Tag Archive for Techniques

Hungry Man Cupcakes

July 16, 2009 / Abbi / 9 comments

After coveting a friend’s copy for months, another pal gave me my very own copy of the book Hello, Cupcake as a wedding gift. For the past several weeks, I’ve been leafing through the pages, wanting to create something and being a little too intimidated to start. That all ended with this post by my fellow artist friend, Mandy.

We have been encouraging each other in our artistic pursuits, some of which are no more monumental than just TRYING something new for the sake of trying something new. To get over the fear. To silence the inner-critic with our boldness. To attempt something we’ve never done before. I certainly couldn’t encourage Mandy to get started without also doing something I’d been putting off myself. Accountability tends to keep us from being hypocrites. :)

So…I chose a design. I bought the supplies. I cleared my schedule. And my baking muse must have been smiling down on me. I baked the most uniform batch of cupcakes I’ve ever made. Ever.

*perfectbatch

That alone was worth practicing!

But here’s what I did to those perfect cupcakes using icing and candy:

*tvdinner1

YUP! A TV dinner-inspired batch of cupcakes!

*tvdinner2

The chicken drumsticks, complete with white chocolate ‘bones’:

*drumstick

Peas and carrots:

*peasncarrots

Mashed potatoes with butter and gravy:

*potatoes

And of course, no TV dinner would be complete without the infamous chocolate pudding dessert!

*pudding

I learned a lot during this experiment. Namely, that experimenting itself is fun! Even if my cupcakes had turned out to be ‘disasters’, they would still taste good and I’m sure I could’ve found someone to eat them. I learned I have a lot to learn about working with melted chocolate. That it’s okay if your first attempt doesn’t look just like the book, because it probably took the artist several dozen tries before perfecting their technique.

All in all, a fun way to fight fear!

Bon Appetit!

Category: Cupcakes / Tags: , , ,

Foiled!

July 14, 2009 / Abbi / 2 comments

In college, I took a class called “Experimental Bookmaking.” One of our assignments was to create a book with multiple folds in a single sheet. About that same time, I had been studying the art of illuminated manuscripts and gold foiling and I was particularly drawn to the Book of Kells. In that manuscript was a particular work of art involving the Chi Rho. Being a relatively new follower of Christ, I wanted to create a work of art that would be not only beautiful, but also reminiscent of the ancient manuscripts that held volumes of Scripture.

For the covers, I used a color photocopy of the Chi Rho page from the Book of Kells (from my art history book, NOT the original!):

Foil1

I chose a fibrous paper for my substrate and used xeroxed blurbs of text and a colorless blender (a type of clear marker) to transfer Scripture verses onto the paper. This transfer method causes the end result to look somewhat stamped and aged:

Foil2

I chose Scriptures that were particularly important to me during this time in my life:

Foil3

Here is the final work, unfolded to reveal all pages:

Foil4

To mimic the gold stamping of the original Chi Rho, I used an adhesive/foil method to “illuminate” the first character of each verse.

FoilDetail

Several years have passed since I last experimented with foil stamping like this. I like the oomph the technique added to my Chi Rho book, and I’m thinking it may be time to experiment again…

Category: Books / Tags: ,

A Camouflage Wedding: Part 2

July 9, 2009 / Abbi / 4 comments

Last Tuesday, I posted photos of the wedding guest book I made for my friends Mégan and Angel. Today is my chance to show you the cake I created for them.

Alba-3QtrViewB

For their reception, Mégan and Angel ordered cupcakes from Cuppies and Joe for their guests, but they still wanted to include the tradition of saving their wedding cake for their one year anniversary. That’s where I came in. : )

Being from South Carolina, Mégan is a true Southern gal and wanted their keepsake cake to be Red Velvet with Cream cheese icing (which totally matched one of their wedding colors—ivory). Here are the results:

Alba-3QtrView

Alba-SideView

I had seen a knife-dragging technique in a Rachael Ray Everyday magazine, so I gave it a whirl here.

Alba-Knifedrag

It turned out pretty neat, but the softness of the cream cheese icing gave me some fits at first. I’d like to try that technique again in buttercream.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE using rosettes.

