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.