So proud...

My son, Matt (17) is an amazing artist. Amazing! He continue's to "wow" us on a regular basis, each piece better than the last! He's truely gifted... it brings us such joy to see him excel in something he truly loves!

Last night Matt was honored by the MISD (McKinney Ind. School District) board of directors, recognizing his achievement as an award winner in the 2008 Texas Youth Art Month artwork competition. His artwork was chosen over 100 entries from the district and throughout the state of Texas. His piece (along 2 others from MISD) will displayed during the month of March, in the Capitol Rotunda, down in Austin. We're going down this weekend, for a reception and a "meet and greet" with the Governor! What an amazing opportunity - we couldn't be prouder!

His piece is an airbrushed self portrait (he's self taught with the airbrush, and I think this is his 2nd or 3rd piece that he's done!). Also - I'm posting his most recent pencil drawing, titled "girl on bike". Way to go Matt!!

Lions and cheetah's and flamingo's - oh my!

It was a animal themed weekend! Here's some of the cakes from the weekend, cow prints, cheetah prints, zebra prints, froggies and flamingo's!!

I'm published!!

I had a few people tell me that my cake from the OSSAS (Oklahoma State Sugar and Arts Show) was featured in the latest issue of American Cake Decorating magazine... well I hadn't received my copy yet - but I did yesterday... and it's in there! ACD is the largest circulating cake decorating magazine in the US. There were probably 80+ cakes in this competition - amazing cakes... so to have my little cake in here, is extremely flattering! Happy day!! (It's the cake at the top right corner, I know my image is a little fuzzy/crooked, but that's it!)

Rejuvinated!

Just got back from 4 days in SoCal - spent a couple days in Del Mar/La Jolla, did some shopping and ate at some fantastic places! Lovely town! I thought when I won the lottery - I wanted to live in Newport Beach, but I don't know, I'm really lovin' Del Mar! Also spent a day and night in Laguna - another top contender for the best place to live! Enjoyed a very swanky dinner at The Montage - WOW! It was tough packing my bags this morning, to catch our flight home... see why!

Views of Laguna Beach

Off to SoCal!

Whew! What a weekend! I busted it this weekend - wedding cake, grooms cake, reception cake, anniversary cake, and a few other orders, and I'm pooped! Here's a couple of my favorites from the weekend!

Heading off to Southern California tomorrow w/ Mark for a few days, he's got work, I'm going to play! We've been living in Texas for awhile now, but having grown up in Southern California, I still miss it terribly! I'm looking forward to a couple days off... do some shopping, go to my favorite sushi place, hit "In and Out" burger and talk a walk in the sand... I can hear the ocean already!

Happy Valentines Day!

Hearts and hugs! ...and happy birthday to my sister-in-law Tandy - Big 40! Go ahead and eat your chocolates and kiss your sweetie! Treat the ones you love!

50 Most Beautiful Wedding Cakes

The new issue of Bride's magazine, is on newstands now - if you're a bride in search of a cake, or inspiration for your cake - you've got to check this out! Not only are these AMAZING cakes, but you can vote for your favorite and a chance to win one of these beauties! Visit: http://www.brides.com/brides/cakes1


Athough I have my own favorites, Collette's "can-can cake", and Kerry Vincent's "flamenco skirt", my vote is Rebecca Sutterby's! ...for personal reasons! I have been a huge fan of Rebecca's work, since I started decorating cakes. She has inspired many of my designs - I just love her style... I was fortunate to go to Kansas this past fall, to take a class w/ Rebecca. She's not only a talented decorator, but she's so genuine and down to earth (and an great cook!)

Anyways.... check out the pictures, and vote for your favorite - good luck! I've got to pick up my copy today!

My weekend off!

What a beautiful weekend it turned out to be (75 degrees in February!) Unfortunately weekend ski plans had to be rescheduled, I had no cakes booked this weekend (well only one!) - so I enjoyed a weekend off! ..it's been awhile! Enjoyed lunch with my husband, down on the square, walked around and poked in a few shops (I love the "square"!) ...washed the cars, and took Champ for a couple walks. If every weekend could just be like this! Back to reality - lots of cakes this weekend! Speaking of...

If you're recently enganged and looking for wedding ideas and local vendors, the Collin County Bridal Show is going on at the Hilton Garden Inn in Allen this Sunday (http://www.4starevents.com). Local vendors from Collin County will be there with ideas, tips and you can register for free giveaways! I am not participating in the show, but I do support local vendors who are. I'm a strong advocate for "keepin' it local"! You can even participate in the "Groom's Cake Decorating Contest" - I may be there scouting potential cake decorators! Enjoy!

Cake Overload!

Is there such a thing?! I think I had to much cake "input" yesterday, woke up at 4:00 this morning and couldn't get back to sleep! (I was dreaming about cake... not uncommon for me!)

Anyways, during Superbowl, (which was an amazing game by the way!) Food TV was running their "Wedding Cake Marathon" during the Superbowl! They ran about 6 or 7 "Challenges" which I had recorded. So last night, I sat and watched all of them! Some I had seen before, so I skipped through, and a couple new ones I hadn't. One was the 2006 Oklahoma Sugar Arts Show, which I attended (didn't enter). So it was a fun watching that. The other was the 2005 show. Unfortunately, FoodTV did not attend last years event, due to schedule changes (I was there and entered). It was interesting to see some of the competitors over the past few years, and how their work had evolved! You've really got to step up your game for this competition, it's probably the largest wedding cake competition in the country - and brings out the best of the best!

Speaking of Oklahoma, ealier in the day coincidentally, I had been on line doing some research for this year's show. Each year, the wedding competition has a theme. This year's them is:

"The Language of Flowers"... Eh. (I liked previous categories: Hollywood Glamour, Cakes Around the World, Wedding Gown Designs) ...but the Language of flowers? This is going to be tough! So, of course at 4:00 this morning, this is all I could think about!


So many nights, I lay awake and think of "cake"! Especially if I have to come up with a new design for an upcoming cake, or trying to visualize a new design, or even a new recipe. I know, I'm obsessed! ...but you know, I'm OK with that! ...I also know I'll be takin' a little nap on the couch this afternoon! Hmmm I wonder if "Platinum Weddings" is on this afternoon....

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue...

The custom comes from an Old English rhyme, "something old, something new, something borrowed, something bue, and a silver sixpense in her shoe". Each item in this poem represents a good-luck token for the bride. If she carries all of them on her wedding day, her marriage will be happy. "Something old" symbolizes continuity with the bride's family and the past. "Something new" means optimism and hope for the bride's new life ahead. "Something borrowed" is usually an item from a happily married friend or family member. Blue has been connected to weddings for centuries. In ancient Rome, brides wore blue to symbolize love, modesty, and fidelity. And finally, a silver sixpence in the bride's shoe represents wealth and financial security.

Christy is not a "traditional" bride (though she may have used something borrowed, old and new!) she and her fiance Chris were married in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico and last week held her reception at the SMU faculty club. Christy wanted her cake "pool blue" to match the dresses her bridesmaids wore. I think it came out beautiful! I a little bit of "tropics" in the winter have me looking foward to warmer sunny days (margarita's on the beach don't sound so bad either!) Congratulations Christy and Chris!