Monday 1 September 2014

Wedding and christening cake







Good morning, good morning, good morning!
How time flies! Can't believe how long it's been since my last blog!

I've been away with my husband and mother and father I law.  Had a lovely time I must say.  The minute I got back I need to make a start on the wedding cake I had booked in for the 30 th August, as well as a christening cake for the 31st August.  The wedding cake was a biggy for me as it was the first 'big' project for me. I've made a wedding cake before for my beautiful daughter which in comparison was quite simple.  I made that before my dreams of owning a cake business really set in.

This wedding cake was for my lovely niece.  She asked for a four tier sponge cake, with edible lace and roses!  Well, me being me couldn't just settle for any ole rose.  No, I had to go for the 'ultimate rose'.  These are very beautiful and look quite lifelike, but boy, do they take an age to make!  I didn't mind.  I quite enjoyed it.  I have tutorials on my iPad so I just sit and play and watch them as I go along. (Thank goodness for Craftsy!).

Now, as I said, I also need to make a christening cake at the same time!  Hubbie said maybe I should have taken it on but what kind of cake maker would I be if I could only do one cake at a time!  I decided to make all the roses for the wedding cake first then once completed do the christening cake. As both cakes were sponge, I had no choice but to leave the baking as close to the delivery date as possible.  I cooked all 10 sponges on Thursday!  (Plus an 11th for my daughter to decorate for her boyfriends birthday).  I spent most of Friday decorating the christening cake.  Now, I have two flaws. The first being that I'm a perfectionist ( if this is even a flaw!).  The second being I am very hard on myself. If something goes a little wrong, doubt begins to set in and I think to myself 'what was I thinking?  I can't do this!).  If once I cover the sponge with fondant I have little cracks or a tiny tear, it's a major thing! I go into meltdown!  Why? Why is it cracking! It didn't last time.... No other cake decorators have these things go wrong! Maybe it's me then,  maybe I should give up I'm obviously not good enough!  How can I charge ppl for this!
See what I have to put up with? Both th wedding cake and the christening cakes had this problem. Elephant skin they call it where the fondant isn't smooth in appearance, it decides to itself it wants to play up and crack and split!  Well after a couple of hours of self hatred and what can only be described as 'teenage tantrums', my hubby kicked me up the back side and told me to get on with it.  Tells me he has every faith in me that I can do.  Well, I think to myself, at least someone does!.
So I did as he said, rebooted my self and ploughed into them.  The christening cake was finished around 4pm on the Friday.  I was very happy with the results. Took loads of pics as usual and plastered in all over Facebook. There!  First cake done!  Yippee!!

Right then, I'm up for it now.  I dirty iced the four tiers of the wedding cake on the Thursday.  All I had to do today was cover in fondant, make the edible lace, apply the edible lace, and decorate each tier with royal icing.... Simple... What could go wrong!

To start with, it was 4 pm and this cake needed to be completed for the following day!  I can do this!!!!
Hmmmmmm.  Every single tier had 'elephant skin'. Omg!  What's going on.  I did as the people on You Tube did and sprayed with water whilst kneading it to keep it moist,  i used the minimal amount of cornflour to roll the icing.  I was doing everything right!, grrrrrrrrrrrr..

Can you see the cycle??  Here we go again.  Only this time, I can't cover the cracks with flowers or shapes.  Being a wedding cake, the fondant is on show!  I made myself a cuppa (a cuppa solves every problem!), and thought what now!  You know what, nothing!  There was nothing I could do.  Just plough on baby!  By now, it was already coming up to 9 pm. I hadn't started making the edible lace!  Oooopsy.

