Memory Lane

It was nearly a year ago that I decorated my last cake.  I get kind of depressed thinking about it, cursing my tennis elbow, and hoping I can pick it up again someday. 

The good thing about quilting, my newest obsession, is that I don't gain weight in the process.  You have to look at the bright side! 

Anyhow, here are my proudest accomplishments...along with some not-so-brief descriptions of their design and execution.  And a little rant about design theft, too.


Sweet 16 Cameo Cake
Light Pink Fondant with bright pink and black fondant accents.  Cameos are royal icing hand painted with pearl dust.  Black buttons and daisies are pastillage, with hand tipped accents in pearl dust, royal icing, and dragees.  Fondant bow with dragees and sugar paste tag painted with black food coloring. 
Original design - appoximately 24 hours to create. 
Winner - 1st Place - Birthday Cakes - New Mexico State Fair (2010)

  

Enchanted Wedding
White Satin Ice Fondant with black and turquoise fondant elements accented by dragees and candy-coated sunflower seeds for mock "turquoise" gemstones.  Bottom layer features a squash blossom design, with embossed "belt," second petal-shaped cake features small mock-turquoise and mock-coral flowers with silver dragee centers, next hegagon layer features Sunface motif alternating with triple feather design, and top layer shows a pottery design.  Cake topper is hand sculpted from fondant and pastillage, featuring a Wedding Vase, calla lillies, fantasy flowers, a silver chain, and Zuni cornmaiden and hand with heartline.
Original design (Despite the uncredited knock-off version published by a local bakery - groan.  Seriously - I spent weeks researching Native American design and symbology to incorporate elements from a single tribe and ensure everything would actually be on a wedding cake - then the locals mucked it up and got credit a few months later.  I think this is part of the reason that I quit competitions.  Unlike quilting, there is no way to really "copyright" a cake design.) Appoximately 60 hours to create post-design. 
Winner - 1st Place - Wedding Cakes - New Mexico State Fair (2010)
Winner - Best in Show - New Mexico State Fair (2010)