The heat from your hands will make this a little easier.</span><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mCfw5ZypwlE/TxdqpA19TTI/AAAAAAAABQs/4ve80G5nLdU/s1600/grey+berries+tutorial+062a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mCfw5ZypwlE/TxdqpA19TTI/AAAAAAAABQs/4ve80G5nLdU/s320/grey+berries+tutorial+062a.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="303" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Push the point of the umbrella tool about 1/3 of the way into the ball. I used the point with 5 lines.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jS8yRxWnu0k/TxdqszHu6WI/AAAAAAAABQ0/Qkh9goeF7cg/s1600/grey+berries+tutorial+064a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="272" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jS8yRxWnu0k/TxdqszHu6WI/AAAAAAAABQ0/Qkh9goeF7cg/s320/grey+berries+tutorial+064a.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is what it looks like. Pretty simple isn't it.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MuG5B1Kt0js/TxdqwqXsBPI/AAAAAAAABQ8/04rkVbUWIDw/s1600/grey+berries+tutorial+066a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="268" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MuG5B1Kt0js/TxdqwqXsBPI/AAAAAAAABQ8/04rkVbUWIDw/s320/grey+berries+tutorial+066a.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dip the end of your wire into the gum glue. Most of the time, I bend the tip of my wire to keep flowers from spinning and falling off. But these berries are small and not very heavy, so I don't think it's necessary. I'm using a wrapped wire so this also helps to keep the berries in place. </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rDIizs1r5aU/Txdqz1bkdpI/AAAAAAAABRE/qfSBo0f8YPI/s1600/grey+berries+tutorial+068a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="264" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rDIizs1r5aU/Txdqz1bkdpI/AAAAAAAABRE/qfSBo0f8YPI/s320/grey+berries+tutorial+068a.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Push the dipped end of the wire into the bottom of the berry. Sometimes the berries will get a little squished, so use your fingers to re-shape them. </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZFKsXeZHJM/Txdq9FTwb-I/AAAAAAAABRU/gFo7mRFdxnQ/s1600/grey+berries+tutorial+074a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZFKsXeZHJM/Txdq9FTwb-I/AAAAAAAABRU/gFo7mRFdxnQ/s320/grey+berries+tutorial+074a.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After the berries are dry, I will brush on just a hint of color. This really brings them to life.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zu-QMf6bbNg/TxdrH9WErjI/AAAAAAAABRc/PjeUICEao8I/s1600/grey+berries+tutorial+070a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="224" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zu-QMf6bbNg/TxdrH9WErjI/AAAAAAAABRc/PjeUICEao8I/s320/grey+berries+tutorial+070a.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> Then before you know it.... You've made dozens and dozens of those cute little things!</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Give it a try... you'll be "berry" excited too! ;)</span><br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/FDAD45D60B5FA95259D623E24398D409.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div></div>Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-76837554964593155992011-12-24T14:19:00.002-07:002011-12-24T23:00:40.275-07:00And the Answer is.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">On my last post I asked you to look at the picture and try to guess what I was making. Well, I'm sad to say that no one got it right... in fact no one even commented or dared to guess!!! I can't say that I blame you for not trying, they really were weird looking things! LOL<br />
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Ok, you've waited long enough. Here's the answer.... BUZZARDS!!!!!! :D<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ibHccNJVX3I/TvYveecoLCI/AAAAAAAABOA/J6ScHoTTwJo/s1600/buzzard%2Bcake%2B033abcd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ibHccNJVX3I/TvYveecoLCI/AAAAAAAABOA/J6ScHoTTwJo/s400/buzzard%2Bcake%2B033abcd.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="291" /></a></div><br />
I had a total blast doing this cake! My client asked for an "Over the Hill" birthday cake, but gave me the freedom to decorate it anyway I wanted. Preferring to make something besides the usual "Grim Reaper/grave yard" or the "Road of Life" cake, I decided to go out on a limb. (Hahaha... get it? Buzzards.... tree... limb! Hahaha) So this is what I came up with: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kODSdU3khu4/TvY3gUxfgKI/AAAAAAAABOM/bgc_5bHObjI/s1600/buzzard+cake+034ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kODSdU3khu4/TvY3gUxfgKI/AAAAAAAABOM/bgc_5bHObjI/s320/buzzard+cake+034ab.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tINy2ks9IVU/TvY3kJW7h-I/AAAAAAAABOU/hznuaQQ5pqU/s1600/buzzard+cake+040abc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tINy2ks9IVU/TvY3kJW7h-I/AAAAAAAABOU/hznuaQQ5pqU/s320/buzzard+cake+040abc.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="307" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M7oqeMEXZ3o/TvY3m_IeYgI/AAAAAAAABOc/dx7Vc-ZazmE/s1600/buzzard+cake+035abc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="268" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M7oqeMEXZ3o/TvY3m_IeYgI/AAAAAAAABOc/dx7Vc-ZazmE/s320/buzzard+cake+035abc.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XxMi5oD2gwg/TvY3xUuS2eI/AAAAAAAABOs/nWvoPWUVuvQ/s1600/buzzard+cake+038abc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XxMi5oD2gwg/TvY3xUuS2eI/AAAAAAAABOs/nWvoPWUVuvQ/s320/buzzard+cake+038abc.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>As I put this cake together, I caught myself giggling out loud several times. When I saw the buzzard on top of the cake with his head hanging down right above the "You Old Buzzard" sign... it just make me chuckle! I laughed so much that my daughter thought I was loosing it! They loved the cake and I found that helping someone celebrate their 40th birthday was a real hoot!!!<br />
