Cake Class - OC Tech Class

Hi Everyone-

Though I am not fully back at work until I end treatment, I am currently teaching a small class at OC tech. This photo is of Kathy and I before class last week.

Kathy T and Myself

Tara

Another Cheap Thrill!!

Hi Everyone-

For those of you who bake a bunch, this is the week to stock up on baking supplies. Publix has just put many of the cake supplies we love on sale. For those of you that take Wilton Classes:Domino's 1lb sugar is on sale for .99 cents a box, this is a fair deal but, it becomes a great deal when you use the newspaper coupon for .50 cents off two boxes and Publix doubles your coupon!!!

Happy shopping-

Tara

Cheap Thrill of the Day!

Hi Everyone-

Holidays are the time to stock up on your baking and cake decorating supplies. This week Walgreen's is having a special on Crisco Shortening sticks ( the ones we use in Cake Decorating Class). If you use the " in Ad " coupon you can get two packages of shortening sticks for $5.00. You can save even more if you have taken my coupon class and have the Crisco coupon for $1.00 off 2 packages - this makes your Crisco sticks $2.00 a pack!!

Happy Shopping!                                                                                                                                          













 

Fabulous State Fair Cakes made by my students!!

I am so proud of all of my students but, this year I am particularly proud of the students who took a leap of faith and entered the South Carolina State Fair. I have attached some photos here  unfortunately, some of my photos did not come out, so only some of the wonderful fair cakes are pictured. I promise if  you bring your cake in for display at Michaels I will take a better photo of it and post it here for everyone to see.  I would like to congratulate all of you on a job well done! Featured in these photos are cakes by Meloney , Julie, Becky, Carla, Karen, Sharminna, and Christy.

If you would like to see some of these cakes - they are on Display in the class room at Michaels on Harbison Blvd during business hours.

Update- State Fair & Tara

Hi Everyone-
I am over the moon to be making my first post since my cancer diagnosis in June. I am almost through treatment and should be back in full swing this January. In the meantime I am subbing for Kim at Michaels and I am teaching a class for OC Tech on Tuesday nights.

The big news is about the State Fair! I was feeling really terrible that I was too sick to teach a class for those of you who wanted to try your had at a display cake for fair! Turns out a bunch of you took the challenge without my help and entered a cake. I am so proud of those of you that tried it. I am hoping to sneak down to the fair next week and see all of your creations. In the meantime, if you did enter a cake let me know and send me a photo. I would like to post all the Fair cakes on the blog. I did have time to look up the Fair Results and I noticed that out of 24 awards the fair offers for Amatuer cake decorating you guys won 5.. that is pretty impressive.

One of you already sent me a photo of a prize winning cake. Congratulations to Meloney R. who won second prize in the "Wedding Cakes Class". Notice how she designed and hand painted the Plumerias

Class News - Upcoming Classes and State Fair

Hello Everyone-


I apologize for my lack of posts recently and to  those of you who planned to take classes or were signed up for classes in June. I had an unexpected health issue which has sidelined me for the summer. I will be in surgery this Thursday and treatment until about the end of August for Ovarian Cancer ( a complete surprise). The doctor assures me that with treatment I should be cancer free soon!

Kim, Michaels  Veteran Wilton Instructor, is teaching my classes for the summer. If you have a chance you should take a class with her-she is a phenomenal instructor. If you want to take classes from me, I should be returning in September . Keep an eye on this blog and your emails for class dates and times.

For those of you who planned on entering a cake at the fair, I encourage you to give it a try. Entries are due now and entering is completely free. You can either enter the tasting / baked goods contest or the decorating contest ( decorated cakes are actually done on Styrofoam and just decorated - they are not tasted). Just go to www.scstatefair.org  and press the Fair link in the middle of the page, go to the Competitive Exhibits link and then go to home and craft/ baked goods. Once you are in the baked goods category you can pick what you would like to enter and enter on line. If you have questions contact the head of the Home & Crafts Department and she can assist you:

Mrs. Brenda Turner

(803) 782-4631

burrturner@yahoo.com
After 10/3/11, telephone the Home & Craft Office at (803)256-8565

She can help you with any questions or anything you do not understand. 

Have a wonderful summer-

Tara

Tara- Instructor Update

Hi Everyone-
 This is just an update to let you all know why I have not been posting lately. I was feeling really under the weather and finally came to the emergency room at Lexington Medical Center Thursday. They have kept me here for treatment and I will be here for the week at least.

