New Year's Resolutions

People makes lots of New Year's resolutions but one I am determined to continue fostering is my creative side.  Last year I signed up for a watercolor class and really enjoyed the class and camaraderie  with others who also enjoy 'dabbling' in the arts.

I have a very artistic friend whom we will shall call ' Sugar Babe'  (her hubby calls her 'Babe', OK?) who has starting expressing her artistic ability by taking cake decorating classes. She then devotes each Sunday to cake decorating. Now that's dedication. Her work cohorts get to enjoy her creations every Monday.

I decided to get a jump start on my New Year and joined her yesterday as she proceeded to decorate not one, but two cakes.  The first was a paint lacing technique and the second was a woodland scene.


The cakes themselves had been made ahead of time and kept in the freezer and ready to work with as fondant ( pre-made play- do like frosting ) was rolled out.

You can make your desired color by adding it to a white base.  Isn't this lavender yummy?





Drape the rolled out fondant over the cake base and trim off the excess. Be sure and always save the extra in saran wrap just in case you find another use for it.

After you have form fitted the fondant you can achieve a shiny surface. Yes that's a travel steamer in her hand. The steamer's heat and moisture add a nice gloss.

Now take your pastry tube filled with the desired frosting and tip and zig zag on your design in this case a flower. Then you use a square paintbrush to drag the design inward to create striations and soften the design.




I told you this was an artistic endeavor and after all the flowers have been drawn, vertical lines are added which take a very steady hand followed by short horizontal lines to create a brick pattern.

The brick edges are then woven together ( I should have videotaped that part), the edges beaded and a gorgeous frosted laced cake resulted.

Cake Number Two 's inspiration were morel mushrooms that had resulted by experimenting with different pastry tips.  I didn't get to stay through the entire process... But take a look at this woodland creation.

Morels had a dusting of gold powder, sugar strands added the pine needles, extra fondant was tinted and sponged to become moss. Almonds were capped and there's a slug hiding somewhere under the leaf.

 Violets were awaiting their yellow stamens and I know there was more to come after I left...






I almost forgot to mention that the excess cake is placed outside on the deck and Mr. Squirrel and some 'Sweet' Loving Cats enjoy these Sunday creations too.

So I wasn't the only one that enjoyed the cake decorating afternoon...

Sometimes you just have to leave the End of the Rainbow Valley for some great nature and art !