Catch Up Time!

Well... it took me getting my gallbladder removed in order for me to slow down enough to catch up on on my website and blog!  Geez.  Here is the latest fun from Pink Box Bake Shop. 

Thank God I have been blessed with AWESOME friends like Lois, Patty and Tracye AND an awesome husband...John... (my north star)... if it weren't for them, I don't know what I would have done to get the Harley cake out the door...(dad-gum gallbladder...who needs you anyway!!)

Cake was dark chocolate with dark chocolate fudge filling. 

Here are also some recent cakes to go out the door that have been in the throes of the delay since getting the retail shop and classrooms open at Pink Box Bake Shop.

This one was for Nanda and Marlon Vick... He's in the Gas field...which is appropriate as he is a GAS!

Nanda... what a wonderful lady she is... he is truly blessed to have her.  For those of you wondering what the heck this contraption is...its called a "re-boiler".  What a lot of fun to make ... NOT.  Cylinders are not as easy as it looks.  This cake was a Yellow and Chocolate Marble with Creme Bouquet buttercream filling... Thank you Tracye for being there for me... and also my wonderful HUBBY John!!

Now Open!!

Hi Everyone... Pink Box Bake Shop is now OFFICIALLY OPEN!!

Stop in and say Hi!

We are located on 103 B Cozzi Circle (off Navarro by Venturas Tamales).

We will offer specialty cakes, wedding cakes AND Baking Supplies for those of you beginning in the sugar arts and supplies to those who have been playing in it for years.  We have luster dusts, fondants, fillings, colors, molds and MORE!!

So stop in:

Tues-Friday 9:00am-5:30 and Saturdays 9:00am-1:00pm

Or shoot me an email
pinkboxshop@yahoo.com

Blessings
Kim

Its Official!!

Pink Box Bake Shop has officially taken the step and secured the location for the new shop. 

We have been truly blessed to have found a GREAT location with plenty of parking, blessed to have found an AWESOME landlord (God Bless him & his brother) for all they are doing to contribute to our success. An awesome church family.  The best Plumber we could ever have been blessed with .... Pookie from Pookies plumbing, who is not only fair in his pricing, but is the most patient and professional plumber John and I have ever met... since he has had to figure out the enigma of pipes and sample ports *sigh*.

Generous and wonderful friends who have pitched in, picked up a paint brush and helped me get my kitchen officially painted. (Thank you Lois and Tracye!)... even though they were anti-mint green... so design change.  (Gotta please the customers lol) 

Most of all I have been truly blessed with the most AWESOME kids and AWESOME husband!!  With their support, none of it would ever have happened!  Love you guys.

So, a little about the shop.

First off the website for it is http://www.pinkboxbakeshop.com/

The shop features an area for me to create Cake Art with big windows so you can watch if you want.  The front part is a retail and classroom portion to teach beginners to advanced classes in cake, details, flowers you name it and offer supplies for our love.  We will learn everything there is to learn.  Maybe when things get up and going we an invite some big names to grace our prescence.

PBBS has a fun and whimsical side with its light pink walls, hot pink, green and chocolate accents (sounds weird but looks GREAT!).  We are set to open the Cake shop by Oct 15 (thats the goal at least), but the retail portion is getting worked on a bit more.  So hoping before Christmas... if not then Januaryish.

The retail portion will have a book and DVD area with video of cake shows and techniques playing. 

With Gods blessing, we are geared to having a place where everyone can come together and share our love of cake, cookie and candy art!!

So keep in touch.  The business has offically been blessed!  Now its up to God to do what he wants with it.

S

Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend

Diamonds ARE a girls best friend, especially if you are getting hitched!  Here is my latest adventure in cake for a wonderful lady tying the knot in October. (Good Luck Crystal).

The cake was a yummy RED VELVET with CREAM CHEESE filling and iced in CREAM CHEESE ....yummm!!