I promise you I will get back to posting and teaching as soon as I get through the treatments here a the Hospital. I will be checking my email but only occasionally. If you need cake classes, jewelry classes or information please contact Michael's on Harbison at 803-407-7813 or email Kim at kimbocraig@juno.com and she will assist you if I cannot respond quickly enough.

I will miss you all while I am sitting in the hospital.

Tara

Cheap Thrill- Extra Coupons on Ebay

Good Morning-

Here is a little tip I picked up for acquiring more coupons. I have products that I use a ton of ( like confectioner's sugar- since I teach cake decorating). I never have enough coupons to stock up on the products I need a ton of - I would end up buying thirty newspapers to get enough coupons to buy all the sugar I need.

So here is my secret, I use Ebay and buy the coupons from someone who doesn't need them. For example, this week I purchased 20 coupons for .50 cents off Dixie confectioners sugar. I paid $1.95 for the coupons ( shipping included) - three days later I have twenty coupons that have a face value of $10.00 off sugar. This does not sound like such a great deal unless, you shop at a store like Publix that doubles coupons up to .50 cents. My net savings is really going to be $18.05 on the sugar and I should have enough to keep me stocked up all summer.

The other good news is if you go to Facebook on June 21st and like Dixie Crystals they will hook you up with free sugar!!! What a cheap thrill!!!!!

Cake Class - More Cakes from Students!

Becky R. - Graduation Cake!

Some of you are really outdoing yourselves! I am really enjoying all the seasonal cakes! Here are some for recent graduations, softball, and even the beach!

Becky R. - Softball Championship Mini Cakes

Carla- The Angry Cardinal!

Meloney R. - The Beach

June Sale at Michaels for all Cake Decorating Students

Hey Everyone, 

Wilton has a special sale going on at Michaels from Today through June 11, 2011. Tuition for June is half of four all the four week courses! Also the Ultimate Cake Decorating Set is 50% off ( for the first time ever). So if you are planning to take a class June is the month to do it. June class dates will be on the blog today. 

New Wilton Product - Gum Paste Sheets

Hello Everyone-

Our Michaels has finally put out all the new exciting Wilton products. I cannot wait to show you all the new Gum Paste Sheets and cutters. The morning we put them out one of our OC Tech Students stopped in and wanted to know how to make a zebra striped cake for her daughters birthday. Her daughter had actually drawn out the cake she wanted and it was up to Michelle to make it. Michelle is a great decorator but, she has not even taken the Gum Paste and Fondant Class yet. I showed her how to cut and shape the Zebra stripes out of the Gum Paste sheets and she did this cake the very next day!

Michelle, you should be really proud of this one!!

Cake Class - More Recent Photos

Hi Everyone-
 I have more recent class photos for you all to enjoy. My students are sooo talented!!!

 

Jenny K. Basics

Cake Class - Pretty Cake Photos from recent classes

Hi Everyone-

I know I usually try to blog daily but, I have been a little tied up the past couple of weeks. I thought  for today I would just post some lovely photos of cakes done in the last couple of months in class by my students. You should all be so proud of yourselves!


****If you are thinking about cake classes these cakes show some of the skills you will learn.

Andrea D. Flowers Class

 

Cheap Thrill- Publix New Coupon Policy

Good Morning Everyone-

Did you know that our local Publix ( the one on Kennerly Road) is now accepting competitors coupons. They handed out a flyer this week that says they will accept Bi-Lo, Food Lion, and Kroger Coupons!! Yippee... more free stuff!!

Class Attendance - Miss a Class Make it up for free the next month!

Hey Everyone-

Happy Mother's Day! In honor of those of you who missed class today ( and I don't blame you it was a nice day to celebrate). I thought I would remind you about the class attendance policy I have at Michaels: 

Did you know if you sign up for a Michaels class and you miss a session, I will let you make up the class you missed the following month at no charge? This means that if you are not signing up for classes because you will be gone for one of the sessions- you can go ahead and sign up and just make it up next month. The only thing I ask is that you let me know when you will be coming to make up class - this way I have space for you!!!

For those of you who miss a class at Orangeburg Tech. this applies to you too. The College will not let you make up the class there but, you are welcome to come make the session up at Michaels.

Just as long as you make up the classes in one of my sessions and not any other instructor - make ups are free! 