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Get it? Hoot... bird... buzzard? Ok... I'm done. ;)<br />
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MERRY CHRISTMAS!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/FDAD45D60B5FA95259D623E24398D409.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-15821420042849195302011-11-14T17:44:00.001-07:002011-11-14T17:56:22.854-07:00Precious Baby Shower<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> Babies are a blessing... <br />
<br />
This cake was for a couple who've been trying to have a baby for 8 years! I'm so happy for them and the sweet little girl they'll welcome into their home. I designed this cake to match the bedding they chose for her nursery.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mNiwgJ7yr0U/TsG3_MZVyQI/AAAAAAAABMo/3gJtfVJzuCQ/s1600/bobbi+cake+017a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style = "border: medium none;" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mNiwgJ7yr0U/TsG3_MZVyQI/AAAAAAAABMo/3gJtfVJzuCQ/s320/bobbi+cake+017a.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">This color scheme was fun to work with. It's a little different then the usual pinks and blues... but still very dainty.<br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y1MB8TlKjeE/TsG4IOr2vXI/AAAAAAAABMw/Rq4nCSe4QDk/s1600/bobbi+cake+016a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style = "border: medium none;" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y1MB8TlKjeE/TsG4IOr2vXI/AAAAAAAABMw/Rq4nCSe4QDk/s320/bobbi+cake+016a.jpg" width="282" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The cake board was stamped with a whimsical floral design.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wx2rKg53bXw/TsG4QGCukpI/AAAAAAAABM4/0JTJRgCYq8U/s1600/bobbi+cake+015a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style = "border: medium none;" height="278" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wx2rKg53bXw/TsG4QGCukpI/AAAAAAAABM4/0JTJRgCYq8U/s320/bobbi+cake+015a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">This was my first attempt at making baby shoes... they're happy little things that just make me smile! :D</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/FDAD45D60B5FA95259D623E24398D409.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div></div>Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-28104637002478165312011-10-19T15:10:00.000-06:002011-10-19T15:10:43.828-06:00The Cake That Would Not Quit!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Squeeeeeel! I'm beyond happy and excited... they picked my cake!!!<br />
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This is the cake that would not quit... I say this because several times during it's construction I tried to quit, not finish it, and just walk away! <br />
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Last year Cake Central held a "Wedding Cake of the Year" contest. They ended up choosing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners plus 4 Honorable Mentions. I was fortunate enough to be one of the Honorable Mention cakes they published in their magazine! Squeeeeeeel (again)!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KqRRMHqdkTA/Tp84wvSr6dI/AAAAAAAABIk/fhGNtIqN6x0/s1600/cc+wedding+cake+contest+048awm2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KqRRMHqdkTA/Tp84wvSr6dI/AAAAAAAABIk/fhGNtIqN6x0/s320/cc+wedding+cake+contest+048awm2.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="236" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The grand prize for this contest was worth $2000, so I figured there would be a million entries. (OK, so that's an exaggerated number, but I'm sure there were a lot!) I debated for several months whether or not to even enter... but eventually convinced myself that it was a great opportunity. My only goal was to try and get published in their magazine.<br />
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The contest deadline was November 30th, but by mid November I was not as far along as I'd hoped. A few days before Thanksgiving I realized I had a decision to make: Either spend the entire holiday weekend pushing myself to get this cake done; or quit, relax, and just enjoy the time with my family. I decided to enjoy the time with my family..... so no cake.<br />
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A few days after Thanksgiving, Cake Central announced that the deadline had been moved back to December 31st. "Wow!" I thought, "Maybe I can finish this cake after all." I'd already invested a lot of time into the design and making the gumpaste flowers. So I made up my mind to give it another shot.<br />
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For the next couple of weeks I worked on the cake whenever I could. But December can be very unpredictable, and my Christmas shopping didn't go as planned. Well, everything that could go wrong... did go wrong. UGH! December's deadline was creeping up on me too fast, and I was waaaaaaay behind schedule. So once again... I debated whether I should even try to finish. <br />
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Several days later I drove to my local cake decorating store to buy more tylose and food coloring. While there, I walked past the cake dummies and checked to see what they had. The store was low on supplies and didn't have what I needed. I already knew that there wasn't enough time to order dummies online. So it just confirmed to me that I wouldn't be able to finish my cake. I have to admit that I felt a little sad but realized it was out of my hands. <br />