Best crack on.... So, I mixed the paste to make the edible lace.  Added this paste to the agreed mould. Left it for the allotted time to dry, went back to it and.... *$!*?~¥!!, the blasted thing wouldn't come out of its mould!  For crying out loud I thought (only not so polite!).  I haven't got time for this!
Thankfully just this week, I had purchased a product called Express Lace.  It only takes four minutes to dry, but it's not very easy to place into the mould. I soon got the hang of it though.  It was a very laborious task.  I only have the one strip (mould) so can only make one piece at a time.  These moulds are rather expensive so for the moment I only have one of each.  This express lace only works in the harder moulds.  Of course, the lace pattern the bride wanted for the cake was a soft mould!
I kept thinking, she's going to hate it!  My only saving grace was that I was making this cake as a gift.
There was no fee, so surely she couldn't be disappointed with it? She may not, but what about me?  I was going to be disappointed. Can you imagine what I'd be going through if the bride had been paying £400 plus for this!  I dread to think.

I was up till 4am, making and attaching the lace then up again at 7 am to put the finishing touches to it before delivering the cake.  This wasn't done!  Oh no far from it.  Once at the venue I had to construct the cake, add the ribbon, decorate with royal icing piping and add the flowers.  This took just over two and a half hours.  In total I estimate this cake on its own took around 35 hours to put together.

So, next time anyone goes to any cake maker for a quote for a cake, be it wedding, birthday etc, please before your jaw hits the floor in shock at the price you have just been given, take this into consideration.  When we (all cake makers) get the job of making your special cake, it's not just a case of chucking a mixture in the oven, slapping on some icing and a couple of flowery type bits and job done.  There is a lot of emotion that goes into every cake baked and decorated. There are tears, worry,  self doubt, disappointment, confusion, excitement, joy and many more.  The though process for each and every cake is long and tiering.  The wedding cake alone gave me two migraines!  The afternoon on the day of delivery was spent with me sleeping to shirk off the headache picked up from lack of sleep and pure worry of how the cake would turn out. This isn't just a hobby.  Yes it's a beautiful way to make a living, but don't believe for a minute it's not hard work!! So, like I said previously, when we give you a quote for a cake and you think, 'how much, it's only a cake', please consider everything I have said.

Oh by the way, the wedding cake was beautiful even if I do say so myself!  Why was I worried lol. I will try and post a photo of the finished cake.

Right, must get on!  Back on the market this weekend.

Taly ho x

Monday 21 July 2014

Catch up

Had my second market day this past Saturday.  I wasn't going to do it as the weather was supposed to be terrible, but I thought to myself I can't give up at the first sign of bad weather!  So I decided to do it. Things seemed to be against me though as it seemed my oven had broken down!  It took me 7 hours to bake two sponges!! My husband took a look at it and we found out there are 20 degrees difference between each shelf! So there is 40 degrees difference between the bottom and top shelf.  I have used the top shelf to bake everything on which goes against everything I have ever done as I always use the middle shelf.  

I was soooo organised this week. Last week I started to bake at 8am and finished at 1.45am!  This week I had a birthday cake to finish for Friday and then deliver it to Cambridge for 1pm.  Therefore, I didn't start baking until around 2.30 and I finished everything by 10.45pm!!  I'm hoping for the same this week!

I sold everything on my stall this week! I was very pleased if not a little surprised!  There were not many people in town due to the weather, but still managed to shift the lot!  I even had a few repeat customers.... How good is that!!

I have a couple of new things to bake this week, cakes that have been requested by customers.  One is bread pudding, something I have never made, another is a gluten free cake, and also going to try diabetic cupcakes!  I will update my blog on how I got on with these.

I am going to try Red Velvet cake again this week!  It was a disaster last time I made it and I'm not one to give in!

The warm weather has played havoc with the cakes etc on the stall.... By around 2 ish, the chocolate for example starts melting big time.  But the cold weather will soon be upon us so shouldn't moan.

Sorry if I'm boring everyone with these blogs....

Well I'm off to try out some Almond cookies for my son!

See you all soon x

Sunday 13 July 2014

First Market Day

First day on the market.... My poor body is put through so many emotions I'm surprised I'm still able to function lol.  I have been psyching my self up for market day all week.  Well for weeks actually but more so this week!  Kept thinking 'what if no one buys anything'.  I needn't have worried.

I started baking cup cakes on Thursday.  Didn't want to start too early as I wanted them to be as fresh as possible on the Saturday.  Have I ever told any of you...... I HATE making and decorating cupcakes!!  My passion lies with the bigger cakes. But, cupcakes sell, so there we are, I had to make em. I must have baked around 60ish, all different flavours; Vanilla, Coffe and Walnut, Almond and Chocolate.  My Daughters helped to decorate them.....boooorrriinngggg.....

