sweet!

2011-07-29T16:47:00.000-07:00

{ Big changes are afoot }

On Monday August 1st, this blog, and my website, are changing... to a new name, a new brand, a new domain, and a new blog. I do hope you will all come with me, I love having so many of you follow along what I post here.

So, what prompted the change?

Well, after I got {another} nasty shock of one day seeing my business name again replicated {just two words switched around to make it different enough to register} , I thought to myself 'how do I switch it up and make myself unique? I really love the Sweet! component of my name - the rest was really just a descrptor of what I offer... then it hit me, it's not about what I offer, it's about who I am. This business and what I create is really all about me (as are all small/micro businesses all about their owners)... and the new name came pretty much about about 5 - 10 minutes of throwing abround different combinations of words - what do you think?

So, that's the new name... this is the new website:

Please come along and check it out... the new blog link will go up over the weekend, and I'll post it here, so those of you that follow along now, can do so on the new blog as well {at least, I really hope you will!}

Thanks everyone, I look forward to seeing you on the new blog - and you can catch me on facebook too!

2011-07-22T02:23:00.000-07:00

{ A couple of this week's projects }

2011-07-18T20:25:00.000-07:00

{ Custom dessert order for a birthday celebration }

{ Recent Projects}

2011-07-18T03:43:00.000-07:00

{ Christening Cake }

2011-04-30T23:44:00.000-07:00

A recent project...

A Christening cake for Isabella, in tones of pink and ivory, decorated with mini butterflies, a pearly teddy bear, and some swiss dot piping.

{ Pretty, Pretty Cupcakes }

2011-04-20T22:29:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of what I have been up to lately:

As it's the afternoon just before Easter, I'm in a bit of a rush to get things done (but really, when is anyone not busy??!), so will leave this with just the pictures for you to enjoy - have a great Easter everyone!

{ Little Wed Hen Featured Interview }

2011-04-19T19:24:00.000-07:00

There is a new blog on the wedding list, Little Wed Hen, run by the lovely Stephanie Campisi. I was very furtunate to be interviewed by Stephanie for a feature on LWH, and it was good enough to run over three installments, which I am pretty happy about!

I think I sound like a bit of a nit on part 1 (let me know what you think!!), but 2 and 3 is definteily more like the 'real me'!

Head on over to Little Wed Hen and check it out - you can follow along on facebook too!

{ Marie Antoinette Shoot }

2011-04-04T18:01:00.000-07:00

A little while ago, I was commissioned to create some giant cupcakes (not cake sized, literally giant, regular, single serve cupcakes) for a photoshoot... the only brief was pretty, pale pink, pale blue, and must, absolutely must, feature my signature ruffled blooms.

I am more than a little gob-smacked by the resulting photos! Stunning doesn't quite say enough - spectacular, perhaps? Hmm, still not quite there... I'll let you be the judge!

These images were shot by Vanessa at Wildberry Studio (you may remember Vanessa from my cookie bunting and centrepiece cookie photos), and the entire photoshoot (get ready for some serious eyecandy!) was picked up on Rock and Roll Bride, which you can see here...

{ Support our Troops this Anzac Day }

2011-04-03T21:59:00.000-07:00

I dislike war. Immensely. It achieves nothing but death and leaves nations scarred and destroyed.

However, I support our troops and they jobs they do 110%. They put themselves in harms way in order to serve our Country, and, by association, us. So, to all our past and present Armed Forces Personnel, Thank You.

My Grandfather was a digger. A Galipoli Digger, aka "an ANZAC". He was one of the few who came home. Home to a family shredded by the Great War, he had to rebuild his family and start over, meeting my Nanna at the boarding house he was housed in on his return to Melbourne. Would Pop's service have been made easier had he received care packages from home? Possibly. After all, these very diggers were the men behind the creation of the iconic Australian biscuit, the Anzac. Did he receive them? I'll never know... but what I do know is this - our modern-day Diggers are flung far and wide, serving their Country, and this Anzac Day, I will be doing my part to support them in a small way, and sending them my 'Thanks'.

This is how you can send them your 'Thanks' too:

This Anzac Day, you can send our Armed Forces a care package, post paid.
Simply use a box no larger than an Aus Post BM size, and keep the parcel to no more than 2 kg in weight.
Lodge in person at any post office (for security reasons you need to lodge with photo ID)

What to send:
Books
Magazines
DVD's
Chocolates
Personal care items
A hand-written note of thanks

Don't forget our 4-legged service personnel! Send some doggie treats, a chew toy, funky (large) collar etc.

Address your packages to:

Middle East:

An Australian Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Airwoman
Anzac Day Mail
Middle East Operations
AFPO 60
Australian Defence Force NSW 2890

East Timor

An Australian Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Airwoman
Anzac Day Mail
East Timor Operations
AFPO 61
Australian Defence Force NSW 2890

Solomon Islands

An Australian Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Airwoman
Anzac Day Mail
Solomon Islands Operations
AFPO 62
Australian Defence Force NSW 2890

For 4-legged care packages, mark the boxes "Canine Care Pacakge"!

This service is running now until last post on 15 April.Please do your bit to support our troops, and the jobs they are doing on our behalf.

{ What the White Wabbit Ate}

2011-04-01T00:45:00.000-07:00

I was commissioned to create these veggie cupcakes for an upcoming Beatrix-Potter-esque photoshoot, and couldn't resist snapping a picture of my own before delivery. Sugar carrots, radishes, cabbages and peas in pods all rest on edible dirt over chocolate fudge cupcakes.

{ Are you a Portobello Bride? }

2011-03-27T19:01:00.000-07:00

If not, this is a little of what you missed out on seeing this past weekend:

More details to come soon of my stand, my cakes, and some of the amazing people I met, and that you need to talk to to create your own amazing events!

{ The Keys To My Heart }

2011-03-21T00:43:00.000-07:00

Here's a little project that I've had in the back of my mind for a while now, and got to create them this year for Valentine's Day. Hope you like them.

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | Macarons! |

2011-03-19T22:33:00.000-07:00

I have an amazing project coming up next week with some other amazng vendors (that's all I can share - it's a BIG secret!!), and one of the requirements is macarons. Now, I'm no fan of these little meringey-almondy-thingies at all, so in the past have not put much effort into knowing about them, let alone figuring out the best way of creating them! But, needed they are, so create them I must... and I'm pretty pleased with them so far.

(These aren't the macarons for the project!)

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | Dinner Party Dessert Table |

2011-02-03T16:52:00.000-08:00

Recently I had the pleasure of creating a dessert table for an anniversary dinner party.

It's unusual to create a table for such a small event, but I do love a challenge! There isn't always a call for a full-scale table (especially if you only have 8 guests!), so it was great to take on the challenge and scale a small table to look gorgeous! I started with the basics - the 'table' was actually a large-ish butlers tray, on top of a cast iron Singer sewing machine table. To cut the darkness of the wood finish on the tray, I draped over a length of sequinned fabric on the diagonal, so there were tails draping to the floor, rather than a square edge.

Then came the fund part - the dressing! Using my vintage glass pieces, I created the stage, balanced the height with some gorgeous hydrangeas (source: The Bouquets of Ashca Jolie), then set about filling the pieces with goodies.

Used for this table:
Vintage Mallow Wafers
Gingerbread Sugar Cookie Bows
Pink Vanilla Bean Meringue Clouds
Raspberry Prairie Fudge

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | Melbourne's Wedding and Honeymoon Expo |

2011-01-22T00:30:00.000-08:00

Come and visit us tomorrow at stand No 1!

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | Oprah's Baby Shower |

2011-01-20T16:21:00.000-08:00

So, Oprah's Baby SHoer has come and gone, screening last night on Channel 10 (Aus). We received an entire segment (about 3 minutes) on the Shower, which was wonderful. I'm not sure exeactly what I was expecting - and to be honest, up until the moment the show went to air, I didn't even know if I would be able to watch.

As some of you may know, I was very conflicted about "the 'O' effect", but in the end, decided that it was over and done, just roll with it and see where it leads. After all, I myself had ben telling people that I was involved!

So, you can imagine my surprise when bang! up on the screen for a full screen close-up, were my signature floral cupcakes! I believe I did squeal, ever so slightly (OK, nor "ever so slightly", but when you are my age, that's as much as I will admit to!!!).

It's still very surreal, and I don't know what, if anything, will come of it... and I am very happy with that. Things will be the same (just like my prices!) now as they were pre 'O-Day'. It's funny, the question I have been asked most is "I'll bet your prices will go up now, right?". Wrong! My product is my product, being featured on a TV show does not grant an automatic licence to rip people off (even though there are many that do just that).

So, here are my pictures first, and then some photos taken by Sharnel Dollar, of Sharnel Dollar Designs, who was the stylist of the entire "do".

Aren't these flowers stunning?

They were styled and supplied by The Bouquets of Ascha Jolie.

In case anyone missed it, or is looking for that "something special" for a new or impending arrival, the Shower was held at Bebe, in South Yarra. Thanks Bebe!

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | 2011, the O way! |

2011-01-11T21:37:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone, and welcome to twenty-eleven (a whole lot easier to say than 'two thousand and eleven'!)

So, I'm sure that you are all familiar with the fact that Oprah came Down Under in December, right? Well, she was in Melbourne on December 10, and while she was here, she hosted a Baby Shower.

Now, this was no ordinary baby shower. It was a Baby Shower.

And little old me got to be a part of it.

I know. Get out of town, right? But I kid you not!

I had the pleasure of supplying gourmet desserts for the shower! The whole 'Do' was styled by Sharnel Dollar, of Sharnel Dollar Designs, and I am very appreciative of being given this sort of opportunity, let me tell you just quietly!

So, Channel 10 (who screens Oprah in Aus) has just announced today that these shows will be televised soon - as in next week soon! You can watch all the fun yourselves, starting January 19th! At this stage I don't know which day the Baby Shower will feature on, I would guess at the 19th or 20th, and right now I can't show you any pictures either... but you can be sure that once aired, I will pop up my photos, so everyone can feast on what I created.

So, I think that's enough big news to digest for now... back soon!

Happy Baking!

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | Christmas 2010 |

2010-12-10T18:08:00.000-08:00

Christmas will be upon us in just 14 days time.

I hope you are all ready - I'm not! The diary is full to overflowing with customer orders between now and the 23rd, my last official day for deliveries, and I can take on no further committments, so am closing off the year now.

I hope you all have a very safe, very Merry Christmas, and a wonderful New Year.

See you in 2011!

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | New Product! |

2010-12-04T00:15:00.000-08:00

Here is the first photo of my newest dessert offering - Vanilla Bean Marshmallows, shown here in their Rosewater Swirl variation.

So incredibly yummy!

Contact me via email for pricing and shipping information...

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | Food Porn |

2010-12-02T14:51:00.000-08:00

I snapped this photo a while ago now of some nude cupcakes cooling, waiting to be dressed up.

Happy Friday!

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | Cookie Bunting |

2010-11-30T15:00:00.000-08:00

Here is another photo of my cookie bunting, which ahs been receiving rave reviews from all who have seen/ordered one since their recent debut:

(Image courtesy Wildberry Studio & Design)

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | Baptism Cake |

2010-11-29T00:38:00.000-08:00

Every now and then, I strike a client that requires no guidance in terms of design. They have a clear idea of the concept that they need executed in cake. Sometimes, their design concepts are stunning in their simplicity, but very difficult to reverse-engineer into sugar. This baptism cake for Ava was no exception!

The invitation was wrapped in lustred and letterpressed linen paper with a water droplet and ripple-pond effect... all in white. This water droplet and ripple pond was to be the feature of the cake. Exquisitely different, especially for a Baptism.

What do you think?

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | Wedding Sneak Peek |

2010-11-28T15:26:00.000-08:00

This weekend in Melbourne the weather was just awful if you were getting married. Fabulous for trees, not so much for Brides. We had storms and rain and thunder and more rain, and HUMIDITY. Oh, and did I mention the rain?