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As I was checking out, the store employee asked if I'd found everything I needed? At first I said yes, but then stopped and told her that I couldn't find cake dummies in the right sizes. She mentioned that they'd be getting a new shipment in right after the first of the year. I explained to her that I was entering a contest and needed the dummies before January. She thought for a minute... then said she wanted to go check in the back to see what was there.<br />
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A couple of minutes later she returned carrying 2 cake dummies in her arms. She said, "It's your lucky day! The only dummies we had left were the exact sizes you need!" Wow! I thought to myself. This must be a sign... maybe I'm supposed to finish this crazy cake after all. LOL! <br />
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I went home that day determined to finish. After working very hard and putting in some extra time... my cake was finally done! This was on December 31st... the last day. I quickly set up a backdrop and lighting then started taking pictures. After finishing the photos, I looked at the clock and it was 5:00 pm. Whew! What a feeling of relief... I was finally done. Best of all, I was very happy with the end result! <br />
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I had 7 hours left to send my information to their website. "That's plenty of time." I said to myself. So I began uploading my pictures... but there was a problem. It wasn't working! I tried and tried for quite a while but with no luck!!! Something was wrong. By this time I was getting frantic! I'd been through so much with this cake. Now if I couldn't enter the contest because of a computer glitch??? I didn't even want to think about it!<br />
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After a bazillion attempts, (OK... I'm exaggerating again but that's what it felt like!) I decided to email Cake Central explaining my problem. All I could do now was sit back and wait as the clock ticked closer and closer to the midnight deadline!<br />
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Finally, after waiting a couple of hours (It seemed like a lifetime!), I received an email back. They sent me instructions with an alternate way to submit my information. So I tried once again and... Voila! <u>Upload successful</u>! OH HAPPY DAY!!! ;D<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XZJrfAvLo6c/Tp38tLaebUI/AAAAAAAABIM/eT7wu6h4nHU/s1600/cc+wedding+cake+contest+034wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XZJrfAvLo6c/Tp38tLaebUI/AAAAAAAABIM/eT7wu6h4nHU/s320/cc+wedding+cake+contest+034wm.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="303" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Starting to put it all together.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l90Vrpn6VQg/Tp3fL0Am1YI/AAAAAAAABH8/cqSKPlQw8iM/s1600/cc+wedding+cake+contest+038awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l90Vrpn6VQg/Tp3fL0Am1YI/AAAAAAAABH8/cqSKPlQw8iM/s320/cc+wedding+cake+contest+038awm.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="310" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The cake had to be at least 18" high. So they wanted a picture of me, with a ruler, showing the height.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T6Hy9iUbWko/Tp3ef0BnsUI/AAAAAAAABHE/xX8o3pSEpG4/s1600/cc+wedding+cake+contest+091awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T6Hy9iUbWko/Tp3ef0BnsUI/AAAAAAAABHE/xX8o3pSEpG4/s320/cc+wedding+cake+contest+091awm.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="234" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> To help the judges remember my cake, I needed to find a way to make it standout from the others. </div><div style="text-align: center;">So I decided to push the limits with the color scheme.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YDIDb5cICBo/Tp3emyWdNqI/AAAAAAAABHM/p2hC1h6myzE/s1600/cc+wedding+cake+contest+093awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="248" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YDIDb5cICBo/Tp3emyWdNqI/AAAAAAAABHM/p2hC1h6myzE/s320/cc+wedding+cake+contest+093awm.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lime green, burgundy, and coral... not colors I would normally put together. In fact, I was very worried about how the cake would look once everything was assembled. It wasn't until I'd completely finished that I felt it pulled together and actually "worked". </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5l-KzTJGK6U/Tp3etuUwQoI/AAAAAAAABHU/XLqZ7ztx8k4/s1600/cc+wedding+cake+contest+079awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="299" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5l-KzTJGK6U/Tp3etuUwQoI/AAAAAAAABHU/XLqZ7ztx8k4/s320/cc+wedding+cake+contest+079awm.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I wanted to add an elegant Victorian influence to the design. So I made an old fashioned broach, used a damask design, and finished the detail with dragees and a few mini flowers.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5QKVL9waATU/Tp3e08ZF-RI/AAAAAAAABHc/IYjKHmFtq3U/s1600/cc+wedding+cake+contest+085awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="232" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5QKVL9waATU/Tp3e08ZF-RI/AAAAAAAABHc/IYjKHmFtq3U/s320/cc+wedding+cake+contest+085awm.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cabbage roses, tea roses, green cymbidium orchids, hydrangeas, green daisies, berries, and filler flowers. Just in case you're wondering... Yes, it took a <u>long</u> time to make all these flowers!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DDTEpnpgfDY/Tp3e8rnfQdI/AAAAAAAABHk/VWQl1mn94fU/s1600/cc+wedding+cake+contest+099awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="199" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DDTEpnpgfDY/Tp3e8rnfQdI/AAAAAAAABHk/VWQl1mn94fU/s320/cc+wedding+cake+contest+099awm.