Alba-Rosette

They are so pretty and simple to do. I also used my star tip to pull out some icing to make ‘points’ all away around the top and bottom borders.

Alba-TopView

Mégan and Angel were pleased with the results. They didn’t cut into this cake at their reception, so I’ll be interested to hear how it tastes in a year when they take their first bite.

Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Alba! Thanks for letting me be a part of your special day!

Category: Challenges, Designer Cakes / Tags: , , ,

Aquasteel

April 6, 2009 / Abbi / 5 comments

I found the coolest aquamarine book-binding paper and I wanted to make a hard-bound journal with it. I also wanted to include a leather bookmark and burnt copper accents. Here’s the result:

bluesteel1

Before pasting the boards to the cover paper, I used an X-Acto knife to cut grooves in the davy board, forming ridges. I centered the copper eyelets between the grooves, secured the leather strap for the bookmark, and then assembled the inside of the book.

bluesteel2

I call it “Aquasteel”

Category: Books / Tags: ,

How to Create an Xbox Cake

April 3, 2009 / Abbi / 45 comments

I was asked to make an Xbox controller Groom’s cake for my friend Mikie’s wedding reception. Here are the steps it took to make this cake a success.

STEP ONE:
I baked two rectangular layers of milk chocolate cake, placed buttercream filling between the layers, and used a stencil I created on my computer to cut the cake into the correct shape.xbox-step-1

STEP TWO:
I frosted the entire cake in white buttercream and allowed the icing to crust (appoximately 20 minutes).
xbox-step-2

STEP THREE:
Once the icing had crusted, I used regular Viva paper towels to smooth the icing. This step helps the surface of the cake to more closely resemble plastic–a definite must when you are creating an Xbox controller! ((Note: I realize I could use fondant to give it a ‘plastic’ look…I just don’t think fondant tastes as good as buttercream, plus it’s more difficult to cut when you are ready to serve the cake.))

Next, I piped gray-tinted buttercream on the edge of the cake to match the controller.
xbox-step-4

STEP FOUR:
Using a #12 tip, I created the buttons and triggers on the top edge of the cake to match the controller.
xbox-step-3

STEP FIVE:
I used a second printout of my stencil to make all the buttons and joysticks the correct size. All buttons were created out of fondant that I tinted to match the buttons on the actual controller. All pieces were cut and shaped and left to dry overnight.
xbox-step-5

STEP SIX:
Using the actual controller as a model, I placed the fondant buttons in the correct positions on the cake. I then piped the details on the buttons using thin consistency buttercream.
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STEP SEVEN:
Using the actual controller as a model, I placed the 3-D fondant joysticks in the correct positions on the cake.
xbox-step-7

DONE!
The finished product…an Xbox Groom’s cake, iced and ready for my friend Mikie’s wedding reception.

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The finished product as compared to its inspiration.

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As much as I dislike its taste, fondant does hold a shape pretty well. Thus, all the buttons and joysticks were completely 3-D and made out of tinted fondant.

xbox-step-10

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Category: Challenges, Designer Cakes / Tags: , ,

Red Velvet

March 6, 2009 / Abbi / No comments

Based on the title, you were expecting a cake post, right? Right?

Ha! Fooled you! Instead, I’m here to present a handmade journal I lovingly refer to as “Red Velvet”. A couple of years ago, I was rummaging around in my Grandma Z’s utility closet. I found not one, but TWO rolls of flocked (fuzzy) wallpaper from the 1970s! Since the paper had been in the closet for over 30 years, Grandma had no problem parting with it and allowing me to use it to make book covers.

redvelvet-flockeddetail

redvelvet1

Also, this was my first experiment with adding closure ties. I used a silky black ribbon inserted under the paste papers to create two tails that could be tied together and hold the journal shut.

redvelvet2

This journal was so fun to make and turned out so elegant. I kept it in my inventory as a sample for about two months before being snatched up by the amazing Cindy Beall. She will be giving the Red Velvet to a friend as a wedding gift and suggest that the couple use the book to record God’s blessings throughout their marriage. I am honored that such powerful thoughts will be captured in a journal I created. Thanks, Cindy! I hope they love it!

