Just Let it Flow

A client ordered this cake for his wife's birthday. All he said was, "She's an artist, fashion designer, painter, and seamstress. Come up with something!" As I set out to start on a cake, I had a sketch drawn and somewhat of a vision in my head, but nothing too specific.

I usually have it planned out in detail for the most part, but this cake was different. I just couldn't quite grab hold of the inspiration I knew it needed. A dress-form manican with a piece of fondant fabric across the chest is what I had in mind...but it needed something more.

Despite my blurry vision, I started. (Sometimes as I get going, the inspiration just develops naturally. I was believing for the best :)

I filled my cake layers, sculpted the dress form shape, then covered it with fondant.
Now what? Hmmm....



I began flipping through fashion magazines trying to get inspired. I began to envision the cake with a raw piece of fondant fabric roughly pinned up, maybe in a flowery fall print. (Ooh yeah! I was going somewhere.) But what type of fabric? I kept flipping pages, hoping to find a print or color pattern I could fall in love with. Nothing.

My vision? Still blurry.

I opened my bucket with leftover fondant colors from past cakes. I found a ball of purple that caught my eye so, "Why not?" I said to myself. I pinned it up to get a preview. Yeah, I liked it.

I rolled it out, then found some white lace in my inspiration box. I impressed the lace into the fondant...
then sponge painted it with black dye.
I came up with this technique in hopes of creating a lace look, but it actually looked more like snake skin. (Even better!) I finished by dusting it with burgandy luster, then my fondant "fabric" just sort of formed itself around the cake manican.
I added the tape measure and the pin cushions to give it an alive "project in progress" look and voila!



Upon completion, I stood back to admire the masterpiece. I was pleased with the finished product, (even a bit surprised to be honest.) "Did I do that?!"

Before starting this cake, I asked God to anoint my hands; to let His creativity flow through my mind. It's funny what He will do!
I didn't have to plan it out perfectly or force inspiration; it just flowed naturally and turned out beautiful.

This was a good life lesson for me.
Sometimes we think we have to know it all in the beginning before we take a leap of faith, but sometimes the vision just needs to develop naturally. Take a step of faith and start with what you have - the inspiration will follow. And chances are, the end result will be more beautiful than you could have planned!

Put your hope and trust in "God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within you, to accomplish infinitely more than you might ask or think." ( Ephesians 3:20)

Until next time...HAPPY THANKSGIVING, enjoy the cake, and check out Faith's blog to see her latest creation ;) http://faithinnyc.blogspot.com/

This Week at Cara Linn Cakes

CAKE DECORATING CLASS

Last night we had our LEVEL 2 Cake Sculpting Class in Manhattan. In this class, everyone learned how to sculpt a handbag cake! I always love seeing the creations at the end of the night. Great job everyone! Thanks to all who registered and we hope to see you again in another class soon!!!









(If you are interested in taking one of our classes, contact Faith Lange at faith@caralinncakes.com OR visit our website at www.caralinncakes.com for upcoming dates and locations. We would love to see you there!)

CAMERA CAKE

This was our favorite cake of the week! It was for the birthday of a photographer. Inside was our Red Velvet Royale with pink Cream Cheese filling. Nadra, we hope you enjoyed your cake...Happy Birthday!



to see this video click on: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=704044576883#/video/video.php?v=704044576883&subj=1370681152

Beautiful Birthday

Beautiful Johanna's Birthday Celebration was last night. She's so beautiful inside AND out and deserved nothing less than a beautiful cake!











I made her an Indian-themed cake with a Henna design. The cake was covered in royal purple fondant with a shimmery orange fondant ribbon, and the design hand-panted on top.










The flavor of the cake was Winter White with Nutella Buttercream and the cupcakes were Champagne Chic with Strawberry Buttercream.

We started the evening out eating Corn Fritters and Curry at a Thai restaurant called Galanga in the West Village (thanks to the amazing party planner, Aaron).
Then a few of us girls took Johanna to a Jazz club down the block (again, thanks to Aaron!) It was fun! I was sort of a gramma and left at 11, but the night overall was fabulous.















HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHANNA! WE LOVE YOU!