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The little medallions that go around the outside of the two shorter layers were made from white chocolate pearls and silver dragees. I think I started seeing double after making them!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tprJFHESueY/Tp3fDBe49KI/AAAAAAAABHs/GdHG_rJL7gM/s1600/cc+wedding+cake+contest+105awm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="297" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tprJFHESueY/Tp3fDBe49KI/AAAAAAAABHs/GdHG_rJL7gM/s320/cc+wedding+cake+contest+105awm.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I was so happy with the end result. Seeing the cake turn out as I'd hoped was a great feeling. If I hadn't finished decorating it, I probably would have kicked myself forever!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gZtPx8utPEQ/Tp81zPCxirI/AAAAAAAABIc/2ApnbzngVWQ/s1600/wcoty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gZtPx8utPEQ/Tp81zPCxirI/AAAAAAAABIc/2ApnbzngVWQ/s320/wcoty.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="245" /></a></div>The cake in Cake Central Magazine.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/FDAD45D60B5FA95259D623E24398D409.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /> </a></div></div>Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-24595502552588480722011-10-13T20:35:00.002-06:002011-10-13T20:49:52.278-06:00I'm Teaching a Class!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Here's a heads up for those of you living in Utah. I'm teaching a cake decorating class on November 8th at the South Fork Hardware store located in North Salt Lake (Bountiful).<br />
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My class is... "The Secrets of Making and Frosting a Cake". I'll be giving out my recipe for pumpkin chocolate chip cake and buttercream icing... just in time for Thanksgiving! South Fork Hardware has a beautiful new kitchen/teaching facility located in their store.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MFcvkgJiDIY/TpefAXPsw_I/AAAAAAAABG0/M1WN_w_hP3A/s1600/South+Fork+Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MFcvkgJiDIY/TpefAXPsw_I/AAAAAAAABG0/M1WN_w_hP3A/s400/South+Fork+Kitchen.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous... isn't it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
So if you're interested...<br />
<br />
South Fork Hardware Cooks<br />
1075 North 500 East North Salt Lake City, UT 84054<br />
November 8th at 10:00 am.<br />
I think the cost is $10 to attend.<br />
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Make sure you "like" their facebook page to receive upcoming information and instructions on how to sign up for the class. Please come if you're interested. I'd love to meet you!!! <br />
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Here's their facebook page:<br />
www.facebook.com/pages/South-Fork-Hardware-Cooks/275866879105321?sk=wall <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/FDAD45D60B5FA95259D623E24398D409.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-203138896197843662011-09-07T13:28:00.000-06:002011-09-07T13:28:29.091-06:00Lace Inspired...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The instructions for this cake were:<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li> A "lacy" looking cake... but not the heavy antique style of lace you get from a mold. </li>
<li> An elegant look... white lace with an ivory or pink background. </li>
<li> This is for a birthday so make sure it doesn't look like a wedding cake.</li>
</ol>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
</ol>
I wanted to come up with something a little different then the usual type of lace cakes you often see. So I looked around to get some ideas and ran across this web site: http://www.lavender-cakes.co.uk/<br />
On the home page is a cake that's covered with lots of little cutouts. I really liked this technique and thought it gave the cake a pretty lacy look. So I used it as inspiration for the my birthday cake.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AZW7E09J9Y4/TmfEa3g3vTI/AAAAAAAABGY/A_c2Jk7KvhQ/s1600/Rachelle+19+lace+cake+002abcdW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AZW7E09J9Y4/TmfEa3g3vTI/AAAAAAAABGY/A_c2Jk7KvhQ/s400/Rachelle+19+lace+cake+002abcdW.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="351" /></a></div>
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I decided that pink fondant would be a better background for showing off the cutouts. I also thought pink would have less of a wedding cake feel. Needing to keep the look a little less formal, I couldn't decide between using a simple flower or a large bow. Flowers are a little more elegant to me, so I went with a "fantasy" flower. It's made from gumpaste and lightly dusted with pink and green powder.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5XscNiEMPe0/TmfE6hLmD4I/AAAAAAAABGg/3o0hQopKMvg/s1600/Rachelle+19+lace+cake+017aW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="336" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5XscNiEMPe0/TmfE6hLmD4I/AAAAAAAABGg/3o0hQopKMvg/s400/Rachelle+19+lace+cake+017aW.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="400" /></a></div>
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I won't lie... cutting out all those little fondant pieces was very time consuming, but I'm sooooo happy with the end result! Such a pretty birthday cake!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/FDAD45D60B5FA95259D623E24398D409.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>