One of my brides this weekend was being photographed by Vanessa at Wildberry (see below for more of Vanessa's amazing shots)... and here is a sneak peak of what she managed to capture in between all the rain!

The bride had a selection of sweets for her wedding picnic - one of our new cookie garlands, featuring the couple's sayings of "love me - hug me - kiss me", some chocolate fudge cake pops, coconut ice, and vanilla bean sugar cookies.

Thanks for the preview Vanessa, can't wait to see the rest of the wedding!

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | New Products! |

2010-11-26T22:36:00.000-08:00

A little while ago, I was contacted via facebook by a photographer who had been struck with inspiration about including some of my sweetness in one of her upcoming photoshoots, and would I be interested in colaborating?

Needless to say, I said yes!...

So, in thinking about what my desing brief was - white with touches of red - I wnted to come up with somthing that was a bit special, that would add that touch of "wow" and "I haven't seen anything like this before" - and I think I have succeeded! Drawing on the inspiration of the current craze for bunting, I set about creating cookie bunting! Yes, a world-first, so you all have the scoop on something completely new! - bunting made of cookies. Perfectly decorative, and edible!

As well as the bunting, I wanted something for the bubba to be able to hang onto (this was a baby shoot, after all), so created a centrepiece cookie, which would make a perfect dessert table centrepiece or photobooth prop - as you will see, munching away on one of my centrepiece cookies is quite a feat, and makes for quite the photo!

Also coming off the design table and into reality are Swag Cookies - individually strung cookie, perfect for hanging from the back of the bride and grooms chairs for a perfect "wow" moment - imagine these done as name tags, with each guest receiving their own personlised swag cookie favour!

OK, so enough talk - here are the photos (more to come!):

(All photos courtsesy Wildberry Studios)

|Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | The World is a Very Small Place |

2010-10-22T16:58:00.000-07:00

Ever since the creation of the internet, and our total adaption to life revolving in and around it, I have never been so aware of just how small it has made the world we live in until now.

Even as recently as 10 years ago, if we wanted to talk to someone around the world, we either wrote them a letter and posted it via snail mail, or we spent hours trying to figure out the time differences, and stayed up until an ungodly hour to make sure that they would be awake, in order for us to call them - and then pay the equivalent of a 2nd mortgage to the phone company for the priveledge.

Now, we email at the drop of a pin - we don't even bother to get up off our office chairs to talk tot he personin the next cubicle 10 feet away, we email them instead. Why waste the spoken word when a typed one is so much easier? And we Skype too. We still need to be up at all hour of the night to do it, but at least it costs almost nothing!

So, where am I going with this ramble? What possible cake connection could there be to this, you ask? Well, I'm getting to it!

During this past week, there have been many instances cropping up on discussion threads I belong to about photo theft, specifically of cakes, cupcakes and cookies, made by friends of mine, and sometimes my work, that other people on the other side of the world are helping themselves to in order to promote their own businesses.

Thanks to the power of the internet, we can "out" these cheating and stealing businesses as the cheating and stealing thugs that they are - and we can also alert so many people, all around the globe, about what each business is up to , with a single message. This simply would have been impossible 10 years ago. Yes, we had the internet, but the power of the "group" was still in its infancy. Forums and discussion boards were only just coming into being- and now look at what we have achieved.

Adding a protective shield to our work is a new blog, Stop the Cake Thief, and it also has a page on facebook. What I would like is for each of you reading this post is to stop by the blog, see what it's up to (it's very new, but there are already a couple of businesses named and shamed), spread the word, 'like' the facebook page if you would, and keep an eye out for cake sites that you come accross that don't look right. Report them, and help us keep our industry honest.

Thank you!

And in other small world news... I got to speak to a fan yesterday, the very lovely Digella, of Digella Emporium, who knows Sharnell, of Sharnel Dollar Designs, who I know through the cake world - how awesome is that?

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | New Items in Store Now! |

2010-10-22T00:43:00.000-07:00

We had a lovely surprise today - the DHL delivery man! On board was a stash of goodies that I am sure you will adore!

Welcome to our new Gorgeous collection:

Peacock Favour Crates, Cupcake Cases and Petits Fours Cases (Mini Cupcake Cases)

Pink Rose Favour Crates, Cupcake Cases and Petits Fours Cases (Mini Cupcake Cases)

Black Rose Favour Crates, Cupcake Cases and Petits Fours Cases (Mini Cupcake Cases)

Everything is in store now, ready for dispatch!

Happy baking!

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | Custom Cookie Collection |

2010-10-21T20:33:00.000-07:00

Quite some time ago now, when I was first inspired to work on opening a little store, I thought about things tht people might like to buy. Pretty cupcake things, of course, but then also some edibles too, things that would make perfect thank you gifts for shower teas or dinner parties, and the idea for some custom decorated cookies was born. I spent days searching the net for the perfect cutters to use for my new cookies - cutters that were not available locally, that's for sure! I finally stumbled upon a small, artisan crafter who makes copper cookie cutters all by hand, to order - perfect! Here are the results - I hope you enjoy them!

All cookie varieties are for sale now through the store, which you can reach either through the website, or here on the blog (the link is at the top right of this page). All cookies come individually bagged and tied with ribbon, and are sold in orders of 6 pcs. All designs are $48 per 6 pcs, plus shipping, and are available in our standard flavours of Vanilla Bean, Chocolate Sable and Spicy Gingerbread. Please allow 7 days for baking and decorating before despatch when placing your orders, as these are baked and decorated to order only!

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | Christmas 2010 Collection |

2010-10-17T21:36:00.000-07:00

For quite some time now - well, OK, most of my life!! - I have loved old things, from linen, china and glassware, down to I guess what you would call the "sensibilities" of particular eras - like the 1950's for instance.

From post WWII to the very early 1960's, both class and gender lines were very clearly drawn, directed and, for the most part, embraced by society at large. Women were very clearly feminine. Families dressed for dinner, and everyone met without fail around the dinner table every night, even if it was to tackle some new fangled thing (TV dinners anyone?!) just launched to housewives everywhere.

There were pretty specific colour palettes back then too. Manufacturing was advancing, but not fast enough to expand colour choices past electric brights (red, orange, lime, yellow) or pastel gelatos; pink, aqua, and white - aqua and white was, after all the No 1 colour combination for the American automotive industry during this period - and for good reason - they look fabulous together!

So, this year, to celebrate the memory of what was a golden era, I have been inpired to include a heavy sprinkle of 1950's America - I hope you like it!

All items will be available for order through my online store, which you can reach through the link at the top right on the blog, or you can also reach it via the website. Orders can be placed now through to December 20th. Last day for delivery is December 23rd. Last day for mail order (cookies and coconut ice only) is December 18th.

Cookies are available in

Spicy GIngerbread, Vanilla Bean and Chocolate Sable

Cupcakes are available in all my regular flavours.

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | Exciting Update |

2010-10-14T16:03:00.000-07:00

Gosh, what a great start to today! Checking in on emails this morning, I had a fabulous email notifying me that one of my cakes has been featured on Martha Steart's Dreamers Into Doers website.. 'Wow!' I think to myself, and click through - and not only is my cake featured, but it's on the very front page, and on the top row!!!

Now, just to be featured on 'Martha' and my "to do" list would be empty!!

| Sweet! Cupcakes and treats | Open for Business |

2010-10-09T01:38:00.000-07:00

Well, finally it's happened, my little fledgling store has spread its wings and opened for business!

I am going to be adding some wonderful, gorgeous new cupcake papers in the next week, so keep a look out for them - they will be available in regular, mini and a special size too, perfect for packing up edible gifts in - so stay tuned!

Also, the website and the blog have both had a facelift today - hope you like it!

You can get to the storefront both on the blog (the page link is right under the header), or on the website, to double your shopportunities! If you want me to stock something in particular, please drop me a line to let me know...

I will be adding some gorgeous vintage-inspired sparkly toppers in the coming weeks too, just in time for Christmas party season!

Stay tuned next Friday the 15th for my launch of our 2010 Christmas collection - this year, it's all about 1950's vintage style. Think pink, white and aqua, with sparkles to boot!

Well, that's it, just wanted to stop by and say hello, and thank you for following along!

Happy baking!

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | Boutique Opens tomorrow! |

2010-10-06T19:30:00.000-07:00

Be on the lookout for a giveaway prize pack on Portobello Bride!

Starts Monday!

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | Christmas 2010 |

2010-10-03T22:09:00.000-07:00

Cupcakes and Cookies

All with a Sweet! vintage twist

For a limited time only - orders open 15 October ~ Close 15 December 2010

Cupcakes for pick-up or delivery only

Cookies shipping nationwide!

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | e-store opening this week! |

2010-10-03T18:21:00.000-07:00

A hint of things to come

2010-09-30T21:01:00.000-07:00

Last night I had the amazing pleasure of working with some amazing vendors on an inspiring photoshoot:

Virginia of The Bouquets of Ascha Jolie
Naomi of Nomie Boutique Stationery
and
Carly of Ambince Image Photography

Here is a sneak peak at some of what we got up to:

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | Birthday Cake | Melbourne |

2010-09-30T18:44:00.000-07:00

A few weeks back, I met with the most fabulous client, Melissa, and was invited to help her celebrate her 40th birthday. After falling for my cake 'Sweet Caroline', we decided that this should be the centrepiece of her celebration, but the design needed to be tweaked to fit with the colours and theme of the night - cerise and bling!

Also on the cards were boxed cupcakes for all of Melissa's guests to take home as a momento for the night. Presented in clear acrylic cubes, the cupcakes were tied with a black satin bow and an individual thank you name tag.

Happy Birthday Melissa!

Happy Baking!

| Royal Melbourne Show 2010 | Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats |

2010-09-25T22:27:00.000-07:00

Just last week I had the amazing opportunity to demonstrate my passion for cake decorating on the Epicure 'Great Tasting Stage' at the Royal Melbourne Show.

Wow, what an experience!

I was very recommended to the Royal Agricultural Society as someone worth considering by none other than the amazing Fran McGregor - thank you Fran! - and Ann Houlihan of Epicure Events trusted in Fran, and in me, and we slotted in two dates - Saturday the 18th at 4pm (opening day of the Show), and Thursday the 23rd at 2pm.

Now, I am no stranger to public speaking, having been required to do so many times throughout Uni and my prior life as an employee, but let me tell you, when it comes to demonstrating something, simultaneously speaking and NOT sounding like a complete twit infront of hundreds of people, well, that's a different storey!

For Saturday's gig, I was doing large cake decorating, and decided well in advance that I would teach the design and assembly of the large custom flower on my Colleen cake, so had "here's one I made earlier" props made in various stages of assembly ready to go.

And then the nerves kicked in! Let me tell you, I have a new-found respect for presenters on TV cooking shows! It's really not easy to stand up and complete a task that you have done a thousand times before when you have to also explain, clearly and without swearing!, to an assembled audience, just what it is that you are doing, and why you are the expert at it. Ian Hewitson is famous for his shaking hands infront of camera, and I can understand why! If you are not 1000% up for it, or posess a natural talent for it, it is really, really hard to ace!

But, I had a secret weapon, as it turns out - the staff at Woodnook Events, who were in charge of the stage, from sound to direction to having "stage buddies" ready to help out the newbies like me. I got miked up by Paul, who knew just what to say and do to put me at ease. Having a wireless mike fitted to one's head is quite the tonic for stage-fright (not!), and so is being told that you are going to be working with a full house. The latter part I simply dismissed as being wound up, as everyone knew I was super-nervous, but, as it turned out, it was actually standing-room only, and the stage had seating for 150!