Category: Books / Tags: , ,

K is for Katie

March 3, 2009 / Abbi / 2 comments

Andrew’s youngest sister, Katie, and I both celebrate our birthdays in July. I love making cakes (obviously) and she loves ice cream, so we spent an afternoon making an ice cream cake to share with the ManyMeadows. I also made her this book as a gift.

I used a pinstriped cardstock for the cover to give it a vintage look.

I used ruby red paper for the pages and chose a matching glitter for the embellishment.

I then used good ol’ Elmer’s glue and an alphabet stencil to create a “K” on the front cover. Once I had created the glue outline, I used the red glitter to create a raised letter.

katiedetail1

I’m happy with how it turned out and I’m excited to try this technique again…maybe even with a whole WORD next time!

Category: Books / Tags: , ,

Pretty Princess: A How-To

January 12, 2009 / Abbi / One comment

I love making cakes for kids’ parties and my fiancé Andrew’s nieces and nephews especially love my creations. Niece Lily recently turned 4, and she requested that I make a pink princess cake for her party.

Here are the step-by-step directions for making a princess cake. I realize you may read some of the steps and think, “Well, duh. Thanks for insulting my intelligence”, but I always try to give VERY SIMPLE directions for those who may be totally in the dark in terms of making cakes. That also explains the length of this post!

STEP ONE
Choose a oven-safe metal or glass bowl to use as your cake ‘pan’ (bowls make the perfect “ball gown” shape). Prepare the bowl by coating it with a thin layer of shortening and then dusting it with flour. Or, use Wilton’s special stuff called “Cake Release”, which is what I use to cut down on prep time and hassle. Place your bowl on a cookie sheet.

STEP TWO
Mix up your cake batter! Yummy!

STEP THREE
Pour batter into prepared bowl and place into the oven, making sure that it is nearly centered in your oven. This helps ensure even baking.

For baking time, begin with the recipe directions, adding time as needed until a toothpick (or in this case, I used a long kabob skewer) inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. I found that my cake required nearly double the time the recipe called for, but you want to keep your eye on it so it doesn’t burn!

STEP FOUR
While your cake is in the oven, wash your mixer and whip up a batch of buttercream icing. Because I would be piping details, I started with a batch of “medium” consistency icing, divided out what I would need to tint, and then used the remainder to make “thin” consistency icing for covering the cake.

STEP FIVE
Add color to your divided icings. Wilton brand pigments are great because the colors are very accurate and easy to blend.

Use a toothpick to extract pigment out of the tub (ALWAYS use a NEW toothpick or you will contaminate your pigment tubs!) Start with a small amount and drag the toothpick through your icing.

Mix in the color using a spatula, adding more pigment (with a NEW toothpick), if necessary. Ta da! Pink icing!

STEP SIX
Once the cake has been removed from the oven, let it cool slightly. It will likely have a bump or a crown from where the batter expanded while it cooked.

This will need to be shaved off so the cake will sit evenly. You may need to remove the cake from the pan to be able to trim it. Gently dump the cake out by placing a plate over the opening of the bowl and turning over. After you have shaved off the bump, set the cake on a cooling rack and let cool completely.

STEP SEVEN
Once cake has cooled, center it on a prepared cake board.

Now you are ready to decorate!

STEP EIGHT
I like to sketch out how I want my cake to look. That helps me know which piping tips I will need, as well as which color icing to use.

STEP NINE
Coat your cake with the ‘base coat’ layer of icing and prepare your piping bags with the correct tips and icing colors you will need.

STEP TEN
Begin bringing your sketch to life by piping the correct colors in the correct places.

STEP ELEVEN
Wilton makes a “teen doll pick” for cakes, but you can also use a regular Barbie with its legs removed. Whatever you choose, insert the doll into the cake.

(Hey, this is a family-friendly site, after all!)

STEP TWELVE
Pipe the “bodice” of the doll’s dress.

STEP THIRTEEN
Finish off the dress by piping a “hem” around the bottom of the cake. This give everything a nice, finished look.

STEP FOURTEEN
Now your cake is complete and you are ready to show it off!