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Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-24018050745962470092011-07-23T12:09:00.007-06:002011-07-23T13:48:26.494-06:00The Pre- Post- Birthday Cake<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This was a quick birthday cake for my 17 year old son. When he was little his favorite flavor of ice cream was Neapolitan. So I thought I'd make him a Neapolitan cake instead. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qr2JKBjGPeI/TisL7Rw0GeI/AAAAAAAABFk/qiJ0_XqJgAg/s1600/neapolitan%2B012a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="321" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qr2JKBjGPeI/TisL7Rw0GeI/AAAAAAAABFk/qiJ0_XqJgAg/s400/neapolitan%2B012a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As you can tell... I can't cut a straight piece of cake to save my life! LOL</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I called it his pre- birthday cake because I was going out of town so we ate his cake a day early. I also called it a post- birthday cake because it's not the real cake he wanted me to decorate! He has a very creative imagination when it comes to things like this. For his official birthday cake he asked for.... are you ready!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.picturesanimations.com/crabs/" target="_blank"><img alt="Klik hier voor meer gratis plaatjes" src="http://www.picturesanimations.com/c/crabs/20.gif" style="border: medium none;" /></a><br />
<br />
A marlin and a narwhal dueling each other as they jump out of the water. A huge octopus... tentacles and all... holding a puffer fish, a crab, and a nudibranch. Oh, and don't let me forget about the occasional sea turtle swimming by!!! Whew! It makes me tired just thinking about it!<br />
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I've been out of town most of this month, so I told him I wouldn't be able to make his "real cake" until later. He said, "That's fine, I don't care if I have to wait until September. This is going to be the coolest birthday cake ever!"<br />
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The things a mom will do for her child..... ;)<br />
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Stay tuned! <br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/FDAD45D60B5FA95259D623E24398D409.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div></div>Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-91154711786279469582011-07-03T21:52:00.001-06:002012-04-07T12:26:56.235-06:00Amazing Creamy Cheesecake<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Cheesecakes are an amazing dessert, the flavor possibilities are endless! I've tried making all kinds of cheesecake recipes... quick and easy, complicated and time consuming, ones you bake and ones you don't, very light and refreshing cheesecakes, others that are rich and dense, some have a very strong cheese flavor, and others are mostly sweet. Recently tried a new recipe, and I have to say it's by far the best cheesecake I've ever made! The one word I'd use to describe this cheesecake is... <b>Creamy! </b><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqak-CtlWf8/TgvXitEtUCI/AAAAAAAABFI/l0y9U9rOe3U/s1600/SMBC%2Bwedding%2B032a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqak-CtlWf8/TgvXitEtUCI/AAAAAAAABFI/l0y9U9rOe3U/s400/SMBC%2Bwedding%2B032a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I first saw this recipe on Allrecipes.com. On their web site it's called "Strawberry Cheesecake" by Luverene Dove. I made a few alterations to Luverene's recipe and came up with this:<br />
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<b>Creamy Cheesecake</b><br />
<u>Crust:</u><br />
1- 13oz. pkg. pecan sandies cookies<br />
1/3 to 1/2 C melted butter<br />
Crush cookies then add melted butter until it comes together. Press into a springform pan. Chill.<br />
<br />
<u>Cheesecake:</u><br />
3- 8oz. pkgs cream cheese (2 regular and 1 Neufchatel)<br />
1- 14oz. can sweetened condensed milk<br />
1 tsp. vanilla<br />
2 Tbs. lemon juice<br />
3 eggs<br />
Bring all the ingredient to room temperature. Beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add vanilla, lemon juice, and sweetened condensed milk then beat well. Add eggs and mix just until combined. (Over mixing at this point will cause the top to crack while baking.) Bake at 300 degrees for 50 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool for 1 hour on a wire rack, then refrigerate overnight.<br />
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<u>Strawberry Topping:</u><br />
3 C pureed fresh strawberries<br />
2 Tbls. cornstarch<br />
1/2 C granulated sugar<br />
Mix together cornstarch and sugar. Add strawberries and mix well. Heat in a saucepan and stir until it comes to a boil. Boil for 1 minute. Using half of the strawberry mixture, spoon dollops on top of the cheesecake batter then lightly swirl. Refrigerate the other half of the sauce and use later as an additional topping for the cheesecake. (You change the flavor of the topping recipe by using other fruits. If you so this, however, you may need to adjust the amount of sugar and/or cornstarch.) <br />
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Bake at 300 degrees for 50 minutes or until the center is almost set. Cool for 1 hour on a wire rack, then refrigerate overnight.<br />
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If you prefer your cheesecake plain, don't worry. This recipe's just as delicious all by itself without any toppings. So the next time you're craving cheesecake (especially creamy cheesecake)... try this one. You won't be disappointed!<br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</div>Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-15187721312134609922011-06-16T21:57:00.002-06:002011-06-16T22:06:34.421-06:00My Sugar Peony<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I love peonies! I have fond memories of this flower, they remind me of my mother and my grandmother. Both of these women grew beautiful peonies in their yards and around their homes. I wanted to continue this tradition, so I planted a few of my own peony bushes. Right now my peonies are in full bloom and are covered with full gorgeous blossoms. Soooo beautiful!!! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6qr2iKvLWXk/TfrJUHkiLiI/AAAAAAAABEY/xwVB2iDhwm0/s1600/SMBC+wedding+045a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="249" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6qr2iKvLWXk/TfrJUHkiLiI/AAAAAAAABEY/xwVB2iDhwm0/s320/SMBC+wedding+045a.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G2KPl8GZZPs/TfrJd1KKcII/AAAAAAAABEc/r3Sl5GuZMUs/s1600/SMBC+wedding+050a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="251" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G2KPl8GZZPs/TfrJd1KKcII/AAAAAAAABEc/r3Sl5GuZMUs/s320/SMBC+wedding+050a.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wSJX4jBjA3c/TfrJy0v0RqI/AAAAAAAABEk/Zh-KIXmJdQ8/s1600/SMBC+wedding+043a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wSJX4jBjA3c/TfrJy0v0RqI/AAAAAAAABEk/Zh-KIXmJdQ8/s320/SMBC+wedding+043a.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="292" /></a></div><br />
