Petalsweet Peonies in San Francisco

It was just a quick trip to San Francisco...but I was so grateful to have the chance to work with some truly lovely students who created some of my most favorite sugar flowers...the open peony and freesia blossoms! We also happened to enjoy some gorgeous and inspiring Spring weather, even though we could only see it through the windows...many thanks to Richard Festen for hosting me at his fabulous Baking Arts studio - one of my favorite places to teach!

Here are some photos from the weekend...

All the tools and supplies set up at the studio:



Many thanks to the lovely Claudia Castro for taking and sharing the following seven photos:

Dusting freesia buds:



Freesia buds ready for assembly:



Dusting a peony bud:



Dusting peony pistils:



The peony center created with pistils and stamens:



Assembling the peony:





Thank you Claudia!! You are a talented flower maker AND photographer! x

Somehow, I did not get a photo of the gorgeous freesia sprays the students created...but they looked like this spray that was photographed by my dear friend Erin Wrightsman of Nurture Nature Photography:



And here are the gorgeous peonies from class...many made by students who were working with gumpaste for the first time:





And an adorable class photo!



Thank you to all of my wonderful students for a truly lovely class. What a pleasure to meet and work with you all! And thank you Richard for sharing your studio...I can't wait to be back in May for The Wedding Cake Class and additional sugar flower classes in the near future! New dates coming soon...

For more of Richard's fabulous baking, pastry and guest Instructor classes and workshops, please check out the Baking Arts calendar here!

If you are interested in receiving updates about future classes and workshops in your inbox, please subscribe to our Petalsweet Newsletter below...

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Thanks for stopping by! x

Copyright © 2012 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 Peonies in San Francisco

Craftsy Sugar Flower Video Update

Hard to believe, but it's been just about 10 weeks since my Handcrafted Sugar Flowers online video with Craftsy was launched in mid-January...and I cannot tell you how amazing it has been to connect with so many of you via your questions and beautiful photos on the Craftsy platform..and all of your lovely updates and comments on Facebook and Twitter! I'm so grateful to all of you who have registered and followed the Lessons in the class...and also for sharing photos of your wonderful projects! Thank you so much!!

It was my hope you would find the lessons, tips and techniques helpful for the Hydrangeas and Filler Flowers I cover in the video...but also in other flower-making you do on your own! I designed the course to be more of a foundation and introduction to good flower craftsmanship...and hopefully your new skills will transfer easily if you want to try to master new and different flowers!

These are the flowers I taught in the course...Hydrangea and Filler Flowers, along with buds and leaves:



I've happily collected some photos of student work from the Craftsy video and would love to share them with you...and if I have mis-spelled any one's name or you would like me to add a link to your photo - please do not hesitate to contact me via email. I'm more than happy to make changes!

So here we go...

Beautiful hydrangea and fillers mixed with a gorgeous pink rose by Tatyana:



Lovely bouquet by Cutiedoki:



Tammy's beautiful blue hydrangea mixed with a wonderful pink peony:



Bright and fun bouquets by ALdabra:



More of Tatyana's stunning work:



Adorable and sweet little arrangement by Lara (love the pink centers!):



And Ilona's gorgeous flowers mixed with a beautiful peach peony she created:



Tina of Sweet T & Cake used an incredibly fun and vibrant color palette to create her delicate flowers and this fabulous cake:





Carol created these fabulous bouquets...and then was inspired to make some peonies as well! Gorgeous!



Aditi created this wonderful anniversary cake with her stunning flowers:



Heidy's flowers mixed with some beautiful roses she created:



And she also created a beautiful wedding cake with a sugar vase on top filled with more gorgeous flowers:



Here are Evangeline's fabulous bouquets...one in purple and the other in blue! You can find her work at Sweet Sweet Blooms:





These are Mark's amazing hydrangeas with their beautiful leaves:



And one of my students was inspired by the lessons in the class as well as some of my peonies and created her very first wedding cake for her brother! This is Houn's amazing masterpiece:



I just received a lovely comment from Charlotte at Sugar Ruffles who was lovely to share her beautiful flowers...all arranged with a wonderful peony on a fabulous cake! Thank you Charlotte!

