Petalsweet Preparing for ICES Part I

This summer the ICES Convention is being held in San Diego! For those of you not familiar with it, the International Cake Exploration Societe is an organization of over 4000 cake decorators, sugar artists and vendors from around the world!

I became a member earlier this year to have the opportunity meet and learn from other decorators and artists, and to plug into the ever-increasing network of people who love to do the same things I love to do. I also decided that I would attend the convention this year because it is so close to home. Many of my colleagues and cake friends are traveling to participate in the convention as well, and I am really looking forward to seeing everyone.

In addition to the many demonstrations offered and the vendor shopping, the convention boasts a room to display the work of the attendees. Anyone can bring a sample of their work....it's not a competition, but an opportunity for folks to share their craft. And because the logistics are very much in my favor this year (no long and precarious trip in a car or plane)...I have registered to bring a cake to add to the display!

I thought I might post a few photos along the way...I'm feeling pretty organized at this posting, and hopefully the process will continue to move forward smoothly. Enjoy the photos and let me know what you think as the cake takes shape! I'd give you a look at my final sketch, but that would spoil the surprise...



Sneak peek:



Filler flowers, freesia buds and hydrangea centers:



Leaves and more leaves:



White ranunculus flowers ready for final dusting:



Thanks for stopping by...and stay tuned for more photos!

Copyright © 2010 by Jacqueline Butler of Petalsweet Cakes. Content of this blog (including text, photographs and layout) is the property of Jacqueline Butler - please respect copyright laws. If you want to link to my blog, or post any of my photos, please contact me - it would be great to have the opportunity to connect with you. Thank you!

Petalsweet Preparing for ICES Part I

Sugar Flower Ranunculus and Gardenias

Although sugar flower peonies are still in very high demand, the flower that is currently holding strong in second place is the ranunculus! I have had many inquiries about this adorable flower, and have been so happy to have the opportunity to both make them and teach them!

I recently worked with two lovely and talented students for a full day of sugar flower private instruction. On the curriculum...gorgeous deep pink ranunculus flowers, and the always elegant gardenia.

Getting started...all the tools and supplies in place:



Work in progress:



The color palette for the day:



Dusting flowers and buds:





All of the beautiful ranunculus flowers:



Fabulous student work:



All of our completed flowers and buds:



Adorable and happy students:



And how cute is this? My student sent me a few photos of her gardenias...a beautiful close-up with the leaves attached:



And one of her gorgeous sugar flowers sitting among REAL gardenias...it looks amazing:



Many, many thanks to my wonderful students...it was a great day filled with laughter and some fabulous flower-making!

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Copyright © 2010 by Jacqueline Butler of Petalsweet Cakes. Content of this blog (including text, photographs and layout) is the property of Jacqueline Butler - please respect copyright laws. If you want to link to my blog, or post any of my photos, please contact me - it would be great to have the opportunity to connect with you. Thank you!

Sugar Flower Ranunculus and Gardenias

Sugar Flower Ranunculus Cake Topper

I hope you are having a wonderful summer! I recently finished another sugar vase cake topper...this one was filled with white ranunculus, peonies and filler flowers, green hydrangea, and a variety of little buds and leaves. The final bouquet was in a color palette of white and different shades of green...perfect for a summer wedding cake!

Here are some of the flowers in progress:



The sugar vase in progress (I made a base too, but later decided I did not want to use it in the final design):





Styrofoam ball "glued" into the vase with royal icing...I arranged all the flowers in the ball:



And here is the completed topper:



Thank you so much for stopping by!

Copyright © 2010 by Jacqueline Butler of Petalsweet Cakes. Content of this blog (including text, photographs and layout) is the property of Jacqueline Butler - please respect copyright laws. If you want to link to my blog, or post any of my photos, please contact me - it would be great to have the opportunity to connect with you. Thank you!

Sugar Flower Ranunculus Cake Topper

Modern Peony Cake

I traveled down a busy and bumpy road this past June...one filled with many twists and turns that also took me away from all the fun things that make up Petalsweet!

One of the biggest turns looked like this:



And the amount of time involved was staggering! There is nothing quite like moving, right? But all is finally settled and in place, and I am grateful to have time to create again!

I wanted to create a design that was fresh and modern, and I actually found these before I drew my sketch:



And I knew I wanted to use some of these:



This is the final result...two tiers covered with chocolate fondant, and decorated with over-sized sugar peonies and a scattering of leaves. Grosgrain ribbons finish the base of the tiers:



Thank you for stopping by!

Copyright © 2010 by Jacqueline Butler of Petalsweet Cakes. Content of this blog (including text, photographs and layout) is the property of Jacqueline Butler - please respect copyright laws. If you want to link to my blog, or post any of my photos, please contact me - it would be great to have the opportunity to connect with you. Thank you!

Modern Peony Cake