Paper Ranunculus Flower

I have been browsing for a solution to my flower budget dilemma. I think I have found it :) Paper ranunculus flowers. My inspiration from diy or don't ....unfortunately I don't own a fancy cutting machine and I don't have the extra $275 to spend on it. I do however own a pair of scissors and a hot glue gun. I made my own temple. Still working on making it perfect, but I think they turned out good. 

(The tutorial is finally here with pattern/ temple!)

How to make Your Own Wedding Cake & Not Go Crazy(Part 1)

I am making a wedding cake for 100...this is my strategy plan. I would suggest watching the videos and practicing a few times. Yes you can make your own cake!

 2 Week-2 Days Before Your Wedding

Make The Cake: 
It took me 5 hrs to bake enough cake for a 4 tier. After your cake has cooled wrap it in plastic wrap and foil. Refrigerate the cake for a few hours until chilled. This will make it easier to level.

A few tutorials to help you bake a fool proof cake.

How prep a cake pan  Please use parchment paper!

Bake an even cake: The flower nail method

Bake an even cake: The magic strip 

White Almond Sour Cream Cake & Chocolate Sour Cream Cake (Recipes) OMG EASY! virtually fool proof :) It can be made in any flavor even dairy free too by using soy yogurt. (I use ck brand cake mix )

How to Bake and Decorate a Cake This video is long but has a lot of good tips and tricks! 

Useful charts:

Cake Servings Guide/ Chart

Cake Baking Time and Batter Amounts     3" deep     2" deep

Cake Cutting Guide

 

Level Your Cake:
How to Level Tort and Fill a Cake (seriously watch the video)


I am using a Wilton lever but you can do this with a long knife. Brush  simple syrup on the cake. This helps keep the cake moist in the freezer.If you decided to tort your cake(split it in multiple layers) separate the layers with parchment paper. Make sure to use the cookie sheet technique so you don't have to re bake cake :)


How to make simple syrup 

Freeze the cake! 
Place cake on a cake board. Wrap it up extra good and freeze it. This will save you a lot of stress. You do not want to pull an all nigher. Some cakes do not freeze well but most do.

How to Freeze Cakes

Make Your Frosting:
You can make the butter cream ahead of time. Yep, you can freeze it! Just store it in a freezer bag. When ready to use. Defrost in a mixing bowl(this takes a few hours) and re-whip with a spoon. 

No Fail Butter cream

The Night Before Your Wedding

Fill your cakes:
Place all of your cakes on a cake board the same size as each cake. Make a dam with frosting so filling won't leak out. Don't over fill please!

How To Fill A Cake

Crumb Coat:
Since your cake is already frozen. You don't need to re freeze it. spread a thin layer of frosting to trap all the crumbs...don't worry about it looking perfect. If you are using the upside down frosting method you can skip ahead. 

How to crumb coat a cake

Frost The Cake:
I highly suggest using a Lazy Susan it makes things a heck of a lot easier. Also a 6" bench scraper or speckling knife are a must have and viva paper towels!

*If you want a very smooth cake try the upside down frosting method...It works like a charm! tutorial 


upside down video here

How to frost a cake smooth (even if you are using the upside down method this is a handy video to watch)

Stack it: 
There are a million and one ways people do this. I use plastic pillars and bubble tea straws.(I picked the straws up from an Asian food store but you also can get them online)Remember to put your base cake on a cake drum or Masonite board

How To Stack A Cake  (This is the video I follow)

How to cover a cake board 

 Part 2 Will Cover Decorating

Practice cakes & tastings

Butter cream cake with fondant leaves

 So, I had a tasting for a few brides on Monday. I think I did a good job on the cakes. They tasted amazing. The big hit was the Oreo cake. Every bride wanted...no needed to have it for her wedding. I did not have all my equipment yet and was working with makeshift pastry bags. Heck I'm only a beginner! My daughters b-day is Sunday hope to get some more practice in :)

Stenciled butter cream

DIY Hand Stamped Tablecloth & Napkins

I am so in love with this project. I can now have fantastic printed linens on a beer and hot dog budget. I was practising today with an old apron. I bought a stencil from Jo Ann fabrics for .49 It took me about 10 min to paint with the help of my 4 year old.

You will need
Stamp or  stencil( If using a stencil spray the back with repositionable adhesive)

Round flat paint brush or sponge brush

Fabric paint

Fabric

Old towel(s)

Iron


Step one
Wash and iron your fabric. Don't add fabric softener.

Step 2
Plan where you want your design. No room for mistakes. If you are doing a large piece it helps to work on a big table or even the floor.

Step 3
With a old towel(a little padding is good) under your fabric Stamp or stencil.  Always work top to bottom.If you are using a stencil dab don't spread. For crisp edges when using a stencil, spray the back with adhesive. I did not use adhesive but it turned out good.

Step 4
Let it dry completely for 24 hours...this is the hardest step for me.

Step 5
Iron the back of the fabric. Make sure to use a press cloth.

The possibilities are endless!

Post Card Back From My Save The Date

I have had a few requests on this subject and this is the image I used for my vintage postcard look.

Get image here 

Also my new rsvp postcard back

HERE

DIY Candle Holders For Cheap

Can't find a stellar deal on candle holders? Can't have open flames? No problem this is a easy DIY...It will cost you next to nothing :)

Things you need:

This video:


Wax:
 I used recycled wax that I requested from freecycle.org. If you have one in your area use it! Freecycle is an amazing way to help keep usable things out of landfills.

Pot:
One that you will never cook food in.

Water balloon:
I should have made mine smaller

Time:
This takes about 15 min start to finish.

Directions:


1.

 Fill water balloon to desired size. The bigger balloon the bigger the pot of wax.


2.

Heat wax on low/ med heat. If it's smoking its too hot! (PLEASE never leave your wax alone on the stove. Fire safety people!)



3.

Dip dip dip! Let cool between dips until wax is hard. Keep dipping until a good layer has built up.



4.

Flat surface time. Once a good layer has  formed, place the balloon on a flat surface and let harden. I did this every few dips until I got to my desired thickness.


5. POP! Ok, I was too big of a wuss to pop it. I used scissors.




6.

 Place candle or LED throwie in it. How to vid below. Obviously you don't need the magnet. (I did not clean up the top edge with a hot pan)

7. 
Enjoy!

FREE: Wedding Cake Baking And Decorating!

That's what I am offering lucky brides in Rochester NY before November.  So far I have done a few. I can't wait to do more. I have 4 brides scheduled for the summer. All are having weddings between 70- 100 people. My first stacked cake turned out great. It is surprisingly easy working with fondant and gum paste. They sell molds and cutters. It's like play dough! I will TRY to make a tutorial on how to make your own wedding cake later.


For now Please check out Edna De la Cruz . She is amazing and her tutorials are too!

http://www.youtube.com/user/tonedna1

My first stacked cake :)