Cakecraft School again....

Had an amazing week last week at Paul Bradford's Sugarcraft School.  See his website for details - http://www.designer-cakes.com/  He is an inspiration with massive talent and bucket loads of patience! I spent the week in sugar coated, cakey heaven learning the ins and outs of cake decorating, sugar modelling and sugar flowers not to mention how to run a successful cake decorating business.  Lots of top tips have been absorbed and I'm planning next year's activities in-between the Christmas chaos.  All very exciting and inspiring!   Rather than wax lyrical, I thought I'd show you some cake pics.  Still can't quite believe I made these but have every intention of maintaining the standards and carrying on with the creativity.  Think I may have found my calling (can you hear my Dad sigh with relief!).

My chocolate wrap cake - a chocolate Bailey's sponge
 wrapped in chocolate and decorated to make it look all festive.
I even made the green glittery chocolate roses!  

We were a clever bunch!!  My classmates cakes .
Spot mine - hint, it's front left!

From this ......

..... To this!! Rooooaaaarrrrr!!

Lion cake detail

Loved the sugar modelling, although think I need to work on my scale.  Hmm!

My Jimmy Choo shoe

Front angle of the Jimmy Choo.

Sugar flowers are really not my thing!  My naked Stargazer Lily....

..... Amazing what a bit of colour can do!!

Dairsie Does Different @ Christmas

It's on its way!  Not long to go until Dairsie Does Different @ Christmas arrives.  Saturday 3rd December. Hope it's in everyone's diaries 'cause we'd love to see you there!

Madness may have descended when Lindsay and myself decided to re-visit Dairsie Does Different, this time at Christmas time!  Nah, not really!  We had such a great day back in April, that it seemed right to keep going with it.  We were so delighted at how well the whole event was received, by both customers and stall holders, that we are already excited about Dairsie Does Different @ Christmas. Saturday 3rd December is the day in question - did I mention that already?!

We are following pretty much the same format as the April fair - you'll find details and pics from that on the blog if you look back - but we do have changes in the stall holders this time.  I can confirm that Lindsay Mathers Equestrian Art, Blair McCafferty, creator of weird & wonderful creatures, the wonderful world of WHimSicAL LusH, Eleanor Mather's fantastic papercrafting, the Middleton Miscellany, Adrian Murray's beautiful jewellery and creations and Joanne Clifford of Reflexology fame will all be re-appearing.  And, of course, so will The Bakehouse!  How could I forget that!! No storytelling sadly as Sheila @ Hamespun Tales has other commitments but we do have Doodlestuff's splendid Doodlepins, Kerfuffle's inspiring contemporary jewellery and trinkets, June with her fairies and things and the fabulous photography of Scott Hay - all confirmed and itching to go!  Watch this space ... there may be more!

It's going to be an amazing day!  I can feel it.  Think sparkle, festive cheer and Christmas inspiration.  What more can you ask for in the run up to Christmas?!

Oh, and this time round, we have a Facebook page so you can keep up to date with happenings, check out the stall holders and let us know what you think about it all:  Check it out - and, make sure you "Like" us!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dairsie-Does-Different-at-Christmas/164901936937302?ref=tn_tinyman

Just to tempt you!

Eleanor Mathers - papercrafting genius!

Lindsay Mathers Equestrian artist extraordinaire.  This is one of her
50  Days of Christmas series -
 see her blog for details:  its' worth it -http://mathersart.blogspot.com

Blair McCafferty's captivating creature creations

A kerfuffle materpiece - see http://www.fitakerfuffle.co.uk for more creations

Yep, it is a Doddlepin of Splendidness.  See Jill's website for more - http://www.doodlestuff.co.uk

Boris is happy about DDD@Christmas so Suzanne at WHimSicAL LusH tells me!
See her website for more wonderful things -  http://www.whimsicallush.co.uk/

the world is alive, with the smell of cupcakes....

Cupcakes are without a shadow of a doubt the trendy thing, aren't they?  I love doing them and am starting to get a bit more creative with the designs, flavours and themes I use.  Previous attempts, especially with flavours, are littered throughout my blog, but that is no excuse to stop trying:  and, of course, to keep my readers up to date with what I've been playing around with recently.  My lovely customers are helping with their requests for things that are a little different. I'm all for a challenge!  In the last week, I've been challenged to a giant cupcake with additional "normal" ones adorned with shoes and bags - an 18th birthday cake so it had to be girly, sparkly and fun!  - and a Hallowe'en themed set.   Fun, fun, fun!!
So, the giant cupcake, for you food-a-holics out there, was a chocolate-vanilla marble cake with a chocolate buttercream puddle in the middle and vanilla buttercream frosting.  It complimented the small cupcakes which were a mix of chocolate fudge and vanilla.  The same flavours as my Hallowe'en ones I should add.  I did experiment with a Hallowe'en one for my own purposes.  It looked like the pic but was Lemon & Slime - yummy!  Think lemon sponge with a very green puddle of lemon curd slime in the middle and a lemon curd buttercream frosting on the top.  Bit partial to that, I will admit.
Looking forward to my Christmas challenges next.  I'm thinking Christmas trees, Christmas puds, lots of holly, stars and sparkle and maybe snowmen and gingerbread men too.  Well, 'tis the season to be jolly! Dairsie Does Different @ Christmas will have some so watch this space for details.

Shoe and bag heaven

shoe detail - think Jimmy Choo! 

Bag detail - think Hermes.....(or is that just me lusting after a Birkin, again!)

Giant Cupcake with small ones all around...

Boo!!! Bet you jumped!  

Did I say, by the way, that you just have to call me or drop me an email if you'd like to place an order?  I'm working on the best way to post the cupcakes so in the meantime Fife/Angus wide deliveries are offered (for a small charge to cover my petrol).  Or you can arrange to collect from me, of course.