The box was made by using fondant panels that were cut just a bit larger than I would need and dried for 3 days with a bit of Tylose kneaded in to help it harden (aka Gumpaste), then "gently" cut to size after the cake was baked, torted, filled and iced.

The lid was made by using the same size pan (10x10)  I was going to bake the cakes in.
It is made out of gumpaste which was rolled out and dried a top the pan that was doused heavily in cornstarch on top and criscoe on the sides to prevent lifting.

I wish I could say the diamond is made of sugar... well, I tried... 9 times!!  But working with sugar is sooo TEMPERMENTAL!!  It was either not cooked to the right temp so it turned into a big blob, it was too humid and sticky, it turned amber colored....and each time it takes about 30-45 minutes to cool on top of the 30 minutes it took to get the sugar measured and cooked!!  ARGHHH!

So...the next formal sugar class that is offered I AM TAKING!!!

Icing Smiles

Sometimes we get a bit wrapped into our own little world and we miss that there is a world out there bigger than us . 

I want to share something that has inspired me...

There is an awesome lady out there starting a Non-Profit Organization called ICING SMILES (http://www.icingsmiles.org/Site/Welcome.html) This is a place where we can, as bakers and cake artists contribute our talents to those families who have children that are very ill. 

The mission is stated best by this following quote :
"The smiling face of a child can light up the darkest room and warm even the coldest heart. When a child is seriously ill, sometimes a smile is the thing they need most. That is why we are so excited about the mission of Icing Smiles. Birthdays can be very difficult for children who are enduring a difficult illness in the hospital and receiving a very special cake helps children feel especially loved. Everyone loves to be surprised with a cake on their birthday. It is a tradition that is loved by children and adults alike. The gift of a cake that is specially designed for each child can make a tremendous difference in the life of a child when they need it most. We are thrilled to be partnering with Tracy Quisenberry and her team of bakers to brighten the lives of children being treated at Nationwide Children’s Hospital."
- Ryan Wilkins, Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio

If you are interested in volunteering your time, or teaming up with me to volunteer.  Please let me know and I would be happy to partner with you.!!

Ahoy There Matey!

Hi everyone!!

It's been a while since I have posted...but here it is.  I know, I know... I'm such a slacker!

Well here is my latest cake fun... all for a good friend...someone who is worth their weight in gold.  Her son had his 21st birthday... so she left me in charge (with creative liberty I might add) of the cake!!  Ohhh myyy.

So this is what I came up with.  She told me he was a tattoo artist and loved pirates.  What better combination than a skeleton pirate ...lookin scarrry and cool at the same time.

Only specific request was ... it had to be strawberry cake.  So it was... with white chocolate truffle filling.  YUM!!

Only thing is... this was cake number "2"  as cake number "1" decided to give me grief and fall apart, due my terrible support system. (the arms didnt have support so they fell off) .. soooo cake number 2 had to be thrown together without any sleep starting Midnight on Saturday night.... and delivered to the birthday BBQ (catered by the Mustang....YUMMMM) by 1pm Sunday.

But God works in mysterious ways... Cake number 2 looked a heck of a  lot better than #1... so all worked out for the better.

...only drawback is that when I took this picture, I forgot to add the other treasure chest full of jewels spilling out....and more of the edible gold coins.... *sigh*  lack of sleep... brain fried... all a terrible combination.

Blessings for looking!

Below are pix of the disaster  ... my sweet love is trying to help me "Rigg" it so it will stop splitting down  the middle... to no avail.  I had to scrap it and start baking and re-doing EVERYTHING at midnight *sigh*

My Baby Turned 5!!!

Here is the youngest of my children.  Jess.... she goes off to school this year..((yikes)).  So she decided she wanted a "Princess Swim Party"... is that an oxymoron or what??  Swimming and Princess??  

