... and so it begins

It's been awhile in between posts.  It's not that I haven't done much cakes or cookies, but just that in between baking and decorating, there's family. 

There's also the few weeks that I hem hawed around, trying to decide about having my blog re-designed.  Well, I finally took the plunge.  Here is the new blog, designed and installed by Smitten Blog Designs.

And here are shots of what I had been up to the past few months.


{ Cookie favours in jars for Crystal's wedding }

 

{ Icy snowflake cookies for Mater Health Services' Sub-Zero conference }

{ Angus' birthday cookies }

 

{ Spencer's mad scientist birthday cake }

 



{ Alexa's birthday cookies - a bit of home, fashion and art in a jar }



{ White and gold cookies and cupcakes for a golden wedding anniversary } 

 



 

 

{ Monkey face christening cookies, based on the baby's toy monkey }

 

{ Mariette's bridal shower cookies }

{ Alyssa's ballerina and ruffles birthday cake, cookies, and a special tutu cookie just for her }

   

Tuyen's wedding cookies

Grey, black and yellow.  Love the colour combination.

"  Thank you so much for the beautiful cookies - they were a big hit and the guests loved them!  The day went without a hitch and mother nature was kind enough to provide us with some great weather.  Many thanks for your congratulations.  I hope there'll be another occasion in the future where I'll get to order your cookies again!"

-  Tuyen D, Brisbane

A wedding, a wedding!

Scenes from Restaurant Two:



 

{ Table centrepieces }

 

And this, my (not so) little baby, decorated with fresh flowers:

 

 

 

The centrepieces and cake flowers are from Sara Meredith Designer Florist.

 

Photographs were taken by Waikay Lau Photography - aka: my cake delivery driver - delivery assitant - photographer - hubby.

 

 

"Jen, cake looked amazing. I was so happy with it, Thank you."

-  Kelly M, UK

White heart cookies

Small heart cookies in various designs.  White on white works every time!

These cookies, in a glass apothecary jar, would add a touch of elegance to any event.

Lisa's Wedding Cookies

Tuxedo and gown cookies for Lisa's wedding.  The cookies were designed to match Lisa's wedding dress and the suits that the men wore.  Lots of piping and itty-bitty white sugar beads on the dress.

 

Bridesmaid Cookies

Bridesmaid cookies in white, pale pink and lilac sent to Rachel in NSW.

 

"I received the cookies safe and sound.  They are perfect!  Thank you so much for getting them to me in a short amount of time."

-  Rachel L, Moss Vale

Reflection

I can't believe the holidays are almost over and that it's been more than a month since I last posted.  My family took off to Rainbow Beach, enjoyed the time away so much, and decided to spend a few days on the Sunshine Coast as well.  Then there's all the other bits and bobs in between, like cooking the family's Christmas feast, catch-ups with friends, and a mad scramble to put together my daughter's 12th birthday party (more on that soon!).  

It might be a tad late, but I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, spent with those you love.  I hope you all ended the year with gratitude for all the people who brought you joy and gave meaning to everything you do.  I hope you ended the year on a sweet note, just like I did with these cakes. 

 

- Chocolate Mudcake with peony, for a Polkadot Event Christmas party -

 

 

 

- Rebecca's ivory wedding cake, inspired by the invitation design -

A message from Rebecca after the wedding:  "Thank you for the beautiful cake!  It looked amazing and tasted even better.  Was a beautiful wedding."

May this year bring lots of lovely and sweet moments your way!

Tiffany & Co cookies

A few weeks ago, I was asked by Tiffany & Co to make small cookies for their QueensPlaza shop.  I then received an email from one of their customers telling me how much she loved the cookie she had at the shop and if I could make the same cookies for her bridal shower.  How could I say no?

 

 

Gown and Tux Cookies

Cookie place cards for a wedding last weekend.  Because I make a lot of gown and tuxedo cookies, I try to vary the designs as much as I can.  These ones called for deep red and silver accents to match the wedding's colour scheme.

 

"Thank you, Jen.  Your cookies were a hit, everyone commented on how great they looked and tasted.  Thanks for the picture, it's something that we didn't have and is lovely to now have."

-  Erin G

Wedding Cookies

 

These tuxedo and gown cookies were given to the children who attended my client's wedding.  I think it's lovely to include children at a wedding, not just at the ceremony, but at the reception too.

Bridal Shower Cookies

Pink and white gown cookies for a bridal shower at Customs House.

I got a huge hug from the bride's sister for these {insert big grin}.

Bridesmaid Cookies

Sweet bridesmaid cookie set sent to a bride-to-be in Melbourne.

Danielle's Cupcakes

Pink flowers with flirty petals and butterflies for Danielle's 21st birthday.  I would love these to be in a vintage-inspired birthday, engagement or wedding, too.

Christmas Cookies

Reindeer, snowflakes, and Christmas tree cookies for the Felix & Slink Group.

Seamless apothecary jars filled with peanut butter cookies (this is the kind of cookie that is salty and sweet, and scrumptiously melt in your mouth).  I gave these to friends, the kids' teachers, and my fellow tuckshop ladies.  The only complaint I received was there wasn't enough cookies in the jar.

{ Medium-sized jar, with more than a dozen cookies }

{ Mini jars, with half a dozen cookies }

These cookie jars would make great party favours or wedding bonbonnieres.

Cupcakes with red flower and butterfly

It's been awhile since I posted anything.  Life has been busy, with Christmas and school holidays, then getting the kids settled back into school and all their various activities.  Now that I can catch my breath, I can sort through the photos of what I made towards the end of last year and put them up. 

These vanilla bean cupcakes were made for a 21st birthday.  They would be perfect for an engagement or wedding, or for no other special reason than to say 'I love you.' 

Wedding anniversary cake

Black, white and red 40th wedding anniversary cake.

Love, amazing love. 

Damask pattern is Mich Turner's design, and is from her book, Cake Masterclass.

Dave and Amy's wedding cookies

Vanilla bean sugar cookie placecards for Dave and Amy's wedding.  The bird cookies were designed to match the wedding invitation. 

I got a big hug from the bride for these :-)

This was a note from the bride's aunt:

Good morning Jen,

Just back at work after Dave and Amy's wedding and wanted to say thank you for the wonderful job you did wiht the biscuits.  Everyone was so impressed with the presentation and thoroughly enjoyed eating their placecards.  Once again, thank you for adding enjoyment to a wonderful day.

Sue H



Esther and Bryan's Wedding

Marble mud cutting cake, orange poppyseed and lime cupcakes for Esther and Bryan's wedding at Tamborine Gardens.  The figurine was from the bride's father, and using it as the main feature of the cutting cake adds a beautiful sentiment.   

A quick snapshot of the cakes before we left Tamborine Gardens.  I must say, it is a stunning venue - glass all around, the whole ceiling draped with white material and a chandelier dripping down from the center.  Plus, for the first time, I had no one vacuuming around me while setting up the cakes!   

Amanda and Mick's wedding cookie placecards

Vanilla bean sugar cookies used as placecards at Amanda and Mick's wedding last month.