Happy Fathers Day!

I just wanted to wish all the great dads out there, a very Happy Fathers Day!  Although I was not able to spend the day with my dad, I was able to hang out with my husbands family, which is a great second option.  My husbands grandpa loves trains of all kinds, so even though I did this cake rather quickly, I was able to make him a train cake!

Reasons to Celebrates...Easter and Mom's

Like I said before, I am looking for every excuse to decorate a cake.  So, even though it was not the best color choices, I have an Easter Bunny cake (because I had those colors laying around, i decided to use them up).

I also made a cake to take to my mom-n-laws for Mothers Day, since we were going to see her.  It was my first take on a homemade chocolate cake...but I baked it to early, so by the time we actually got to eat it, it was rather dry.  I also wanted to practice my roses again, since I had not done them since my class, and had pretty much forgotten how to make them.  So, after a few YouTube videos, and an run through the Wilton Year book (which also gives instructions), I think that I started remembering.  They could still use some work, but at least I know how to make them now.  This is also my first attempt at a cake that has two different sized layers. The other fun part about this cake, was that we drove it to Sioux City in Bernard (my '74 Super Beetle), and after much trouble with him, and endless hours in shop, he made it to Sioux City and back, on the interstate, going about 70 miles an hour!  And....he also made it back home! It was quite the ride and I was so excited that we were able to drive him that far!

Friends and Fun!

So, my friends Amy and Christine came over one day to make a cake for fun.  Since they had never decorated a cake with frosting bags, etc, they decided to head over to my house.  Amy loves Nintendo, so here it is...A Nintendo controller!  Amy and Christine did a great job on their first cake!  I know that this cake will be the inspiration for many more to come!  I'm excited to do a 'video game' related cake soon!

Homemade frosting--Attempt #1

Shortly after I finished my cake decorating class, I just wanted to practice, practice, practice. I was finding every excuse that I could to decorate the cake.  I tried to make a few frostings on my own, which was awesome, however, it took a lot out of me to make my own frosting, bake a boxed cake, color the frosting, and then finally decorate the cake, all in one nights time. (remember that I said before that I was/am a procrastinator).  The only good thing about this, was that I was making a cake for a friend, that used the same colors that I could use to make a St. Patty's Day cake, just 3 days later... Anyway, I decided that from now on, or until I get a little bit better at the decorating part, I was going to buy frosting from Michaels, using my 40% off coupons, and then used boxed cake mixes. So, here are the cakes that I made with my 1st attempt at homemade buttercream frosting, and boxed cake mixes.  The frosting tasted good, but got soft very quickly, making it hard to make 'good' decorations.

Where it all started...

This is a story, all about how, my life got twisted upside down...So, I'd like to take a minute, just sit right there, to tell you about a little car, who I named Bernard. 

Creativity has always been in my blood, but not my strong suit. I've tried journaling, doing an art journal, painting pottery, and painting canvas, drawing....I feel like I've tried it all, but I never found my knack. I'm definitely not an organized person, and I love to procrastinate, so actually starting a cake decorating class, that I had thought about doing for the past 3 years, seemed like a dream. (especially since our class got postponed 2 times due to bad weather) The day finally came when I was able to start my non-credit Cake Decorating class at Metro Community College here in Omaha.  And, who would have thunk, it turned out to be AWESOME and exactly the outlet that I needed for my creativity. 

Ok, back to Bernard...  Bernard is the name of my 1974 Super Beetle.  (I actually name all of my cars, because I feel that it gives them a personality all of their own, and actually, it can be quite fun to see what personality they decide to take on, after they have been named.)  Anyways, I've wanted a VW Bug (the old style), since I was old enough to know what a car was. But, every time that I bought a car, it had to be a practical car.  Until the time finally came, when I could get a VW Bug and then buy a 'good' car when winter got a little closer.  Well, that didn't turn out to be the exact case, as Bernard caused some problems in the beginning, but all is well, and I love him!  I always have a big cheesy grin on my face when I drive him, and my favorite is when I see someone smack another person (playing the game Slug Bug) when I drive past.

Well, it turns out that Bernard was not only my dream car, but also my inspiration for cake decorating.  On the first day of Cake Decorating class, I got to decorate a cake with Bernard on it.  (see below)  Bernard is also the inspiration of the name of my Bakery...Slug Bug Bakery.  (My husband actually came up with this awesome name, after I told him that I wanted to incorporate my love for VW Bugs into the logo).

So, there you have it. That's how it all started, and now I can't stop.  I'm still learning a great deal, and improving every day, but I love the opportunity to practice.  The old saying always has been, and always will be, "Practice Makes Perfect".