May 23, 2011

Wilton Fondant and Gum Paste Molds - An Initial Review

Hello crafty people out there!  Wilton has recently come out with some brand new products for us cake makers and decorators.  Specifically, I'm talking about the PCD tools (Punch, Cut, Decorate) tools and the fondant and gum paste molds (which you see in the photo above).

At first when I went down the aisle of my usual hobby store I noticed they had shifted everything around and I couldn't find a thing.  Then I saw all these plastic purple do-dads with the classic Wilton seal on them and thought "What the hell are these things?"  After a few minutes of perusing (ok, ok, I can peruse for hours!) I determined that Wilton wanted to get on the band wagon of mixing paper crafting with cake making... and they are about 2 seasons too late in my opinion.

Wilton's PCD tools are basically taking a shape punch to a scrapbook paper sheet, except it's a sugar sheet.  Now if their sugar sheets are anything like Cricut's icing sheets, ohhhh boy, prepare to be frustrated.  Since I haven't worked with any of the PCD tools, I can't say much about them.  Only that I didn't get that gasp of excitement when I saw them (or when I saw finished cake examples using PCD tools either). 

On the bright side, seems like the cake world is loving these new fondant and gum paste molds.  I am looking forward to trying them out, one thing to remember is to lightly dust the molds to prevent the fondant from sticking and tearing.  Some of the details are quite....detailed.  Then again, I remember awhile ago I was using a chocolate mold and fondant to create a 3D shape...ahhh, similar but different I guess.

Tip:  To make sure your fondant or gumpaste doesn't stick to the mold, dust the mold with cornstarch first before you press your material in them.  You will probably need to re-dust every time.

May 22, 2011

Children's 1st Birthday Cake - Gumpaste Daisies and Chocolate Ribbons

Children's Birthday Cake - Daisies and Chocolate Ribbon
I found these wonderful ejector cutters for gum paste and fondant that add a bit of embossing onto your shape.  They are very easy to handle and a nice alternative to smooth simple shapes cut out from regular fondant or gum paste shape cutters.  Plus, you can get really sharp pieces with them, unlike if you are using regular cutters. 

Tip: roll your gumpaste out very thin and be careful when you handle they cut out shape, they are quite delicate!
Hopefully you can see the embossing on the daisy petals.


The inside of the cake is a chocolate layer on top of a white layer cake.  Pink buttercream inside and outside finish is pink buttercream as well.  Daisies are gum paste and ribbons are chocolate fondant.  For the small daisies I had to make a separate batch of yellow icing to pipe the yellow centres in.  Voila!


May 6, 2011

Baby Spring Lamb With Cherry Blossom Tree Cake and Recipe for Not Too Sweet Buttercream Icing


Ahhh, my little girl is all grown up.  Already a year has gone by and I must admit it was infinitely easier than my first child.  Maybe it was the fact that I knew what to expect this time around, or maybe I just got used to the sound of crying babies.  Anyways, I'm sure nobody wants to hear a blog post of how sappy a mom can get about her children growing up!

This cake was a lemon cake with lemon filling, covered with white buttercream and decorated with fondant.  The Lamb was made out of chocolate melted into a 3D mold.  Heavy little thing too!  I was worried it would sink the cake in.

What To Do With Store Bought Icing That Is WAY Too Sweet?

I love cake icing that is not too sweet, like cakes that you buy with whipped cream instead of buttercream are like heaven to me.  But I have found many (if not all?) store bought icings and frostings are just way way way too sweet!  I normally use Wilton's Icing but have found that if I use that inside and outside the cake it's just too sugary for my taste.  So I make my own:

Buttercream Icing That's Not Too Sweet!
- 1 cup of vegetable shortening, room temperature
- 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened
- 2 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 cups sifted confectioner’s sugar
- 4 Tbsp whole milk

1) With an electric mixing, mix shortening and butter together until smooth.
2) Add sugar slowly into mix while still beating.
3) Add the rest of the ingredients and mix at medium speed for about 2 minutes or until smooth.
4) Keep at room temperature if you are going to work with it.  Refrigerate in an air-tight container and re-whip when you need to use it.

Happy Baking!

May 2, 2011

Baby Cupcake Swirl Hat Knitting Pattern


By popular demand, here is my easy-peasy sweet version of a cupcake hat! Cute as can be, this baby cupcake swirl hat is knitted all in one piece and is a great pattern if you are just learning how to knit or want a quick project to complete for a baby gift.


By the way, I just wanted to say thank you so much to all of you who have been checking out my projects at The Createry Shop. The interest and feedback has been wonderful and so motivating, I hope to be able to create more wonderful things for you all!

Knitting Pattern Details:
- Pattern is e-mailed in PDF format with easy to follow step-by-step instructions.
- Hat is knitted all in one piece and is seamless.
- Skill level: Easy.
- Size: (0-9months, 9months to 2yrs, 2yrs+).
- Knitted hat brim measures approximately when completed (14 inches, 16 inches, 18 inches) in circumference and has stretch to fit comfortably on baby head.
- To get this pattern e-mailed directly to you, just click on the button below!

Materials Needed For This Pattern:
- Yarn
- Yarn Needle
- Circular Needle and Place Marker
- Pom Pom Maker

This is a knitting pattern in PDF document format! The pattern will be e-mailed to you within 24 hours of receiving payment, so please ensure that you provide your correct e-mail address. Please contact The Createry Shop if there are any questions or help needed with the pattern.

Copyright © 2011 The Createry Shop
All rights reserved.
The Createry Shop patterns are protected by copyright. You may not rewrite, redistribute, or resell the patterns in any form. Patterns are for personal use only and are not for mass production. You may not sell the items made from the patterns without written permission from The Createry Shop.

I'm on Facebook! "Like" my facebook page to get updates on my latest projects or visit www.thecreateryshop.com:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Createry-Shop/152482784795510

buy now

May 1, 2011

Easy Shrug Naturally Nautical Knitting Pattern


I love that nautical look! Stripes of navy and white topped off with metal accents always add sophistication and style to any look, and it makes me think of being on vacation! This naturally nautical shrug is perfect for those getaway moments either on a beach or boat, or a quiet moment at home. This pattern knits up very quick using large size knitting needles and is an easy pattern to knit, perfect for beginner knitters.


Knitting Pattern Details:
- Pattern is e-mailed in PDF format.
- Easy to follow, step by step instructions.
- Skill level: Easy.
- Size: One size fits most. Finished knitted piece measures 18 inches x 40 inches.
- You will need straight knitting needles, yarn, yarn needle, and an optional decorative broach.
- To get the pattern e-mailed to you directly, click on the button below.

This is a knitting pattern in PDF document format! The pattern will be e-mailed to you within 24 hours of receiving payment. So please ensure that you provide your correct e-mail address. Please contact The Createry Shop if there are any questions or help needed with the pattern.

Copyright © 2011 The Createry Shop
http://www.thecreateryshop.com/
All rights reserved.
The Createry Shop patterns are protected by copyright. You may not rewrite, redistribute, or resell the patterns in any form. Patterns are for personal use only and are not for mass production. You may not sell the items made from the patterns without written permission from The Createry Shop.

I'm on Facebook! "Like" my facebook page to get updates on my latest projects or visit http://www.thecreateryshop.com/:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Createry-Shop/152482784795510


buy now
 

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