Cakes for all Occasions

New Tiffany Blue Cake

noreply@blogger.com (sskcraftshop @ Hooks, Needles and Brushes) — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:47:00 +0000

Hi Everyone!

I am very busy teaching and making cakes so thought will quickly drop in and share one of my cakes that I did recently. It also has cake-pops, cookies and lollipops :)

I will add some more cake pics as and when I get time..till then Happy Cake Decorating!!

SSKakes

Giveaway (Closed) and Review on Jeweled Wedding Cake By Marina Sousa

noreply@blogger.com (sskcraftshop @ Hooks, Needles and Brushes) — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 16:04:00 +0000

Hey Everyone,

Today I am so thrilled to post pic of my latest wedding cake Vintage Jewels that I made over the weekend in fact finished the whole cake on Tuesday using Fondarific fondant and Gumpaste . I named it Vintage Jewels because I used lot of jewels on it that I learnt from Marina Sousa's Jeweled Wedding Cakes class on Craftsy.

Many of you know what Craftsy classes are and some of you who don't know must be wondering now, What are Craftsy Classes?

Craftsy classes are affordable online classes on different subjects like sewing, quilting, cake-decorating and many more that you can view in the comfort of your own home, whenever you want. You buy the class and it is yours for life.The best part you can watch it whenever and as much as you want, It never ever expires!! You can also interact with the instructors and other students through the platform by asking questions while watching the course. You can take video notes at a particular step of class so you can revisit your notes. You are provided with class material such as resource guides and instructions. You can also get a sneak peek before you buy the class, so you know what all you will be taught in that class...That's not all if still you are not happy the will refund you however I can bet that will never happen.

In my last post I had mentioned something vaguely about reviewing the class.

Well I was very fortunate enough that Craftsy offered me a class to review and as soon as I saw Marina's class Jeweled Wedding Cakes, I knew had to do it. I just love her cakes. She is so talented and her work is simply amazing. I never got the opportunity to take her class due to finances but thanks to Craftsy and their affordable classes I was able to learn fro Marina Sousa :). She shares amazing tips and tricks through the entire class and if you follow her along you will end up making a cake just like her. I wanted to do something more from what all I learnt from her so my cake is different from hers but most of the techniques I learnt are from her class. So sugar lovers go ahead and check out some amazing cake classes craftsy is offering from renowned cake-decorators like Colette Peters, Marina Sousa, James Roselle, Lauren Kitchens and others and I am sure you will love every minute of it and you wont regret the money you spent. You can check out all cake classes here. All the other crafter who enjoy different hobbies like I do can check out various different classes here.

If you have any questions on how I did a particular thing that was not from the class pls ask and I will be willing to help you however for all the jewels and techniques pls enrol in Marina's Class and you will learn a lot more.

OK now lets do the fun part Craftsy has agreed to offer one free class to one of the crafty person. How can you be that lucky person pls read the rules below and scroll the form to make sure you filled in all details required. Giveaway starts today 10/25 and ends 11/02 CST. Winner will be notified the following day.
Craftsy Winner is no. 23 Brenda . I have emailed you pls reply back to get your link for free class..Thanks everyone for entering.
Leave comments I would love to hear from you.

Happy Cake-Decorating and All the best,
SSK

P.S Do not copy any images. Craftsy and Jeweled Cake Image copyright Sympoz Inc. Vintage Jewel Cake copyright by SSKAkes.

Craftsy Review

noreply@blogger.com (sskcraftshop @ Hooks, Needles and Brushes) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 19:31:00 +0000

Hey Everyone,

I am so excited Craftsy had given me 2 courses to review i.e Marina Sousa and James Roselle. I am almost done making a cake for review which I will be posting soon on here with my class review...stay tuned.

