Sugar Flower Heaven

Hi Everyone!  Sorry for my blog absence recently, but I've been super busy.  I just got home from beautiful Ottawa, Canada.  I was in our Nation's Capital to partake in a sugar flower course given by the ever so talented Jennifer Dontz of Sugar Delites.  Jennifer has got to be one of the sweetest, funniest people I have ever met, and man did I lear ALOT!  The flowers we covered in class included Cosmos, Gardenia, Tulips, Dendrobium Orchids, Alstromeria, and Hydrangea.  In class, we worked with three new types of sugar paste, all of which will replace what I am currently using.

My favorite flower of the class was probably the Alstromeria - it required us to use a new paste from the UK called platinum paste which can be rolled tiisue paper thin and has a longer dry time allowing for great petal movement to make flowers that are more realistic.  Best of all, it can be colored before it is even dry!  We also dipped the wet petals to give them a waxy look - AMAZING!

Not only did I learn alot, I met alot of really cool people.  I can't wait to join them all again for another class.  The trip was so worth every penny!

I am on vacation this week, which means my wife Jaimie has me doing chores around the house.  It also means a day trip to Plattsburgh (read as GLOBAL SUGAR ART).  I will also be working this week on a graduation cake and a batmobile cake!  I am also pleased to announce that I am going to be demo-ing the Cricut to the decorators at the local store where I get my cake supplies.  At the same time, I will be discussing the details of something major!  That's right - I am taking the next steps in following my cake dream - I am going to start teaching!  More on that to come.....

For now, it is time to go lounge by the pool with an icy beverage - maybe something strawberry flavoured in honour of the great Ms.Dontz :)

Until next time,

Happy Baking!