But before we could swim in our princess attire... we had to celebrate our family tradition.  "Teddy Bear Pancakes" ... every birthday we all wake up (early sometimes) and make teddy bear shaped pancakes.  The kids get to load it up and decorate their own personal teddy head with whipped cream, cherries, chocolate chips, sprinkles... anything I can find in my baking cabinet that can stuck on a bear head and eaten.

Here are their masterpieces!!!

All the wonderful people who came to join us at Jess's birthday...and a Pinata (she called a Yadda)

And here is the Princess herself.  (Of course I had to make her a cake... what kind of mom would I be if I didn't)

Graduation Time

Hi... its that time of the year.  Kids becoming kids no more.  Now productive members of society going off to college and making their parents proud. 

Here is my latest bit of cake fun.  Kassidy's Graduation Cake.  For a wonderful young lady who is into Musicals, Hot Pink, Shopping and Fun.  She is graduating from St. Josephs and going on to TLU so I tried to incorporate the colors of her past, future and present onto her cake.

St. Joe's Royal and White
TLU's Black and Gold
and her favorite color HOT PINK (gotta love that girl!!)

She also loves the musicals Grease, Hairspray, and High School Musical (Zac is soooo dreamy... LOL)
so I added a bit of that into her design.

And her two favorite kitty cats.

Kassidy was also encased in sugar.  Yup... that sugar.  Fondant/Gumpaste to be exact.  I used a tutorial by Lorraine out of the UK which was AWESOME and easy to follow.  Also a wonderful friend (Tracye) who does exceptional sugar figures was my beginning inspiration and taught me the basic how-to's.  Thank you TRACYE!!!

Just like anything... I make a preliminary sketch which is always subject to change and improvement as the art comes together... it started with this sketch and turned into ...

Without futher ado... here is my art.

A bit of bling on the Marquee announcing her graduation.  That was made with Piping Gel and Hologram glitter.

Here is Kassidy on her phone bragging to her friends about earning her Diploma and going off on her own!

Thanks for checking me out!

Latest Cake Fun

Hi everyone!! Welcome back!!

Here is the latest round of cakes that I have had the pleasure to play with.  The first one was for a wonderful lady's retirement.  The flowers are made with a 50/50 fondant gumpaste mix and color washed to add depth of color (although my junky camera can't show it)

The next cake shown was for my sons best friend and Bakugon fan.  My inspriation came from Claudia of Cakerific (who is my newest favorite blog to visit).  She does phenominal work.  If you get a chance stop by there and check out her ART!!  It is jaw dropping.  Of course her version puts my cake to shame (I proudly wear the cone of shame next her)

Mine (pix left)

Hers:  http://cakerific.blogspot.com/2009/02/carzy-cool-cakes.html

No comparison... hers blows mine out of the water!

(Someday I may grow up to be like her... but it wouldn't be until I'm well into my 100's)

Newest Class Information

We will begin our newest class session for the Wilton Course I cake decorating classes at Hobby Lobby beginning May 6th and meet for 4 Thursdays from 6pm-8pm. 

We will also begin our Wilton Fondant and Gumpaste class on meeting consecutively for four Saturdays starting on May 8th from 1pm-3pm

To sign up for the classes, you may go to Hobby Lobby and inform the cashier that you would like to register.

June courses are TBD  (to be determined).

Blessings
Kim

Latest Cake Fun

Here is my latest cake fun.  I really enjoyed making the Slumber Party cake for my daughters good friend Faith as a birthday gift....as my sweet children were happy participants in the detail work that pulled off the look. They made fruit roll ups, popcorn, donuts, sushi, and pizza.   I'm a proud Mama.

The cake was my Rainbowlicious Tye Dye Vanilla Cake.... the inside was tye dyed in the colors of the rainbow.

Next is a cake for a friend of a friend.  It was a grooms cake.

Oh, let me not forget my latest baby cuppies.

Back In the Swing

Well... here is my latest fun.

I have begun teaching classes at my local Hobby Lobby... the Wilton Cake Classes.  Needless to say.. this is my first time teaching this class and I think I made a complete and utter fool of myself.  I sooo feel sorry for the students.  I do know one thing... I think I made their first day of class an UNFORGETABLE moment.