Once on stage, I had the lovely Pollie working with me, who chatted away and asked questions whilst I set about explaining what I was doing and making the flower... and it seemed like before I had taken a breath, it was over! But not for long, as as soon as I put dwn the completed flower, Pollie told the audience that anyone who wanted to come up for a closer look and ask questions was welcome to do so, so the 150 seated people pretty much all rushed the stage and created a cake-decorator's mosh pit! It was truely surreal... and the best part was that beforehand I was worried about not working the full 30 minutes. I needn't have worried - in the end, I had to be wound up!

My second appointment with the Great Tasting Stage was not to be as easily sorted... I procrastinated over what to demo for so long that it was 10pm the night before that I had anything completed to show! I settled on 3 fairly simple cupcake designs that were all fondant-based, so I could use the bulk of the time showing my method for covering a cupcake with fondant, as well as making the three flowers for the decoration.

Nerves were again an issue; I knew Pollie was off at another gig, so either I would be running solo (oh no!), or there would be a new person working with me... again, I needn't have worried, as Woodnook's head honcho Roger was there to ease the way.

Again playing to a packed house (school holidays had kicked in by Thursday), we had a blast shatting back and forth and running props through the audience - as well as identifying the toilet-paper-wad-on-the-ceiling-thrower during a sticky moment with some overworked fondant!

The final demo passed by in about 10 seconds flat - I had an absolute blast, the audience was happy, the stage crew at Woodnook were happy, so all in all, a success!

Never would I have thought, back when I was just beginning my cake business journey, that an opportunity like this would come along. And yet it did, and luckily I was wise enough to look beyond my self-doubt and fear, and grasp it with both hands.

If ever YOU are presented with an opportunity to be involved in a project that is much bigger than what you could have imagined, TAKE IT! You never know what you may get from the experience!

Happy baking!

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | Dessert Table | Melbourne |

2010-09-20T00:35:00.000-07:00

Today I had the pleasure of woring with Guru and his wife to present a pretty dessert table for their twin's naming day (a boy and a girl).

Here are some highlights:
Cupcakes in three designs over two colourways in both chocolate fudge and vanilla bean.
Petits Whoopees.
Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies with initals piped in two colourways with white edging sparkles.
Coconut Macaroons by client.
Assorted chocolates by Koko Black and The Chocolatier.
Tiny baby biscuits supplied by client.
Pram favours by Kate ...? (ex USA)
Bunting etc by Paper Eskimo

Congratulations to Guru and his beautiful family!

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | Wedding Cake | Melbourne |

2010-09-20T00:28:00.000-07:00

Soon after Masterchef judge Garry Mehigan sported his jacket with the Fenix logo, I received an influx of enquireies from brides planning a Fenix reception - coincidence or kismet?

The gorgeous and lovely Nicola was one bride able to secure a date for her Fenix wedding ccupcake tower! These shots are by the very talented Stewart Leishman, who, as a further stroke of kismet, happened to be the shooter du jour for Nicola and her husband Don.

Both the cupcake and cutting cake are carrot cake, with lime buttercream under fondant. The cutting cake is topped with one of my signature "fabric roses" in white.

Congratulations Nicola and Donato!

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | Dessert Table | Melbourne |

2010-09-20T00:16:00.000-07:00

Michelle and William first contacted me earlier this year for a wedding cake, then, after they saw my work on dessert tables featured on Amy Atlas, they changed plans and decided to run with a dessert buffet for their wedding today.

Their lucky guests get to take home a variety of sweet things:

Wedding Cake - White Truffle with Strawberry Preserve filling
Mini Cupcakes - Java Jolt
Cake Pops - Chocolate Fudge encased in white chocolate
Coconut Ice
Vanilla Bean sugar cookies with edible images (the logo from the couple's stationery suite)
Chocolate Sable sugar cookies with edible images
Vanilla Bean Yo-Yo's
Marshmallows

The entire event was themed around the stationery suite designed by Nomie Stationery... the pattern also featured on the table labels for the dessert buffet, as well as on the favour bags, and also on the dessert! Many thanks to Naomi for your assistance!

Congratulations to Michelle and William!

Birthday Cakes Melbourne - RSPCA Cupcake Day

2010-08-22T18:08:00.000-07:00

I think Spring may finally have thrust itself out from the wintery Melbourne covers! For the first time in recent memory, we have shivered through one of the coldest and wettest Melbourne winters, and while I love Winter, I must admit, I am looking forward to all that Spring will deliver!

So, apart from building our new e-boutique, what have we been up to?

First we have some more of our incredibly popular black stringwork bow design cupcakes, this time for a 21st birthday at the uber-chic Chapel St bar "The Imperial"

Chocolate fudge cupcakes in black cases, with white fondant, and two decorative designs, our "Cary Grant" of formal cupcakes (the balck stringwork bow) and it's design partner the white trellis.

We have also supplied one of our loveliest clients (Angie) with an over-the-top cake to celebrate her 30th birthday... with our "inner drag queen" front and foremost at the design stage!

A chocolate-orange marble cake, covered in toffee coloured fondant. Hand-painted leopard print, and decorated with hot pink and lime green "drag queen lillies" and topped with some hot pink ostrich feathers for good measure!

And, we have also been hard at work creating some afternoon tea goodies for a High Tea party in aid of the RSPCA, as part of their Cupcake Day fundraising campaign.

Mini chocolate cupcakes, chocolate sable Calling Card cookies, and pink Rosewater Meringue Kisses with white ganache were the order of the day. The puppies on hand for the festivities were treated to some custom "puppy poppers" in peanut butter flavour!

Happy Baking!

Coming Soon - the Sweet! Boutique... !

2010-08-12T18:38:00.000-07:00

We are thrilled to announce that we will be launching a small boutique as part of our website, where you will be able to get your hands on pretty cupcake papers, artisan cookie cutters, a select range of our dessert items, cupcake decorator kits, compete with handmade sugar decos, and beautiful dessert stands for those who like to make and bake their own sweetness!

More details will follow as we build up momentum to the launch - right now we are sorting out our shopping cart provider...

Cupcakes Melbourne - 100 Facebook Fans Giveaway!

2010-08-06T01:39:00.000-07:00

We are thrilled by how quickly we are gaining fans on facebook, so to thank everyone who has become a fan so far, and to encourage more fans, we are giving away 100 of the prettiest paper cupcake liners I've seen!

A pale green background, with a country-pastel paisley and rosebud pattern printed all over... gorgeous!

To enter, all you need to do is become our fan on Facebook! No catch, simple really! Already a fan? Then you are already in the running! Tell your friends, tell strangers - let's see how quickly we can get to 100 fans and give these liners to a winner!

Good luck everyone - see you on FB!

We have a winner!

2010-08-01T23:08:00.000-07:00

The lucky winner of our comp to win a copy of Peggy Porschen's Pretty Party Cakes is....

Lia Tumkus!!!!

Lia, please drop me a line with yur postal address so that I can send you your prize!

Congratulations!

A Sweet! sweet giveaway!

2010-07-29T18:50:00.000-07:00

So, to close out the week, we have a giveaway - and another coming on Monday to start out the new month... but more on that, on Monday.

For now, you can win a copy of the fabulous Peggy Porschen's book "Pretty Party Cakes" !

All you need to do is head on over to Facebook and "Like" us, then leave us a comment on the wall to let me know that you did so, so your entry will count.

You can gain an additional entry by signing up for our newsletter, sent out monthly, which has news, tips, hints, interesting company spotlights, new product releases, and free stuff - all sorts of things that don't (and won't) get a mention here, on website, or on facebook. I won't be selling your details either, so no spammer will attack from your sign-up!

Entry will be drawn on Monday, via random selection.

Now, this giveaway is for Australian residents only, but Monday, well, that's a different story!

Dessert Tables Melbourne

2010-07-26T17:43:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is - the mini chocolate dessert bar.

Dessert table items are... Chocolate Brownies (no nuts), Chocolate O-Yo's, Mini Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes, Petits Whoopie, PB-C's Cookies (Peanut Butter and Choc Chip), and Cocoa-nut Ice (which was hailed as "extraordinary")

A custom "romantic western" font was used for the table sign, which was attached to a crumpled and torn paper brown paper backdrop... the table itself was set-up on old weatherbeaten fence palings for more rustic effect.

Wedding Cakes Melbourne

2010-07-25T20:17:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of new designs for the coming 2010-11 wedding season!

Colleen

This cake features three tiers on a vintage glass stand, with the top two tiers supported on a second vintage stand, giving an imposing height and visual presence to the cake, even though this is a fairly regular-sized wedding cake, serving 95 guests for coffee / 50 for dessert.

Each tier features embossed quilting, and the top two tiers are set off by a hand-cut and shaped sugarpaste flower with a button centre.

Thouroughly Modern Millie

Millie features hand painted fondant, here in shades or orange, with gold lustre brushed over for a soft glow. The face of the cake is then decorated with a modern, edible-gold-painted tree, with a smattering of hand cut and shaped blooms, all with gold cachou centres, and an edible-gold painted edging on the outer petals.

See you next post for a chocolate-themed dessert table!

Whoopie Pies - Melbourne

2010-07-23T06:15:00.000-07:00

After much trial and error, we are really pleased to add a new line to our sweet treat arsenal - mini Whoopie Pies, or "Petits Whoopie"!

Two soft chocolate sponge cookies sandwiched together with a creamy filling available in an endless variety of flavours. Delicious!

Available immediately by order!

See you later this weekend with the photos!

Melbourne Wedding Cakes - Vintage China Hire Service

2010-07-22T20:21:00.000-07:00

I have stumbled upon a hidden treasure that I thought I would share with you. This treasure is A Vintage Affair, run by Lee George.

I am in love with Lee's precious china collection... I wish it was all in my collection!

Happy Baking!

Wedding Cakes Melbourne - Bridal Expo Reminder

2010-07-18T23:11:00.000-07:00

Just a quick one to start the week with a reminder that the Killara Estate Winery Bridal Expo is on this coming Sunday, July 25th.

Come along and say hi!

2010-07-13T22:54:00.000-07:00

Wedding Cakes Melbourne - Portobello Bride Feature

The excitement continues unabated today with more wedding blog coverage, this time from our newest advertising partner, Portobello Bride!

You can click through to see more, but here is the cake:

Photograph courtesy Stewart Leishman Photography

2010-07-13T01:54:00.000-07:00

Melbourne Wedding Cakes - Polka Dot Bride Feature

We are really excited that today one of our cake designs for the upcoming 2010-11 Melbourne wedding season has been featured on Polka Dot Bride!

Here is the cake, and you can click through to see the Polka Dot Bride feature!

Image by Stewart Leishman Photography

Used with permission.

2010-07-10T20:19:00.000-07:00

Wedding Cakes - Engagment Cupcakes - Melbourne

Well the moment is finally here where I can show you one of the cakes that was involved in my recent photoshoot. The other two are still in the works, so stay tuned for details on those...

The inspiration for this cake was vintage. Everything vintage. Think of the 20's and 30's, cream hand made lace, your Nan's pearls, and you will be pretty much on the money.

So, without further ado, here you are:

All images courtesy Stewart Leishman Photography.

Used with permission.

What do you think? I'm pretty thrilled with them myself!

Then we have a tale of two clients - unrelated clients - who both happened to choose the same cupcake design (in different colours) on the same weekend... this has happened to me once before, and I didn't ever think it would happen again, but it did!

First is a 21st birthday, a cake and matching cupcakes, in black and white:

Then we have cupcakes only, for an engagement party, this time in red and white:

And finally, to wrap up this post, some Christmas in July cupcakes:

Well, that's it for this post - lots more irons in the fire, more exciting things to come, so stay tuned, but in the meantime, happy baking!

2010-07-04T19:24:00.000-07:00

Wedding Cakes Melbourne - More Sneak Preview Shots

Here are some more teaser shots from the shoot last week with Stewart Leishman Photography. Hopefully later this week I'll be able to show you everything!

