D-17 to Ethan's Birthday

So this year I've decided to embark on a massive mission. Riding on my new found confidence (or over-confidence..depending on the success of the party) of having done one collaborative project - Banana in Pjs cake, I'll be making 2...yes...not one but TWO cakes. One for Ethan and another for a friend's daughter, Jaelyn, whose birthday we'll be celebrating together.

I get sweaty palms just thinking about it.....firstly, I'm not a baker. Not even pre-mix cakes can save me. They always turn out too dry, overcooked or just bad. SO WHAT WAS I THINKING ABOUT....I figured if I started early enough and failed, there's always time to rush out to get a store bought one and there really isn't anything that can compare to that sense of achievement if it works according to plan.

Between looking after 2 kids, surfing the net and the occasional housework, there really isn't much time for fondant rolling, cake baking etc..so I've decided to start this project wayyyy before the D-date.

This was what I made for the past week since you really need to let the figurines dry for a couple of days. Figurines are made of Satin Ice gum paste.

Prototype made with Playdoh

Purple Sheep

Purple, Yellow, Orange, Green Sheep and a Bush

I used a straw to "emboss" the sheep's body for a fleece-like look.

To attach heads, arms and legs to the body, I've stuck a piece of spaghetti in them and added a bit of edible glue.

To attach eyes, I've just brushed a bit of water.

As I want the figurines to be upright on the cake, I have inserted a lollipop stick through one of the legs, hoping that it will be sufficient for the figurine to stay upright on the cake.

Useful Tips from the Internet:

• Always keep gum paste wrapped. They dry out really quickly
• Keep leftover gum paste tightly wrapped and place in air-tight container in a cool dark place
• Never put gum paste in the fridge
• Gel paste is really the best to use for colouring gum paste
• If it gets too sticky while kneading gum paste, coat hands with melted shortening
• Too much sun will change the colour of the coloured gum paste

Ethan and Ball

heee...Ethan can now say neh neh (milk), ma ma (mother) and ball (self-explanatory)....

Ethan and Walker

Who says he doesn't have a walker.....

Ethan and Belly Button

hee hee...see his tummy...for someone who doesn't eat...it's one huge tummy....heee...and yes...his hair...i did it...sigh...i should retire as his hairdresser

Bananas in Pajamas Cake

so a few of us gals got together to embark on this delightful mission....bananas in pajamas cake...first attempt for all of us...i've got to say...i'm quite happy with the results...figurines made with gum paste and the cake is covered with fondant....if u take a closer look, it's abit cracked...i mite attempt to use 50/50 (WOW...baker talk for half gum paste...half fondant - i think) for the figurines....TADA...cute ma??

Chocolate Chip Pikelets

Craving for something with choc but didn't want to bake anything...u know..something like really quick...so decided to make choc chip pikelets..hee..YUM YUM

Ingredients:
1 cup self-raising flour
1 tbsp sugar
pinch of salt
3/4 cup  milk
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
chocolate chips

Method:
1. Mix all wet ingredients together well.
2. Stir in the dry ingredients. Leave the batter to stand for 10 mins.
3. Cook as you would a pancake on a pan over the stove.

Jayden and Snow

Slacking for the past 3 months....so here's some new pics to get me started again...heee...Thomas and Jayden's day out at Lake Mountain...aren't the colours just gorgeous...

Getting ready to throw snowball

So ski catalog

Making snowball

Thomas chillin'

Watch out!!