Cheap Thrill -Some Prescriptions are FREE at Publix Supermarket!!!

Those of you that know me well know that I love to find a deal. I was at the doctor today and he prescribed some antibiotics for me and reminded me that most antibiotics are free at Publix Supermarket. Sure enough I took my prescription in and they filled it and did not charge me a dime. If you are interested in doing this yourself - Publix will provide you with a list of what drugs are free - just stop by the pharmacy and pick one up! Of course, my doctor knows I am a coupon lady - so he reminded me!!!

Cake Class - Sweet Strawberry Surprise

This is a recipe I made up for a dessert contest last year. It is one of my favorite ways to use some of the berries right out of my garden. I used Redi Whip for this since it was a requirement of the contest but, it is even better with fresh whipped & sweetened heavy cream. You can't really beat puff pastry oozing with warm chocolate, whip cream, and strawberries!

Cheap Thrill - Strawberries & Asparagus from our garden.

Today's Berry haul

On a beautiful spring day like this my cheap thrill of the day is a pint of fresh strawberries picked from my garden this morning.  You still have some time left to plant some this month if you want to try this!

I love strawberries because,  we have a little tiny yard with not much room to plant and yet they still grow so well. I have had my plants for about 10 years now. I just add a couple of new vines each spring and they are still producing big yummy berries. I figure the berries cost me about $8.00 per season in new vines and organic fertilizer versus $4.99 for non organic South American berries at the store. I actually mulch them with worm castings from my compost bin, which are free! As you can see,  I planted my berries as ground cover under the shrubs in my front yard, so instead of pine straw or mulch I have berries.

Jewelry Class- Mixed Media Project

Michaels has added a new class for Jewelry Students. This class emphasizes using beads for things other than jewelry , so in class we use beads, findings, and scrapbook materials to put together a really cute journal or scrapbook. As you can see I added charms made from beads, wire fibers, and findings to give this book some interest. The photo I have attached is of the sample travelogue I made for the class.

Contact me if you would like information on the next session of "Mixed Media".

Cake Class - A new recipe " Wilton Whipped Butter Cream Icing"

Hi Everyone-

This is the official Wilton Whipped Icing Recipe. Thought you may like to have it - the taste is reminiscent of Sam's or Publix icing. Enjoy!

Extra Special Butter cream Icing

This icing is similar to the flavor and has a medium consistency like bakery icing. It is ideal for frosting and borders.

·                  2 cups solid vegetable shortening*

·                  2 lbs. confectioners' sugar (There are 4 cups to a pound)

·                  1/2 tsp. salt

·                  1-2 tsp. clear vanilla or your favorite flavoring

·                  6-8 oz. whipping cream

Cream shortening until fluffy. Add sugar and continue creaming until well-blended.
Add salt, flavoring and whipping cream; blend on low speed until moistened.
Beat at high speed until icing is fluffy.
Extra-Special Buttercream icing needs to be refrigerated, both after it is made and when it is placed on a cake. It will keep 3-5 days in the refrigerator.
*You may substitute 1 cup butter or margarine plus 1 cup solid vegetable shortening to achieve a more buttery taste.

Yield: 7 1/2 cups.

May Classes - Jewelry and Cakes are almost here! Register now before they fill up.

Hey Everyone-

I took a few days off to celebrate the holiday, now I am back to blogging. Michaels has a whole new schedule for May 2011 for both Cakes and Jewelry Classes. You can find both on this blog, if you have questions please email and let me know. We also have new cake project classes - that you can find on these pages as well. As with all my classes if you have a subject  you would like me to cover, or a project you would like to learn how to do please let me know- if we can get 3 other people interested I can teach a class on the subject.

So look for the new classes on the blog , and remember if you refer a new student to the class and let me know about it I will give you a $5.00 gift card that can be redeemed at Michaels.

Have a great day-

Tara

Earn a Michaels Gift Card Each Time You Refer a New Student to My Classes

Hello Everyone-

I am starting a new "Referral Program" for my classes in May.  This program applies to all the classes I teach: Cake Decorating, Coupons, and Jewelry Design ( except the "free- no fee classes). The way the program works is that if you refer a friend to my class send me an email letting me know who you are sending to class. As soon as they have paid for and taken the class, I will give you a $5.00 Michaels Gift Card, you must come to the store to pick it up from me in person. You can do this as many times as you like with as many people as you can refer but, you only get one (1) gift card per per person referred ( so if they take three classes, you get one card for referring them for the first class). You do not have to be a past student to refer someone either , I will honor the gift card policy for any of my Face Book friends who send me new students as well.