Enjoy...!

Happy Caking!

NB - All photos this post courtesy Stewart Leishman Photography.

Copyright Stewart Leishman Photography

Used with permission.

2010-07-02T01:12:00.000-07:00

Stewart Leishman Photography - Wedding Cakes Melbourne

Yesterday I had the pleasure of working with an outstanding wedding photographer, Stewart Leishman. Together we colaborated on an equisite photoshoot of some upcoiming Spring wedding cake designs...

Stewart was able to capture the pictures that I saw in my heart - I can only imagine the feats of splendour that he captures when shooting a wedding. He is a lovely person, and I am really looking forward to working with him on future projects. Stewart has a chef background, and I love good photography, so we had a great commonground to meet on; he knows his chops and what will work and what won't in terms of producing the best images possible.
You can check out Stewart Leishman photography here, and while we wait for those cake images to spring forth, here are some teaser shots for your veiwing pleasure...

2010-06-27T17:52:00.000-07:00

Published - Melbourne Wedding and Bride - Wedding Cakes Melbourne

Sorry for the delay between posts - a lot of stuff (and I mean a LOT!!) of things have been happening behind the scenes, as well as keeping up with our regular flow of orders... so much to post, but also so much I can't post (well, most of it!) because, well, let's just say, photographers and magazines are involved... and you have to wait for 6 weeks after magazines are even published before you can post things up on your own sites... so the work for the last month or so is going to be a little while before you get to see it - but it will be worth the wait!

But in the meantime, here are some spots we have been seen in around the world wibe web of late:

New ad, Melbourne Wedding anbd Bride - edition 6.2 - available newsagents from July (that's this week - oi!)

Our Alice in Wonderland party was featured on a couple of blogs:

And we have also picked up a "top 50 wedding cakes" award from Larson Jewelers in the US for our Mondrian cupcake tower!

50 Most Beautiful Wedding Cakes

The 2010-2011 Summer wedding season is just starting to get under way, so we will have a few new designs up for you to look at over the next few weeks, and you will be able to come and see more of them in the flesh at a boutique expo we will be attenting on July 25 at Killar Estate inthe Yarra Valley.

Happy baking!

PS - here are the links, as blogger doesn't want to let me embed them:

Melbourne Wedding and Bride

Eat Drink Pretty

Party Perfect

2010-06-06T20:33:00.000-07:00

Melbourne Wedding Cakes | Cupcakes | Cookies

Hello! Such a time has passed since I last posted an update, but it seems like no time at all!

Here are a few orders that we have worked on in the inerim, including our "wow" party from this past weekend:

First up, a wedding and reception at Lindenderry Estate. The design brief here was ivory and elegant.

White Truffle Raspberry and Chocolate Fudge cupcakes, topped with ivory fondant over vanilla bean buttercreme, and decorated in two styles - half with the couples initials highlighted with edible mother of pearl lustre, and half with ivory stringwork bows highlighted with edible MOP lustre.

The co-ordinating cutting cake was Chocolate Fudge, with ivory fondant over ganache, and decorted with a sugarpaste plaque with RI piping highlighted with MOP lustre.

All presented on our new, custom cream lace 3-tier stand.

Next up is a wedding held on the Sea Melbourne, part of Cruising Victoria.

Romantic and Pink were the concept behind this wedding, and the bride was taken with our Tiffany butterflies, so we created these for her in ivory sugarpaste, and nestled them on a ground of pale raspberry pink fondant with a trio of ivory blossoms and some RI trailing vines. Cupcakes were vanilla bean with vanilla bean buttercreme.

Celebrating her 1st birthday, we have an order for pretty, girly cupcakes and maching cake for the birthday girl.

On a custom white and pink 3 tier stand, vanilla bean cupcakes were topped with pale pink fondant over vanilla bean buttercreme, and were decorated with a duo of pink blooms on an ivory RI trailing vine.

The matching cake in Chocolate Fudge, was decorated to match, and trimmed with pink silk ribbon.

And finally, we have our Alice in Wonderland party. This party encompassed not just any old cake, but a cake worthy of diving down a rabbit hole (even if I do say so myself!). Five (yep, FIVE whole tiers) tiers in three flavours (White Truffle Raspberry, Caramel Dream, and Traditional Bourbon Fruitcake) were decorated a la Alice in Alice Blue, Queen of Hearts Red, Cheshire Cat Purple, and Doormouse Pink.

Also starring at this birthday event were "Eat Me!" cupcakes, coconut ice, rice krispy treats, baked caramel cheesecake slice, gingerbread "This Way" and "That Way" cookie arrows, chocolate teacup cookies, and vanilla bean cookies with edible images of Alice and the Hatster himself.

Hope you enjoyed the show, we have more designs coming up soon for you - our Marie Antoinette Shoot towards the end of the month, plus oh, another 3 weddings - all incredibly different design concepts - you will love them!

Happy baking!

2010-05-08T00:30:00.000-07:00

Wedding Cake | Cupcakes | Melbourne

Sorry to start this post off on a bit of a downer, but there are a couple of housekeeping things I need to get out the way first:

1. Blog updates and photos. Due to item No2, my most creative cake and cupake designs will no longer be featured on my blog, sorry. If you see some of my work in promotions, and would like to see more images, or feature these images on your own blog or site, please contact me, and I'd be more than happy to provide you with images directly.
2. Photo theft. During the past month, I received an email accusing me of lifting photos of cakes off another site. The problem is, the photos on that other site are actually photos that I provided specifically for them to feature - and they even have a "click back" link straight to me, so I'm not quite sure what made the "anon" emailer accuse me of photo theft. So, as a result, I will not be posting any new creations anywhere except my website. I'm sorry, but until I can get to the bottom of this issue, this is the way it has to be.
3. Accusations of theft will be rigourously defended. If you email me anonomously and accuse me of stealing photos, please be very aware that your accusations are libelous and defamatory, and will be treated as such. All emails have an IP address that is trackable, so you are not in fact "anon". Legal action will be taken to protect my reputation, without hesitation. (If there is ever a concern that I have featured a photo that is not in fact mine, please do not be afraid to contact me for clarification - I will not ignore you, but don't accuse me of photo theft until you have heard from me in the first instance) Otherwise, you and my lawyers will get to know each other very well...
And finally
4. Do not use my photos on your site without my prior consent. This is the other reason why my newest works will no longer feature on the www - folks who like to take what isn't theirs and pass it off as their own. From cupcakes in California, to cake stores in Greece, there is a prolific tendance to resume that becuase something is represented electronically, it's free reign as to who uses it. NO. That is not the way it works. Any photogrpahy that I produce is held under Copyright, which is internationally enforceable. If I find my work on your site without my permission (or at the very least a photcredit and click-back link), I will request that you take it down. That is my right as Copyright Owner.

OK, so now the tuff stuff is out there, here is some of what I have been up to lately:

First up, some Shabby Chic cupcakes for Dionne and Mark. This wedding was held at the stunning Stones Vineyard in the Yarra Valley. Gorgeous venue, and really lovely staff to boot - that certainly makes everyone's life easier!

These cupcakes were a 50/50 blend of Vanilla Bean and Chocolate Fudge. All were topped with a swirl of vanilla bean buttercreme, and a sprinkle of lustred fondant pearls (edible). The cutting cake was a flourless orange and poppyseed,with vanilla bean buttercreme over white ganache.

Next comes a very traditional take on my trellis design for Amanda and Josh.

Three separate tiers - Chocolate Almond, White Truffle Raspberry and Traditional Bourbon Fruitcake. All were covered in bridal white fondant over ganache/almond pate (fruitcake). The top of each tier was then decorated with my trellis pattern in ivory royal icing, and trimmed with silver cachous.

And finally we have a redux on my Mimosa Cake (cherry blossom) for Andrea, with matching cupcakes as well.

This cake is Chocolate Fudge, torted with ganache, with bridal white fondant over ganache. The matching cupcakes were also Chocolate Fudge, and were bridal white fondant over chocolate buttercreme. (cupcakes not pictured). This execution of the deisgn also features blossom buds for the first time. I think this is my favourite execution of this design so far!

Next up we have a wedding at the stunning Lindenderry @ Red Hill, featuring a new stand, so stay tuned for that one next week!

And don't despair - I will keep my promise and show you the two party shoots I have coming up - Marie Antoinette and a secret shoot for the first weekend in June... big things on the way!

Happy caking!

2010-04-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

Birthday Cake | Baby Shower Cake | Melbourne

Wow, it's now just over halfway through April - where has the year gone? Is everyone else's year flying past as fast as mine? The hot-cross buns are now {finally!} gone fromthe bakery shelves, but before we can say Jiminy Cricket, the Chrissie Deco's will be on sale...!!

I hope everyone had a great Easter? I had a fabulous break, but not so much my husband, who spent every waking moment ripping up our concrete driveway and replacing it with a herringbone pattern brick pave... and is still at it as I type, finishing it off. It should look fabulous when it's complete.

So, you do't come here to read about my driveway, you come to read (and look at) cakes, so here we go:

Two birthdays and a baby shower this week:

First up, a birthday cake directly inspired by the great Peggy Porschen. I had fallen in love with her design when I first opened the book it features in - Cake Chic. Parisian in style, and very pretty in execution... I do hope that the Birthday Girl enjoyed it!

The cake is two tiers of Caramel Dream, and torted {base} with mocha buttercreme and {top} caramel buttercreme. Fondant over ganache, with sugarpaste accents and royal icing piping.

Next up is another birthday cake, this time for Bob, who is also a builder! It always gets a laugh when Bob pops in to see clients who have young children... when he is introduced as "the real Bob the Builder" their mouths round... and he also takes quite a bit of slack for it too... and what better way to celebrate than with a Bob the Builder cake?

The cake is a 5/4 single tier in Traditional Sponge, torted with Strawberry Mouselline and preserves, with fondant over ganache. The decorations are edible images mounted on fondant bumpers to give a slight 3D effect.

Last cake for this week is a baby shower cake for Mel.

A two tier cake, with a 5/4 base tier and a 3/4 top tier. Both in Chocolate Fudge. The base is torted with mocha, caramel and two layers of vanilla buttercremes, and the top is torted with mocha and caramel buttercremes. White fondant over ganache.

The base is decorated with a layer of crystal cake sparkles, and the top tier is decorated with a melange of nursery icons (bunnies, duckies, bears and rocking horses) in white for subtlety, and finsihed with a due of sugarpaste ruffled flowers in pink and blue, as Mel wanted to keep guests guessing as to the sex of the baby.

Now, I've also promised you a look at some sneak shots for a themed party spread I will be creating in a little while... I'm not going to give too much away today, BUT, the theme is Marie Antoinette, and here are some sneakies from the cake:

I'll post up more details (a theme board perhaps, what do you think?) in the next post. Think pastel colours, metallics, and pretty china. You get the idea, right? And of course, I'll post the entire shoot right here for you all to see once it's in the can.

Next orders are for an Anzac memorial cake, and a wedding... an interesting mix!

Happy baking!

2010-03-28T01:23:00.000-07:00

Melbourne Wedding Cake | Cupcakes
This week we have been very busy - with three weddings and a.... gotcha! No, no funeral! (Now you know you filled that line in, admit it!) Just three weddings!

First up, Frilyn and Russell:

This cake is two tiers, a square 9" base of Caramel Dream filled with caramel buttercreme, and a round 6" top of Java Jolt filled with mocha buttercreme. Both cakes are covered with ivory fondant over ganache, and the base tier is also brushed with edible gold lustre.

The couple's names are piped nto the presentation board, and are also highlighted with the same edible gold lustre. The two toppers were supplied by the clients.

Next are Katie and Steve.

The overall theme of the wedding was elegant peacocks, and the cupcakes for this event were to represent the tail of the peacock, striking in it's majesty. The cupcakes are a mix of Vanilla Bean and Chocolate Fudge, and each is crowned with a swirl of vanilla bean buttercreme, and topped with a single, hand-painted and styled sugar-paste peacock feather.