Happy Cake-Decorating!!
SSK

Lambeth cake practice

noreply@blogger.com (sskcraftshop @ Hooks, Needles and Brushes) — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 21:10:00 +0000

Hi All,

I am truly hooked to Lambeth Cake Decorating and have been practising some. This art needs really lot of practice and I think I only have achieved 10% of it. I work on one border again and again till I don't master it. Here is the collage of my work..:)

Keep Piping,
SSK

Toothpick Roses on Cupcake.

noreply@blogger.com (sskcraftshop @ Hooks, Needles and Brushes) — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 14:57:00 +0000

Hey Everyone,

Trust you all had a great weekend. Few months ago in fact almost a year ago I had seen really miniature roses done on a cake by Kathleen Lange. I had met her and I just love love her work and a very sweet person to talk too. Inspired by her miniature roses she does on toothpick, I gave it a shot. I must let you know it is not a easy task however I will keep practicing till I perfect it.

What are you guys up-to..keep in touch.
SSK

Waffle and Bacon, Egg and Toast Cake

noreply@blogger.com (sskcraftshop @ Hooks, Needles and Brushes) — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 19:33:00 +0000

Hey Everyone,

I wanted to share few more cake pictures that I did recently and had great learning experience while making these. The pictures are Waffle cake with Maple Syrup and Egg, Toast and Bacon..Let me know what you think.

Happy Baking,
SSK

Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (sskcraftshop @ Hooks, Needles and Brushes) — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 13:44:00 +0000

Check out this great giveaway for Silicone Molds for cute kawai stuff at http://juliesbits.blogspot.com/p/six-wonderful-silicone-molds-with.html?showComment=1340372521102

Love,
SSK

Sugar Flowers!!

noreply@blogger.com (sskcraftshop @ Hooks, Needles and Brushes) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:15:00 +0000

Hey Everyone,

As promised I am sharing the pics of my gumpaste flower's. I created a collage instead of uploading too many pics....:)

Love,

SSK

Hello!!!

noreply@blogger.com (sskcraftshop @ Hooks, Needles and Brushes) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:10:00 +0000

Hey Everyone,

I hope everyone had a great St. Patrick's day and enjoying the Spring. I love springs especially when the garden starts to bloom. I have been missing for more then few days from my blog as I had some classes to attend and had to go to Georgia (ISAC). I had a great time. Currently, I am in the process of reviewing some DVD's and hope to post the pics by weekend or early next week.

Will post pics soon..till them take care and enjoy.

SSK

Are you going to ICES Convention.

noreply@blogger.com (sskcraftshop @ Hooks, Needles and Brushes) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:13:00 +0000

WIll you be guys going to ICES Convention to Nevada this year!! I am so upset I won't be able to make it as have invested too much in classes. ICES Convention are so much fun, I really hope to go next year..Registration for the convention started today.

I am sure all my friends will have fun at the convention, except me :(

So are you going, will you be displaying a cake..what are you plans.

Love,

SSK

Spring is almost here!!

noreply@blogger.com (sskcraftshop @ Hooks, Needles and Brushes) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:07:00 +0000

Hey Everyone,

Can you believe it Spring is just around the corner and so are my cake-classes with some great people like chef Nicholas Lodge. Ms. Lauren Kitchens and maybe also with Ms. Kathleen Lange ..the lambeth master. I am so thrilled to get started . I also saw this cool technique by Susan Trianos called Tufted billow weave and I am totally in love with it. I am super busy with some cake-orders too and have a great news to share but will have to wait till end of March...doing a happy dance. I will also be soon doing few book reviews in between.

So what are my fellow cake-decorators upto...:)

Love,

SSK

I am missing from here again!!

noreply@blogger.com (sskcraftshop @ Hooks, Needles and Brushes) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:59:00 +0000

Hey Everyone,

I am so so sorry for not blogging but I am so very busy with my classes that I am not able to post as often as I want however, I promise I will make an effort to do from now on. I am super excited to visit Atlanta to take classes from Chef Nicholas Lodge and get PME Master Certification done. I will be doing all 3 courses required from PME for certification...wooohoooo. Also, I do another class with lovely Lauren Kitchens this time at ISAC...Now only thing on my list is to do classes with Ms. Kathleen Lange.