*****REMEMBER, THIS PROGRAM ONLY APPLIES TO CLASSES THAT I AM TEACHING.
Happy Shopping!!!!

If you are in doubt, email me at sweetcakes@sc.rr.com and I will happily answer any questions you may have.

Cake Class - A Very Special Family Graduates!

Karen L. with her beautiful Rose bud cake!

A very special family graduated cake class on April 10th, 2011. The Liddle family started classes in November and worked their way all the way through advanced classes in April. I had so much fun working with them. I hope we see everyone back for some advanced classes! I also would like to thank them for the wonderful dinner- it was much appreciated!!


For the purposes of this blog we are going to call them the Liddle family since Karen Liddle is the Grandmother who brought everyone together to do this! The class was made up of Karen, her three daughters: Julie, Carla, and Becky, and their daughters: Amiee, Gabryelle, and Kirstin. Here are photos from their very last class .. they are such a talented bunch. The cakes they came up with were amazing!

May Schedule is here!

Betty J 's wonderful roses just in time for spring!

Hey Everyone-

The new Cake schedule is posted. Just check out the cake classes page here at the blog and you can see all the classes I have to choose from! I hope we see you all in class. May is going to be a great month. Also, don't forget we have an Advanced class coming up on April 30th from 4-6 Pm .

Tara 

Cake Class - Cookies & Cream Cupcake Recipe

Cookies & Cream Cupcake decorated with a Cat Topper

Hi Everyone-

Sorry I have not been blogging , those of you who know me know I have been a bit under the weather. If you are on the blog looking for the May schedule , I should have it posted by tomorrow for everyone. In the meantime, I thought you all might enjoy one of my favorite simple cupcake recipes: Cookies & Cream.

Cake Class - My favorite "Busy Day Cake" recipe- simple!

Hi Everyone-

Busy Day Cake with a 15 minute decorative icing!

As most of you know Sunday is my busiest day! So in honor of that here is a recipe for the simplest scratch cake I know. This is just as easy as a box mix and yet it is done from scratch. It does not take any longer to make it either. A perfect white cake for class!!

New Saturday Beading Class - Make a Bracelet or a Necklace like this one!

Sea Glass Necklace - Beads & Findings for this project are free - check out the details below.

We have finally found a time slot to add a Saturday Beading Class for you all to enjoy. It will be fundamentals of Bead Stringing. We will be making a bracelet like the one in the photos! When we are finished I can help you get started on a Sea Glass Necklace, like the one in the photo if you like. The first two people to register will receive Sea Glass Necklace Kits like the one pictured here. I will provide you all the findings, beads and wire,  all you need is a pendant!

Sample Bracelet - you can choose any beads in any color scheme for yours.

So come join us Saturday April 23rd from 4-6 Pm and learn to make either this necklace or a bracelet of your choice. Tuition is $25.00 , register at Michaels and they will provide you with a syllabus.

New April Cake & Beading Classes- one especially for advanced cake students!

 Hello Everyone-

Bead Stringing Class this Month- make a bracelet and/ or this necklace!

Advanced Gum Paste Class this Month- Make this bear!

Due to the crazy demand for classes, Michaels went back in and added some new classes for April. We now have weekend beading classes, if we get enough enrollment this will be a regular thing. We also have a new class for advanced cake students- sculpting and painting a gum paste bear. Please check out the blog for dates and times or email me. Space in these classes is limited so sign up or let me know you wish to attend ASAP. If you are enrolling for the advanced Gum Paste class at Michaels it is listed in their book as "Cupcakes and More- sculpt a bear"

Have a great week-

Tara

Cake Class - Pound Cake Recipe

This is my favorite Pound Cake Recipe- I bake it in a large loaf pan and it tastes fantastic. It is not my personal recipe - it comes from a cookbook I have had for almost 30 years! It is a basic yellow pound cake ( so much better than that one in the frozen section at the store

Cake Class - Tara's Red Velvet Cake Recipe

Casually Iced Red Velvet Cake- Messy and Yummy!!!

Hey Everyone-
I apologize for being late with my blogging this week. I have been a bit under the weather!!

