Happy Birthday to... my blog!

One year ago today, on a whim, I started this little blog o' mine.  I never, ever thought anyone other than a few family members or friends would read it.  Now, one year later, this little blog has reached all 7 continents!  I'm still shocked and amazed on a daily basis.  Thank you!!!

Happy First Birthday to my blog! 

To celebrate, here's a recent birthday cake I made. 

This cake had so many little details for the birthday man.  Some of this birthday man's favorite things are his fast car, his Vegas casinos, golf, and his dogs. 

In case you're wondering, it is all edible.  The only things that couldn't be eaten were the support dowels and the cake board.  The cake itself is Vanilla Pound Cake with Vanilla Buttercream.

Here's a little close up of the poodles, the birthday man and his golf clubs, and the edible sugar glass windshield.

A big thank you to J, who let me know that this cake was a big hit at the party.  I LOVE hearing back from clients!

Happy Birthday, Charles, and Happy 1st Birthday to this little blog o' mine.

Wine Bottle Cake

Who wants some homemade Georgia wine? 

Oh wait, that bottle's not real....

This cake was made for a very special birthday man.  A man who turned 90 years old this October and AND he makes his own wine. 


He must have a whole lotta people who love him because this cake was MASSIVE.  No, seriously, it served 60 people by my standards (and easily served 100 by industry standards... have I mentioned my cakes are made for cutting big slices? I don't skimp on servings).

The granddaughter of the birthday man contacted me about this cake.  She had a few details she wanted on the cake but the rest was up to me.  Here's some of the details...



"Vintage 1920" label



The label reading "Aged to Perfection 90 Years"



The bottle top with an "H" for Howard on it.  This actually wasn't a request, I just had to add it.

The cake itself was made to look like a storage crate for the wine bottle and was vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream.  The details, including the bottle, were made out of fondant and modeling chocolate.  The "leather pouch" the wine bottle rested in was fondant and dusted with spices.  Everything written was hand-painted with food dye.  Everything was edible. 

 

That's the first of the latest fun cakes I've been working on.  I have several more to post and several more coming up so I'll post them as soon as I can.  Just keep checking back!

Funky Flower Cake

This cake was ordered by a wonderful customer for her daughter's birthday and it was (shhhh!!!) a surprise.  To me, surprise cakes are some of the best.  Who doesn't love getting a little surprise? 

Vanilla cake with buttercream icing and fondant decorations.  Sign is hand-painted.

Some of the best orders I get are from a boyfriend/girlfriend or husband/wife wanting to surprise the other with a little sweet treat.  Flowers and chocolates are great but a little surprise cake is... so sweet! ;) 

I hope you had a great birthday Caitlyn!!!

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!!! 

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!

Doctor Cake

This cake was created for a very special birthday man.  Can you guess what his profession is? 

Names have been blocked to protect the innocent.  : )

Yep, he's a doctor. I greatly respect anyone in the medical field and I was so honored to make this cake for this long-time, respected internist.

I love what I get to do every day (have I said that before???) but one of the best things about my job is hearing back from my customers.  Thank you, Mrs. M., for your oh-so-thoughtful and nice feedback.  I'm so glad you all enjoyed the cake!!!

Mini Tote Bag Cake

What better way to celebrate being in the thick of a HOT, HOT summer than with a beachy tote bag cake? 

And, since we're in the (beautiful, peachy, amazing) South, it's monogrammed, y'all!

This cake is peanut butter pound cake with chocolate ganache.  Ummm... can you say peanut butter cup?  So stinkin' good.

Happy Summer to all of you.  I hope your Summer is filled with lots of fun (and beach trips with cute tote bags). 

UGA Cake

First, let me say "GOoooOOOooo Dawgs, Sic 'em!!!"  OK, now that I have that out of the way...

I'm a proud Georgia Bulldawg (yes, d-a-w-g).  I bleed Red & Black.  There is hallowed ground between those hedges.  I cried when UGA VI ('my UGA') died.  I could go on and on....

I loved the years I spent at that school and the relationships that were formed.  I love Athens. Graduation day was one of the happiest (and yet saddest) days of my life.  (Good thing I got to hang around Athens a few more years 'cause I was lucky enough to land a job nearby.)  Soooo, when I was asked to do a UGA cake?  Sheer happiness.

I was asked to "just do something simple" and include the UGA "G" but, um, I don't really do simple well.  So I had to add Dawg collar spikes.

And, since the birthday man was a UGA fan, a football helmet too...

The cake itself was chocolate with buttercream (no fondant overlay) and fondant decorations.  Everything was edible and was sheer joy to make.

