A Little Thank You

To All of You Who Read My Ramblings,

Thank you!!!  According to Google Analytics, my blog has now reached all 7 continents of the world and countless countries and cities throughout.  I did a little dance when I found this out today.  I never would have dreamed this was possible when I started this blog back in January.  I truly thought maybe some friends and family would read it and that'd be it.  So... thank you, thank you, thank you.  For those close enough to order from me here in Atlanta, please keep ordering-- you all are my joy.  Y'all are the reason I can keep this blog going and do what I love and I don't take that for granted.  I have the BEST customers.  For those of you throughout the world, you amaze me and I hope you enjoy this lil' blog of mine.  Have a great weekend!

Love,

The Cake Gal

Zebra Purse Cake

I love each and every cake I make.  I work my hardest at making each cake a true creation, a unique piece of "edible art" (if you will).  I hope that comes across in the cakes themselves.  Sometimes I have to get really creative with an idea that someone will send me.  Sometimes, though, I don't have to get too creative on the ideas and I just get to be creative in making the cake.  Either way, I get to play with food and have fun.  Geez, I love my job! 

I love it when I get the neatest cake ideas sent to me and I can just play and create.  Seriously, how cool was this cake idea? 

A pink zebra-striped purse cake!!! 

Edible silver and hand-painted zebra stripes details

I hear the birthday girl and all her friends went for mani/pedis and then partied and ate this cake.  What a fun birthday idea (hint, hint, any of you who know me....).

Happy Birthday Sophia!  You're the coolest for ordering this fun cake.  It was such a neat idea!

And, now, since I have a blog, I want to blog.  I want to ramble and just share my thoughts.  You don't have to read this.  You can just look at the pictures above and move on (also, how awesome is my new camera???).  I just want to talk about doing what you love.  Yep, a post about life... 

For any of you wondering, I did not get my education in "caking."  I went to college and pursued history and archaeology.  Wha?  Archaeology?  Yep, I spent most of my 20's (and some of my teens) covered head to toe in dirt.  I found dirt in places I didn't know dirt could be.  I traveled this beautiful country and saw some amazing places (and some not-so-amazing).  The last company I worked for (which shall remain un-named so don't even try to email me and ask) had me and my coworkers going to big and small towns all over the map.  I met some of the nicest people (and also came a little too close to being shot on private property).  I really had an amazing time.  One day, though, that started to change. 

I traveled alone (every.single.time.).  I ate fast food one too many times.  I sat alone in airports missing my husband.  I got on a plane covered in dirt because I didn't want to miss my flight.  I also walked into a Target covered in dirt and swamp sludge and walked out in a brand new outfit simply because I didn't want to repeat the plane incident (changing in a dressing room and having a store associate walk you to the register to pay while you carry your dirty, nasty clothes while wearing new clothes... not so fun).  I almost got attacked by wild boars (true story).  I missed my flight when the one thing I wanted to do was get home a wee bit early.  I walked around "urban" areas feeling a little out of place and a just a little too unsafe.  I racked up one too many reward points for hotel stays, airlines, and rental cars.  I busted my butt for my clients.  I got chewed out by my boss.  I worked way more than full time. 

I missed my life.  I became someone I didn't know... bitter and angry.  Why?  Because I believed my boss when he said that "it's called a job for a reason."  I worked my hardest and gave it my all and yet I never seemed to please my clients or supervisors enough and, that?  That was when I knew I had had enough and things needed to change.   

If you EVER work a job where your superior tells you that "it's called a job for a reason" or "it's not supposed to be fun, it's work," RUN!  Maybe you don't need to switch careers like I did.  Maybe you just need to find a new employer (I know, easier said than done in this economy).  I've had amazing bosses who appreciate their employees (here's talking about you, A!); it is possible.  Please, please, please though, realize one thing for me.  You get one life.  Don't spend it working too many hours to enjoy it.  Love, G.

I will get down off my soapbox now.  ;)

**UPDATE** I re-read the above post and thought I should add this---
Don't get me wrong, I don't regret pursuing my dream of being an archaeologist for one single second.  It just turns out that my dreams changed somewhere along the way and I'm so incredibly thankful for each and every one of you for helping me pursue those dreams now.  Do what you love, no matter how many times you need to change careers.  ;)

Toy Story Cake

Again, as promised, here's the other fun cake from this past weekend.  Toy Story!!!

Sorry some of these pictures are kinda blurry-- like I said in my last post, my camera is dying.  Better photos are promised soon!

This is the first time ever I've used non-edible figurines or, for that matter, any figurines that I didn't make but I really wanted the birthday boy to take home new toys.

This cake was also ordered with a dozen Toy Story cupcakes.  Here's a shot taken at the party (thanks, P, for this photo!)...

Happy Birthday Nickolas! 

Super Mario Bros. Cake

As promised, here's just one of the cool cakes from this weekend.  It's Super Mario Bros. themed!!!  Man, I had flashbacks to childhood making this cake-- I started remembering the little songs that played during the different levels, remembered the character's names (it took me a few days)... it was fun!  Anyways, back to the cake, since I know I usually just want to see the pictures....

Mario!

Some of the little details...

On a side note, I found my old Gameboy the other day-- you know, the old black and white one (or should I say greenish and grayish)?  It doesn't work anymore but that thing could be in a museum somewhere.  I think I'll keep it just so my (future) kids can laugh at me one day. 

Kids have it so good these days-- XBox 360 and the Wii and the new Gameboys--the characters are so clear and it's not all pixels but, hey, I can't complain 'cause this cake would've looked a little weird if the characters were still pixels...

Happy Birthday Mark! 

Stay tuned for the other cool cake from this weekend.  I have to admit that my camera is dying and it's not just the batteries so the pics won't look all that great but, hey, you'll get the idea...

Polka Dots and Hearts Cake

How fun is this cake?  Polka dots and hearts galore. 

Happy Birthday Alison! I hope all your wishes come true.

I seem to be making lots of buttercream cakes lately and I'm happy with that but I can barely wait to show you my creations for next weekend.  I'm busting with excitement over the fun things I get to work on next week.  Stay tuned!!! 

Logo Cupcakes

I was recently contacted to make some logo cupcakes for a Presbyterian Women's meeting. 

Here's the logo...

and here's 12 of the 36 cupcakes I made... 

Each logo was hand-painted with food dye on fondant.

Now, who else needs a logo cupcake????  : )

Happy Friday!  Hope you all have a great weekend and get to spend some time with your loved ones on Patriot Day.  God Bless America!

UNC Birthday Cake

This post is way overdue (what else is new?).  I've been busy, busy, busy and I'm so very thankful. 

This UNC Birthday Cake was created for a special boy turning 9 years old!  After delivering this cake to one of the neatest venues I've ever been to, I wish I could have been a kid at that party!

Those tarheels sure did walk all over this cake!  ;)

New technique! Hand-painted (with food dye) fondant.  Completely edible.

The cake was buttercream (no fondant overlay) with fondant accents.  I was so excited to make this cake and so happy to try out new techniques. 

Happy Birthday, Austin!  I hope you had a great day!