Time to celebrate!

Note: As I carried the cake into the party, nephew Will asked, “Is that Lily’s princess cake?” When I said that it was, he responded (with a sly twinkle in his eye), “I’m gonna eat her head off!” What a boy thing to say, huh? :) So…we let him have a bite to prove that Princess’s head was plastic, not cake.

So, there you have it. The steps to turn a plain ol’ mixing bowl into a whimsical Princess cake! (This same technique can be used for other occasions requiring a dome shaped cake…an “Over the Hill” party, for instance.) Enjoy!

Category: Designer Cakes / Tags: , , , ,

In Search of Cake Eaters (Part 3)

December 9, 2008 / Abbi / 6 comments

During the month of June, I volunteered to make fancy cakes for the price of ingredients. While most people would be willing to eat a delicious, FREE cake, no one took me up on my offer more enthusiastically than Marcy. In fact, the subject line on her email read: “CAKE—IMPORTANT!!!” My favorite snippet from her email request read:

saw that you are looking for people to make cakes for…..and let me tell you something…..CAKE IS MY FAVORITE FOOD. seriously.

Naturally, it was impossible for me to say no to making this gal a cake. About six back-and-forth emails later, we had narrowed down her flavor choices to one (she’s not joking when she says cake’s her favorite food!). For her birthday, she decided that she would like a wedding-esque cake. I was happy to oblige.

I’d seen people incorporating wire and beads into their cake creations, and since I was going for a very unique, elegant look for Marcy’s cake, I decided to give it a whirl. I did my research and learned how to correctly use wire and prevent food-safety problems.

I called my friend Jacee to help with the beading, since she has both the skills and the tools. She did a great job and Marcy’s cake turned out AMAZING. It’s one of the best cakes I’ve ever made (if I do say so myself). And it was fun to make, too!

The two-tier cake was a flawless white cake with classic white buttercream icing. To imitate a ‘wedding look’, I decorated the surface of the cake as well as the borders with dots.

While I cut and bent the wires, Jacee created the pendants out of fishing line and different combinations of black and hot pink beads with silver accents.

The wires were threaded through a fondant ball and into a small bit of fondant which was anchored in the base of a floral pick. The floral pick was then inserted into the cake (that’s how I kept the wires from actually touching the cake itself). Fondant spheres then surrounded the floral pick for both aesthetics and structural support.

Marcy was really pleased with the cake. Perhaps, even shocked. She didn’t know exactly what she’d be getting, and I think the final result really surprised her. She was also really excited that there were plenty of leftovers. ;)

Category: Designer Cakes / Tags: , , ,

In Search of Cake Eaters (Part Two)

December 3, 2008 / Abbi / No comments

Roger found me through my future MIL, Robin’s, blog. His youngest son was having a Kung Fu Panda party and they were in need of a cake. I jumped at the opportunity (I haven’t done many cakes for kids), and started scheming.

I wanted it to be quite different from the cakes you see in a store’s bakery case. Otherwise, what’s the point in having a custom-made cake?!

While I began sketching out design ideas, Roger and his wife Shelly set out to find the perfect Kung Fu Panda cake topper/action figure. Surprisingly, THAT was the most difficult part of the whole process! In the end, Shelly triumphed and found the most perfect Panda!

I wanted to experiment with Candy Melts, as I had read they are quite versatile (and taste good, too!). I got the idea to make ‘bamboo’ out of pretzel rods and Candy Melts and then add fondant leaves. Whenever I make a cake, I do everything I can to make sure that it’s nearly 100% edible.

The near-final result:

I used the candy-covered pretzels to make different lengths of “bamboo”, piped some jungle grass around the bottom perimeter and added fondant leaves here and there.

Their son loved his cake (I have seen him once since his birthday, and he greeted me with, “Hey, you made my birthday cake!!”) and Shelly snapped the following three photos (Thanks, Shelly!)

Doesn’t the Kung Fu Panda figurine just make the cake?!

Shelly and Roger, thanks again for the opportunity! Your son’s cake is one of the most fun cakes I have made this year! :)

Category: Uncategorized / Tags: , , ,
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