Wilton Cake Decorating Class

I'm always looking to try out new craft projects and I love to bake so what better than to take a Wilton cake decorating class at my local Michaels store. The class was held over 4 weeks, every Monday evening and during the class we decorated two 8 inch round cakes and a dozen cupcakes.

It was great fun and I felt like a kid again, playing with the icing and colors and creating my own unique designs on the cakes. they all tasted really good too. My favourite was this Mondays cake which I baked a delicious carrot and pineapple cake and filed it with a yummy almond pie filling and then covered the whole cake in white buttercream icing. At the class we were shown how to make the beautiful piped roses out of the buttercream icing and off we went.

I'm looking forward to the next class in which we get to work with the rolled fondant and learn to make flowers out of that.

Here are afew photos of the three cakes I decorated in the class.

First Lesson Second lesson

Last Lesson

Wedding Card Cake Box

I'm always trying out new things and so when I was asked to make a wedding cake card box for an upcoming wedding I jumped at the chance.

After studying similar items on the web I set to work and used three sturdy boxes for my project. I had fun in the fabric store looking for the ideal fabric to cover the boxes and found some beautiful brown velvet fabric and a luxury satin burgundy fabric that matched the wedding theme perfectly.

I enjoy wrapping presents so this was kind of similar although the floaty fabric was a bit harder to handle than paper but with an extra pair of hands I managed to get the job done. I finished the boxes off with some decorative ribbon around the lids and the whole thing is hekd together with a bright gold ribbon. It will have a big bow on top which I have to make yet!

I wonder what project will be next?

Special Cards for Special People

Since getting back from our trip to the UK I've made quite afew card orders for people wanting to send an extra special card to frineds big birthdays and anniversarys. Its been fun making up new cards using the individuals tastes to decorate them.

Two of the cards I've made are for ladies turning 40 and who both have a thing about shopping, as most women do!

I've also made a 25th wedding anniversary card and a wedding card.

I love making cards for children too so I got to make a cute robot card for a special little boy who's just turned 2 and a cookery themed one for his mum!

Back in the US with a new visa!

Our trip back to the UK last month was great and we got to see alot of friends and family while we were there as well as most importantly getting our new 3 year visa issued! Its taken a long time to get finished but we are so glad to have it and be able to relax for a few years before we have to go through the process again.

Now we are back home in the US its been busy with the Ropes Challenge Course business and also tackling new DIY projects in the house. I've made some cards since I got back but mostly for private orders and family birthdays so I really need to get back in my studio and make some new cards for my Etsy store.

The next couple of months are going to be busy with lots of visitors coming to stay and its so much fun having friends and family come to stay. I am really looking forward to after they have all been as that is when Clive & I get to go on vacation and we are so looking forward to going to Mexico to a beautiful all inclusive resort by Secrets.

Well I better finish here and go and finish up my painting project upstairs in the living room. Its looking good and I'll post some photos soon.

Finally we are UK bound

Its been a long old process but finally we are headed back to the UK to sort out our visa's and get to see family and friends too.

The whole process of getting our new visa's has taken up the best part of 2 years with 3 cancelled appointments and lots of frustration. Now we have our new appointment on the 14th July we are busy getting things ready to fly to England on Wednesday. Lots to do and not much time to do it in.

I'm so looking forward to seeing everyone back home as its been over 2 years since I was home last. It will be great to catch up with everyone and also to indulge in a few UK favourites that we don't get out here which include fish and chips and a curry!

Hopefully the heat wave that the UK has been having will continue but just slightly cooler as with no air conditioning its pretty brutal as we've been spoiled with the AC over here.

Going to do some sight seeing in London while we're there so will post some photos on our return. I wonder if the Queen is free for a cup of tea?

Its a Baby Boom, baby Announcements

So far this week I've heard from three of my friends who are all pregnant and are all due in December and January....spooky. With all this baby talk going on I thought it perfect timing to get creative and make up some baby announcements.

I've made up two sets so far, one for baby boys, one for baby girls and have listed them on my Etsy store. I'm planning on making up a couple other sets and also some Baby Shower invitations and thank you card sets.

Scrapbook Embellishments

I like to make embellishments for my handmade cards and so I thought I would package some of them up to sell on my Etsy site for other fellow scrapbookers to use on their album and other crafts.

They are made from assorted cardstock and paper using 4 different sized flower paper punches. It was fun coming up with the different color combintations.

I'm hoping to make other items too so check out the store at http://www.lizfelgatecrafts.etsy.com/