The co-ordinating cutting cake is Chocolate Fudge, filled with chocolate truffle filling, with bridal white fondant over ganache. It is styled with a arch of sugar-paste peacock feathers.

And finally we have Caroline and Scott.

This two tier cake and cupcakes was a tale of pure romance. The top cake of two tiers, a 7" round base in White Truffle with white truffle filling, and 5" round top of Chocolate Fudge with chocolate truffle filling, is covered in white fondant over ganache, and decorated with a tumbling arbour of overblown China Roses and perfectly bloomed Tea Roses, and a pair of pink pierced-work butterflies.

Cupcakes to match the cutting cake were White Truffle, and were served to the parents of the bride and groom and the bridal party. Other cupcakes were decorated in two styles - half with a single pierced-work butterfly, and half with piped initials "SC" for the Bride and Groom.

Next week we have Easter, which I have closed out in the diary to have some peace and quiet with my family (and what is they say about hte best laid plans??)... then straight back to it with birthdays galore, and more weddings (the season is running later this year!), and I'll show you some concept details for a couple of parties coming up...

Happy baking!

2010-03-22T02:27:00.000-07:00

Melbourne Wedding Cake | Birthday Cake | Easter Cookies

Well, excuse me folks, it seems that it's been more than an just a little while between posts! Not only have I been absent from posting, but missed our competition deadline completely... (but there is a winner below, so don't fret!) but I've missed updating you on all the fabulousness that has been happening around me recently.

So let's begin:

Using the good old RANDOM.ORG, we have selected a winner for our Bake it Pretty competition:

So, could AJ, of the comment dated Feb 10 @ 9:56 pm please contact me for details on how to claim your prize. Congratulations!

In the month (and a bit!) that has passed since my last update, we have worked on some truly amazing projects, met some wonderful and inspiring brides, and had some fabulous international coverage.

First up on our list is Eleanor and Russell. Their wedding was a family-focused event held on the stunning Mornington Peninsula. Their cutting cake was White Truffle Raspberry, and their co-ordinating cupcakes were a mixture of Vanilla Bean and Chocolate Fudge. The decoratiobn brief was tones of silver and grey, so we covered the cupcakes in white and two shades of grey, with Tiffany butterflies highlighted with edible silver, and a cluster of blooms on a trailing vine. The cutting cake was covered with the paler grey shade, and decorated to co-ordinate with the cupcakes, and was tied with a silver-grey mouseline ribbon.

Next on our bridal list was another wedding at the gorgeous Elmswood Estate. This couple chose a silver and white theme with a touch of lilac.

Next up we moved away from weddings and moved into birthdays!

This birthday cake is for one of my repeat clients, whose Brother and Sister-in-law were both celebrating their 40th birthdays. A Vanilla Bean cake was torted with buttercreme and raspberry preserves, the covered with white fondant over ganache. For decoration we deceided upon a slightly grown-up version of an almost "Dick and Jane"-style bunting design (am I showing my age there??), but I think the end result was really quite pleasing. One side of the cake was marked with one name, and the other's name was on the opposite side. Some silver candles in black posts helped balance out the design:

Next up our calendar was pulling us fair and square straight to Easter, with some corporate orders for early Easter cookies for conference gifts:

These cookies are available in our standard flavours of Vanilla Bean, Chocolate Sable and Gingerbread.

Next up, and the pendulum swung us back to weddings again! This time the lovely Linda and Giang tied the knot at Roslyn Court... mint green, lavendar and ivory were the shades of the day, and we wanted something that was both pretty and subtle. I think that we achieved that balance perfectly, and Linda was very ahppy with the result:

And then, we were almost done - but we saved the biggest and best until last!

Our next diary date produced the following:

This wedding buffect incorporated a 3-tier stacked cake of 9"/7"/5", 2 companion cakes of 6", cupcakes, cookies in both personalised styles and a hot air balloons, and lilac and white coconut ice. The decorative theme was lilac and red roses. I'm not sure what I'm more thrilled with - the overall effect, or the fact that I got to use my treasured vintage glass cake stands for this event!

Now, I'm sure you remember, as it was the backbone of the Bake it Pretty competition, but the quetion asked was, would you like to see a co-ordinated bridal event (like the wedding above), or would you like to see many idfferent cake ideas to stimulate the senses? Well, the overwhelming majority told me it was a co-ordinated approach. This train of though also mirrored my own personal preference, but, you still want to give people what they want to look at, right? So, the reason behind my question was that I have a magazine shoot coming up, and I was pretty certain how I wanted it to look, but your opinions confirmed it.

So, without further ado, these are some of the results:

And the most thrilling thing of all, is that these pictures have been picked up by the amazing Amy Atlas, and also Style Me Pretty. You could have knocked me over with a feather! Thank you to Amy and also the ladies at SMP... these are both blogs that I haunt in order to keep up with trends on the opposite side of the Pacific, and to be featured among their amazing offerings is beyond amazing to me, so thanks again!

The photos above are not the advert though, you will need to wait until July to see it! It will be in Melbourne Wedding and Bride, and I will be sure to let you all know when it hits the streets!

So, that's it for now, more weddings and birthdays coming up win the next few weeks, as well as some concept drawings for some amazing birthday parties we have approaching in the next couple of months - so stay tuned!

Happy baking!

PS - What do you all think of my new blog header?

2010-02-10T16:09:00.000-08:00

Melbourne Wedding Cupcakes

Hey folks, so sorry it has been an entire MONTH (*gasp!*) since I last posted... I have been trying like mad to get this international giveaway happening, and it took me what seems like forever - BUT - we are now sorted, so without further ado - here it is!

Amanda at Bake it Pretty (http://www.bakeitpretty.com/) is very kindly working with me to bring you this great prize! A $US25 gift card that one lucky reader will score to spend on all the gorgeousness that is Bake it Pretty!

To enter, simply tell me, either in the comments section, or send me an email, what choice you would make from the following options:

At a bridal expo, would you prefer to see:

a. A vast array of cakes, cupcakes and cookies and sweets all decorated in different styles and colours

b. A carefully colour-coordinated display table of cakes, cupcakes, cookies and sweets that show brides what they can achieve on their big day.

Entries will run through to February 28th, and the winner will be chosen via Random.org as per all other giveaways. The winner will be announced on the blog at the end of that week.

Good luck, and I'm really curious about your answers!

So, now onto what else we have been up to for the last month!

First up, Erin and Tom.

This couple's cupcakes were chocolate fudge, topped with ivory fondant over vanilla bean buttercreme, and decorated in two styles. The first is one of my signature designs, whimsy, with ruffled flowers, butterflies and rosebuds. The second design is one that is growing in popularity - double ruffled flowers. The colour scheme was burgundy and cream. I think these cupcakes fit the bill perfectly, and the bride and groom were very happy!

Next cab off the rank so to speak, were Amy and Rob.

Amy and Rob used the classic colours scheme of silver and white for their wedding, and went with swirly piping details on both their cake and cupcakes, with a custom (edible) topper to match their wedding logo of intertwined hearts.

These cupcakes were Vanilla Bean, with fondant over vanilla bean buttercreme. The cutting cake was Chocolate Fudge, torted with ganache.

Next up was a 50th birthday celebration for a lovely client who I first worked with last year for her husband's 50th birthday... this year, it was Debbie's turn for a little something special. The design brief was "pretty" with pinks, green and yellow. This is the cake and cupcakes that were created:

Debbie's cupcakes were White Truffle Raspberry and Wildberry Fudge, with fondant over vanilla bean buttercreme. Half were decorated with another signature style "daisies and dots", and the other half received a pink single gerbera with a sparkly green centre.

The matching birthday cake was White Truffle Raspberry torted with white ganache.

Following closely on Debbie's heels, we went straight back into wedding mode for Fiona and Mick, and straight back to the classic colourway of silver and white:

Fiona and Mick chose white double Dogwood blossoms for their flowers, with silver centres, on a white fondant base in silver cases. The overall effect is very striking and elegant, and made a stunning display on the stand.

The cupcakes and cutting cake were all Chocolate Fudge. The cupcakes were fondant over vanilla bean buttercreme, and the cake was torted with both ganache and vanilla bean buttercreme.

Last on our list is the wedding of Stavrelle and Yannis. This was to be a fairytale come true for Stavrelle, who had planned her day down to the smallest detail - event giving guests small Cinderella's pumpkin carriage candles!

The cupcakes and cutting cake were all White Truffle Raspberry. The cake was torted with ganache, and the cupcakes received fondant over vanilla bean buttercreme.

The cutting cake and some of the cupcakes were decorated with sparkly ruffled double flowers with a small paste butterfly resting on the petals. The cake was completely covered in the flowers, and looked even more stunning in person than in the photo, as all the flowers sparkled under the lights from their treatment with edible glitter!

The balance of the cupcakes were decorated in my signature "whimsy" style, this time in all-white... and looked wonderful!

So, while all this was happening, our second bridal magazine feature appeared on the newsstands:

Not only did we feature in the full-page "photo-torial", but we also scored several pages of support throughout the Mother of the Bride fashion section:

And finally (yes, we had to get there eventually!), we are really thrilled to announce that we are now creating cutom-imaging cookies! Now you can coordinate your entire event - right down to the cookies!

So, that's it folks - see you on Valentine's Day for a wrap-up of this week!

2010-01-04T02:26:00.000-08:00

Wedding Cupcakes | Cake | Melbourne

Hello, and welcome to our first post for 2010!

This has been a busy week, with two big weddings in the diary.

First up was Catherine and Yoshi's big event. The wedding was held at Sky High, Mt Dandenong, in the hills above Melbourne. The reception room looks out over Melbourne's suburbs with the city in relief against the skyline. At night, the view is beyond spectacular.

The theme for this couple's wedding cake was Cherry Blossom, with the chosen flavour as White Truffle Raspberry. Both the cupcakes and co-ordianting cake are white fondant over ganache. The branch detailing is royal icing, and the blossoms are sugarpaste.

Most of the cupcakes were boxed in clear acrylic cube boxes for the guests to take away as bonbonierre, with a small stand display at the reception, topped with the cutting cake.

Our second wedding was for Steve and Laura. I have known this couple now for quite a while, and it was a real honour for them to ask me to help them celebrate their big day. Steve is an avid wedding photographer, so what better way for their wedding cake to be topped than with a figuring of the man himself taking photos of his muse, and now wife, Laura? I can't take credit for either the idea of the toppers (that is all Steve's doing!), and they sourced the toppers themselves... but I think they are fabulous, and very much in the vein of the entire wedding... relaxed and fabulous!

The cupcakes are chocolate fudge with pale Wedgewood blue fondant over vanilla bean buttercreme. The cutting cake is Wildberry Fudge, with fondant over ganache. Both the cake and the cupcakes are decorated with royal icing piping, highlighted with edible silver lustre.

The bride and groom:

Well, that's it for this week - we will hopfully have a new cake design to debut this weekend, and we will also be lunching our next giveaway, so see you all back here then - have a great week!

2009-12-30T21:12:00.000-08:00

Melbourne Wedding Cake | Cupcakes | Cookies

Well, here it is, the end of the year, and what a year it has been! First, I'm not quite sure if I blinked and missed it, or quite what happened, but where did the year go? I would swear that the calendar should still be open to around April 24th! Second, what a year! Such an incredibly great year, and for that I have my great customers to thank, so please accept my most heartfelt "Thank You" for a great year, and I'm looking forward to meeting more of you next year (which starts tomorrow - ack!), with more great cakes, cupcakes and cookies in the sweetest style.

To close out the year, I thought that I would recap some of my favourite works - Best Cake, Best Cupcakes, and Best Cookies.

