Show Jumping Cake

This week my eldest niece, Ciara, celebrated her 7^th birthday.   She had decided last February what theme she would like for her cake and this had remained a solid request throughout the months that followed.   However, 2 weeks ago my mother phoned to let me know that there may be a change.   The previous day Ciara had asked her Granny if I had started her cake, because she now wanted a horse cake.

After asking some further questions I learned that a show jumping theme was what Ciara now wanted.   Perhaps it could have Ciara on a pony jumping?   I must admit that I panicked somewhat when I heard this, as there is a reason why most horse themed cakes have the horse lying down!  

Keen not to disappoint I put my thinking cap on.   After a lot of thinking and a couple of attempts, I found a way to make it work.   I was delighted with the final cake and even more thrilled with how much Ciara loved it.   My little nephew, Alan, was also excited to see himself and little Aoife featuring on the cake too.

Show Jumping Cake, 23rd June 2012

  

Show Jumping Cake, 23rd June 2012

A Day at the Races Cake

Angela, a lovely lady for whom I had previously made her daughters’ birthday cakes, recently contacted me regarding her husband Ray’s impending 50^th Birthday.   They were having a party and wanted a novelty cake for the celebrations.

The brief consisted of a cake which reflects some, or all, of Ray’s passions and one large enough to accommodate the 80 guests.   Angela told me of Ray’s love of horse racing, a red Kawasaki motorbike and, obviously, his two beautiful girls.

Having thought about the brief for a few days I contacted Angela and suggested that we go with a ‘Day at the Races’ theme, which would also incorporate the girls.   She was happy for me to take the design whatever way I felt would work best.

I asked some knowledgeable friends and family to give me some racing paraphernalia from which I might get ideas.  This was most helpful and gave me the final idea to finish the cake design.   

Having completed the cake I was very happy with how it turned out and was very confident that it hit the mark for the occasion.   I must admit, however, that a little doubt did set in for a fleeting moment the night before delivery.   When talking to Angela she mentioned that the girls were very excited and had been asking about the cake but she couldn’t tell them anything about it as she had no idea of how it would look either.   She said that she was equally as excited and couldn’t wait to see it, but knew that I wouldn’t disappoint.   There’s nothing like the pressure of expectation!!  

Well there was no need for doubt - Angela and family loved the cake.   What more can I ask for, an exciting cake project, a dream client to work for and, most importantly, a client delighted with the cake.

A Day at the Races Cake, 2nd June 2012

A Day at the Races Cake, 2nd June 2012

A Day at the Races Cake, 2nd June 2012

Pony Stable Cake

Last weekend I made a cake which was to be a surprise for a girl who was celebrating her 8^th birthday.   She loves horse riding and so her mum asked for that as the cake's theme.  

Taking inspiration from other similar themed cakes I’ve made, I put together this lovely cake with the Birthday girl’s favourite pony Twinkle as the centre piece.

Mum and big sister collected the cake and I was delighted to hear that “it even looks like Twinkle”.   The Birthday girl was thrilled with her surprise cake.

Pony Stable Cake 29th April, 2012

Pony Stable Cake 29th April, 2012

Pony Stable Cake 29th April, 2012

Horses and Hounds

One of my closest friends turned 40 on the 1^st May, 2011 and in planning her party asked if I would make the birthday cake.   The design was left completely up to me, so with the choice of classically pretty or novelty I decided a novelty cake was the way to go.  

The Birthday Girl has 3 horses, is a keen show jumper and dressage competitor so an equestrian theme seemed most appropriate.   My knowledge of horses is fairly limited so a mutual friend kindly offered some ‘technical advice’.  

The original plan was to incorporate the 3 horses into the cake.   Somewhere along the way this idea mutated, with the addition of a show jumping arena and the family’s 4 dogs!!   Not to mention the last minute addition of her wellies.    Needless to say the role of the ‘technical adviser’ changed to that of ‘moral supporter’ many times in the week before the party, as I thought about the enormity of what needed to be done to bring it all together.

The day before the party was spent elbow deep in sugar paste, while watching the Royal Wedding on the television.   A most enjoyable, if somewhat unusual, way to spend a day.

The cake was a hit with everyone and a great night was had by all.

Horses and Hounds Cake
 31st April, 2011

Horses and Hounds Cake
31st April, 2011

Horses and Hounds Cake
31st April, 2011