Wednesday 28 January 2009

Cake Decorating and Think Thin Thurs


I spent my time this week making and decorating a cake for a friend at my Theatre group. It was his mums 70th Birthday and he asked if I could make her a cake. I asked him what his mum was interested in hobbies etc, so I could get an idea for the design. He said she loves cats! I asked him if his mum liked gardening......she did so I had the beginning of an idea!

I wanted something cute! Kittens playing, flowers, plant pots that type of thing, I browsed the web for inspiration and found this cute image, I painted him on the side of the cake using food colours. Butterfly's and flowers were the theme and repeated around the cake...
Run-Out Work The design on the cake top is a run out, this is icing piped around the design shape, then filled in with a runny consistency royal icing. The design is left around a week to set then I painted the design with food colours. I enjoy this technique, any design can be re-created this way!

The other side of the cake - Kitten with a butterfly on his nose!

I really loved painting the design on this cake, the day was sunny, I was in no rush, I put some good music in the cd player and I just enjoyed the time........ The painting was the last to be done on the cake as there is an order to decorating it goes like this...

1. Make the run-outs/decorations around a week in advance
2. Make the cake - To keep this fresh usually only two days before cake is due

3. Roughly two days before the due date, Butter cream and cover the cake in Fondant/Icing It need a whole day to set before any painting can be done (we don't want knuckle or finger marks)

4.Paint run-outs.let dry... Paint any designs on the cake...

5. Remove run outs and place on cake - Do any final piping !

6. Finished in good time,usually the evening before . Place in box and finished!

Depending of the decorations and design a cake takes around a week to complete, as so many things need to set, dry etc. It can take a lot longer if making figures they are more complex!

'In an English Country Garden' that is the song I thought of whilst painting the cake, around the back of the cake I painted, Hollyhocks, lavender and other flowers...
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The Not-So-Blog Think Thin Thurs

I am updating early, late wed night. I am happy with this week I still managed to walk and do the exercise vid, but not walk as much with the cake taking most of my time! I walked twice at 20 mins each. But I did a lot more dancing around the house and stretches etc

I am sure I am losing weight as my pants feel a bit more loose! The snacking has not been so bad either, I took more notice of the clock and managed to eat the last thing before 9.00pm, but not always....

So my goals for next week are

1. To get back to walking 4 times a week

2. and No eating after 9.00pm !!!

Yes they are the same goals as last week, but this week was a bit out of whack! ha,ha

See you all again soon

Priscilla x

13 comments:

Olde Dame Penniwig said...

OMG Priscilla, no one but NO ONE beats your talent with the cakes, that is INCREDIBLE. It's like something in a magazine only more impressive because it's REAL and it's also TASTY I'm sure...GORGEOUS cake, makes turning 70 a good thing!!!

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

Great cake Priscilla!

And good news on the loose trousers!

Victoria xx

Sue said...

What a beautiful cake,you are so gifted and talented.

Thank you for visiting with me and your kind words.
Blessings,
Sue

Linda said...

Wonderful cake....you're not only a great baker but a true artist. This birthday cake is so pretty...almost hate to cut into it.

Loose slacks..that's a good thing. Hugs, Linda

BittersweetPunkin said...

Priscilla my Dear that is a BEAUTIFUL cake!!!!!

Congrats on the loose pants...that is great!
hugs,
robin

ohiofarmgirl said...

What a beautiful cake...stunning really.
Glad to hear you are still walking and moving. i am sure it is making a difference. I have been riding our exercise bike so we will see what happens. Dianntha

Anonymous said...

I love your cake!! How you can lose weight and bake cakes I don't know! I know it would be to tempting for me! Congratulations!

Blueberry Heart said...

Hi there,

Your cake making skills are truly amazing - I'd love to be able to create those!! LOVED the Sorting Hat cake, such a shame to cut into them though!!!

I hope you dont mind, I have tagged you - I received my first tag today and am passing it on to those that I have enjoyed in the months before starting up my own blog!

All you have to do is post the 4th picture from your 4th file and pass the tag on to 4 others.

Thanks!!
BHx

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

Priscilla I can't argue that the grandma in the boiling lake wasn't one of the nicest parts of the film!

Victoria x

^..^Corgidogmama said...

What an incredible and personalized cake! Absolutely breathtaking!
It's too pretty to cut!

Baggy pants look good on a woman losing weight!
How do you do it with all that frosting in your house?

Anonymous said...

Wow Priscilla, you do beautiful work! That cake is stunning.

Marie x

Anonymous said...

Well, I think this is a work of art! You must visit the link on my blog called Cannaboe Confectionery. She is also a master cake decorator! You have so much in common. I am going back to your blog to have another browse...it's gorgeous! Cheers...Pam

w00ts up said...

That great is amazing! So cute!!!!!

Books I have read and enjoyed

I am counting down..