BTW I just got my Art of Royal Icing book from Eddie Spence that I ordered and I must say he is just incredible.

Take Care and Will post all the pics of my class soon.

SSK

Hello!!!

noreply@blogger.com (sskcraftshop @ Hooks, Needles and Brushes) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:05:00 +0000

Hey Everyone,

It's been quite somewhile I posted anything here. I have been very busy with classes however had to write a quick note here. I will be attending Chef Lodge classes next year which are also PME Certified now. I am doing all 3 levels which means I will get Master's Certificate from PME...:)

I can't wait to get started next year...what are you guys upto....do drop by a comment would love to hear back from you'll.

Love, SSK

Fall in Gumpaste

noreply@blogger.com (sskcraftshop @ Hooks, Needles and Brushes) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:07:00 +0000

Hey Cake Buddies,

I wanted to share a picture of the my fall gum paste arrangement I did with Chef Nicholas Lodge at ISAC. This was such a fun class and enjoyed and learnt so much with chef lodge. He is an awesome teacher and I will be saving some more money to take another class with him.

Let me know what do you think.

Happy Cake- Decorating,
SSK

Fall in Gumpaste with Nicholas Lodge

noreply@blogger.com (sskcraftshop @ Hooks, Needles and Brushes) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 19:01:00 +0000

Hey Everyone,

It's been a while since I posted as I am very busy with my classes and orders. I had some cake orders from friends and family which though was very tedious helped me save some cash. So while I managed to save some cash I am heading tomorrow to Atlanta to learn Fall in Gumpaste with Nicholas Lodge at ISAC. I am so excited to be doing the class with him..it's like dream come true..woohoo :).

I will post pics once I am back on Monday also a new book review next week..until then have a great weekend with your family.

Happy Baking,
SSKCraftshop.

Back from ICES Convention 2011

noreply@blogger.com (sskcraftshop @ Hooks, Needles and Brushes) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 16:54:00 +0000

Hey Everyone,

I am back from ICES Convention 2011. I really had a great time there and made some new friends. Attended 9 demos which were like packed with tips . I can't tell you how happy it made me feel to meet and speak to some well known cake designer's, it was like a dream come true.

I will post the picture of all the cakes that were displayed. They all were simply gorgeous. Below is the picture of the my cake that I displayed at ICES convention 2011, North Carolina. The fondant used was sponsored by Fondarific , love their fondant and so much eager to try their gum-paste and sculpting chocolate they have available now..can't wait to try for out for upcoming events.

Let me know what you think.

Happy Cake-Decorating,

SSKCraftshop

Cake Convention

noreply@blogger.com (sskcraftshop @ Hooks, Needles and Brushes) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 18:54:00 +0000

Hey Everyone!!,

I am very busy with classes and working on my cake design for taking it for cake convention for display. I will be on and off my blog for sometime...I am around just busy, will be back blogging by next weekend..hopefully.

Are you coming to the ICES cake convention...let me know, maybe we can meet.

Love,

SSKcraftshop

A Year of Cupcake Review

noreply@blogger.com (sskcraftshop @ Hooks, Needles and Brushes) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 20:07:00 +0000

"A Year of CUPCAKES" is yet another amazing book written by great sugar artist - Geraldine Kidwell. This book is purely dedicated to various designs and themes related to cupcakes only. We always wonder can we and should we decorate Cupcakes..well after you grab a copy of this book you will definitely want to design your cupcakes just as some of the great ideas and designs shared in this book.

The author has given detailed description on her cupcakes while she has also collected some pictures and thoughts by other cake-designer's. The designs of other designs gives you brief description on how-to achieve the results of their cupcake designs.

The book is divided into 12 chapters i.e from January to December and in each month they have divided by occassions, spring, wedding etc. The book also includes patterns and suppliers list in the end.