This was a small 6" practice cake. (Lemon cake with lemon Swiss Meringue Buttercream.) I made the sugar peony by combining my regular peony cutters with a couple of cutters from other flowers. This peony covers the entire top of the cake, so you can see just how large it was!!! Making a peony this large is very time consuming, but I simply love the end result. <br />
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I have to confess, however, that I used some extra hydrangea leaves I had lying around instead of making peony leaves. I simply ran out of time... oops! Luckily this cake was just for practice, so if you don't mind... I don't mind.<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/FDAD45D60B5FA95259D623E24398D409.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div></div>Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-72757616497934822452011-06-08T22:40:00.001-06:002011-06-08T23:13:12.901-06:00My Swiss Meringue Buttercream<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Have you ever tried a cupcake from one of those fancy upscale bakeries? You take one bite and notice that the cupcake's frosting is the smoothest, creamiest, most velvety feeling buttercream you've ever eaten! It tastes less sweet than regular buttercream, and it seems to magically melt on your tongue. Well, chances are the cupcake was frosted with a meringue based buttercream. It was probably either Italian or Swiss meringue buttercream. Today I'm discussing Swiss meringue buttercream or SMBC.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JCf4tNqmcqg/TfBKJjp5XJI/AAAAAAAABEU/sSE1zl9Q3w4/s1600/SMBC+wedding+056a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="262" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JCf4tNqmcqg/TfBKJjp5XJI/AAAAAAAABEU/sSE1zl9Q3w4/s320/SMBC+wedding+056a.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some people have a difficult time making SMBC. The most common complaint is that the end result often tastes like whipped butter! The first time I tried making SMBC I ran into this same problem. Spreading something that tastes like plain old butter on my yummy sweet cupcake doesn't sound very appealing to me! To prevent the overpowering butter taste "experts" say you should:</div><ul style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><li>only use unsalted butter</li>
<li>never eat it cold</li>
<li> add large amounts of flavoring</li>
<li>never use in it the heat... it melts too easily</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I tried each of these solutions and found:</div><ul style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><li>If you use only unsalted butter, it lacks something in taste. I compare it to eating bread or cookies that are made without any salt... just not a full rounded flavor!</li>
<li>I like eating SMBC when it's a little cold. Plus I prefer having the option of eating it either cold or at room temperature.</li>
<li>I'm frugal... I don't like using half a bottle of my expensive flavoring to cover up the overpowering butter flavor.</li>
<li>Yes it's true, SMBC does not hold up well in the heat. It contains a LOT of butter, so the butter's going to melt if it gets too warm. My recipe helps this problem just a bit... but I still would never use it at an outdoor summer event. I replace a small amount of butter with high ratio shortening. This helps the SMBC hold up better in the heat, and it also helps cut the extreme butter flavor. <u>DO NOT</u> use regular shortening such as <i>Crisco</i> in this recipe! If you do you'll end up with that horrible, awful, greasy, shortening coated mouth feeling. YUCK!!! You can buy high ratio shortening at most cake decorating supply stores or online. I prefer the Sweetex brand over Alpine. </li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Swiss Meringue Buttercream</b></u></span> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Makes about 5 cups)</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 C unsalted real butter</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1/2 C salted real butter </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1/2 C high ratio shortening</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">8 egg whites</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 1/2 C granulated sugar</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 T vanilla or "to taste"</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Make sure all of your ingredients are at room temperature! Combine the egg whites and sugar in a saucepan. Stir together and boil until it reaches 160 degrees. (Make sure to calibrate your thermometer so it reaches the correct temperature at your altitude.) Remove from heat and pour the syrup into a mixer. Whip the syrup until it reaches stiff glossy peaks. Cut the butter into small pieces. Change the attachment on your mixer from the whip to a paddle attachment. Now add the butter and shortening to the whites gradually... small pieces at a time. Continue beating until it becomes thick and smooth. (Sometimes this can take a while.) Add the flavoring of your choice at the end and beat until it's well combined.