Today in class someone asked for a great Red Velvet Cake Recipe- so here is the one I use. I actually made this one up myself because many of the recipes were just too heavy and sweet for my taste. The icing is not a cream cheese you can decorate with - if you want to decorate just use a little class butter cream or Gum paste to do your decorations right on top of the fluffy - casually iced cake.

Michaels Decorating Basics Class for Thursday 3/31 held over until 4/7!

Christina R's Course 1 Cake

Valencia's Course 1 Cake

Hi Everyone,

Spring break is taking a toll on class attendance. If any of  you were planning on joining us for Decorating Basics on Thursday 3/31 from 1-3 Pm - the class is being pushed back one week. It will now start on Thursday 4/7/2011 from 1-3 Pm.

For those of you that have taken basics before - please remember that I do have a "Referral Program" if you refer a friend and they mention that you sent them to class - you get a $5.00 Michaels gift certificate or a tool out of my goody bag of new tools from Wilton!  

Tuesdays 10 Am Flowers and Cake Class held over until 4/5/2011

Tuesdays 10:00 am Flowers and Cake class has been moved forward to Tuesday April 5 at 10:00. So you still have time to register if you had planned to do so. Remember tuition is still 50% off but, it will go up in May, so now is a good time to take this class. If you need a Bounce Back coupon as well please contact me.

Cake Class & Cheap Thrill for all!!!- Domino's Confectioners Sugar .54 cents a box....

Hey Everyone,

Today's State  paper had a great deal on Domino's Confectioner's Sugar in the one pound boxes. Look in the Walgreen's ad for a coupon that you can use ( on page 3) that will make each pound of sugar you buy $.79 cents each at Walgreen's. You can buy up to three per shopping trip, since Walgreen's is around the corner from my house I will be stopping in once a day! If you want your sugar for only .54 cents a box look in the Red Plum Coupon Circular from this weeks paper for a coupon  that will take an additional .50 cents off two boxes of sugar- to get the savings at the register at Walgreen's you have to give them both coupons ( their in ad coupon and the Red Plum Coupon)! Stacking coupons like this will get you sugar for .54 cents a box. 


Since we are all such coupon Divas - remember to ask for a "rain check" if Walgreens is out of sugar!!! They must give you one if the product is out of stock - you can then pick it up next week using the rain check to get the sale price! 

If this whole coupon thing puzzles you consider taking my coupon class! I teach to individuals as well as groups.

Cake Class - Kids and Cakes- Plus, My Youngest Graduate Ever: Callie!!

Callie's first cake in class...

Hello Everyone-

This is my second attempt at posting this! Please forgive me if you tried to take a look and hit a blank page.

I get lots of folks asking if it is OK to enroll children in cake classes. I actually think it is a great activity for kids. I do ask that if the child is under 14, a parent does need to take the class with them. This will help the child complete their home work and keep track of tools etc.

Recently, I had the youngest child I have ever taught graduate all 3 classes. Callie is 11, she came to her class with her father, Wayne. She amazed us all with her skills! Her dad should also win " Father of the Year" he also graduated all the classes and did a fantastic job with his cakes as well. Read on for photos of their work....

Callie's final Course 1 cake

Cheap Thrill- Save on Eggs and Printer Paper this week- ends Saturday

Hey Everyone -

There are a few of you who always complain when I get baking supplies on sale and don't pass the good news along to you. So here it is: Eggs are on sale for $1.29 a dozen at Walgreen's this week, until Saturday at closing- that is more than a dollar less than anywhere else in town. If you go in to buy them and Walgreen's is out of them or if they are all cracked,  ask for a "Rain Check" from the Manager.A rain check is a hand written coupon that will allow you to get your eggs in the next month or so for the same price ($1.29). Please remember if you do a rain check,   have them write the maximum number on your rain check that the store will allow you to buy.That way you can go back more than once and get eggs until your rain check runs out (they just change the number on your rain check each time you come in until you have used it up)! 

Computer Paper is also on sale this week for $2.99. It is a little short of a ream at 400 sheets in the pack but, a ream sells for $6-$7 at Staples and you are getting almost a ream at Walgreen's for $2.99. You do have to use the Walgreen's " in Ad " coupon to get this deal!

Remember if you do the Coupon Mom web site and get some Walgreen's Register Rewards you can probably get your eggs and paper for nothing!!!! Happy shopping.


