Cherry Blossom Teacup Cake

This teacup is not made in the shape of a typical teacup because it is for a Chinese lady who grew up with a famous river in her city named “Cherry Blossom River”.  The river banks are full of cherry trees.  As they bloom in the spring, the beauty is indescribable.  This cake is made for her birthday to bring her a small bit of home.

Cherry Blossom Teacup Cake Front View
Cherry Blossom Teacup Cake Front View
Cherry Blossom Teacup Cake Back View
Cherry Blossom Teacup Cake Back View
Cherry Blossom Teacup Cake Detail
Cherry Blossom Teacup Cake Detail
Advertisement

Lord of the Rings Bag End Cake

What a privilege it was to be able to make this cake for a great fan of J.R.R. Tolkien like myself!  This was indeed a very happy cake to make.   I felt the joy and the carefree spirit of the hobbits as I made each of the decorative components for this Bag End Cake.  I felt like a hobbit, of whom Tolkien described as “an unobtrusive but very ancient people” who “love peace and quiet and good tilled earth: a well-ordered and well-farmed countryside was their favourite haunt.”  I suppose, in this case, it would be a chocolate cake instead of earth and buttercream instead of grass!

There is a sense of contentment and comfort attached to Bag End and its architecture.  I think I would be happy living in a hobbit hole like Bag End.  I wonder whether there be mansions like the hobbit hole in heaven.  Before I get further carried away, I think I should leave you with reading the Lord of the Rings yourself instead of doing injustice to the visions of Tolkien and enjoying the beauty of the Shire and Bag End through this cake.

Lord of the Rings Bag End Cake
Lord of the Rings Bag End Cake
Bag End Left Side
Bag End Left Side
Bag End Right Side
Bag End Right Side
Bag End Front Porch
Bag End Front Porch
Bag End Left Side
Bag End Left Side
Bag End Window Details
Bag End Window Details
Bird Feed Detail
Bird Feed Detail
Bench Detail
Bench Detail
Steps, Fence & Gate Details
Steps, Fence & Gate Details
Tree on Top of Bag End
Tree on Top of Bag End

Jewelry Box Cake

This cake was made for a very sweet lady who was about to retire after working happy for the same jewelry company for over 20 years.

Jewelry Box Cake
Jewelry Box Cake
Jewelry Box Cake Side View
Jewelry Box Cake Side View
Rose Pin made with Fondant
Rose Pin made with Fondant
Hand Made Ring with Fondant and Royal Icing
Hand Made Ring with Fondant and Royal Icing
Jewelry made with all the details of posts and pin lever
Jewelry made with all the details of posts and pin lever
Earrings made with Fondant and Painting with Food Color
Earrings made with Fondant and Painting with Food Color
Cameo made with Fondant and Royal Icing and Fondant Pearl necklace
Cameo made with Fondant and Royal Icing and Fondant Pearl necklace
Applique Detail
Applique Detail
Applique Detail
Applique Detail
Jewelry Box Cake Top View
Jewelry Box Cake Top View

 

New Year’s Firework Cake

For new year’s eve 2013 celebration, I made this simple but pretty firework cake.  The inside is chocolate cake with orange meringue buttercream.

New Year's Firework Cake
New Year’s Firework Cake

2013 New Year Cake Side

The Christmas Story Cake – 2012

It has been a year since I made the first Christmas Story Cake.  This year, a friend, whose life has been so joyously changed by Jesus recently, invited me to celebrate Jesus with her and a number of friends.  At her request, I agreed to make the Christmas Story Cake for her which is very befitting the occasion.  I did make some changes to the original design, added a few more elements, but kept the spirit of the original cake to remember the ageless story of the birth of Christ.  It is a story that, 2000 years later, is still changing our lives because He came to take away the sin of this world.

Christmas Story Cake 2012

The cake design was inspired by a Hallmark Christmas greeting card sent to me a few years before.

The card is designed like a tri-fold easel board with the two front folds cut in the shape of the scenery of Bethlehem with its ancient buildings in shades of blue, mostly tall and grand. Then when you open the two front flaps; in the midst of these buildings, sits a tiny stable that is lit up by a bright yellow light emanating from a star above; much like a spot light. In the middle of the stable is a manger enveloped in light. This scene left an unusual impression on me because of its depiction of a seemingly paradoxical situation, which we have often heard or read about but never fully grasped.

Christmas Story Cake 2012 Manger

When we think of kings and lords, we think of palaces, glitter, jewels, grandeur, and many fine things. Jesus, on the other hand, was born under the most extraordinary circumstances which were completely counter intuitive to our human imagination. Jesus was not born with silver trumpets announcing His birth or with pomp and flare. He was born in a lowly, “God forsaken” place, a place that was not even meant to be resided by humans. He was born in a stable, a residence for domestic animals. Are you shocked? I am. Why did the very Son of God who was in possession of all the splendor of the universe choose to be born in a stable where animals lived, in such extraordinarily humble circumstances?

In the midst of the city of Bethlehem, this tiny stable was completely lost from sight if you did not pay attention. Why did He come in such a quiet way and in such obscurity that most people were completely unaware of an event that was to reset the course of history and the course of their lives?

I think Jesus chose to be born this way to identify with us and our human condition.  1 Corinthians 1: 26 says, “Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.” Many of us work hard to conquer the very things said in this verse by excelling in power, knowledge, prestige or at least trying our best to dress better, appear smarter, and sound more intelligent to earn the respect “due us”.  Yet in the hearts of our hearts, in the quietness of night, a fear looms over us, over the thought of possibly losing it all and being looked down upon. So we strive even harder and hold on even tighter to secure them in our grip, only to find ourselves always feeling empty and unsatisfied over and over again.  In the depth of our souls; without these façades, most of us feel like helpless children lost in a big world, lonely, God-forsaken, and forgotten. Jesus, though God Himself, knowing full well our lowly estate, left all the majesty of heaven, not shunning the poverty in our souls and bodies, and chose to be born into the same conditions as a helpless babe into this world, rejected and forgotten by most people.  The Almighty God has not forgotten us in our helplessness.  Jesus came to show that God had a plan for us who were a far cry from what we were meant to be.  He came to make a way for us to reach God, to know Him and to walk side by side with Him.  And this is the story of Christmas:

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord…” (Luke 2: 11)

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned… For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9)

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

What good tidings indeed!  We wish you a Merry Christmas.

Christmas Story Cake 2012 FrontChristmas Story Cake 2012 Three Wise Men

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Cake

Ok, this may not be the most creative, but I thought it was cute to have pumpkin cake inside a Pumpkin Cake.

The cake is pumpkin cake with creamcheese frosting.

Pumpkin Cake inside a Pumpkin Cake
Pumpkin Cake

Flower Wedding Cake

This cake is for a couple who wanted a very simple and casual wedding.

Flower Wedding Cake
Flower Wedding Cake
Flower Wedding Cake – Cherry Blossom Detail
Flower Wedding Cakes – Rose Detail

Flamenco Cake

This Flamenco Cake was made for one of my dear friend’s birthday. The inspiration came from her love for dancing and her recent fashion passion for ruffles.

Flamenco Cake
Flamenco Cake – Rose Detail
Flamenco Cake-Top View
Flamenco Cake – Ruffle Detail