Once again the author has provided a great book for cake-decorators. Regardless, what level decorator you are this book is a must have.

ISBN:9780764331985
Book can be purchased at Schiffer Books and Amazon.com

Picture copyright Schiffer Books

Keep Baking n Decorating,
SSKCraftshop.

Brush Embroidery Cake

noreply@blogger.com (sskcraftshop @ Hooks, Needles and Brushes) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:22:00 +0000

Hey Everyone,

Hope everyone had a great weekend. I finished a brush embroidery cake yesterday and thought will share the pictures. Let me know what do you think.

Love,

SSKCraftshop

Cakes for All Occasions by Geraldine Kidwell

noreply@blogger.com (SSKcraftshop) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 07:26:00 +0000

Geraldine Kidwell is a very known cake and sugar artist and it rarelt may happen that someone who loves cake-decorating may not be familiar with her. "Cakes for All Occasion" by Geraldine Kidwell is a book that you would love to have in your library. We always have parties, baby-shower, birthdays and wonder what cake design should we do and how...well this book is an answer to your questions.

The author has some amazing cake-projects in this book along with her expertise in explaining how-to do it. The book is divided in 6 main chapters with topics such as
Celebrating A New Baby
Toddler to Pre-Teen
Teen Celebrations
Wedding Celebrations
Holidays
The Golden Years
Each of these main topic has 2-3 projects so total 18 projects that you can work on depending on occasions. I love all however my favorites are Angelic toddler , Something Blue and Honey Do Box as I have some occasions where they fit perfectly and I am sure I will be using each of the projects in future too..
So whether you are a professional cake artist or do it at home for fun, I am sure you will love this book for the projects, beautiful pictures and detailed explanation from a cake-expert.

ISBN:9780764329043
Book can be purchased at Schiffer Books and Amazon.com

Picture copyright Schiffer Books

Keep Baking n Decorating,
SSKCraftshop.

Review: Cakes to Dream On

noreply@blogger.com (SSKcraftshop) — Fri, 06 May 2011 04:44:00 +0000

"Cakes to Dream On" by Colette Peter's are mostly considered as cake-decorators bible. This book has some absolutely gorgeous and stunning presentation of crooked cakes which Colette is know for.

In this book the author takes you through "How-to" at the beginning of the book followed by the cake pictures that the author has created. I am a huge fan of Colette Peter's however I would say this book serves as a master class for people who are either very experienced or have taken classes from her to understand the techniques or are very very creative and good in reading and understanding the pictures. The book is not at all written by keeping in mind a novice or intermediate decorator.

Other thing, there are templates provided in the book however that was another part I am not happy is getting it enlarged on heavy paper which I dont think a normal deigner or learner would have option of doing it at home if she decides to start designing a cake. You will need to plan all this before you decide to decorate. I personally like to decorate when I am in mood rather than plan it.

The cakes recipes and icings are not anything different then most books would offer. Infact I know some books who have some amazing cake and icing recipes in it.

Finally the decorating part where I think she should have taken more time explaining in detail such as painting with colors. airbrushing, cake-sculpting. These areas are just touched upon with an assumption everyone would know about it which is not true not atleast for someone like me. This book would be great if you are a master yourself or have learnt from master's already.

Pros: Great pictures, ideas

Cons: Lacks information and written with advanced decorators point of view

Overall: Nice Book

Author: Colette Peter's.

ISBN:9780471214625

Book can be purchased at Amazon and Wiley.

Picture copyright Wiley.

xoxo,

SSKcraftshop

Muppet Cake with Lauren Kitchens

noreply@blogger.com (SSKcraftshop) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:16:00 +0000

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to share pic's of the Muppet Class 101 I attended of Lauren Kitchens. Lauren is a regular competitor and gold medalist on Food Network Challenge. She is an amazing teacher and I am so happy that I registered for this class. All the money I have been saving for this classes was worth it. I forgot my camera to take along with me however managed to take pictures when I got home though due to heat it was not in great shape. Check out and let me know what you think.

