When the cats away....

LOL.  Since my hubby has been out of town visiting a friend most of the weekend, I used the time to spend some quality time with my new cutters.  (Sssh, don't tell!)  :)  I ordered from Ecrandal...a fantastic family owned cookie cutter company who does AMAZING work!  Their website is http://www.ecrandal.com/, if you're interested.  They make beautiful, sturdy copper cutters that will last forever with a HUGE variety of shapes and sizes available. 

First is the flower bouquet.  I loved this one!  It's a really large cookie, which gives me room to work with larger fondant flowers.  This one cookie with maybe some small hearts or flowers would make a wonderful boxed set.  I did the flowers in a hurry, as I'm always anxious to see the finished product! 

I also ordered two new corset cutters.  The ones I've done previously have more of an elegant feel to them, while I think these are fun and playful and sexy.

And I got this weekend's cookies all packaged up.  I think I enjoy packaging almost as much as I enjoy decorating!  :)

We've finally gotten a break from the ice and the cold here today, so its been a bit of yard clean up from our ice storm last week.  It's finally safe to attempt to walk across the yard!  And of course, still stalking the postal carrier, hoping my cookie swap cookies will be here soon!  :)

Valentine's

...is just around the corner!  Be sure to get your order in this week.  Surprise your sweetie with a delicious treat!

My wonderful friend, Diane, turned 50 last week, so I just had to mail her out some cookies, done in her favorite colors. 

And of course, lots of work on Valentine's Day cookies.  This first picture has a cookie that I entered into a contest, so pop on over to Haniela's and vote for mine!  (Or your favorite....I guess!)  :)  There's a Wilton set as a prize that I want to win for my daughter, who has finally decided to start decorating cookies!  Finally!  :)

I'm really excited....I should be receiving my cookies from our cookie swap this week!  I will post them as soon as I get them.  I think our mail carrier is starting to think I have a crush on her....I've been staring longingly at her all week, hoping she was bringing my cookies!  :) 

Have a great weekend!

Cupcakes Galore

What do you do when everything is under an inch or more of ice and its treacherous to even attempt to leave your house?  Well, if you're me, you bake!  When everything outside is cold and miserable, I loved being holed up in my warm kitchen with a good cup of coffee and something sweet in the oven!

So yesterday, after baking my hubby his very favorite gingerbread cookies, I thought it would be nice to get some Valentine's Day cupcakes done.  I had so much fun playing with these!!!  I bought these adorable wrappers last year and just didn't have an occasion to use them.

And I love chocolate icing with red accents...it just really makes everything pop!

I've wanted to do this "sealed with a kiss" design on a cookie, but I think it's just as adorable on a cupcake!

And I would hate to waste such adorable cupcakes, so I packaged them up in my new boxes to send with my hubby this morning to give to his customers.  I really love how they look.  I think they make such a sweet gift!

Keep warm and safe, everyone!

Ice, Ice, and More Ice

We've spent the last two days covered in this awful layer of ice.  Last night, we had another ice storm, on top of all the ice we already had.  We spent most of the night waking up once an hour to some type of crash or another.  When we got up this morning, it looked like a tornado went through the yard.  Tree branches are breaking under the weight of the ice, sheets of ice come sliding off the roof of the house at any given moment (making leaving and entering quite stressful!).  I probably have no right to complain, as I have friends who are dealing with more snow than I want to think about.  But last night, as I was crawling out of the ditch by my mailbox - where I had slipped into the ditch and couldn't find one single place to put my foot to climb out, not my finest moment - I would've given anything to trade the ice for just a few inches of snow!

So, today is a great day to curl up with a cup of coffee and get caught up on my blog!  I worked on a couple of Valentine treats over the weekend.  My daughter found me THE cutest little Valentine jars.  They were just screaming to be filled with cookies, so I caved.  The light pink ones are iced in Strawberry Royal Icing and are soooo delicious!

I also had some extra cupcakes over the weekend, and I saw quite a few pictures online of cupcakes iced like this, to look like roses.  What a fantastic Valentine's idea!  I'd love to give credit to someone for the idea, but I've seen sooo many pictures that I wouldn't know where to start with finding the original! 

We bought boxes with inserts that hold four cupcakes, which I think would make the perfect gift.  Wrapped up with a Valentine's ribbon, it's a pretty presentation.

Well, I think I may attempt to start cleaning up the mess in my yard, although I'm not sure I have shoes equipped to deal with the ice.  If only I had a pair of cleats!  Wow, that has to be the first time THAT thought ever crossed my mind!!!

Have a good day, stay warm and safe! 

New Valentines Cookies

I've been going through a little bit of cookie withdrawls, so I decided to work on a new Valentine's Day set.  I wanted to incorporate all the things needed for a 'romantic evening'!  :)

I belong to a really awesome group on Flickr.  We're doing a cookie exchange, so I also worked on those cookies.  And while I am just dying to post them, I can't until the recipient receives them....and I still can't until everybody gets their cookies and we guess who made what.   But it's killing me not to post 'em!  :)

We have a new venue (or new to me) in town called the House of Bounce.  I've done quite a few cakes for parties there recently, but never an actual bounce house, so this was new!  From the pictures online, it looks like a great place to have a party.  Heck, I wouldn't mind having an hour myself to play in there!  :)

I'm really looking forward to this next week.  I have some interesting cake and cookie orders, so it should be a fun time!  Check back for pictures!  :)

Slooow January....

January has always been my very slowest month for cakes.  It gives me time to get my taxes done, get caught up on house work, all things I don't really want to do!  :)  So needless to say, I dread January!  LOL!

I did have a couple of fun orders last week.  One was for Leah's 25th birthday...I really liked how the cake came out.  Her husband was really great to work with.

I also did some cookies for a baby shower.  I added the little flowers as a last minute touch.

And a cute soccer themed cake for twins.  I don't know why soccer is always a hard theme, but I really like the way the soccer ball turned out on this one!

And since I have some spare time, I've been able to play around with some hand made cards.  I love Valentine's Day...all pink and red and hearts and cuteness!

Have a great week!!!!

Change of Location?

I've been offered a very interesting opportunity, to combine resources with an existing bakery in the Clintonville area.  If I decide to do this, I'll be working out of that location from now on.  I would love some input from my existing customers, future customers...well, anyone really!  :)  Would Clintonville be more/less convenient for you as far as pick up?  I know it's a long haul for many of you to get out here to me, although I sincerely appreciate that you've been willing to drive so far!  Another advantage would be the retail location...we'd actually have items for sale individually, so you can pick up one or two or a few cupcakes or cookies, a slice of cheesecake, that type of thing. 

I would really love any feedback you'd be willing to share!  Feel free to comment here or email me directly at brenscakes@yahoo.com

Since I'm still recovering from this never-ending cold, I haven't been spending alot of time in the kitchen.  Okay, NO time in the kitchen.  But it seems long overdue to post a pic or two, so here's a couple from Valentine's last year.  We're digging into the archives!  :)

I sent these to my daughter when she was in her advanced military training.  I figured she'd love to see any pattern other than camoflauge!

These were mailed down to the grandkids last year:

I love Valentine's Day goodies.  They're so fun to create.  While I haven't been doing any actual work, I do have plans for some really cool cookie sets for this year, so maybe by next week I'll have a NEW picture or two!  :)

Enjoy your day!