I had additional photos to share, but they were sized too small when I copied them over from the Craftsy site, so they were barely visible when they were posted here. I'd love for the following artists to contact me when you can and send me a new photo to share:

* Candianne
* Charismaza
* Love a Cake

Many many thanks to all of you for taking the time to post your questions and comments on the Craftsy platform...it's been wonderful to help you learn some of my favorite techniques and to see your beautiful flowers and projects! I'm continually inspired by your wonderful work...so please keep sharing it with me...

I hope to offer more online videos and instructional materials in the future...and would love to know more about the types of flowers and/or techniques you wish to learn?!

Thanks for stopping by!

If you'd like to know more about my Handcrafted Sugar Flowers video, you can read about it and register here!

If you are interested in receiving updates about future classes and workshops in your inbox, please subscribe to our Petalsweet Newsletter below...

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Copyright © 2012 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!

Craftsy Sugar Flower Video Update

Sugar Flower Classes - East Coast

I just returned from a fun and fabulous week in New Haven, CT, just outside New York City! The lovely and very talented Erica OBrien of Erica OBrien Cake Design just recently opened her new studio in Hamden and invited me to teach two sugar flower classes in her adorable new space!

Cute windows and details...love the outside lights:



Erica shares the kitchen with her sister Jessica...who has an amazing business called The Soup Girl offering delicious homemade soups and light entrees. We were very spoiled to enjoy her food for lunch each day during class...thank you Jessica for sharing your kitchen space!! x



Here's a peek inside Erica's consultation area...she's still unpacking some of her special details for the room, but it's already adorable with her lovely furniture and that fabulous blue hutch:





Setting up for class:



My fabulous students in the Open Peony and Parrot Tulip class:



Southern Magnolias and Gardenias from the second class:



And a few of my talented and adorable students with cute Erica (on the right):



Many thanks to Erica for the wonderful invitation and for hosting me, and for all of your help before, during and after the classes! Thanks to your lovely intern Kalan for all of her assistance as well! I'm very grateful to Jess for sharing your delicious food with all of us...it was amazing!

And to my really fabulous students, and it was such a pleasure working with all of you! The flowers were gorgeous...and you were all so kind and very gracious. Thank you for sharing your time with me! I hope to be back for more classes soon...x

Thanks for stopping by!

If you are interested in receiving updates about future classes and workshops in your inbox, please subscribe to our Petalsweet Newsletter below...

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For more information about our Sugar Flower Online Video Course with Craftsy, you can read all about it and register in this post here!

Copyright © 2012 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 Classes - East Coast

San Diego Cake Show Entry 2012

This past weekend the San Diego Cake Club hosted their annual cake competition here in San Diego. As always, it was a wonderful event with almost 300 entries this year...all for a good cause to raise money for the amazing Ronald McDonald House! Congratulations to all of the winners and all of the competitors!

I've loved being able to participate in this local show over the years...it's so much fun to view all of the beautiful work the competitors display, and I always see lots of cake friends too! Some years I am traveling and unable to attend the show, but this year I knew I would be in town, so I planned my design and set to work!

Here are a few photos from the process...

First making some of the hydrangea and filler flowers and dusting the larger buds:





And now with all of my flowers, buds and leaves ready...it's time to start arranging the topper in Styrofoam. This year I used peonies, parrot tulips, freesia, ranunculus, hydrangea, filler flowers and sweet peas:



A few flowers added (and I changed to a smaller dome of Styrofoam)



A few more added:



And the finished topper! It took me about 4 hours to arrange all of these flowers..I divided it up between two sessions...most of the flowers on Day One, and then filling in gaps and adding the leaves on Day Two. Whew!I loved how it turned out...mostly green and white with just a touch of pink Sweet Peas this year:



Just about finished here...with the addition of two other arrangements, including a large open peony on the lower tier:



I went back and forth about adding a simple bow to the ribbon on the bottom tier...and finally decided it was a YES:



I was thrilled and honored to receive first place in my category of Professional Tiered Cakes! Looking forward to next year...

Thanks so much for stopping by!

If you are interested in receiving updates about future classes and workshops in your inbox, please subscribe to our Petalsweet Newsletter below...

Subscribe to our newsletter


For more information about our Sugar Flower Online Video Course with Craftsy, you can read all about it and register in this post here!