 

Bead Night at Michaels on Harbison is this Friday 3/25 from 5-8 Pm

Hello Everyone-

I know at this point many of you are cake decorators and not beaders or jewelry makers! However, I am here to ask you to join us Friday night at Michaels for Bead Night from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. This is a drop in style night that is very social- we just trade tips and tricks and bring any bead related or jewelry related project along to work on. If you have never worked with beads before - this is your night! You can come with your tired or broken jewelry and we can show you how to revive and fix it right in the classroom or if you want to try a beaded necklace or bracelet we can help you design one on the spot and make it up. The best part is you will meet other crafters and make some friends.If you like I can even teach you how to make the necklace you see in this photo. It is my first Bead Night as lead bead instructor at Michaels, and I could use your support!

You will have the help of not only myself as a bead instructor but Lisa Woodward, who is a phenomenal beader and also a beading instructor, will be there to help us out. Lisa knows more about stringing and working with glass seed beads than most folks will ever learn in a lifetime.

The cost for bead night is only $5.00 and it would help if you could preregister at Michaels or let me know you want to join us by emailing me at sparklythings@sc.rr.com . 

Cake Class- Crusting Cream Cheese Icing

This is the cream cheese icing recipe from Wilton that will crust if you let it dry for a few minutes. This means yes you can decorate with it as long as you keep it refrigerated when you are not working with it. This icing is actually a bit softer than I like to work with - so I will ice the cake with it and then do my borders and decorations with a little bit of the class Butter Cream Icing that has been made up with Vanilla flavoring.

Cheap Thrill- Save a Ton on Printer Ink Cartridges

Hi Everyone-

Thank you to those of you who supported me and attended the coupon class today. I really hope it helped you pick up some tips for saving money! As I said in class,  there are ways to save on everything you use on a regular basis. In honor of that,  here is my system for saving tons on printer cartridges.

Cheap Thrill- Coupon Class Saturday at RCPL

Hey Everyone,
 I speak at the Richland County Public Library tomorrow- a free class on couponing made easy (sorry you must have registered at least a week ago to attend). If you did not sign up in time to come see me at RCPL, I do give coupon lessons individually or to small groups, contact me for details. My class is based on the www.couponmom.com website,  in the hope that those of you who learn to cut your grocery bill drastically will pass the savings along in the form of donations to our local food banks, homeless shelter, or animal shelters. Using the coupon Mom program I am able to donate to each type of charity several times a year.  Check it out if you haven't done so before. The site even has a new "learn to coupon" tab that is really helpful.

Wilton Project Class - Cupcakes & More - Make a Bunny Cupcake or Cake Topper

Sculpted Fondant & Gum Paste Bunny Cake Topper by Tara

Hi Everyone-

Just thought I would use today to show off the results of our first ever Cupcakes & More - Fondant Sculpting Class. This class was open to anyone who had completed Gum Paste & Fondant Class and wanted to come in and learn to sculpt a bunny cake or cupcake topper by hand in class. We only sculpted them in class, we did not get to paint them.We are having  a painting class in April or early May to learn how to finish them up. As you can see from the photo I brought mine home and painted him using several different painting techniques so he is ready for the painting class.

Cake Class- Project Class - Lemon Curd Cupcake Recipe

Hi Everyone,

Lemon Curd Cupcakes, SMore's Cupcakes, and "Ice Creamy Cupcakes"

On my work days I am trying to keep posting recipes and other goodies to my blog. This is a recipe that just begs to be made in the spring: "Lemon Filled Cupcakes". I teach these in my Wilton Project "cupcake" class, which will happen again this May. This is a simple Lemon Curd recipe that is prepared mostly in your food processor so that you do not have to worry about scrambling your eggs when you mix  the curd up.

For those of you that are new to the Wilton Program at Michaels, we  have a range of classes you can take along with Course 1-3. In particular, I teach specialty cupcakes, Candy making, Gum paste & Fondant Cake Toppers,  Gingerbread Houses, and Kids Cakes. The sky is really the limit on Wilton Project classes so if there is something in particular you would like to learn please let me know.

Cake Class - Butter Cream icing with Real Butter

This is the recipe I use at home. It is my recipe and it will work just fine for decorating. You will need to adjust the consistency to decorate: to stiffen it add Pure Can Confectioners sugar, to thin it add a little milk. This one must be refrigerated and will only last a few days in the Refrigerator. Do not use this one in class it will melt!