Love,
SSK

Book Review:Cakes by Design

noreply@blogger.com (SSKcraftshop) — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 18:58:00 +0000

"Cakes by Design" was published long back when I was not at all in cake-decorating. However I was very curious to read and review book from then and now and see how cake-designing or making flowers explained. I must say I am very much impressed with this book. Even though the book doesn't have whole lot of colored pictures on a high-quality paper (I did not care) the instructions and explanation is too good. Infact some flowers and cake-designing techniques are explained really well and in detail. The authir also has showcased some of his own cakes and explained how to get those intricate and beautiful designs and detail on your cakes. I totally love this book and I think the author did a fab job in explaining.

About the Author: Scott Clark Woolley teaches New York City's most popular sugar art and cake decorating classes and is the acknowledged master in the field. With Michael G. Farace, he created cakes and decorative pieces for numerous notable corporate and private clients, including Sotheby's, The Silver Palate, Glorious Food, William F. Buckley, Jr., Angela Lansbury, Phil Donahue, Caroline Kennedy, and many others. Scott Clark Woolley lives in New York City. Michael G. Farace died in 1998.

ISBN: 978-1-58567-333-9

Can be purchased at : Amazon and Overlookpress.com

Pictures and Author Bio copyright: Overlookpress.com

Thank you for the review copy.
Bake and Decorate- SSKCraftshop

Review: Field Guide to Candy

noreply@blogger.com (SSKcraftshop) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:57:00 +0000

Field Guide to Candy, a handy pocket reference to more than 100 recipes, complete with serving suggestions. Who wouldn't love to make these irresistable recipes. The book has some amazing color pictures with step by step instruction on how to create these mouth watering candy. The book cover's most of the recipe for candies however the only issue is the book is not written keeping a beginner in mind especially if someone who has not tried making one. I personally attempted 2 recipes however failed in understanding what was going wrong. The book includes at the end Table of Equivalances, Metric Conversion and Common Substitution at the end of the book.

About the Author: ANITA CHU is a graduate of Tante Marie’s Professional Pastry program and a former baker for Bittersweet Chocolate Café. Her first book, Field Guide to Cookies, received praise from Slate, the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food, the San Francisco Chronicle, chef and author Mark Bittman, and Entertainment Weekly. She lives in San Francisco.

Pros: Good pictures and lot of recipes for someone who may be experienced.
Cons: Book not written keeping a novice in mind.
Overall:Nice book

ISBN: 9781594744198

Picture and author bio copyright Quirk Books.

xoxo,
SSK

Book Review: Candy Construction

noreply@blogger.com (SSKcraftshop) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:54:00 +0000

I am totally loving this book, when I had actually asked this book to be sent out I had just thought that it will be book with some simple candy projects however the projects in this book are way to cute and great for even kids to do. I did this project class with mom and kids together and it was so much fun.

The author has some amazing recipes, tips and techniques on various material that can be used to make this fun edible craft project. The book includes 6 chapter and Introduction and Candy Construction notes. You are taken through various projects that you can also make with store bought or home made such as Candy construction site, Fudge Brownie Stream Train, OuterSpace, Pirate Ship, Fairy Tale Castle, Board Games, Candy Sushi to name few and many more.

I am totally loving this book for some cool projects it involves which even kids will enjoy trying.

About the Author: Sharon Bowers is the author of Candy Construction, the bestselling Ghoulish Goodies, The Lazy Way to Cook Your Meals, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Cooking Chicken (both by Macmillan), and co-author, with David Bowers, of Bake It Like a Man(Morrow). She writes an award-winning grilling column for Cabin Life magazine, and is a former producer for the Food Network’s website. She lives in New York City with her husband and two sons.

Pros: Lovely ideas and projects throughout the book

Cons:None

Overall: Good book

ISBN:9781603425483

Books can be purchased at Amazon and Storey Direct.

Enjoy!!!!

SSK