Anything and everything went awry. 

First... our course books didn't come in.  So I had to make copies of the first lesson for a full 15 person class.
Second... I clumsily took down the beautiful curtain that hung behind me by stepping on it as I was tightly sqeezed behind my "demo" table.
Third.... I kept losing my tools or misplacing them as I was demonstrating... (I felt so disorganized which is not like me)
Fourth... I was trying to show how to pipe colored piping gel...lost my scissors and tried to use my nail to "cut" the plastic... which then shot across my apron... upon the floor and upon the wall behind me.

Thank God most of them laughed... a few may think I'm nuts and might not come back for the 2nd class.  I hope I'm not this entertaining next week.... I wanted to climb into my tool box and hide so badly. *sigh*

Needless to say...  it's over.... now ... who's up for round TWO?

What Inspiration!

I just got back from the Capital Confectioners Cake Show "That Takes the Cake".  What an awe inspiring, amazing experience.  It is amazing the talent that is in the world and how each person has their own "cakin' personality"!!

I also had the most awesome privilege to meet some big names from the Cake Challenges like  Michele Foster, Laura Kitchens, Mike McCarey, Nicholas Lodge, Earlene Moore, Kathy Scott (who is a big hoot in person as well as on the cake challenges).  And yes, I did take pictures that I hope to make into 8x10s and put them up in my upcoming cake supply shop!

Best of all... I got to hang out with my buddy Toni who lives in Oklahoma (Sooners fan... but we wont hold that against her)  HOOK 'EM HORNS.  She did the cake below "Mater" from the movie Cars.  I'm so proud... she placed 2nd in her division WAY TO GO TONI!!

What WAS I THINKING!!

Okay... so maybe I bit off more than I can chew with this cake show entry.  Everything that could go wrong... did.  Her arms fell off (the Rice Krispy treats actually).  Her head fell off.... the fondant is tearing.... her hands look funky.... but she has GREAT LEGS!! ha ha.

I found this sculpture here in Victoria... and HAD to see if I could emulate it.  Well... right now she looks like Fiona from Shrek... sort of... okay shes just green.... and alien looking...that is a compliment.

Here are some progression pictures.  Pretty scary looking huh.??  When and IF I ever finish it... I will post the completed picture... I think I am going to use IT as a practice airbrushing dummy.

**Sometimes we just gotta know when to fold 'em and walk away.... with this one I'm running.

Thanks for stopping by.

Valentine's Day

Whew... the Valentine's rush is officially over!  All cookies are delivered to the kids' school.  Chocolate dipped strawberries delivered to a lover of strawberries in Edna.  All is well... so as I take a moment to relax I realized.  Ohhh I have extra cookies undecorated that need to be loved on.  So here went my  first "un-distracted play time".  Boy did it feel good. It has been a loooooong time coming!.

Now... Its time to tend to my kitchen ... WHAT A MESS!! LOL

Enjoy!

Cookies for the kids school... quickie fondant covered with chocolate drizzles.

 Here are the cookies I actually got to sit down and play with.  They are Royal Icing atop Lemony Sugar Cookies.

Welcome!!

I am attempting to figure out this blogging concept.  I THOUGHT I was high tech... but like anything.. I love a challenge... so here I go.

I am hoping that this blog will open up doors to those who love to cake in the Victoria, Texas area.  My dream is to have people of all levels...beginners to advance meet and learn from each other in our love of the sugar arts.

I am also hoping that I will be able to provide supplies and items that are not easily obtained in this area to those of us who would love to pursue our love and hone our inner sugar artist.

*** In March I will begin teaching the Wilton Courses... beginning with Course 1.  If you are interested in taking this class, please send me an email. There will be conscecutive classes available in the future along with specialty classes that teach specific sugar art techniques. ***
Blessings to all
Kim