Cheap Thrill - Recipe for Home Made Rolled Fondant

This is a recipe for home made rolled fondant. It is nice because you can add your choice of flavors right while you are making the fondant. It is also only about $2.50 per batch. Please practice with it a couple of times first before using it on a cake project, just like any other recipe you need to be very comfortable with it before you can start decorating with it.This recipe comes from Kim A. the evening instructor at Michaels.

Cheap Thrill - Home Made Cake Candies or Cake Balls

This is my simple recipe that uses all those leftover pieces of cake that we carve off in class. It also uses a can of icing from the store or you can just use your extra Butter Cream Icing from class. These can be made in a small Bon- Bon size or the batter can be molded into your 1" or 2" round cutters and then covered in candy melts so that the finished product looks like a Ding - Dong  or Ring Ding ( depending on where you grew up)!! You can even mold them into balls and add a lollipop stick to make cake pops.  The whole project should not cost you more than a couple of dollars and everyone will be fighting over the results - they are so tasty!

Read on for the recipe.....

Cheap Thrill- Easy Rolled Chocolate Fondant

Anita's Chocolate Fondant Cake

I had forgotten how good this Wilton recipe tasted until Melony brought it to class a couple of weeks ago. And it is so simple and inexpensive ( if you use your Michaels coupon on the Fondant).

Decorating Basics- First Orangeburg Technical College Class Graduates.

Henrietta and her Rose Cake!

Jacquelyn with her beautiful Roses!

Sorry I am so late in posting this! My first Decorating Basics class graduated on February 22, 2011. They did such beautiful work I thought I would post their work here and congratulate them!!! If you would like to take a class at the St. Matthews branch of OC Tech contact me. ( I owe an apology to Cynthia, my photo of your final cake was eaten by my camera).

Read on to see more student photos. 

Wilton Project Classes!

Valerie and Cat in the Hat!

For those of you who are interested in a unique project or just a fun class to take with family or friends,  Wilton has a bunch of Project Classes available. I teach at least 1 Project Class a month at Michaels. I am also available to teach them on request if you have a skill you want to learn or something you want to brush up on. In the past, we have done Halloween cupcakes, Football cupcakes, Tall Cakes, Gum Paste & Fondant Easter Bunnies, and Candy Making. Each project class is a one time, one session class that costs between $15.00 and $25.00. The photos on the next page are all items that were made in project classes in the past.

Cheap Thrill- Trash to Treasure 2, Another Table Saved

Quarter Sawn Oak Table Before- Who put paint on it??

Just returned from Wilton Training in Greensboro, NC yesterday. I am very tired- but full of new things to share with all of you in cake class.

So I thought for todays blog I would post another trash to treasure project. When you look at this post you may think I have a thing for tables, which is not really true. What I have a thing for is items that can be brought back to their original beauty and used in my home. Almost every piece of furniture in my home is a piece that I have had a hand in updating or changing somehow. There really are only a few pieces in our home that we purchased new. I love mixing styles, a little oak from the turn of the century, a little waterfall from the 20's and 30's, and even some Mission pieces.

Read on to see photos of the project in progress and the finished table......

Jewelry Design- Basic Hemp Knotting

Hemp & Jute  Bracelets

Hemp and Bead Necklace

Basic Hemp Knotting is the first of the Hemp Knotting series at Michaels. We learn a basic overhand knot, square knot, and how to add beads to a design. Then we turn our new skills into a cute bracelet. Once you know how to do the basic knots in hemp you can switch materials: for a chunkier look you can use jute cord with large beads, for a more refined look you can use silk cord and semi precious beads. Either way, hemp knotting is relaxing and easy to do. If you are interested in a class check out the Jewelry class page on this blog or contact me for class dates and times.

Course 3- Gum Paste and Fondant

Christy's Cake - It won second place at the Fair!!!!

Beth's cake

The final 4 week class in the Wilton Cake Decorating Series is Course 3- Gum Paste & Fondant. Gum paste and Fondant are actually very different from the icings that we use in the first two classes. I call Fondant play dough for adults because,  it can be treated similar to play dough. You can roll it out and use it to cover a cake, make it into fabulous flowers, or even sculpt and paint it to make all sorts of edible decorations. This is the stuff you see on all the Cake Shows like " Cake Boss" and Ace of Cakes. Click the keep reading link to see  more fabulous cakes!!!