Saturday, January 12, 2013

My Cake Central Magazine Cover Cake

"I am excited to tell you that your cake is going to be our cover cake! Congratulations!"

When I read that email from Cake Central Magazine editor, Andi Satterlund, I just about fainted and went into a coma. I thought she had made a mistake. Definitely did not think my cake design was "cover cake" worthy! Wasn't even sure it was good enough to make it into the magazine at all! But here it is! I'm so thankful for the opportunity to use my God-given talents to bring Him honor and glory! He is the Master Artist and I'm honored that He has given me just a little bit of His creativity! The outpouring of love and encouragement on my Facebook page has been an overwhelming blessing! And to think that I almost decided NOT to design and submit this cake design! I'm glad I pushed myself to do it! 









Here is the Dusk Forest wedding Inspiration photo-



I wanted to share the responses to the questions Andi asked me about what inspired this design.


1. My initial reaction to your inspiration photo was, "How beautiful and enchanting." Then the thought immediately occurred to me that all the bride (in the photo) needs now is a little chapel nestled in the trees with a sunset backdrop and she'll have the perfect stage on which to take her vows! 

2. How I decided on the elements I used- I've always been inspired when I see beautiful photos of white birch trees against the sunset and I love trying to replicate nature and textures in sugar. The little chapel made of gingerbread is the perfect venue for a Dusk Forest themed wedding! This theme gave me inspiration to incorporate my gingerbread art into my cake art. As for the color palette- I have a fetish for moss green and salmon as you can see from some of my photos on Cake Central.com. :)

3. Specific tools I used- Wooden skewers and wire are the support system for the white birch trees. I hand sculpted the gum paste around the skewers and wires then used a fondant crimper, paint brush and icing colors for the black knots in the bark.   For the sunset I used airbrush. Haven't used an airbrush machine in 13 years! For the butterflies I used food color markers and rice paper. 

4. My fave thing about my cake is the gingerbread chapel with the birch trees and sunset backdrop.

5. The mood I wanted to reflect- Peaceful, Romantic and Haunting.

6. About our new bakery- We hope to open in the middle of January. We will announce our grand opening via Facebook. The name: "With Love & Confection ~ A Sweet Boutique"

Our signature dessert is the CakeCheeseCake Present. That is a layer of cheesecake hugged between two layers of cake, wrapped in (scratch-made) white chocolate fondant and topped with a sugar bow and gift tag to say, "With Love & Confection". (http://cakecentral.com/g/i/1643316/a/1644316/hearts-of-gold/)

We will use lots of fresh local ingredients including milk, buttermilk, butter, cream cheese and sour cream from the local Happy Cow Creamery. (http://www.happycowcreamery.com)

We will be serving cappuccinos and espressos and our sandwiches will be made using our scratch-made breads. Our signature sandwich is a yummy grilled chicken salad on focaccia. 

We plan on holding scratch baking and cake art classes for children and adults. 

The aesthetic of our bakery is going to have a French-Shabby-Chic vibe. The color palette is pastry pink, aqua and white. Very inviting, comfortable, light and airy.



Here are the images I captured! Enjoy!


































Thank you for visiting and feel free to leave a comment! 

With Love & Confection,
Veronica





(All watermarked images are property of Veronica Arthur/With Love & Confection and may not be copied without permission. Email me at loveandconfection@gmail.com for permission. Please do feel free to "Pin It" though! Thank you :)

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Coming Soon... A Sweet Boutique

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

We have been busy, busy! So much excitement is in the air in Easley, South Carolina! But first--just a quick note to show you what we have been working on...

These are the Cottage Sugar Cookies my mother and I worked on for my father's clients. Aren't they too cute to eat?!



Here are the Gingerbread Sleighs I designed and created for a few clients. They came filled with 2 dozen cookies.


 Here are our yummy cookie trays. 

 Our newest recipe--
Lavender French Macarons filled with Lavender Vanilla Bean Cream. They taste like you died a went to heaven...


Now for the exciting news I mentioned before...
This is my brother working on a project that has nothing to do with sugar and flour. His ingredients include drywall and nails... 

Here's my hubby hard at work too...


Can you guess what they are working on???

YES! The sign is in the window and we are opening a store front bakery!

With Love & Confection ~ A Sweet Boutique

Please keep us in your prayers! 
As for the rest of the exiting news-- I will post about it in a few weeks! 

Thank you for stopping by and Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

With Love & Confection,
Veronica

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Some of My Favorite Gingerbread Houses

"And I had but one penny in the world. Thou should'st have it to buy gingerbread." 
-William Shakespeare


I simply adore gingerbread.


Fairy Gingerbread Tree House designed and created by my daughter

I love the taste. I love the aroma. 
I love to use it to create edible art. 



I love to teach the art of gingerbread house making.
My daughter

Mother Gingerbread designed and created by my daughter

I love the history of gingerbread...


It is very romantic.


Gingerbread was originally given by knights to fair maidens as a love token before jousting events. The gingerbreads were shaped like shields or hearts. They believed the gingerbread warmed the blood and encouraged love. Here is a fascinating video on the history of gingerbread:

BBC- A Brief History of Gingerbread

I thought I would share some of my favorite gingerbread houses...



This adorable house by Mary E. was a finalist in 2010 This Old House Gingerbread House Contest. It is my absolute favorite!

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Well, maybe THIS is my favorite! I can't decide!
Looks like Hansel and Gretel live here!
This precious cottage is by Win on CakeCentral.com.


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I love this little rustic cottage from Sprinkle Bakes.

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I adore these darling gingerbread birdhouses by
Torie Jayne.
The colors are so yummy!

Torie Jayne

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This house is by Butter Hearts Sugar .


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Sassy Beautimus creates some of the most adorable gingerbread houses I have ever seen! 

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A stunning gingerbread window display by Peggy Porschen
Photography Copyright (c) 2011 Marianne Taylor

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A beautiful gluten-free gingerbread house by Carol Kicinski.
Visit Simply Gluten-free for the recipe and directions.

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I love this Christmas house and dessert table by
Frog Prince Paperie!

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Very simple and elegant gingerbread design by
MaryJane Robbins at King Arthur flour Blog.


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And another simple design by Fave Crafts.
I'm smitten.

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A darling Thanksgiving house by
YUMMY!


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Couldn't resist this Hello Kitty carousel from
The Kawaii Foods Blog


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The next three gingerbread house photos are designs by the very talented Natasha of Nevie Pie Cakes.


                                                 
                                               ~~~
I simply swoon over this white display by BHG.



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What a precious gingerbread house cookie by BHG! I love the color palette!

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Isn't this the cutest thing you have ever seen? www.dekoekenbakkers.com

There are no words to describe how cute this is!
www.dekoekenbakkers.com


Which one was your favorite? Don't forget to leave your comments below!


Here is a list of links to free recipes and
gingerbread house templates:
Botanical Paperworks
Torie Jayne Blog
Fave Crafts- Free downloadable e-book of recipes & template!
Celebrating Christmas- Church template
CIA Culinary Intelligence
Gingerbread House Heaven- amazing templates for sale



Hope this has inspired you to create your own gingerbread house this Christmas!


Please leave a comment!
I really appreciate it!


MERRY CHRISTMAS!