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KwiuGzsa3O8/TfA5xmBON1I/AAAAAAAABDo/I6uP7zXGKx8/s1600/SMBC+wedding+013a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KwiuGzsa3O8/TfA5xmBON1I/AAAAAAAABDo/I6uP7zXGKx8/s320/SMBC+wedding+013a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut the butter and high ratio shortening into small pieces.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-lIWV-spFA/TfA52-39XRI/AAAAAAAABDs/NfIiUK627Z4/s1600/SMBC+wedding+015a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-lIWV-spFA/TfA52-39XRI/AAAAAAAABDs/NfIiUK627Z4/s320/SMBC+wedding+015a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 eggs</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qA0xaJIvebM/TfA58a1KSOI/AAAAAAAABDw/0N_n75XWYC4/s1600/SMBC+wedding+016a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qA0xaJIvebM/TfA58a1KSOI/AAAAAAAABDw/0N_n75XWYC4/s320/SMBC+wedding+016a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Separate the egg yolks from the whites.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ypgcxHpE2xU/TfA6C1yi2CI/AAAAAAAABD0/WXGK09LahT0/s1600/SMBC+wedding+019a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ypgcxHpE2xU/TfA6C1yi2CI/AAAAAAAABD0/WXGK09LahT0/s320/SMBC+wedding+019a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Combine the sugar and egg whites in a saucepan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SB6Yh0a4Xns/TfA6Udzty4I/AAAAAAAABD4/MAcYaGN9yCU/s1600/SMBC+wedding+020a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SB6Yh0a4Xns/TfA6Udzty4I/AAAAAAAABD4/MAcYaGN9yCU/s320/SMBC+wedding+020a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boil and cook until it reaches 160 degrees. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K-Vi8UfZ8Z8/TfA6dvp5pPI/AAAAAAAABD8/2py8yyNBzcw/s1600/SMBC+wedding+022a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K-Vi8UfZ8Z8/TfA6dvp5pPI/AAAAAAAABD8/2py8yyNBzcw/s320/SMBC+wedding+022a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pour into a mixer and whip until it forms stiff glossy peaks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-omtJ8hCWkIY/TfA6sTRz5cI/AAAAAAAABEA/ODXOd0NkTjA/s1600/SMBC+wedding+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-omtJ8hCWkIY/TfA6sTRz5cI/AAAAAAAABEA/ODXOd0NkTjA/s320/SMBC+wedding+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add the butter and high ratio shortening small bits at a time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mxfUk5eya5M/TfA6zxOZQeI/AAAAAAAABEE/AVNdo-jKoQk/s1600/SMBC+wedding+026a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mxfUk5eya5M/TfA6zxOZQeI/AAAAAAAABEE/AVNdo-jKoQk/s320/SMBC+wedding+026a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It may look curdled at first but keep beating it until it comes together.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-siFqyKn07QY/TfA7alLdoSI/AAAAAAAABEI/e7T4TLvqnNk/s1600/SMBC+wedding+031a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-siFqyKn07QY/TfA7alLdoSI/AAAAAAAABEI/e7T4TLvqnNk/s320/SMBC+wedding+031a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Continue beating until it's smooth and creamy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>A Few Variations</b></u></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Peanut butter: add 1/4 C creamy peanut butter.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Brown sugar: substitute brown sugar for granulated sugar.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Coconut: add 1/4 C coconut cream (Coco Lopez).</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lemon, lime, or orange: add 2-3 T of freshly squeezed juice then add the zest of one fruit.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Chocolate: add 4-6 oz of melted chocolate.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fruit: add 1/4 C of any flavored jam.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*If you prefer you can use all butter in this recipe instead of high ratio shortening. However, you'll probably need to add more flavoring.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You can store any leftover SMBC in the refrigerator for up to a week. To use the leftovers again... set the SMBC on your counter and let it come to room temperature. Then put it in your mixer with the paddle attachment, and beat the SMBC until it reaches a creamy consistency again. Good Luck!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Up Next...</b> A small 6" cake topped with the most gorgeous peony sugar flower you've ever seen! (At least I think it's the most gorgeous peony you'll ever see. ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/FDAD45D60B5FA95259D623E24398D409.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div></div>Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-44583352683483847092011-05-27T23:13:00.005-06:002011-05-29T10:26:37.526-06:00Waiting on Pins and Needles....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Where have I been all month? Well, lets get right to the "point"....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ibGuqpFnyO0/TeBruG2Ut8I/AAAAAAAABCI/vEAriEdwv6U/s1600/Picture%2B493a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ibGuqpFnyO0/TeBruG2Ut8I/AAAAAAAABCI/vEAriEdwv6U/s400/Picture%2B493a.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Do you see that little white line on my x-ray? It's not suppose to be there, and it's definitely not supposed to be inside my foot!!!<br />
It's a needle... or what's left of the needle I kicked that it was hiding in my carpet!<br />
<br />
-Painful? ...YES!<br />
-Stupid? ...YES!<br />
-Embarrassing? ...YES! <br />
-Little needle? ...NO! It was one of those 2" long heavy duty darning needles.<br />
-A small piece that broke and lodged in my foot? ...NO! It was about 3/4" long.<br />
-Just under the skin? ...NO! It was next to the bone and probably sticking in the joint.<br />
-Easy little numbing shots? NO! I found out that shots in your foot hurt like #&%*@! (Pardon my language... I am a lady after all!) <br />
