Sweet Smiles!

I recently received an email from our local family violence shelter.  They had an urgent need for children's clothing and were asking for help.  I was able to respond to their request with a large bag of clothes, toys and books for a two year old girl.  While I was at the safe house dropping off the bag, I was hit with an overwhelming desire to give a  more.  So, I spoke with the director and I volunteered to make beautiful birthday cakes for the children.  He was most appreciative and accepting of my offer.  I hope that my cake will help make a child's birthday a little sweeter during their time of hardship.

Many of you know the story of how and why I started decorating cakes.  I feel that I was truly blessed to find my passion and talent while helping another in their time of need.  I will save the whole story for another post.

Another Sweet Smile
This past summer I had the privilege of getting to know a great woman who is a travelling RN.  Around Christmas she received an emergency request from our local hospital to come to Sitka, AK for a month.  So, she packed her bags, left her family and flew to Alaska.  She had to work over the holidays and knew almost no one.  So, I decided to bake her a cake and deliver it to the hospital on Christmas eve!  She was so surprised!  Madeline and Olivia joined me and learned a lesson about making others happy!

Here is a picture of Kyla, Madeline and Olivia:

The cake was three layers.  Two were red Velvet and the center was a white chocolate cake.  All covered in cream cheese frosting. 

"I cried when you brought that cake to me at work. You are truly amazing. Your heart is bigger than all the frosting in the world.
Thank You! Everyone at SCH loved it!"

Kyla

In the last few months I have realized that cakes make people smile! I will continue to make cakes for people throughout my community.  If I can make someone feel happy for a minute then it is worth it.  I never in my life dreamed that I would get so much joy from one sweet smile.

Bake something sweet and give it to someone who least expects it!  Help me spread sweet smiles!

Amanda

Little Girls Love Pink Cakes!

This cake was a special request for a birthday party!  The cake is a milk chocolate/ chocolate chip with strawberry buttercream.  The birthday princess was thrilled when she saw her cake decorated with her favorite things.

Waste Not Want Not!

Leftover cake and fondant have not been going to waste.  My girls always enjoy preparing a cake for a princess tea party! 

Mmmmm!

I think they are the next great bakers!

My great friend Janie got to try working with fondant for the first time.  Her little cake looks so cute and the cupcake flowers look fantastic!  I am betting that she gets hooked on caking!

Not bad for the first try!

Shoot for the Stars in 2011! Happy New Year!

Caramel frosting and chocolate ganache make this cake one to remember!  The bottom tier is a 12" round torted with caramel frosting and the top tier is a 9" round.  I made the chocolate ganache with a three to one ratio semi-sweet chocolate to whipping cream.  It was a little thick to pour but it set up well and was easy to pipe. I added a couple tablespoons of butter to the ganache to help with the shine.

All of the decorations are gumpaste.  I made these a few days early so that they would dry and stand up on the cake.

Happy New Year!