Getting the Creative Juices Flowing

Whoo. What a week it's been. So many things happening, so much creative juice flowing.

I embarked on a journey. One filled with wood, saw dust, nails, paint, more paint, paint Everywhere! At one point I had paint in my nose and in my eye and I've been trying to get it out of my hair for days.

My lovely little niece turned two last week. I posted her birthday cake last week, but being the best Aunty in the world, it wasn't enough to merely provide an outrageously fabulous cake. No. I had to step it up this year. So it all began with a plan. Pen, paper and with the help of my amazing Grandad, some dimensions.



I initially wanted to make it from a cupboard so I would have a solid foundation to work with, but it really ended up being easier to build it from scratch. So we did. Grandad got the wood and we went ahead and cut it to our dimensions. Now let me tell you something about the Grandad. He is the most amazing, supportive, intelligent, caring man and I love him like Crazy! But boy oh boy is he a control freak. Which I find very stressful because I am also a control freak. I was so grateful for his help that I let him take the lead, but it took all of my patience and strength not to lose my head and take control. Regardless of our power struggle, well my power struggle, we finally got the wood cut and the foundation built.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't allowed to use the saw, but I totally got to nail and glue this bad boy together.

All we had left to do was paint and decorate! I enjoyed painting far to much! There was paint everywhere. I seriously still have it in my hair. I thought white. Just classic, simple and she can chop and change it as she gets bigger. I managed to ruin a pair of jeans and a shirt, but then decided it was going to be a fashion statement anyway so rocked them to work, much to my grandparents horror. I just went out and got some bits a pieces and threw it together.

 

 The final product being a wonderful surprise where we played make up and Aunty Lolly was lucky enough to get a full make over.





 

So whilst all this was going on, I was also busy busy busy in the kitchen. I had a friends birthday party on Saturday and then I had my nieces party on Sunday, Not to mention mothers day!

My friends party on Saturday was a casual doo with friends and having supplied cupcakes for other parties the pressure was on to make something new. All day long all I could hear was the pounding, repetitive rhythm of 'Under Pressure'. I may not have made it through without my amazing mum and housemate who managed to make sure I didn't lose my head and gave me the inspiration for a new cupcake.

For a different texture I tried a new recipe for a fairy cake and what amazing little treasures they turned out to be. I thought fairy cake with a meringue, use the torch to brown the top, how hard could it be? .... Four batches of meringue later I sat on the floor and almost gave up (maybe cried a little bit). The damn moisture from the rain was ruining my meringue. It was runny and wouldn't pipe and I just wanted to give up. But with some encouraging words I got off the floor and worked something out. They were pretty fabulous, and such a perfect mouthful of absolute loveliness. Small enough to be enjoyed by even those on the strictest of diets and not so sweet that I needed a glass of water/beer to wash it down. For those that had a little more of a sweet tooth I went all out with a Neapolitan mound of gooey goodness. Chocolate cupcakes, Vanilla Buttercream, Strawberry American Style Fluff. Oh man. Wow. There aren't many words to describe how decedent it was. There are only so many times I can use the word fabulous. I've decided to call them Naughty Neapolitans. Anyway, here are some pictures, hopefully they will do it justice!



Fairycake Batter



Naughty Neapolitans



Raspberry Meringue Fairycakes



I had to call it a night around 11pm, head home to bed whilst everyone went out to paint the town red. I had a very special mum to make a very special brekkie for, under her strict instruction of course.

We made individual quiches. It was a wonderful breakfast. My housemate contributed  with vegan crepes, dark chocolate and banana. Drool. It was so lovely! Our quiches were just bacon and egg and balsamic tomatoes with a cracked egg on top. They looked so rustic, which is something that I really enjoy. I love eating with my eyes. They were not overly healthy with the filo pastry and bacon but for this special occasion it was totally worth it.

My last job, but certainly not my least important job, was a cupcake flowerpot for the Mad Hatters tea party for all the kids. I kept it simple with chocolate and vanilla. What a mess it was making the rose bush! I pinned and re pinned the roses on the ball and then probably pinned them again! I had to re-ice at least 5 cupcakes but finally I got the pattern down pat. I think this is such a lovely idea and something that I could use again and again for allIdifferent types of parties. It was so lovely listening to the oos and ahhs as I came down the driveway. I can assure you they were ooing and ahhing over the cake, because i had icing Everywhere. On my shirt, fingers, pants, car, car seats haha there was even a man down on the way to the party. The pavement has that cake now.

But I'll tell you, it was all worth it.

The whole crazy weekend was a roller coaster ride, full of ups and downs! I'm so blessed with the family and adopted family I'm surrounded by. So much support and someone to pick me up when I'm sitting on the floor crying over terrible meringue. It's over, but only to be followed by a massive order for Friday night, as we celebrate the engagement of my dear friend Hollie and Max.

I'll give you the details after the big day. I'm nervous and excited to see how far I can push myself and how big and fabulous I can make it for an old friend. Stay tuned ....