So, without further ado, here they are:

Best Cupcakes:

Christmas 2009, Snowman Army!

Runner Up

Summer 2009, Complete Wedding Melbourne Magazine!

Best Cookies

Christmas 2009 Corporate Snowflakes!

Runner Up

Parisienne Poodle Cookies!

Best Cake
October 2009, Grace!

Runner Up

November 2009, Cheryll!

So that's it folks, 2009 is now officially marked "closed"! My diary is filed (as well as filled!!), my phone is on silent, my husband is home (I know, amazing!!), the airconditioning is humming, the sparkly stuff is chilling... all in all, everything is on track to fall asleep on the couch by 9:30!!!

Have a fantastic New Year's Eve, and may your 2010 be very bright, happy, successful and safe.

See you all back here next year!

2009-12-25T16:13:00.000-08:00

Birthday Cake | Cookies | Cupcakes Melbourne

Whew - it's all over! What was supposed to be a quiet 10 days or so in the lead up to Chrissy for me to get everything organised, actually turned into some of the busiest days of the year!

First up we had a very last-second order enquiry for a 50th birthday, "what the heck, I thought, why not"?

The only order specifics was for it to be white with black stripes, and a 50 to feature somewhere... this is what I came up with. Very striking, and I do hope it was enjoyed! (The sugarpaste "50" was also treated to some black edible glitter)

This particular client also then added some last minute gifts to their order - packages of small gingerbread snowflakes, with white royal icing flood and detail work, and silver cachous for bling, all tied up with lovely rich orange satin ribbons.

Next up was an order for a traditional bourbon fruit cake, with non-Christmassy decorations. This is what I decided upon, and I am thrilled with the end result:

The cake is covered with white fondant over almond paste, and decorated with sugarpaste butterflies and a custom, double-petalled pink flower. Royal icing swiss dots encircle the cake above a white satin ribbon.

Next order was for some large gingerbread snowflakes, again with white royal icing flood and detail work, with both large and small silver cachous for bling. These were for a networking group Christmas function.

Each snowflake was bagged individually, and tied with red statin ribbon.

Then yet another order for more large gingerbread snowflakes! This time for a corporate use, with custom edible images attached. Royal icing flood and detail work, and some silver cachous for bling. These cookies were bagged individually for custom boxing by the client prior to being sent to their destinations.

Next order in the diary was for yet another corporate order! Christmas cupcakes this time, with a Snowman Army and a Christmas Tree forest making up the numbers. Both the snowmen and trees are 100% edible.

These snowmen are fondant, resting on top of fondant sprinkled with sparkling sugar snow.

These Christmas Trees are sugarpaste, with silver cachou bauble decorations, planted in white fondant dusted with sparkling sugar snow.

Then last but by no means least, and especially as in my last post I did promise some shots of my own Chrissy baking, here is my own Chrissy cake, on my dining table, ready for my guests to sit down to eat.

This cake is (bottom tier) white truffle raspberry, and traditional bourbon fruit cake (top tier). The cake is sitting on my most precious, vintage Fenton ruffled milk glass cake stand.

Well, that's the last 10 days taken care of! I checked in on the Boxing Day sales this morning, and picked up a couple of "bargains" (they will qualify as bargains when I actually wear them!!), and now am off to finish cleaning up after yesterday... is it just me, or does wrapping paper, once torn from its gift, seem to multiply? I swear I didn't use that much when I was doing the wrapping!

I do hope your Christmas was merry, and happy, and that you have a fabulous New year at the end of the week.

We are back into full wedding mode now for the next few weeks, and will show you everything as we go along, just like always.

Make sure to check back in around the middle of the month for our first international giveaway!

Happy new Year everyone - see you on the other side!!

2009-12-25T03:48:00.000-08:00

Melbourne Cupcakes | Cakes | Cookies

2009-12-06T14:07:00.000-08:00

Week ending 6th December 2009

We have a winner! Out second giveaway was a hoot; it was so great to read your throughts on the super-talented cake salon of Maisie Fantasie. Now, without further ado, and the assistance of

we have a winner:

Congratulations to The Dainty Indulgence! Could you please get in contact with your mailing details; your prize will be posted out to you.

Thanks to everyone for entering, and look out early next year for our first international giveaway!

Now, a couple of weeks back, we helped Sarah-Jane usher in her first birthday... here are the first photos from the day:

And now we move into last weeks work:

First on the list was an order for Secrets Shhh salon at the new Chadstone shopping centre. This was a colaboration with a PR firm, Sharp Public Relations, who was hanndling the event for Secrets.

The design brief was for diamond solitaire cupcakes... I think we filled the brief to perefction, don't you?

Image courtesy Liz Sharp, Sharp PR.

Our next order os business is another 1st birthday celebration, this time for the lovely Lily. All thedesign work was developed to match the birthdy girl's party invitations.

So, that wraps up another Sweet! week. I now have two weeks of R&R before Christmas, but will be back next week with my last post for the year, with some shots of my personal baking for the festive season - I finally had the design for the Christmas dinner cake come to me lst night, and it's going to be gorgeous!

We jump straight back into work immediately after Christmas!

Happy baking everyone, see you next week!

2009-11-28T23:44:00.000-08:00

Week ending 29 November 2009

It's giveaway time!

This week, we are launching our second giveaway, and this one, even if I do say so myself, is a pretty special one!

The prize in this giveaway is a copy of the brand new, only-just-printed, hardback edition of Cakes for Romantic Occasions by May Clee-Cadman, owner of British uber-cakery Maisie Fantasie.

To enter, simply visit the Maisie Fantasie website (link below) and tell me via the comments section or by email, which of Maisies' fabulous wedding creations is your favourite, and why. Entries close 5pm EDST Sunday December 6th, and the winner will be selected by me, and Random.org (Australian residents only for this comp, please)

Good luck!

Maisie Fantasie wedding cakes:

Now, onto our weeks work:

Two and a half weddings this week - and the half of which we shall save 'til last!

We'll start with Paige and Tony's very stylish event held at Eyensbury Estate... if you think that name sounds familiar, well, that's because we were there only 3 or so weeks ago for Allie and Peter.

This time around, we went for an elegant black, white and silver theme. All cupcakes and the co-ordinating cutting cake were Vanilla Bean. The cupcakes were decorated with a combination of white royal icing trellis work with silver cachou highlights, and black sugarpaste stringwork bows.

The overall effect looked stunning in the marquee with the black and white decor.

Next in the line is Chelsea's wedding... grape violet, silver and balck were the colours of the day, and the overall effect was incredibly striking and very grown-up.

Choosing a combination of royal icing trellis work (now, what are the chances of two brides on different sides of the city choosing the same base design for their weddings, to be held on the same weekend?) and stylized sugarpaste flowers with cachou 'stems', the flavours were a combination of caramel mud and chocolate fudge. The cutting cake was a traditional southern fruit cake, fortified with lots of bourbon!

And last, but by no means least, is our 'half' wedding! Wendy contacted me a little while back to see if I would be able to supply just a cutting cake for her wedding, as a good friend was going to make her the cupcakes, but did not feel up to the challenge of the cutting cake as well. Now, knowing exactly how much this friend had bitten off in offering to make cupckes for a wedding, how could I decline such a request?

The reception was held at Elmswood Estate (we were there in April for Mandy and Rob's wedding too), and the room looked beautiful, decorated in pink and ivory, with paper flowers and lanterns a la Matha Stewart...

The cutting cake is a White Truffle Raspberry, torted with white ganache for complete indulgence in a cake! Ivory fondant over ganache, and decorated with a pair of pink paste dogwood blossoms with white centres.

Well, congratulations to all our brides and grooms for this weekend, and don't forget to get your entries in to win!

Winners will be posted in next week's blog, so don't dawdle!

Happy caking everyone!

2009-11-21T18:08:00.000-08:00

Week ending 22 November 2009

This week we lived through the hottest days in Melbourne since the Black Sturday bushfires, and it was a shocking and sudden reminder of how unprepared we all are for this summer to arrive on our doorsteps. I realised that we haven't cleaned our gutters since winter, and even though we are in a well populated area, we were only 4kms from the Bunyip State Park fires of last season... and embers can travel far beyond that distance and still wreak havoc... so please, for those of you potentially in harms way, get cracking!

Now, onto cake business!

Two celebrations were completed this week, a wedding, and a 1st birthday. I don't have any photos of the 1st birthday to share with you... yet! I had a photographer come along and shoot the whole shebang, as we supplied not just a cake, but also cupcakes, and yo-yo's, coconut ice, sugar cookies, and petite gingerbread girls... so watch this space for a special post as soon as those photos arrive!

But we still have pictures to share, first up of the wedding of Melissa and Mick. This wedding was held at the beautiful Wellers Restaurant in Kangaroo Ground, with the reception room looking out over a lush pature and valley beyond.

Melissa and Mick chose all chocolate fudge cupcakes and matching cupcakes for their celebration, with white and silver being the predominant theme. After falling in love with my Tiffany butterflies, we switched up the styling to include edible silver hightlights on the white butterflies, and selected white fondant and silver cases to complete the effect.

Flowers to match Melissa's boquet were also added to the display, which were supplied by Rainforist Flowers... beautiful purple Lisianthus.

We have also been working on some new cookie designs. First up are some retro, 50's inspired pink poodles. This cutter is a vintage copper cutter that I sourced from the US. The detailing in the cutter is superb, and these girls are ready to party! Each cookie is 4" w x 3-1/2" h, and colours are customisable to your choice.

Second new cookie is our Skull and Crossbones, presented here in Pirate Girl form! Touches of pink, and a heart for an eye make these a quirky way for your own Pirate Lass to celebrate! Cookies are gingerbread, 3-1/2" w x 4" h.

Next week, we are full to bursting with two and a half weddings to celebrate! (stay tuned next week for the detail on the "half"!)

We will also be launching our next giveaway - and it's a doozy!

See you all next week!

2009-11-14T01:49:00.001-08:00

Week Ending 15 November 2009

Remember when I said 2 weeks ago that I wanted to take a weekend off to recharge and reconnect with my husband? Hmm, well, it didn't wuite turn out.

Oskar had to be Christened, and his parents became engaged, all in the one party. These are what we created to help the celebrations along:

The engagment cake is a 6" square, tiffany blue fondant cake with chocolate brown ribbon accents and some ivory butterflies.

The christening cupcakes were in two sizes, mini and full size. The minis had a buttercream swirl in tiffany blue with white non-pareils, and the full size had white fondant over buttercream with tiffany blue piping accents.

The comes this week's orders - my busiest weekend yet of this years pre-Christmas wedding season.

First up is a two tier pink and ivory confection.

The base tier is an 8" square, ivory fondant cake with quilting detail and pink cachou highlights. The top tier is a 6" round cristal pink with ivory satin ribbon and ivory sugarpaste plaque, with the bride and grooms first initials highlighted with pink lustre.

Next up is a stunning art deco cake and cupcakes, designed to mimic the couple's invitation. This wedding was held at the stunning Arthur's Seat Hotel Grand Ballroom (pictures below)... the view from the main windows over Westernport Bay is rather spectacular, to say the least.

The cake was baked by the groom's father, and is a traditional fruit cake. The cupcakes were all in black cases, with white fondant and royal icing piping in 3 designs with colour block accents.

The Grand Ballroom:

The view from the main windows:

Remember all those butterflies I told you about making? Well, here they are:

This cake is a three tier, 4 layer cake of blush pink fondant with chocolate brown ribbon accents. The entire cake was then wrapped in a kaleidoscope of butterflies, and topped with a pair of ivory sugarpaste butterflies highlighted with ivory lustre.

Top cake detail:

Christmas Gingerbread are here!

This is the first release of our Christmas 2009 gingerbread cookie range. Reindeer in two designs, with royal icing, sugarpaste and crystal sugar accents.

Well, that's this week wrapped up!

