Little nephews and nieces
are just the cutest and have the inate ability to make you smile on the inside.
Plus, you can hand them back when they cry or need a nappy change. Perfect.
After a busy time recently
changing jobs and doing some cake decorating, it is nice to take some time out
to go on holiday to visit family. Travelling down to the south end of the
country also involves a slight change of weather and I must admit I’m quite
enjoying the cooler temperatures and rainy skies for a few days. This allows
for the wearing of wintery outfits and warming up in front of the fire in the
evenings. Hmmm one sunny day wouldn’t go
astray.
Last weekend whilst still in
the North, I created a black and white themed 50th birthday cake for
an ex work colleage. I baked a 3 layer devil’s
food chocolate cake, then filled and frosted it with a chocolate buttercream.
After letting it firm up overnight, I covered it with white fondant, black
stripes, white lid and silver ribbon and bow. I decorated with a hand painted
gift tag (paint is made by mixing black powder colour with clear alcohol such
as vodka) and a white fondant rose made using the Jem easy rose cutters. Roses
are so pretty and these cutters make them easy peasy. The final finishing touch
was a few clusters of shimmering pearls and a string of pearls to "attach"
the gift tag.
The book Planet Cake by
Paris Cutler has step by step instructions for a present box cake (I did mine a
little differently), and for making a big fondant bow. Planet Cake have also
made this great video on making a bow.