I also made two chocolate cakes, a large coffee and walnut cake, choc chip cookies, muffins and cake pops.  I also made for the first time ever cake pops!  I make red velvet ones to begin with.  I must admit, I only made these from error.  I attempted to make Red Velvet cup cakes but they went terribly wrong!  Sunk in the middle they did!  So, rather than just them away, I broke up the pieces of sponge and placed them in my food mixer, zapped them for a bit until they resembled bread crumbs, albeit very red bread crumbs!  I added the frosting then took a small amount and rounded it I to a ball. I weighed each and every ball to ensure they were all the same size.
I decorated these using Candy melts.  Another first for me.  I added some white fat to the candy melts as recommended in many cake pop recipes.  This enabled me to cover each ball without the chocolate mixture being too thick.  It instead, was a lovely smooth runny mixture.  I was unable to put the cake balls on sticks as the stick were to flimsy for the cake balls, so I placed them into mini cake slices instead. Once they were decorated with sprinkles etc, they looked pretty good!

Definateley will make these again..

I was up until 1.45 am baking as I also had a cake for a customer to make.  One of the Pig in Poop cakes.  I love making these cakes!  As the customer was picking the cake up on Saturday, I had to have it completed for the Friday night.  Why leave it so late to make it you say...... Well because the cake was not ordered until Thursday afternoon!!  I do love a challenge!!  Although, my body will disagree lol.

I was up at 6.00 am Saturday morning as I still had muffins to make, had to load the cakes and equipment into the car, shower, get dressed then head for town.  I had to be there at 8.00 am.  I was taking out my muffins from the oven at 7.50 am!!

My hubbie and I set up the stall. It didn't talk long to do at all.  My hubbie kept giving me hints and ideas of where to put stuff, think the look told him I didn't need his help with this lol!

I didn't have my first costumer for about 90 minutes.  But after that, I had a nice stream of customers. The other stall holders were very kind and welcoming.  This helped put my mind at rest as I was a mess inside!! I didn't stop shaking until around 1pm.  I love talking to people though so it was quite a good experience.  Since leaving my full time job, I haven't had much contact with people other than my friends and family.  I must admit, I thought I'd see more people I knew but there were so many unfamilular faces in town!  I'm getting old lol!

My hubbie says this is the ideal job for me as I love chatting.  I have no idea what he means ;0)

We started to pack up around 3 pm.  I couldn't wait to get in.  Unfortunately, baking for two days straight then standing on my feet for most of the day, my foot that I broke last year was swollen to double it's size!  Ouchy!  Will need to keep an eye on that!!

I didn't come back with a lot of stock thankfully.  There's only such much cake one person can eat!!

I'm so thankful for all the support I received on Saturday. It confirms that I have done the right move!

Now, gotta get on with planning for next Saturday. Hope to see you there!!



Thursday 3 July 2014

So!  lots has happened since my last blog and to be honest i sometimes forget i have a blog to write!

I have had a few cakes to be getting on with recently but not advertising too much as i have not wanted too many with mum being how she was.  I'm sad to say we lost our lovely mum on the 7 June.  I stayed with my dad for three weeks during and after the funeral, so although my business, i did the cakes i had ordered and that is it.

Now the work begins. I have a market stall on the Haverhill market now.  Staring this on the 12 June so next week will be cooking like crazy to get together enough baked goods to sell.  I will be selling cupcakes, biscuits, muffins, slices of cake, (chocolate and the likes), cake pops, cookies....phew, id better start baking now i think!  Although i am very excited about the Market Stall, i am also a little nervous.  Anyone who knows me will know that i am my worst critic!, and sometimes lack confidence in myself and my ability. My lovely friend Heather has always told me off for this lol. Anyway, this week i have set up my stall that my hubbie bought for me, a lovely bright pink and green one, (NOT going to be missed in this!!!)  It took us both a couple of hours to put up.  Ten minutes setting up the stall then another hour and 50 minutes trying to set up the front bench.  We were determined that we were not going to let it beat us!  although we almost did.  The thing came with no instructions!  So, we managed to get it all up and noticed that the previous owner had put it away wet. Mould!!!  I cant have mould covering the sides of the stall when selling food!  So, i have spent most of this week cleaning and treating it.  It now looks wonderful. (can you tell i'm excited!!! lol)

My daughters are going to be helping me with the stall.  Not the making of the produce, just the selling.  I am looking forward to spending some time with them both.  Just us girlies!