-Easy to remove? ...NO? It's not a good thing when the doctor uses words like "very difficult to find", "hiding", "fishing & digging around", or "very deep". After searching for an hour, the first doctor I saw gave up and said she couldn't find it. So I went to a podiatrist the next day, and he finally removed the needle.<br />
-Pain medication? ...YES! Heavy duty ones... I pretty much slept through the first week.<br />
-Crutches? ...YES! But I just graduated to one of those lovely black podiatrist's post-op walking shoes... the chunky ones that come with the stylish Velcro straps! It's probably the most expensive shoe I'll ever own... ;( <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kbdLDhhIzgY/TeB6wLede-I/AAAAAAAABDg/Yj3jDPAxaKw/s1600/Picture%2B411a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kbdLDhhIzgY/TeB6wLede-I/AAAAAAAABDg/Yj3jDPAxaKw/s400/Picture%2B411a.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fk3FlnLB5cc/TeB6MsRUrEI/AAAAAAAABDA/uAcR62UIYaY/s1600/Picture%2B483a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fk3FlnLB5cc/TeB6MsRUrEI/AAAAAAAABDA/uAcR62UIYaY/s400/Picture%2B483a.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nopm9w_Yxnc/TeB6NGhmckI/AAAAAAAABDI/eiPca6Wpefo/s1600/Picture%2B287a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nopm9w_Yxnc/TeB6NGhmckI/AAAAAAAABDI/eiPca6Wpefo/s400/Picture%2B287a.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Iex5MvQyR0/TeB6h0uvr1I/AAAAAAAABDY/XQYBCfeNYls/s1600/Picture%2B488a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="347" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Iex5MvQyR0/TeB6h0uvr1I/AAAAAAAABDY/XQYBCfeNYls/s400/Picture%2B488a.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I hope these pictures aren't too graphic and make someone feel nauseous! (Not the kind of pictures you'd expect to see on a cake blog!) LOL<br />
<br />
I get the stitches out in 5 days, then things should get back to normal around here. I have to thank my wonderful husband for taking such good care of me! I appreciate how he took care of the house, the food, cleaning up, the laundry, paying the bills, and driving our kids to all of their activities. He did all of this in addition to his normal daily job. What a guy! <br />
<br />
I hope this is the end of my foot saga, so I can get back to cake decorating. Now it's your turn to wait on "pins and needles" for my next blog entry! And I promise to get right to the "point"! <br />
<br />
Coming Up..... my Swiss Meringue Buttercream recipe!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/FDAD45D60B5FA95259D623E24398D409.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-47795729756966041852011-05-10T12:01:00.004-06:002011-05-10T16:40:12.999-06:00A Quick UpdateI just wanted to give a quick update to all of you who were wondering about my son's percussion group and Red Bull's "Tum Tum Pa" drumming competition. Well...... they are GOING TO BRAZIL! They were chosen as one of the top 5 groups in the USA to go to Rio de Janeiro and compete in the world championship! I'm sooooo thrilled for these boys. (If you missed my last couple of posts... you can scroll down and read all about it.)<br />
<br />
I also wanted send out a huge thank-you to all of you who were so supportive and voted for Noob Heist. It's the chance of a lifetime for them..... I just wish I could go too! LOL<br />
<br />
Anyway, to all of my Brazilian friends who live near Rio.... go to the competition for me, then tell me all about what happens! I think it takes place on June 11th. Don't forget to yell and cheer for Noob Heist.... and of course my amazing son! ;)<br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/FDAD45D60B5FA95259D623E24398D409.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269880168096977597.post-8623550547986718552011-04-27T14:07:00.004-06:002011-04-27T15:06:54.176-06:00Another Shameless Plug... then back to cake!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The last post was about my son's percussion group trying to win a trip to Rio de Janeiro to compete in "Tum Tum Pa's" world championship. Well... Red Bull changed the way they're picking the finalists. Now instead of getting the most views on You Tube, you need to go to Red Bull's website to vote for them... <u>Noob Heist</u> is the name of their group. Here's the link:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.redbullusa.com/cs/Satellite/en_US/Red-Bull-Tum-Tum-Pa-Entries/001242989518239" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.redbullusa.com/cs/S<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>atellite/en_US/Red-Bull-Tum-Tu<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>m-Pa-Entries/001242989518239</a><br />
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span class="messageBody"> </span></h6>Noob Heist is in the "Mountain South Conference". There's no need to register, and it'll only take you a minute to vote. Just find Noob Heist's video, listen to it, then click on the "vote" button. (The video lasts for 1 minute.) <br />
<br />
I know this is a shameless plug for my son... but they've worked so hard! I figure this is the least I can do to help them out. It's funny because the Tum Tum Pa contest was designed for college students... my son and his friends are all in high school! They're very talented kids and have impressed everyone who's heard them play. Red Bull's regional representative even told these boy's to get their passports ready! The problem is that it's difficult for Noob Heist to get enough votes when a competing university asks the student body to vote for their school's team.<br />
<br />
So if you have a few minutes to spare... they'd really appreciate your vote! Ok... I'd appreciate your vote too!!!<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/FDAD45D60B5FA95259D623E24398D409.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div></div>Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612088429319068899noreply@blogger.com0