Midnight in Paris

This three-tiered display cake was created for an event for a school fund-raiser, themed "Midnight in Paris". With blue and purple hues, couture fashion, and floral inspirations I set out to create to capture Paris in a cake. I wanted the elements to feel slightly old-world while remaining classically clean. 

The iconic Eiffel Tower was tricky for me to conceptualize and execute. I'm much too fluid and organic for rigid architecture, although I do appreciate it in its own place. I decided on a loose rendition, with painted bronze and silvers.

I had so many flowers to choose from, so I just picked a bouquet of tulips, hydrangeas, roses, lavender, and poppies. I wanted the main selection to be arranged under the Eiffel Tower, all sitting on a tier designed as a striped Parisian hat box.

My client specified a Cartier pocket watch, and I added the chain that wrapped around the base of the tier. I wanted the details and the old-world sliver in the watch to be mirrored in the "Paris" sign underneath. The hand painted silver details on the sign give that classic French feel. I then tied in the floral element on each tier to bring in some continuity among so many different elements.

And just because I love my sugar pocket watch, I'll post a close-up here. I examined picture after picture of antique watches of all kinds to develop my design for this one. So, no it is not really a Cartier, but don't you think it could be? 

I'm pretty sure I could indulge myself in intricate, and quite impractical, details all day long. But, alas, cakes are hardly everything there is in life. For that I am thankful. Life would be tedious and then quickly consumed it this was what it was about.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Matthew 6:19-21

To God be the glory,

Carrie

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The Cat in the Hat for Norah!

Well, friends, a year has past since I put my cake shop on hold! I can't believe how time flies when you are having fun...or trying to survive! What a great year. A heart-wrenching and trying year, but a great one. And now that we are on the other side of just trying to navigate the chaos of adoption, our family is back to enjoying little things like game nights and family outings...and I have energy to make cakes!

I don't take for granted this gift of relative calm in our lives. God is merciful and gracious as He works out His purposes in us. He is our Creator and knows how we work inside and out. He knows what we need, even down our expression of creativity. It is such a blessing for me to have an artistic outlet and I absolutely LOVE working with all of you!!

I love working with little Norah, who is turning 4! I have had the privilege of working on three of her birthday cakes over the years. I love her excitement as she recognizes familiar elements and takes in all the intricate details. This year she chose "The Cat in the Hat"...so fun!

I basically went through the book and pulled out as many elements as I could make. I wanted to start with the most iconic pieces...although I wish I would have had time to make the pink polka-dotted dress, too. Of course, the actual hat had to be in there somewhere, and the most logical place was the cake itself. I know, I didn't think outside of the box on that one, but it's a thread of predictability in the rest of the crazy Seuss world.

I thought about doing "Thing 1" and "Thing 2" but they are so over done. I went with something I hadn't seen before.

I decided to try stacking the elements like in the book, even though I am super concerned about the 45 min drive it will have to endure! 

And of course, I had to have the kite on there, with the string winding around the side of the cake. I chose to use the "Things" number circle for Norah's name. I think it ties in well.

So, Happy 4th Birthday, Norah! I am so thankful that I can be involved in a small way in celebrating the life of such a sweet girl. It's a blessing in so many ways! 

Hope you love your cake!!

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Sweet Cakes...All Five of Them!

For all my readers who haven't heard, we just adopted a sweet three-year-old that we named Joshua. The transition has been long and challenging...okay we are only three months in! But, still, our nights are sleepless and days are filled with doctors and paperwork. Joshua, along with our other four, Ethan, Kate, Annie and Caleb, is such a joy. Yes, that makes five. I never imagined I'd  be a mom to five amazing children! We are honored that God has lead us to Joshua. We are humbled that God is daily teaching us through this precious child.

In case you get the idea that with caring for five children, homeschooling, maintaining the house and running an extremely time-consuming cake business (whew!) I am some super-time-managing-wonder-woman...I'm not. 

That is why I need to take a break from cakes.

At least for this year.

Even though my dear husband would support and encourage me no matter what I decide, I really don't have the capacity to take on 30-40 hour cake projects. Yikes! It is hard to believe that I spend that much time on these creations, but yes, it is pretty consuming.

I am not sure what the future holds for Flour & Fondant. Feel free to keep checking in from time to time. At least for the rest of the year I will not be accepting orders. Thank you all for your support and business. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with each of you. I count it a privilege to have been able work on cakes for your families and friends.

Thanks and I hope to see you all next year!

Carrie 

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