Sunday, 30 September 2012

Cake Central Magazine


If you don't subscribe to Cake Central Magazine then you will have missed my cake....on the cover. I literally squealed with excitement when I found out. It is such an honour, especially when you see all the amazing cakes in this issue.
The picture is by Rebecca Fennel Photography
I have to wait a few weeks until I can share the original photos, so for now, you can see the cover page.
xxx

Wednesday, 26 September 2012

Ruffled flower tutorial

A wordless tutorial I made on Instagram for ruffled flowers. You can follow my daily antics on Istagram @neviepie.
xxx


Tuesday, 25 September 2012

The Cake and Bake Show

I spent last weekend at The Cake and Bake Show in Earl's Court. I had a fabulous time and meet lots of lovely ladies at my demonstrations. Thankyou everyone who came and said hello, it made the days very special. I did take some pictures but they were with my phone so they are not great, but I'll share them with you anyway!




















This is the classroom area where I demonstrated cake painting techniques. Don't worry it did fill up. And Here am I ready to start.



















I bought some Crumbs and Doilies cupcakes which were delicious. Thechocolate are by Paul A Young who is a gorgeous man and his chocolate are genuinely the best I have ever tasted. 

These are some of the cakes entered into the edible beach competition. The one on the left won it's category. I really liked the sticks of fondant rock on the other!






















These are two of the many show cakes. The wedding cake is by Rachelles, who I meet at the show and she is lovely. The moody mermaid is by Dan P Carter, she was very rock and roll.


Finally there were loads of lovely goodies to purchase. I bought some cake pop holders to use for my cookies and Edd Kimber's new book, which was a special show preview. I found these butterfly cutters on Baker and Maker's stand for all those who had asked about the cutters I used for my butterfly cake. I didn't get my set from here but they look fairly similar. The sprinkles were amazing but I managed to contain myself!
There is already new dates on the Cake and Bake Show website for the next show which will be in Manchester.
xxx





Thursday, 20 September 2012

Book club cake of the month... September




















Well, after our unofficial pub meeting, we had our first post Summer gathering. We had read Money by Martin Amis.
 Let me start by saying, I really hated this book!
The book's protagonist is an example of eighties excesses, he is obsessed by money, he drinks, pops pills, abuses women and is the most unsympathetic character I have ever read.
Our group fell into three camps. Those who hadn't finished (and I suspect would never pick up the book again) including a friend going through chemo who had to stop because it made her literally sick. Those who had finished and thoroughly disliked it. And finally, those who hated the first half of the book, but felt that the second half brought redemption and reached a very satisfactory (for them) conclusion.
We gave it an average of 5.5, and with that I have no further wish to discuss it!


Our book club meetings are always a great excuse for fantastic nibbles and this months host did not disappoint, she had made a fantastic roasted pumpkin dish with a gorgeous aubergine dip, as well as the usual cheeses and cold meat platters.(I managed to take a quick pic with my phone and Instagram it before anyone tucked in.) Next months host has warned she intends to lower the bar with some substandard crisps! 


I was pondering what I could make to take to our meeting. I had thoughts of making fondant pills to go on top of cupcakes but then it hit me... millionaires shortbread! I love this sooo much, but my waist line doesn't! So I never make it, but it was the perfect confection for a book about excess. 
There is nothing more disappointing than going to a cafe and having a slice of millionaires shortbread, only to discover it is topped with cooking chocolate...bleurgh. So I made certain I had some good quality chocolate for this beauty. I then used my favourite technique for decoration at the moment. I splashed gold paint all over it!

I have to admit that even writing this post and looking at the pictures is making me hungry!
xxx

Previous official book club cake of the month;
August 2012 (unofficial)
May 2012
April 2012
February 2012
January 2012