Some very sweet friends have invited us to dinner at their home tonight. When accpeting the invite and asking the standard, "Can I bring anything?" I was secretly saying in my head, "Please let her say dessert! Please let her say dessert!"
See, I have been baking lots lately, but rarely for an occasion or other people.
So when she said, "Oh, just bring a dessert..." I was all "Woo Hoo!"
So I got to planning and was all excited and after a few days worth of sketching and brainstorming I realized that I had designed a three tiered fondant covered fully royal icing decorated wedding cake.
Uh, its dinner. With friends.
I needed to relax.
So I decided on monochromatic. And buttercream. I wanted everyone to be able to eat dessert after all.
And dots. Lots and lots of dots. Thats not overkill right?
Maybe next time I will bring the three tiered wedding cake. ;)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I received a box in the mail yesterday.
It is from my aunt Marilyn.
She emailed me the other day and asked if I wanted some of her old baking stuff. I of course jumped and said "Sure!" not really knowing what it was, or if I could even use it.
I just might have cried a little when I opened it up and saw the *treasures she had packed away so carefully.
*is it weird I think of baking supplies as treasures?
The illusive Copper Cookie Cutter.
The best cookie cutters known to man. (or should I say, known to me)
And not only are they copper.
They are designer copper.
That's right. Martha's very own.
Does anyone else own these? Where do you buy them? Now that I have seen them up close and personal, I want more more more! (ok, I'd settle for a Christmas tree)
I want to say a BIG thank you to Marilyn for this unbelievable gift!!
Hopefully I can get baking and use them soon!
Wowwie....what a cake! I can't even come close to yours. Not my blue cake, the only closeness it resembles is somewhat of the same shade.
You rock!
Have a great dessert tonight!
Posted by: Tina Fisher | Nov 14, 2009 at 02:07 PM
I totally think of them as treasures also. I love that cake! Gorgeous.
Posted by: Jessica | Nov 14, 2009 at 02:21 PM
Wow, it looks amazing! I attempted to make a 2-tier cake with buttercream frosting just the other week. Not only did my layers not look level, but as I tried to frost the cake the cake kept pulling up! I know you are a cookie making expert, but maybe a future blog entry could give a few cake (and frosting) tips? Buttercream recipe? Just an idea. :)
Posted by: Tonya | Nov 14, 2009 at 03:11 PM
Excellent suggestion Tonya! I will have to think about it. I dont think I am quite good enough to be giving others suggestions... but maybe I can give pointers on where I learned stuff....
Blessings to you and Tony!
Amanda
Posted by: Amanda Rettke | Nov 14, 2009 at 03:36 PM
What type of food coloring do you use to achieve such color? It is truly amazing! What a beautiful cake.
On a different note, when you ice your cookies how do you get the icing so smooth?
Posted by: Amanda Sikes | Nov 14, 2009 at 03:37 PM
You always amaze me! :) It's gorgeous - You are SOO invited to dinner at my house! :) lol (REally, truly - whenever - at least as long as the girls don't have H1N1) and you don't even have to bring dessert - I just like your company!
Have you tried eBay? I have gotten some cookie cutters from there - nothing quite so nice. I should let you go through mine sometime - I have a TON - I love them - just don't use them and certainly can't decorate them like you do!
Posted by: janis | Nov 14, 2009 at 03:38 PM
On the contrary, I'd of course want to invite you to dinner =)! Very sweet of Aunt to send those to you, obviously she knows you!
Posted by: Erica | Nov 14, 2009 at 04:43 PM
Love the cake! Just beautiful!!
Posted by: Jenny | Nov 14, 2009 at 07:14 PM
The cake is beautiful! You are welcome for dinner anytime! And what a fun box of goodies to get from your auntie!
Posted by: Holly Neaton | Nov 14, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Awe... thanks Holly!
Posted by: Amanda Rettke | Nov 14, 2009 at 10:39 PM
I love your site!!! I am in awe of your detailed and intricate work! You have such a beautiful gift! Tell me, do you draw? I mean, are you an artist (besides what you are already doing?). I'm so impressed with your work.
May I ask...do you do "made to order"? I just can't get over how wonderful your work is. If you are looking for more advertising...I'd love to feature you on my blog...maybe do a little mini interview with you, if you'd be interested.
Anyway, THANK YOU for sharing your talent with the world!!
Blessings to you.
Posted by: Nancy | Nov 15, 2009 at 08:59 AM
Oh my! Thank you so much Nancy!! You are welcome to link to my blog or feature me you sure can... thank you for even considering me!
To answer your other question, I do not draw. I am not much of an artist, although I always wanted to be!!
Thank you so much for your VERY sweet thoughts... I really appreciate you taking the time to say them!!
Blessings to you-
Amanda
Posted by: Amanda Rettke | Nov 15, 2009 at 09:15 AM
What a pretty cake! And that package!!!! Wow amazing stuff.
Posted by: Gala | Nov 15, 2009 at 10:11 AM
GASP!!! I would love to get a box in the mail like that! And that cake...oh sweet mercy. Beautiful.
Posted by: Kate | Nov 15, 2009 at 12:05 PM
I love the monochromatic look! It's great. And that totally sounds like something I would do, plan some elaborate concoction that would take hours and hours to prepare, just for a casual dinner with friends. :)
Posted by: Allie | Nov 15, 2009 at 02:14 PM
Want to come to dinner here in MA?!!! LOL. :) Want to bring a dessert?! :)
Love the cake... and also the goodies you got in the mail. I think we have quite a selection of the copper cutters - from my grandmother? Not sure... i'll have to check it out.
