There's fun in Volunteering and I'm Loving it! - Complimentary Classes by Cake4Kids

I know that I've mentioned Cake4Kids several times, but I just wanted to reiterate how exciting it is to work with this organization. The team is very organized and makes it wonderful to work with the organization.

Not only do I love making cakes for foster kids but I also get an opportunity to meet with cake decorators, in the area, who are also volunteers. Cake4Kids organizes several events that bring volunteers together including socials and complimentary classes. I've attended several of the classes and I have been very impressed by the volunteers who teach the classes; I absolutely love it. Hopefully one day I will volunteer to teach a class; I have a lot more to learn first though! 

So far, I've attended:

• Piping Calligraphy and Basic Floral Decorations by Gosia Hoot 
• The Basics of Fondant by Lisa Rauchwerger
• Fondant Flower Class by Joanne Bui
• Fondant Modeling Class by Joanne Bui

... and there are other exciting classes like 'Cake Baking' which I plan to attend! I'm very excited about all the classes. I've taken the cake decorating classes offered by Michael's Craft Store, so is some overlap sometimes, but it is good to learn new techniques and refresh my skills.

Cupcakes from the Basics of Fondant class

Figurines made during the Fondant Modeling Class; my relaxed panda and my timid bunny!

Did I mention that I signed up for the upcoming CakeOff scheduled for September 13th at the Domain Hotel in Sunnyvale at 6pm. Come support Cake4Kids; check it out!

Birthday Cake for a Dora fan!

This cake was made for a little birthday girl who loves Dora. 

For the face, the white fondant was colored with copper and brown icing colors to get the desired skin tone. The circular shape for the cake was then cut out using a biscuit cutter. The outlines for the eyes were marked using a black edible marker. White, brown and black icing colors were then used to paint in the eyes; the individual icing colors were mixed in with extract to make an edible paint. Vodka can also be used but extract was preferable for this cake. Black fondant was used for the hair. 

Lesson Learned:

The cake was due in the morning and I worked on most of the cake that same morning. Next time I would start working on the 'face' the night before or earlier so that each layer of edible paint can dry before applying the other layers.

Thanks for visiting today! Don't forget to share pics of your edible 'kreations'. Till next time, "Happy Baking!" 

I look forward to reading your comments!

My Own Little Fairy Tale Characters!

There are so many things that can be done with sugar in terms of cake decorating; the more I learn, the more excited I get! One of my favorite things to do is fondant/gumpaste figurines. I've learned that modeling chocolate can be used as well but I have not had much luck making modeling chocolate. I will work on the modeling chocolate technique some more and will eventually include it in my projects. Rice Krispies are also very good to use as a base in your projects.

My new 'favorite' thing to do is creating cake backdrops. I absolutely love the idea of using a cake backdrop. A backdrop just adds so much dimension to a cake. 'Emily Made A Wish' has done some amazing cakes with backdrops and she also has a tutorial which can be found here.

Here's a cake backdop that I made:

Perfect day for an outing; all dressed up!

Two cake drums were covered with white fondant to create this backdrop. The fondant was allowed to dry and then painted with edible food coloring mixed with vodka.

The bottoms/bases for the ladies were made from rice krispies. The attires and the accessories were made with fondant.

Thanks for visiting today! Don't forget to share pics of your edible 'kreations'. Till next time, "Happy Baking!" 

I look forward to reading your comments!