Progress....

In general, if given a choice, I don't prefer to repeat designs.  I certainly will if requested, but I truly enjoy the creative process involved in creating a new or tweaked design.  Of course, when a repeat is requested, I feel a sense of validation in that the original design had great appeal, but a part of me feels a slight sense of disappointment that there will be no new creative energy in that project.  In short, I feel like I should constantly be looking forward rather than looking back.

This being said, I have to also acknowledge the value in looking back at my work.  Trying to not obsess about the flaws, what I could have, should have done differently or better, but to see my progress.  To really let that sink in.

Last week afforded me this very opportunity.  I created a wedding cake which was a repeat of an old design.  My very first wedding cake for that matter.  A part of me cringed a tad when the request was made mostly because my personal design style and aesthetic has changed drastically.  Not that I cannot appreciate the appeal, but just that I probably would not choose to create this design at this point.  But, of course the wedding cake is not about me....right? ;o)

So, here is the first photo, my very first wedding cake, my very first cake of this size overall....no giggles please...

So, looking at this photo, and looking at the new version....the differences that I note are vast.  My personal preferences of basic cake construction have changed, my techniques have improved, and I have slightly de-cluttered the design to both appease my aesthetic a bit more without altering the overall feel of the look for the bride.

You will notice (I hope) a cleaner finish, taller tiers, better piping and artistry, and an overall improvement in presentation.  Also, I think my photos have improved notably, which  makes a big difference as well in my opinion.

What a difference 18 months of caking can make!  Progress....

Thanks for looking.

Flour Girl

Cherry Blossoms

It's August!  Can you believe it?

With wedding season still in full swing, I thought I'd share one of my favorite wedding designs. 

Cherry Blossoms!

Cherry blossom designs are a beautiful, feminine, classic design for weddings any time of the year.  Decor, stationary, cake, floral design....I love it all.  Such a popular choice for brides all over the world.  Cherry blossom weddings and decor ideas can be found all over the internet.  Chances are that everyone has either attended or seen photos of a cherry blossom themed wedding.  There is a reason it is so widely popular.  Cherry blossoms are beautiful.  Simple, but beautiful. 

This particular design, actually, was not for a wedding but rather a graduation party.  The design was inspired by the party invitations.  Before adding the topper, this was THE quintessential cherry blossom wedding cake.  I loved the overall look.

Three tiers, round, white with coordinating fondant ribbon trim and hand made fondant branches, leaves and cherry blossoms.  The second tier was an extended tier which just over 6 inches tall to add a bit of height and interest to the overall proportions of this cake.  I wanted it to be clean and simple, yet just a little more interesting.  Every cake designer has at least one version of a cherry blossom cake....so, this was mine.  If you haven't noticed, I love extended tiers.  They are so much more impressive.  In my humble opinion that is.  Not to mention that guests receive a more generous slice of cake.

Here is the cake with the handmade topper for the final look.

See...totally a graduation cake!

Thanks for stopping by!

Flour Girl

Non-Traditional Wedding Cakes....Awesome

So, I thought I'd pull out a wedding cake photo for a wedding last month to share.  I love it when the personality of either the person, or the event shines through the design choice for the cake.  This happens all the time for birthdays, graduations, retirement, and even Mother's and Father's Days.  When it comes to weddings, I rarely get the opportunity to stray from the traditional round, white tiered cakes with simple, understated designs.

Don't get me wrong, I actually really enjoy those cakes.  I find that they fit my personal design style most closely.  I love a great clean cake with focal point details like an over sized flower on a smooth, sleek cake, or tone on tone design elements that create texture and subtle visual interest.  I love a good frilly, frou-frou design just as much as the next gal, as overly described here and here.  But, at the same time I believe it all has it's place, and it's....moderation if you will.  You can certainly over do it in any given design.

So, when I was handed a drawing of of a four tier wedding cake for a large wedding that captured visual symbolism of the cultures of both the bride and groom I was so excited!  Not only did they know exactly what they wanted and all I had to do was execute, but that it was truly an original, custom cake!

This monster had to easily weigh at least 75 pounds.  It served about 240 generous 6 inch tall slices.  I made each tier an extended tier at 6 inches tall to help highlight the diagonal placement of each tier's design.

I loved the thought behind this cake which was designed by the bride's cousin (one of my favorite people actually).  The Bride was Samoan, and the Groom was Hawaiian.  To represent the two cultures and honor the two families, we included a traditional Siapo or Tapa pattern which is very prevalent and symbolic of the Samoan culture, and plumeria which are commonly used to make leis in the Hawaiian culture, all on an ivory fondant cake.  The wedding decor color scheme included black, electric blue and yellow, which are all represented on the cake.

I always love plumeria.  They are fairly simple flowers in that there are only 5 petals, not much frill to each petal, and no center...but I LOVE plumeria.  I think that has to do with the association with Hawaii at least in part.  So beautiful.

I was absolutely in love with the Siapo pattern.  I loved the striking contrast between the soft ivory and the bold black.

This was an honor to create for the happy couple, and the setting could not have been more beautiful.  Admiral Kidd Event Center in Point Loma, CA has been rated the best wedding venue for the quintessential San Diego wedding experience with breathtaking views of the bay and the San Diego skyline.  Amazing.

Thanks for checking in with me.  Enjoy your weekend, I will be back with more cakes to share with you next week!

Flour Girl