Playing Catch up Part 2

After having some technical difficulties with this blog (read: human error on my part), I have been updating my Facebook page more frequently.  However, I think I am back on track with technology and will be updating both!  Some more recent goodies: 

Local contest with my lemon-blueberry cupcakes; I won first place and was able to help a wonderful organization

Sugar cookies with buttercream rosettes for a birthday

"Welcome Spring!" sugar cookies with royal icing

Sugar cookies with royal icing and chocolate decoration; for a music-themed children's event

Finally Back!

Wow, it has been over two years since I last posted.  Life became extremely busy, and this blog was put on the back burner (and eventually off the stove altogether) while I managed the craziness!  I started I job as a Parent Educator that I adored, but left me with an insane schedule.  I became pregnant with  my second child, and for six months after she was born my husband and I were working opposite shifts while watching the kids.  After some soul searching and happenings that were out of our control, I am now a full-time stay at home mommy!  I have been able to do more baking, and I hope to only go up from here.  So!  This is just going to be a long post with a smattering of what I've done over the past two years.  It's good to be back!

Sugar cookies with royal icing

So many cookies! for a "Milk and Cookies" party

Shortbreads with buttercream

Red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting 

Buttercream rosettes

Smash "cake": Cookies with sprinkles, cool whip/pudding frosting, decoration made from chocolate and sprinkles

Whoopie pies!

Smash cakes and cupcakes for a joint 3rd and 1st birthday party

Cakes were made with cool whip/pudding frosting

Birthday Cake Donuts

I had the opportunity to do something very fun and very different for an 8th birthday party.  The party was a pool party, and the birthday girl wanted glazed donuts, but have them look like life preservers and innertubes.  To say this was a challenge is putting it mildly!  However, I think they turned out ok; at least, the birthday girl and her guests enjoyed them, and that's the most important thing!  By the way, how awesome is it that she wanted donuts instead of cake?!

First Birthday Party for Z

This birthday party was so  much fun! The colors were hot pink, white and black with polka dots, and brought to us by the letter "Z" and the number "1".  I'm thrilled with how the sugar cookies turned out!

Now, to be clear, I DID NOT MAKE THE CAKE.  The only thing I did were the black and pink monogrammed dots.  I did make the letters "Z" "O" and "E" out of chocolate (and made to stand up in the cake), but her mom and aunt covered them with a sugar transfer.  Props to them, because the cake was beautiful and delicious!!  I'm honored that they wanted me to be a part of it.

Sugar cookie fun

In one week, I had two different events: a first birthday party for a baby boy and a wedding/rehearsal dinner.  I had a blast decorating these cookies!  As I learn more about sugar cookie decorating, I am becoming more confident.  I enjoy trying new things, and I got to try some new products!  Personalized cookies really help make your event extra special.

Monograms are always a good choice,  in any style or color.  This black/white combination was clean and simple.

Bride and groom cookies for the happy couple!

A couple of different styles for the wedding dresses.

The first initial of the birthday boy.

1st Birthday party for my baby!

I cannot believe that my little girl is ONE!  For her first birthday party, the theme was--what else?--cupcakes! 

Cupcake tower we made for the party with the smash cake.

My baby's smash cake!  Vanilla cake/buttercream.  I had SO much fun decorating this!

This is going to require milk.

Now this is a Birthday cake!  Chocolate cake with dark chocolate chips throughout, peanut butter frosting between the layers and piled on the cake, drizzled with chocolate and cake crumbs.  This cake means business.  It also shows that your desserts don't have to be super fancy to be showstopping!  This cake is very simple, but the simplicity speaks volumes.  Don't you just want to dig in?!

O-H-I-O!

Someone told me once that if you go up to an Ohioan and say, "O-H!", you will receive the automatic reply of "I-O!".  For one little guy that just turned one, his parents are starting him off on the right track!  He was given an Ohio State themed birthday party, and I provided football cookies (sugar cookies with chocolate cream cheese frosting) and, in place of the normal buckeyes, peanut butter Oreo truffles.  The parents did the cake on their own, and it was beautiful and delicious!  No one walked away from this party hungry or craving sweets, including the man of the hour...who just happens to be my nephew!  Thanks for letting me be part of your day, Jen and Tony, and Happy 1st Birthday, Noahman!!

Here's the man of the hour:

And the AMAZING cake that his parents made for him...did I mention it was amazing?!

 

Most-Loved cake

This Rainbow cake is a HUGE hit with kids and adults alike!  Regardless of the decorations on top, when the cake is cut, everyone gets a surprise!

Beach Theme Birthday Party

This beach themed birthday party was for a two-year-old's 2nd birthday.  She had been to the beach for the first time earlier in the year, and absolutely fell in love with the ocean!  Her parents wanted her party to be reminescient of that vacation with an elegant, simple and of course, delicious style!

Sand Dollar cupcakes:  Lemon cupcakes filled with blueberry jam; topped with lemon cream cheese frosting.  Sand dollars are white chocolate.

All other  regular sized cupcakes are chocolate cupcakes, with two different fillings:  orange marmalade and raspberry jam.  Toppings include white chocolate decorations, graham crackers, and buttercream frosting.

Mini cupcakes:  Yellow buttercream cake filled with lemon curd, swirled on top with raspberry buttercream.

Fish cake (birthday girl's cake):  Single layer white cake with tinted buttercream.  Graham cracker "sand".