I did my first sculpted cake last week.  It was an easy one to start with.  It was a van.  I made the sponge, then had to leave it over night to rest in the fridge.  I did not sleep a wink i'll tell you.  All i kept thinking was how i was going to cut it into shape.  When it came to the point of cutting, i stood there, knife in hand, and just stared.  I put the knife to the sponge, then pulled away, put the knife to sponge, then pulled away.  I then decided i should maybe have a cup of tea before starting, after all, everyone knows a nice brew calms the nerves.  I sat there, tea in hand and thought 'blow this, just do it'! so i did!!  How easy!!!  What the heck was i worried for? Deary me!  Cant wait for the next one..... I may even try my hand at a dog sculpture!!!!  Too soon? Hmmmmmm

Have i mentioned how much i am loving being at home, working in my kitchen, radio on etc.... I always thought i loved my job in a school in admin.  I miss my friends dont get me wrong, and the banter between the staff members, and the pupils, but not the pressure, the deadlines, the crap that comes with working for other people, not be thanked.........and breath!!!   Nope, none of that!!!!!!!

This is where I am going.  I am going to have a look at the accountancy programme..... yeah ive looked before, then closed it up again, but this time i'm going to stick with it. (Maybe ;0p )

As always....a pleasure

Sam


Monday 9 June 2014

The reality of a dream

Up until this weekend, I have been living the dream.  Seeing mum and dad every day, making cakes as much as I can and spending wonderful quality time with my beautiful mum.  There are so many pros to me packing in my job and starting my own business.  Unfortunately this weekend I found one huge con!

I lost my dearest mum Saturday morning.  She had been such a fighter!  An inspiration to many, an amazingly strong woman, my best friend! She is going to leave such a huge gap in so many peoples lives.  Love you mum x

Well here lies the con!  It has to be business as usual.  I have had a cake to bake and decorate the past few days and have another two booked in for the next three days.  Maybe it's a good thing I have to stay busy! Less time to sit and think. But I don't have the option to just sit and grieve.  I feel a little guilty as I am doing something I love to do and it feels as though I've just carried on as normal!  I know this isn't the case but it feels like it.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, just realising having my own business isn't like working for an employer where you can ask for time off!

I am living at my dads for a while. I can be a help to my dad, cook meals, do the housework, run him around where he needs to go and of course, be a support for him.  There's no place I'd rather be right now!

Right......enough of this, gotta go and get some inspiration for the next projects....

Taly ho...

Friday 23 May 2014

So.... I started trading on 30 April.  Unfortunately, my mum took very ill the same week i was due to start trading.  This has meant that although i can take orders, i have been unable to take on the volume i had hoped.  I spend most of each day with my parents in the nursing home and then come home in the evenings to do the cake orders.  It's tiring but i am enjoying it so much!  I thought that leaving my full time would be so hard, a real tug, but woo hoo, I'm loving every minute of it.

I've had a real mix of cakes to make from tea cup, to Anniversary to an Art themed 99th birthday cake. I have a couple of challenges coming up but I will take them on with a full heart and plenty of enthusiasm.

Whilst working in my cake room, I have a contant smile on my face.  Every now and then, I get an feeling of being overwhelmed. I wish I had done this years ago!  I recommend any one to do it!

I have things in the pipeline for The Lady Bakes Cakes.  Not sure that the timing is right what with how things are with my mum, but I can't put things off. I need to earn a living from this as well as enjoy it.

I have had so much fun so far. Thank you to those people that have ordered cakes from me.

Will write something again soon.