Next week, we have a 1st birthday for the gorgeous Sarah-Jane, whose Christening we did earlier this year... this party will be a doozy; there's a cake, and cupcakes, and cookies galore too... and yet another wedding with more butterflies!

See you next week, have a good one!

2009-11-02T21:49:00.000-08:00

Week ending 3 November 2009

Whew, here it is November already... the Melbourne Cup has been run and won for another year, and we've now begun the countdown to Christmas!

This week saw a couple of special events come through our calendar...

First up is a Halloween party order for the lovely Bron and her family. Half of the order was for "naked cupcakes" (the client had ordered special deco's especially from the USA for the occasion) in Halloween colours of orange, purple and black. The black was in the foil cases, and the purple and orange came through in the vanilla bean buttercream frosting.

The second half of the order was for gingerbread cookies, deocrated in colours to match. We had three designs of pumpkins, ghosts and bats (not pictured), all decorated with royal icing in purple, orange and white, bagged and tied.

Our other very special order this week was for a Cup Day Cake. The order specified "Elegant Frivolity" with white and silver being the only colour specifics. I think this cake fills the design brief to a "T"!

It turns out that this was a surprise wedding (which I already suspected; how many folks order this sort of cake for Melbourne Cup Day at home?) immediately after the horses crossed the finish line...

We are also busy making hundreds of butterflies for a wedding cake coming up shortly, and finalising our Christmas cookie and cupcake designs... stay tuned for their release on November 15th!

Coming up next week - not much I hope! I have tentatively pencilled in a weekend off to remember that I have a husband and family who like to see me once in a while! But watch this space, as I am sure somthing will interrupt my well laid plans!

Have a great week everyone!

2009-10-25T17:06:00.000-07:00

Week ending 25 October 2009

Two birthdays and a wedding... that's what we've been up to this past week, and it was a lot of work!

First up we had the wedding of Allie and Pete, at the amazingly beautiful Eynesbury Estate. The theme for the wedding was bright and colourful, and I think the end result certainly met that design brief!

The cupcakes were a mix of vanilla bean and white truffle raspberry, and all decorated with white fondant over buttercream, and decorated with a hand piped, pair of wedding rings painted with edible gold lustre.

The co-ordinating cutting cake was to celebrate the heritage of the bride and groom - the Union Jack for Allie, and the Sri Lankan flag for Peter. The cake itself is flourless orange and poppyseed, torted with ganache. I'm really pleased with how this cake turned out, given how much is going on with the design!

On top of all the cupcakes on the stand (which was half the order), the balance were boxed in acrylic cubes supplied bu the couple, tied with a bow, and stacked ready and waiting for collection:

Next in the order book was a birthday cake for Mia (we have now done Mia's christening cupcakes, her parents wedding cake and cupcakes, and now her 1st birthday cake!)... Mia's Mum loved the ballet- inspired mini cakes we did for a ballet troupe some time ago, and wanted to incorporate that design into Mia's cake... a 1.

The cake is vanilla bean, torted with vanilla bean buttercream, and is covered in white fondant over ganache.

Here is a detail shot of the ballet skirts:

Last order on the books for the week is another 1st birthday, this time for Summer. Bright and cheerful is the order brief, in orange and pinks, and our signature "Daisies and Dots" decorating style.

A cutting cake is also part of the order, which we think looks amazing:

Vanilla bean cake, torted with vanilla bean buttercream, with white fondant over ganache. The matching cupcakes are vanilla bean buttercream, and chocolate fudge, in orange and pink foil cases, with our "Daisies and Dots" in orange and pink. All together, they look fantastic!

Next week, it's Halloween central!

2009-10-18T21:57:00.001-07:00

Week ending 18 October 2009

OK, I know... it's been a while - quite a while! Busy, busy, busy is all I can offer as reason behind my absence. Sorry!

Here is a small sampling of what we have been up to while away from the blog:

First up, we had another red and white wedding. Java Jolt cupcakes were the flavour of the day, with white fondant over vanilla bean buttercream, and topped with my camelia-roses, this time in red/red... I think they look stunning, and the bride was thrilled.

Then, our first of two Target catalogues came out, with a really funky cupcake stand supported by our cupcakes:

Then there was Gace's wedding, and our first official departure from "Just Cupcakes", as Grace's order was for a full size cake only. The design brief was white, romantic, girly, and to take direct inspiration from the haute couture catwalks of the current season...

This is the result of that design brief:

Swiss dots (to match the swiss dot tulle in Grace's veil), and a petal skirt (a current design trend from the US), with a pink camelia-rose (a la Coco Chanel).

The cake itself is built of three flavours - bottom tier of chocolate fudge, middle tier caramel mud, and top tier vanilla bean. All torted with vanilla bean buttercream, with fondant over ganache.

These cookies were placed on platters at each table for the reception:

Our next project is Sweet Charity. These cupcakes were provided to the VCA-ATOD for a fundraising event held at their new Melbourne campus dance studios on Saturday and Sunday last (10th and 11th).

We have since heard that not only were the cupcakes a highlight of the event, but that they reached their fundraising target to boot - congratulations!

In the middle of all that, we received a call from Tonya for some "alternative" gingerbread men for her "Girls Night In" event.

These hot pink, lustred, fleur de lis gingerbread cookies are what we came up with. Almost 6" in length, they were bagged and beribboned for the client, and they went over a treat!

Last but not least on our action-packed calendar of late is the wedding of Jennifer and Gil. The reception was held at the lovely Le Gourmet restaurant in East Melbourne. The weather was Melbourne's typical "pouring rain one minute, sunny the next", and I THINK that the sun held out just long enough for the lovebirds to tie the knot in our stunning Fitzroy Gardens.

White truffle raspberry, decorated in our signature whimsical style in shades of blue, and chocolate fudge cupcakes with a buttercream swirl in Wedgewood blue and a large whimsical butterfly were the cupcakes du jour. The matching cutting cake was Jaffa, torted with ganache, and pale Wedgewood blue fondant over ganache.

The personalised cake topper was provided by the client - aren't they the cutest couple?

Oops, almost forgot... our latest Target catalogue was also released last week, and this is the first time our cupcakes have been used for a non-homewares feature - this time, they were the supporting role for the girlswear, Spring Racing Carnival fashion story...

Coming up this week, we have a wedding and two 1st birthday celebrations - stay tuned!

2009-09-27T18:41:00.000-07:00

Week ending 27 September 2009

This week was a busy one...

First up on the Tuesday we had our photoshoot (which we talked about in our last post here), and that was an experience - especially when the studio rang to say that the photos were corrupted and it would all have to be reshot! (Glad I'm not the photographer!)

We had some floral weork in the middle of the week and runniong around with appointments, then onto the sweet stuff at the end of the week.

First up was a Friday wedding for Jackie and Peter, held at Potters in Warrandyte.

The spec was for Asiatic lillies with hot pink, with silver, white and hot pink accents.

This is the result of that design brief:

A cutting cake of vanilla bean, torted with vanilla bean buttercream, with white fondant over ganache. A single Asiatic lilly sits on top of the cake, and the base of the cake is banded by a hot pink satin ribbon.

The co-ordinating cupcakes were a mixture of vanilla bean and chocolate fudge, all in silver cases, with white fondant over vanilla bean buttercream, and decorated with a swirly monogram of the couples' initials in hot pink royal icing.

Next order on the calendar was for a 50th birthday high tea, where the overall theme was the colour lavendar. So we went a bit to town with this one, as what else can you do for a high tea but be grand?!

So, vanilla bean cupcakes in silver cases were the order of the day, with lilac fondant over vanilla bean buttercream. Three decorative styles made up the order; 1 - purple hydrangea blossoms with pink royal icing centres and some baby lilac edible glitter; 2 - lilac sugarpaste butterfly with an edible silver glitter body and a pink "...50..." piping detail; 3 - dark purple rosebuds with lavendar royal icing polka dot details and baby lilac edible glitter (not pictured)

Las order on the books for the weekend was a mini-cupcake order for a 2nd birthday celebration with a Dora the Explorer theme. Plain and simple was the request (2 year olds are not big on fussy details!), in the Dora colours of pink, purple and orange.

Vanilla bean mini-cupcakes in white foil cases, with vanilla bean buttercream snail-shell swirls, topped by sugarpaste hearts with a royal icing "2" motif, and royal icing 5-petal flowers again in Dora's colours of purple, pink and orange.

This week we haveappointments up the rahzoo, and our last Expo for the year is this coming Sunday, at Amberlee Estate in Cranbourne. We will also be putting the finishing touches to a cupcake fundraiser where we hope to be the sole cupcake sponsor, so when details for that are locked away, I shall spill all.

Here is the link for the Amberlee Expo... looking forward to seeing you there!

2009-09-21T22:38:00.000-07:00

Week ending 20 September 2009

Sorry folks, life has been so busy these past couple of weeks that I completely missed posting for the 13th of September, and here it is the 22nd already, and I am only just posting for the 20th!

Well, as of 12:15pm today, the photoshoot for Melbourne Wedding and Bride is done.

Here is a teaser shot of what will be on newstands from December 2009:

So, what else have we been working on for the past couple of weeks you ask?

Well, answering the phone a lot, that's for sure! The level of enquiry that I am receiving at the moment is huge, thank you! Enquiries are ranging from short-term (as in, this Sunday!) to long term (November 2010!)... but they are all equally welcome, and they keep the days interesting - I love hearing about people's ideas, and how they want to incorporate cupcakes (and cookies too) and cakes into their big day.

Let's see, I took the Father's Day weekend off, and spent some quality time with my husband. Amazing, I know, and we even squeezed in another roast dinner for good measure!

Then we hit the kitchen pretty hard, with flower orders, and cupcake weddings, and a birthday, and a shower tea as well, which incorporated both cupcakes and cookies with messages of love on them. They were a huge hit, which is always great to hear.

So, onto the photos, which I know you want to see:

First up, the wedding of Trish and Pete. Pete is a muso, so music had to feature strongly throughout the wedding and celebration afterwards. What better way than to incorporate two musical symbols into the cake?

So, a mixture of white truffle and carrot cake cupcakes were the order of the day, with a matching caramel mud cutting cake. The decoration speaks for itself really - treble and base cleffs piped in royal icing and overpainted with edible silver lustre.

Then we had a Bridal Shower / Kitchen Tea for Sarah. The order of the day was pink and white, very girly, very "lovely". This is the result of that wish list:

Then we celebrated a 15th birthday with giant daisies on vanilla bean cupcakes. An army of daisy cupcakes in fact! For some reason, I couldn't get "Wee-ee-eed" (from 'Bill and Ben, the Flower Pot Men') out of my head when I was assembling these lovelies... (wee-ee-eed was their favourite word) - you be the judge:

Last up are some cupcakes I sort of threw together at the last minute for a meeting with one of my suppliers who did me a favour for some material for the cake stand for the Melbourne Wedding and Bride shoot...

Phew, so that's the thge last couple of week's photos out of the way... big wedding coming up next weekend, pink and white and silver, should look splendid, plus a High Tea for a 50th birthday... and designs for a fabulous Art Deco wedding to do, plus the next Target catalogue should be out next week too... here is a big look at the shot ('cause you can bet the shot in the catalogue will be teenie-tiny):

Plus a big cake design to work on, then after that, our last wedding expo for the year at Amberlee Estate in Cranbourne. More details on that next week!

Have a good week everyone!

2009-09-05T23:05:00.000-07:00

Week ending 6th September 2009

Another busy week ahs passed us by, and it is now officially Spring, and there are only15 weeks until Christmas. How scary is that? Where has the year gone??

As usual, the best laid plans for some "me" time seemed to vanish into the ether, and we had four orders and another photoshoot demanding attention for the week!

First up was a 21st birthday for the lovely Paris.