Blessings,
Kari
Posted by: Kari | Nov 15, 2009 at 11:54 PM
I have Martha's Noah's Ark Cookie Cutters. They are beautiful as well as practical. I bought them years ago when my kids were young and Martha would present her wares in her magazine. I've seen many of her cutters on ebay, check there. She might still have them on her web site. Lucky women you are with your box of treasures! Pam
Posted by: The Gypsy Chef | Nov 16, 2009 at 06:41 AM
Super jealous of your fantastic "fun box"!! Have a good time with all those treasures. :)
Great cake too!
Posted by: Stephanie | Nov 16, 2009 at 08:29 AM
Yummy! If you brought that cake to my house for dinner, this is what I would do: Eat less dinner so I could have more cake! I really like the dots, too. :)
Also, I think I would start crying if someone gave me that wonderful box of "treasures!" That's quite a collection!
Rachel
Posted by: Rachel Watters | Nov 16, 2009 at 04:34 PM
Oooh, I ~love~ 'hand-me-down' goodies like that! Lucky! I found a copper Christmas tree cookie cutter here: http://www.cookiecuttersonline.com/?christmas_tree_copper_cookie_cutter But, I've never ordered from them and they were rather pricey. Sadly, I don't have any myself, but maybe one of these days I'll get lucky and find some at a nice yardsale or auction! Beautiful cake, too!
Posted by: Janet | Nov 16, 2009 at 07:49 PM
THanks for that link Janet!!!! And wow! You are right...they are pricey! I will have to start collecting pennies! :)
Hope you are having a blessed night!
Amanda
Posted by: Amanda Rettke | Nov 16, 2009 at 07:57 PM
Your cake is gorgeous! I remember when Martha used to sell those cookie cutters. I would think they are collectibles now.
Posted by: BethieofVA | Nov 17, 2009 at 05:56 AM
Best. Package. Ever! And that cake... To die for!! I'm so inspired by you!
Posted by: Army Mom | Nov 17, 2009 at 09:31 AM
First of all...you have some lucky friends. I think I would invite you to dinner every night.
Second...that PACKAGE! Lucky you!!! What a box of treasures!!! Have FUN with those!
Posted by: bridget {bake at 350} | Nov 17, 2009 at 09:54 PM
That is so great! That looks like a perfect surprise for you. I bet you were so excited to open it.
Posted by: bp | Nov 19, 2009 at 06:16 PM
Martha used to sell those cookie cutters through Martha by Mail. She discontinued the online store but perhaps she sells them through Macy's now. The petite fours are beautiful.
Posted by: Deanna | Nov 19, 2009 at 09:21 PM
Beautiful cake. If you ever travel south to SD let me know - you can bring your family over to dinner and I will let you make dessert! I know..how generous of me right?! :)
Looks like you got a little early Christmas gift! Love it when family blesses us with the little things that mean so much!
Kristin
Posted by: Kristin Smith | Nov 23, 2009 at 08:19 PM
Its a gorgeous color!!!Your works are mind blowing!!
Posted by: Racing cars from middle east | Dec 15, 2009 at 12:12 AM
Your blogs are just awesome and wonderful! That is so great!
Posted by: Car wallpapers | Jan 11, 2010 at 04:36 AM
Wow, oh my word! You really have a talent - like a serious gifting. My sister just showed me your blog and my face was frozen in shock & admiration by your delightful-yummy-looking creations. I simply wanted to tell you what I thought :). oh, also here's a verse I thought of while looking at your blog: Prov. 22:29, "Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men."
Be blessed today, sister!
Posted by: Cristina Pena | Jan 27, 2010 at 02:24 PM
Treasure indeed! I'm really enjoying your website...I accidentally stumbled on it and I believe it is safe to say-I'm hooked!
Posted by: Heather | Feb 21, 2010 at 10:31 AM
I have been scanning your blog today to find any tutorials or examples that would help a friend of mine attempt her first layer cake. Mission accomplished there. But, this blue cake begs the question... how in the heck do you get your icing so smooth and flawless? I bought a bigger icing knife, whatever it's called, and tried to get smooth icing on my faith cake but it's not as smooth as yours. Spill your secrets! LOL
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | Apr 09, 2010 at 11:34 AM
Holy Cow! you hit the baking mother load!!! That Noah's Ark set is AMAZING!!! You did a great job on that cake - very pretty!!!
Why does Fondant get such a bad rap? If you use a good brand it tastes good. They even have a new line out that tastes like buttercream! YUM! I have even heard that Wilton has redesigned their fondant and that it doesn't taste bad or smell like play dough anymore - there is hope.
- Janel
mackenziescraftymom.blogspot.com
Posted by: Janel | May 26, 2010 at 09:03 AM
I have a bunch of Martha's copper cookie cutters I am looking to sell, includng the first Noah's ark set (no box, but I do have the ark template), bug collection, and about 8 of the large copper cookie cutters. Most have never been used. I have thought of putting them on e-bay, but I'm not sure what is the best venue for this because, yes, I would like to get a reasonable price, and sometimes e-bay goes for dirt cheap. Any auggestions? Any interest?
Posted by: Sue C. | Jul 27, 2010 at 12:10 AM
I do not think I am any better or any worse than most people, but I know that the world would consider me a monster of depravity, if I set down every action in my life and every thought that has crossed my mind.
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While I can't respond to every one, I LOVE hearing your comments!
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