Copyright © 2012 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!

San Diego Cake Show Entry 2012

Petalsweet Sugar Flower Classes {update for January 31}

I'm thrilled to announce several more classes added to my teaching schedule this year...

First, I will be teaching two flower classes at Erica OBrien Cake Design in Hamden, CT in March this year. Erica is an incredibly talented designer known for her beautiful graphic and colorful cake designs (check out her website). She and I met several years ago as colleagues, and have since become wonderful friends and great supporters of each other's businesses. Erica recently relocated her fabulous business from Southern California to Connecticut, and graciously invited me to teach classes at her new studio! These are the only two classes I will be teaching on the East Coast this year, and I would love to see you!

Please see the class descriptions below...and please contact Erica for registration and additional information via her website or(203) 200 - 0350:

OPEN PEONY and PARROT TULIP:
Dates: Thursday and Friday, March 22 - 23, 2012
Location: Erica OBrien Cake Design, Hamden, CT
Time: 10am - 6pm both days



In this two day floral workshop, students will learn how to make two of Petalsweet’s signature flowers, the beautiful, over-sized Open Peony (with stamens) and the fun and fabulous Parrot Tulip. Corresponding buds and leaves will also be covered where appropriate. During the course, students will use modeling techniques to make flower centers, and then use cutters, veiners and specific techniques to create buds, leaves, and the many wired petals needed to form their large blooms. Once all of the components are dry, students will also learn Jacqueline’s signature coloring and dusting techniques, as well as taping, assembling, and finishing touches to complete their flowers. Class limited to 10 students. Tools and supplies will be provided for use in class, and a light lunch is included. Cutters will be available for purchase at the end of the workshop.

THE SOUTHERN MAGNOLIA and GARDENIA:
Dates: Saturday and Sunday, March 24 - 25, 2012
Location: Erica OBrien Cake Design, Hamden, CT
Time: 10am - 6pm both days



In this two day floral workshop, students will learn how to make two beautiful Petalsweet favorites...the Southern Magnolia and the Gardenia! Corresponding buds and both flowers' gorgeous, dark and glossy leaves will be covered as well. During the course, students will use cutters and creamy white paste to create the petals needed for their fabulous Gardenias. In addition, students will also use modeling techniques to create a Magnolia center, and then make numerous, large petals to finish their over sized flower. As time allows, Jacqueline will also share her techniques for making dainty pulled filler flowers. Once all of the components are dry, students will also learn dusting and coloring techniques, as well as taping and assembly to finish their flowers. Class limited to 10 students. Tools and supplies will be provided for use in class, and a light lunch is included. Cutters will be available for purchase at the end of the workshop.

You can see more details and register here...

I will also be teaching a flower workshop at Baking Arts in San Francisco, CA in early April. Richard Festen is an amazing host and classes are held in his beautiful studio in the city:

OPEN PEONY and FREESIA
Baking Arts, San Francisco
April 7 - 8, 2012
9am - 5pm both days





In this two day class, students will learn how to create Petalsweet's
beautiful signature Open Peony (with stamens), as well as the delicate
Springtime favorite...Freesia! Students will use modeling techniques to create their peony center, freesia buds and freesia blossoms, and then make the numerous curled and frilly wired petals needed to make an over sized peony flower. A peony bud and leaves will also be covered. In the second part of class, students will use petal dusts to bring their flowers to life, and finish with assembling a gorgeous
freesia spray and their fabulous peony! Tools and supplies will be
provided for use in class. Class size limited to 10 students. You can sign up for this class on the Baking Arts site here.

Thank you so much...hope to see you in class! More updates coming soon...

If you are interested in receiving updates about future classes and workshops in your inbox, please subscribe to our Petalsweet Newsletter below...

Subscribe to our newsletter


Copyright © 2011 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 Sugar Flower Classes {update for January 31}

Petalsweet Sugar Flower Online Video Course

I'm thrilled to announce my new online video course with Craftsy...Hand-Crafted Sugar Flowers!

