We're Off to See the Wizard...

I have to say this has been one of my most favorite cakes that I've done so far!! I was absolutely thrilled when I found out my niece wanted to have her cake to be a Wizard of Oz theme cake! My head was spinning with ideas, mostly yellow brick roads and ruby red shoes. But I absolutely fell in love with this cake I found online and just had to recreate it for her.

My husband's family came in from out of town to help celebrate her birthday and to also get the kids together. 7 kids all 4 years of age and under and one on the way! It was a crazy weekend, the kids had a blast playing together and we had a great time getting to play with them and see everyone again.

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is a sweet and precious little girl who will be turning 3 this week and what a way to celebrate it than with a cake like this!

The ruby red shoes were solid chocolate

and dusted with edible red disco dust!

Awesome stuff!

Happy 3rd Birthday Addie!

Duck in the Tub!

I have been so eager to make this cake for a baby shower and when my my mother in law asked me to make a cake for her niece, my cousin in law, I was thrilled to do so!

My extended family came to Charlotte this weekend to celebrate my niece's 3rd Birthday and since one of the cousins is due in April we had a big family baby shower. Here is her baby shower cake. The best part is that the duck lights up and quacks when you touch the bottom or put it in the tub with the little one!

Welcome soon to be Baby Carson to the family!

Congratulations Liz and Travis!

Choo Choo!

My first 3D Thomas the train cake! For a sweet little boy who goes to the same preschool as my kids was having a Thomas the Train theme party.

Happy Birthday Alex!

Sweet Baby Girl

For a friend of mine who was hosting a baby shower she asked me to make a baby bootie cake. The mom to be was expecting a baby girl so a beautiful pink cake with polka dots and a pair of cute shoes adorned this adorable baby shower cake!

Welcome Evie

Birthday Blessings

For a mom and daughter I created two special cakes. The first was for her daughter Ava who was turning 8. They were having a service project birthday where the guests volunteered their time with Bright Blessings formerly known as Birthday Blessings.

Bright Blessings is a volunteer-led 501(c)3 non-profit organization bringing joy and support to homeless children. Their programs bring positive emotional experiences to homeless children and their families by lifting spirits, boosting confidence, broadening horizons and supporting critical needs. Her guests brought gifts to donate to Bright Blessings and came back to her house to enjoy a beautiful (and delicious) house shape cake!

Then a few days later her mom celebrated her birthday with the family with a small and yummy almond cake.

Happy Birthday!

Capture Me Candid

I knew 2011 was going to be a good year. I just had a feeling. So far I'm doing well with obtaining orders and keeping up with the family. I have not been overly busy, but luckily my prayers are being answered. I am thrilled to say that I'm not only open to birthday cakes and baby cakes but I'm more excited to say, bring on the wedding cakes!

Yes, I have made a few connections around Charlotte and my name is getting around about my affordable and delicious wedding cakes! I have 2 possible 3 brides so far on my calendar! I know some of you may be saying, that's nothing, but I'm getting there, I'm feeling the bridal buzz and I just know things will turn around with that.

AND besides that, I had a very exciting business opportunity present itself today. Last year, my husband got me photography classes for our Anniversary to help learn how to use my very nice Nikon digital camera. In the class I met Lori Konawalik, a photographer who was learning her way around the digital camera world as well. Despite her having years of experience, a father who had a black room in their house and a degree in graphic design, photography, and communication from Arizona, Lori was still learning to become a better photographer. She has now founded her own business, Capture Me Candid. A one of kind, unique experience with a wonderful photographer, mom and friend to anyone who she photographs.

Lori remembered the cakes that I had photographed plus the camera cake I brought into class. She wants to give her clients a new birthday experience that includes photography a make up artist and my cakes as part of the package deal!

Whoo hoo!! Right?

I am thrilled to be a part of her business and to be able to expand my cakes to others in the Charlotte area who may not have the opportunity to know that I'm out there! For those of you are interested or who are just looking for a good photographer to photograph the kids, a family reunion, or even a wedding, please take a moment to look at Capture Me Candid to find out more about Lori and her business!

Off to a Good Start. Welcome 2011!

My first cake for 2011!!

This was for a friends 30th (surprise) party!

I haven't seen her since we graduated high school

and that was over 10 years ago!

She looks just as stunning as she did when we were in high school and of course the big 3-0 is a big milestone in most of our lives, as most of our friends, including myself

have hit that milestone recently.

Her mom picked this design and I love how the fondant flowers turned out. Sorry for the grainy texture and poor lightning on this, the sun had gone down when I finally got around to taking the pictures. But I know she was surprised to see us and more surprised I made the cake for her!

Here's to 2011 and all that it will bring,

hopefully lots of cakes, cookies and cupcakes for everyone!!

And for those who don't know, ICES, the International Cake Exploratory Society is hosting their annual convention here in Charlotte, August 4-7 at the Charlotte Convention Center downtown. So for all my cake fans out there on Facebook, and here on my blog please take moment to look at the ICES website and if you remember in August to come down and just view the cake room if you can. Just getting the chance to see all these amazing and wonderful cakes not only from Charlotte, but from around the country and from around the world!

More ICES 2011 Convention news to follow!!