These were a mixture of two designs and flavours. The first (pictured) were chocolate fudge cupcakes, with pink fondant over buttercream, and decorated with a royal icing "21" highighted with edible silver lustre.

The second (not pictured) were white truffle cupcakes with a pink buttercream swirl and decorated with a white paste star, overpiped with a royal icing "21" highlighted with pink lustre.

Our next order came in two parts. The first part were these gorgeous Birthday Gingerbread Men, for the birthday boy to take to school for all his classmates (and Teacher!) to enjoy. His Mum reported that they were a huge success! The theme was blue and green, so all the G-Men were trimmed with a lovely woven blue and green ribbon.

Second part of this order was for the following day for a family celebration - vanilla bean cupcakes again in shades of blue and green; this time decorated with blue sugar handmade Leggo pieces (propped on a royal icing swirl) with fondant over buttercream. The blue cupcakes were topped with a green paste "9".

Our final order was for a remote wedding at The Lakehouse in Daylesford. These were being collected by a relative, so unfortunately I don't have a photo of everything set up ready to go, but you can get the general idea below.

This order was comprised of lemon delicious cupcakes, decorated in two styles: First was a buttercream swirl topped with a red, double Dogwood blossom with white centre. Second was white fondant over buttercream, trimmed in a quilted pattern with small silver cachous and red mini-blossoms.

The matching cutting cake was dulce de leche, with caramel ganache under buttercream, and trimmed with a red chiffon ribbon and two red, double Dogwood blossoms.

Last on the board for this week was another photoshoot order, which we don't have pictures for yet - in fact, I don't know yet which catalogue it's goinmg into, or even if it was for Target! I do know it was for a girl's tea party shoot, and the colours were peachy pink and dirty blue, with little white flowers to feature... but that's it! Hopefully this week I'll see the picture and find out where it's destined to show up, so I can let you all know when to look out for it!

Next Week - well, next week is so far shaping up as it's booked... quiet (only a couple of orders) and lots of time to get my flowers done for the photoshoot on the 22nd for the Bridal mag. After that, well, that's prime Wedding Season right up until New Years. But that date is likely to book out soon too! Oh, well, no rest for the wicked!

Have a great week, and see you back here next Sunday!

2009-09-04T04:46:00.000-07:00

Important News!!

We have a new contact phone number - 0411 162 132

Thanks to the "super smart" telephone salesperson who hit "disconnect" instead of "transfer carrier", we have had to get a new number issued... thanks to all my customers who alerted me to my disconnected status today!

Have a great weekend everyone, and see you SUnday with our weekly wrap-up!

2009-08-28T22:47:00.000-07:00

Week ending 30 August 2009

Another week has passed, and on Tuesday, it's officially Spring. Mind you, my plants all think it's Spring already... the grape vine over my pergola is budding, as is my weeping Japanese Cherry, and my Silver Birch trees... I don't think they really got a decent Winter at all!

But onto Cupcakes - the whole reason you read, right?

OK, OK!

The first two shots are my own "official" photos of the magazine shoot cupcakes. In the magazine they will be on a stand, and presented with a matching cutting cake, but I was playing around with some silk flowers in a vase and thought that they would make a lovely backdrop. I'm thrilled with the shots, and they now take pride of place in my design book... I only hope that the magazine shots live up to my expectations!

Camelia Rose Cupcake

Double Dogwood Cupcake

Now, onto orders, customers and this week in the kitchen.

First up was an order for some pretty cupcakes for a birthday party for a little girl, who just loves purple and pink. And daisies! So I combined all three elements and out popped these sparkling daisy cupcakes, with pink and purple fondant over vanilla bean buttercream (Vanilla bean and Chocolate fudge cupcakes), topped with a sugarpaste daisy and an edible glitter centre.

This week was packed solid with customer appointments, and it was a bit of a challenge on Thursday to get everyone covered, as I had to rearrange Tuesday night appointments as we had another Barney of a storm in Melbourne, resulting in a loss of power, and no way out of my garage (the door motor seized, blocking out even the manual override lever!)... so 3 appointments had to get squished into an already crowded Thursday, but we pulled it off, and got to everyone on time... thank you to everyone for understanding my dilemma!

Then during a design session, the "final" design for the next magazine shoot has completely changed - twice! But it's now completely settled, the cutters ordered, and we have also had word of the shooting date - September 22nd... so revealing the final design is a way off. I think you will be pleased though. I know I'm excited to get to work on it!

And my new website has had a facelift! I got to playing around during a sleepless night (after the power came back on on Tuesday night, actually!) - I hate the wind - and have come up with a completely new design for the website, as well as a new logo (which you can see in the pictures above, as well as on the greeting page, below)... have a look and let me know what you think. For now the "Sweet Boutique" is having a holiday while I investigate shopping carts, but it will be back.

Next week: Just when I think that I'll have a quiet moment to (a) get housework done (how does that iron work again??) and (b) re-acquiant myself with my husband... the phone rings, and the diary is suddenly full again! Now, I'm not complaining for one minute, it is after all, this is a business that I'm running!, I'm just, well, busy! Too busy to iron anything it seems, and too busy to roast a chicken for my husband on our anniversary (I know, the shame!) - which was last Thursday!

Tomorrow, however, is a new day, and, if my luck holds, that chicken is doomed!

Have a great week everyone!

2009-08-22T18:59:00.000-07:00

Week ending 23 August 2009

This week has passed in a blur... it's now only a week until Spring, and before we know it, Christmas decorations will be going up! What happened to the first half of this year, where did it go??!!

On Monday night I received a call from the RDNS (Royal District Nursing Service)... they were planning a special afternoon tea to thank their staff for a great effort, and would I be able to fit them in? Well, fit them in I did (the RDNS was a huge help to my husband and I after he suffered an incredibly serious illness last year), and below is the result... I was really happy with how they looked, they fit the brief perfectly (not pretty, but classy and elegant), and best of all, the client was thrilled.

These cupcakes were a mixture of Vanilla Bean, Chocolate Fudge and Citrus Delight cupcakes. All with ivory fondant over vanilla bean buttercream, and decorated with white royal icing accented with edible lustre, and white mini blossoms and pearls, also highlighted with edible lustre.

Also on the workboard for this week was to get the designs finalised for our next magazine shoot, coming up in early September. I'm pretty happy with the final concept - now the challenge is to translate that concept into cupcakes! I'll give you a sneak peak once the cakes are done... then the magazine itself doesn't publish until all the way into next January! (which is only 4 months and one week away - ack!!)

This week we also had another Target shoot... the shot looks fantastic, and the catalogue will be in letterboxes in about 6 weeks. I'll post the page up once I see it.

Next week is jam-packed with client appointments, and we also have a little girl's birthday to celebrate... I'm looking forward to those! Then it's head down and bum up as we plunge head first into the wedding season...

2009-08-20T02:31:00.000-07:00

Target Catalogue is out now...

The cupcakes look great (it's a shame they only ended up using 2), but I was really surprised by how the cake looks - completely different to the stylist's specs, and certainly not as I delivered it! You can see for yourself in the catalogue shot below, vs the cake shot I took before delivery - just a wee difference!!

You can get a better look in a real catalogue, or you can also see it online at target.com.au

Still, better than nothing!

(And the next shots are due in about 6 weeks time...)

2009-08-16T02:09:00.000-07:00

Week Ending 16 August 2009

What a week! Whew - I can't say that I'm sad to see the back end of it! But, what with all the "go, go, go" this past week has been a great one!

First off, we had our magazine shoot on Tuesday, for Complete Weddings, Melbourne edition. It's for issue 31, due to hit the shelves in December. Here is a sneak peak:

I'll post up a image from the magazine once I see it, but it will be a while away yet! The great news from that shoot is that our cakes were also used as props for another section of the magazine, so that's very exciting!

Next up, we had a 21st, with a Spring Racing Carnival theme.

The cupcakes are a mixture of chocolate fudge and vanilla bean, all decorated in pinks and greens. The matching cutting cake is a 6" diameter vanilla bean cake, with a biot feather topper in the style of a fascinator. The colour combination is really striking; unfortunately the photo does it no justice at all, as it was taken inside the venue with artifical lighting just on dark.

Our next client was for a Christening. I just love creating cupcakes for Christenings! This lucky baby celebrated her Christening in style with White Truffle and Raspberry cupcakes, decorated in my signature whimsical style in tones of crystal pink and white. Just perfect for a little girl!

And finally we wrapped up the week with a small table at a Bridal Fair at Killara Estate Winery. The weather was terrible (but a typical Melbourne day!!), but we had a great turn-out, and were kept very busy indeed!

Next week will see us on the road again on Tuesday, seeing some very interesting people, and more flower making for yet another photo shoot!

Oh, and the next Target stores catalogue should be out early this week (from memory!) featuring not just our cupcakes, but a cutting cake as well... I'll post up the images once it's released!

And last but not least, our competition winner!

We had some great entries, and I was very surprised to learn that there are more Treat Seekers around than Sweet Buffs... there could only be one winner, and the winner is (drumroll please!)

DaisyJulz!!!!

DaisyJulz, if you could please contact me at sweetcupcakesandtreats@hotmail.com with your contact details so that you can claim your prize!

Thank you to everyone who entered... and even though there was only one winner this time, keep a look out next month for a new give-away with multiple winners!

2009-08-07T20:23:00.000-07:00

Week ending 08 August 2009

The first week of August certainly has been busy! The phone has been ringing off the hook again with Spring wedding and birthday equiries, lovely, thank you!

We also had a wedding today for Nils and Linda, held at the Little Road Chapel in Iona (nr Garflied). This is a lovely little place, with a restored chapel and reception rooms. The bride and groom chose a simple but elegant combination of purple and pearl/off white. The day dawned perfectly clear, which was wonderful after all the rain we've had in the past week!

This week also sees the introduction of a new feature: "Vintage Classics". Every few weeks, I'll track down a classic recipe from our childhoods, and present it here. The first off the list is the iconic Australian Honey Joys. Who doesn't remember these from our school fete's and CWA street-side cake stalls? They are also one of my husband's favourite treats (who knew?), so more than a few batches of HJ's were consumed this week once he saw what I was up to!

If you have any special requests for a treat from your past that you are unable to dig up, let me know, and I'll try to find it out for you.

Next Week: Working on some exciting projects - a magazine shoot, a bridal expo (will post the link tomorrow), and a Christening.

Don't forget to enter the draw for the Steet! Treats hamper, to be drawn on August 14th!

Week ending 31 July 2009

2009-07-31T17:47:00.000-07:00

What a week it has been, finalising all the details for the new website... It has totally consumed all thoughts - I've even been thinking of web pages in my sleep! It's fantastic now it's pretty much finished (we're just waiting on the assignment of the DNS Server, or some such thing!). There will be new pages added in the coming weeks - a core group of cake decorating supplies, which will include some gorgeous cupcake papers, and also a range of my hand-made flowers and butterflies, as I regularly get requests to supply them! For now they will only be available in set colour-ways, but custom options will follow after that. And of course, custom colour options always apply to cupcake orders!

We have also launched our first give-away!

On the website, tell us whether you are a "Sweet Buff" or a "Treat Seeker" via our contact tab, and you will go into the draw to win a Gourmet Hamper!

This give-away is Australia-wide, so if you are out of state, don't worry, it will be sent on to you! Unfortunately I won't be able to offer this prize to my International admirers, but don't worry - I have some giveaways lined up for later this year that will include you guys too!

So, what is a "Sweet Buff" -Vs- a "Treat Seeker", you ask? Here are the definitions!

Sweet Buff - I love my sweet treats, and I know which ones I like. I go back to them regularly. I will sometimes try new things, but overall, I have my "core" sweets, and I stick to them.

Treat Seeker - I adore sweet treats too, but I regularly go on the hunt for new items to add to my repetoire so things don't get boring!

So there it is... this giveaway will close on 14 August... I'll be waiting for your emails!