In this course you will learn how to make two of my favorite sugar flowers - beautiful Hydrangea, and delicate little Filler Flowers. You've seen them a lot in my arrangements, and I'm so excited to be able to share them with you in an online workshop:



Craftsy is an amazing online crafting community featuring online classes about all different kinds of crafts, including knitting, crochet, quilting, paper crafts and sewing...and now sugar flowers! The site is full of fun craft projects and includes amazing courses taught by fabulous Instructors!

Here's the quick story about how it all came together:

The very talented team at Craftsy contacted me to see if I would be interested in working with them to create an online class as their first Sugarcraft Instructor. I loved the idea of being able to share my passion with as many people as possible..so I said YES! In November I flew to Denver, Colorado to film for three full days with an incredible team at their offices. And while it was A LOT of work, it was also a ton of fun and an incredible learning experience. Here are a couple of photos from the days were were filming:





I had a great time designing this course...especially since it features two flowers I LOVE to create and use! The course is broken down into 11 Lessons, including how to make gumpaste from scratch (many thanks to the fabulous Nicholas Lodge for granting me permission to feature his recipe), as well as how to create hydrangea centers, buds, petals and leaves...and then also pulled filler flowers, buds and leaves! I also included several variations of the pulled flowers so you can choose the version you like the best...I'm a bit partial to the 5-petal blossoms, but the 4-petal blossoms are pretty cute too!

In addition to creating your flowers, the course also includes my tips and techniques for dusting and coloring...and a lesson in my process for gathering your flowers for an arrangement. There are course materials available too, including a list of where you can find the supplies and tools that I like to use and give me great results!

The Craftsy platform is just brilliant:

*I get to interact with you by answering your questions and offering suggestions
*You can share photos of your finished projects for all of us to enjoy
*You can take courses at your own pace
*The courses are accessible at any time
*Your access to the course NEVER expires
*And they are 100% satisfaction guaranteed

You can sign up for my Craftsy course NOW at a special introductory price...I'm so excited to meet you in class!

Click here to sign up!

If you are interested in receiving updates about future classes and workshops in your inbox, please subscribe to our Petalsweet Newsletter below...

Subscribe to our newsletter


Thanks for stopping by...x

Copyright © 2011 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 Sugar Flower Online Video Course

Australia 2012 Update

Just a quick update...outlined below are a few more classes I will be teaching in Sydney, Australia in 2012...the fabulous Faye Cahill has graciously invited me back to her new studio to teach two workshops that will run in late June. If you would like additional information or would like to register for either of the courses, please visit Faye Cahill's site here:

RANUNCULUS - SWEET PEAS - FILLER FLOWERS



Sat/Sun June 23 – 24, 2012
9am – 5pm both days
Class fee: $700

In this two day class, students will learn how to make Petalsweet’s version of the adorable ranunculus flower along with delicate sweet peas and pulled filler flowers. Corresponding buds and leaves will be covered as appropriate. The second part of class will cover coloring and dusting techniques, as well as taping and finishing touches to complete your flowers. As time permits, Jacqueline will demonstrate some of her favorite arranging techniques using the flowers made in class. Class size limited to 10 students. *THIS CLASS IS NOW FULL*


OPEN PEONY TOPPER WORKSHOP



Mon/Tues June 25 – 26, 2012
9am – 5pm both days
Class fee: $700

In this two day class, students will learn how to make a stylized Petalsweet peony that has an open center with stamens, as well as delicate hydrangea and filler flowers, and corresponding buds and leaves. Once all of the flowers, buds and leaves have been created, students will use beautiful petal dusts to add color and bring them to life. In the last part of class, Jacqueline will demonstrate some of her techniques for arranging sugar flowers, and students will then arrange their own flowers on top of a single tier. Class size limited to 10 students. *THIS CLASS IS NOW FULL*

Many thanks to Faye for the wonderful opportunity to teach at her new studio! I'm so excited to be returning to Australia! Hope to see you!

Also, as of this posting, there are only a few spots available in the classes I am teaching at Whimsical Cakehouse outside Sydney earlier in June next year. Please contact Linda or Guy Harden right away if you are interested in attending! Classes in Melbourne will be posting soon!

If you are interested in receiving updates about future classes and workshops in your inbox, please subscribe to our Petalsweet Newsletter below...

Subscribe to our newsletter


Thanks for stopping by...x

Copyright © 2011 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!

Australia 2012 Update