Flowers, Rocks, Dirt and Stuff

This was my first cake of the year and what a way to kick off 2012! The birthday girl asked for a 'cake with flowers, rocks, dirt and stuff' so there you have it. This lovely little cake combined many of my favorites things...candy, cookies and meringue mushrooms! Oh how I love making these little mushrooms!

I realized I blew it big time though. As they were lighting the candles, both my husband and I looked at each other and thought, why oh why did I not make a rock fire pit to put the candles in? Ugh. Next time. So someone, please ask for a 'flower, rocks, dirt and stuff' cake.

I promise, I still bake.

I'm just super lame and don't blog apparently (or maybe that makes me super awesome?). Either way, here's a quick synopsis of what the cyber world missed out on in 2011.

This (not so) little beauty is a fond memory. So simple, so delicious. Vanilla cake with buttercream, strawberries and royal icing flowers.

 

This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed home. This little piggy had roast beef and this little piggy had none. And this little piggy went WEE WEE WEE all the way to my tummy! I don't remember what the cake was, but I do remember that the petting zoo company that had come for this party were jaw-dropped over this cake. Buttercream icing, marshmallow feet, snout and ears, Laffy Taffy tail and chocolate frosting with oreo crumbs for the mud. 

Ok, so I usually frown on the use of non edible materials in my baked good, but I remember the  birthday cake that I got a new Barbie out of as a child, so I knew my daughters would feel the same. These cakes were for a Monster Ball(et) themed birthday for my 3 and 5 year old daughters. We had to combine Lady Gaga and ballet, sooooo....yea. And yes, those are marshmallow pasties you see on the left. 

Not the fanciest cake, but it did the trick! My son was born in 2010, five minutes after the Bears kicked a field goal to beat the Packers and yes, we had the game on in the delivery room. It was amazing. So for his first birthday, we hosted the rematch at our house. The Bears didn't fair out well this time, but my son did, getting his first cake and a face full of chocolate. 

For those of you who don't know, this is Shawn the Sheep. I love this little Wallace and Grommit style cartoon, but haven't seen him on TV lately, so maybe it was a small following. But a darling little 2 year old was a fan as well, so I got to make this funny guy. Made out of my favorite zucchini cake recipe and cream cheese frosting, it's possible he tasted even better than he looked!

I hadn't made a train in a while, so when my friend needed one for her 2 year old at the last minute, I was more than happy to oblige! I've become a bit of an expert on making these things....

MONSTER TRUCK RALLY!!! Seriously, this cake went to a party where they had mini monster trucks for the kids to ride in. It was awesome. And, I was informed that the 4 and 5 year old attending were super excited with their blue poop (sorry, TMI, but come on, that's funny!).

And that wraps up 2011! I've had some awesome cakes to make already in 2012, but I will give those individual posts. I promise! :)

I'm gonna be on TV!!

Ok, well, my cake will be on TV.  And maybe not even TV, more likely straight to DVD.

A friend of ours was the production designer on a kids show and they needed a cake so he called little old me!  I was so happy - so excited - so unbelievably terrified.  I know the expectations of this guy, and of TV production in general, and so I wasn't sure I was up to par.  I mean, come on, I live in Los Angeles, the city of creativity and endless talent.  But after seeing the cake and then getting this screen shot from my husband, I felt pretty darn good about myself!

And actually, this isn't the first cake I've made for him.  I made 6 huge cupcakes several months back for a Russian 'Ikea' commercial, but being the silly girl that I am, I forgot to take pictures!  When I get the footage, I will definitely post that.

Honestly, this is the first time I've looked at one of my cakes and thought, that's a real cake.  Not some cutesy-mom-made creation, but the real deal.  So, snaps for Rebecca!!!

Oh, and as a side note, my daughters' birthdays are coming up, and my soon to be 4 year old was so in love with this cake, that she declared she wanted this cake - with eyeballs.  Yep, eyeballs.  I love that child for so many reasons.