Happy Birthday Toby and Go Dawgs!

Ladybugs: Oh So Sweet Cake

I know I've said over and over that each time I make a cake, it becomes my new 'favorite' one.  But, um, I have a new favorite...

I got to make this cake for an ADORABLE little girl who was turning one!  I have to give her parents all the credit for picking out quite possibly the cutest party supplies ever.  They used these party supplies and, when they sent me the info, I could barely wait to get started on this cake.  So cute!

The cake itself was red velvet on the top tier and yellow on the bottom tier.  I had so much fun making the little ladybugs and their little 'trails' on the cake sides. 

And, of course, there's this pink ladybug on the top. 

I know, too, that I've said I love my 'job' and you might be sick of reading it but I really, really LOVE what I do.  I love that I get to see old friends I haven't seen in a long time (but we won't think about how long it's been, mmmmk?  I don't want to know that I've nearly doubled in age... ugh) and meet their beautiful families.  I feel so blessed.

Speaking of favorites, I now have a new favorite cake category: baby's first cakes. 

I just wish I'd taken a photo of the smash cake for this one.  I guess you'll just have to trust me that it was cute.

Happy Birthday Ella!

Airplane Cake

I'm so honored when I get any cake request.  I've always loved making cakes and I really feel so blessed to be doing this on a daily basis. 

So, when I get to make a child's first birthday cake?  What.an.honor. 

I got to make this cake for a baby boy's first birthday.  His parents are pilots (lucky kid! I think there might be lots of exciting travel in his future) so it was only appropriate that it include a plane...

And I was FINALLY able to do a technique that I've been waiting to do for so long.  I made sugar clouds! 

SO FUN. 

And, what first birthday party is complete without a smash cake?

Happy Birthday Connor!

Sugar Poppy

I was asked to make a birthday cake for a very special lady.  The requests were that it be Mrs. Mary Moon's pound cake recipe (yum!), blue (like the ones I've made before), and that it have a flower on it.  So, naturally, I chose to try out a new flower/technique.  A red poppy!  Fun!  

The poppy is entirely edible (except for the stamens) and even had some poppy seeds.

As I was making this poppy, I just kept thinking "what an amazing flower".  What an amazing flower that God made and I get to recreate with sugar.  What an awesome God. 

And as I was baking the cake, I kept thinking "man, that smells good".... alas, it wasn't for me...

Happy Birthday, Mrs. K.  You are truly a blessing.

Also, anyone else thinking about Poppy from Seinfeld?  Nope?  Just me?  Darn.

Purse Cake

This was for my beautiful mother-in-law for her birthday! She has some purses any woman would covet so I thought this was only appropriate.

The cake is red velvet with fondant overlay and edible silver dust on the "zipper."

I learned a lot from this cake about working with cream cheese icing and fondant overlay. (It's tricky!)

Happy Birthday to my sweet Mother-in-law! Thank you for all that you have done and do for your kiddos and me. I love you!

Dog Cake

It's a dog's life.

I think each time I make a cake, it becomes my *favorite one.* Again, I had too much fun making this cake. There is something to be said for pursuing your dream and how it makes every aspect of your life better...

Anyways, back to the cake. This birthday cake was for a dog lover. The wife of the birthday boy contacted me and wanted to surprise her husband with a cake that looked like his beloved dog. I should have scanned the photo she brought me but, of course, I didn't think about it at the time. Anyway, you'll just have to trust me that this looks like their dog.

(Yes, this dog "enjoys his food")

Fido on his favorite blue banket. Happy Birthday, Mr. C.! Hope she surprised you and I hope you liked it.

A Hummingbird Cake

If you're my family member, guess what you're gonna get for your birthday from me? Yep, a cake... But, my main problem with these cakes is I don't have an "order." I don't usually have any decoration requests... I have free rein!!! Scary.

Today is my beautiful Mom's birthday! WHAT TO MAKE FOR THE WOMAN WHO INSPIRED ME??? (tap my fingers, rack my brain...)

Well, she's an avid and amazing gardener (among many other talents)... (I start coming up with ideas)... Then, she requested hummingbird feeders for her birthday. Ah ha, a clue. An idea for how to decorate her cake. Other than that, I knew she wanted a "vanilla" cake. And so, this cake was born...

A vanilla cake with buttercream grass, fondant fence, and gumpaste flowers. And, oh yea, the modeling chocolate hummingbird. He was fun to make!

I don't know if you can tell but the hummingbird has "feathers." I learned alot about hummingbirds making this cake. This guy is a male ruby-throated hummingbird and he's entirely edible (except for his support wire, of course).

Happy Birthday, Momma! I love you!