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!!