I have a busy weekend around here -- I have several cake and buttercream recipes I want to try out and that works out well because I can bring them to bible study on Sunday (test them out on the brethren -- though shalt not lie if the cake ain't that great! 
Then my cakes 101 class sold out and the waiting list filled up fast (unusual for the Winter term -- I usually get slammed in the Fall) and that starts Monday, so I have to get ready for that. Which is another reason I'm happy I have all these recipes I want to try -- I can practice my piping for class! 
So what's everyone else up to?
Nothing for me tonight. My husband told me this week that he was going to build me a commercial kitchen. So, I have been working on the floor plans. It will be small 12x24 a non-storefront. I would appreciate anyone pming me pictures of their setup. It will be compact, but perfect. I think he is tired of paying for my give aways! 25th anniversary cake next week!
Just a dummy here tonight
Working on a design for Sweet Times in the Rockies. I did have 2 designs I wanted to do,but after talking with the organizers I found out i would have to put them in the same category. Not I want to do that. Trying to decide whether to go with just the one I have already started or figure out a new design for a different category.
leah- what do you mean by email campaigns? Advertising?
Oh gosh, let me see, well there's a carrot cake that sounds to die for I want to try, a cream cheese buttercream, a sour cream buttercream, a swiss meringue buttercream (what I'm going to do with all these buttercreams I have NO idea!) Then I have leftover zuchini for bread and enough dead bananas for banana bread (we're going to have some chubby brethren after Sunday!)
Just finished a 6" cake, 48 cupcakes w/toppers, and 48 cookie favors for a shower tomorrow. I'm glad I'm not in business, they took forever! 
But it was fun!
Kakes - yes advertising. Email campaigns to brides who signed up at the wedding show.
Wonder - I have never found a really good carrot cake recipe. I have several that I've used over the years but they all are a bit finicky/not always dependable. They sell well, but I always have to wonder if they're gong to turn out.
LKing - how exciting!
Working on a display cake #3 and cake balls for sample treats for a bridal show on Sunday. I am also working on a birthday cake for Sunday as well. I've done as much as I could tonight, ran out of steam! I'm gonna have to really push it tomorrow to get everything done!
leah-If you would indulge me.....There is only 1 show a year in my area and this year will be my first. What do you send out to brides in your email? General info on your services?
Kakes - would you believe I do from 8 to 10 wedding shows a year?
General info on services gets you nowhere fast. You have to offer something. A "value added" something as Indy is always talking about. I offer 2 doz cupcakes if they book a wedding cake. I always have leftover batter so it truly costs me next to nothing. Or I offer a discount on a candy buffet. I'd rather load up the truck with a cake and a candy buffet and make one massive delivery!
Absolutely use the lidded souffle cups. The cake will stay moister and brides can just throw them in their bags. The caterers will fill them up with food before they hit your booth.
i haven't done a wedding show myself, but i see this tip repeated over and over, and others who have taken the advice of Leah and IndyDebi and it went over so well!!
Don't forget to put your business info on an address label on the lidded cup too! you want those brides to know where they got that cake from.
Even with doing the show in the next town, it would still only give me 2. I can't imagine doing 10!! Does it seem like you are constantly preparing for one or do you just use the same display items over and over? I had already thought of the offer, I was just going to hand them out as certificates with my info and redeemable upon booking.
Yes, i use the same display cakes over and over, washing down old ones and adding a new one or two every year. Not only am I an exhibitor, I'm in the core group producing the shows. I do all the advertising, media buys, press releases, show floor layouts, any print brochures for vendors, vendors load in instructions by email, keep the lead lists and email them out, after planting a fake bride email and address which I then monitor for several weeks after the show.
I'm still designing a Chinese New Year Cake for a charity dinner. I ordered the transfer images and they look fantastic. It's going on a sheet cake and then 36 red velvet cupcakes to go with it. Should be nice. It's year of the rabbit.
I'm burned out on the cookies for charity at the moment. I think I must have donated 4,000 last year. No more until after Easter. I need a break and I wanted to practice on cakes anyway.
Late check-in from the west coast. No cakes for me this weekend and that's a good thing. The middle-child & I have both been fighting off the flu. Mostly on the mend now but feeling behind on my plans for my littlest monkey's birthday party next weekend.
It has been a little bit like Christmas this week. My Agbay came on Wed and a box of "toys" from GSA today. Wish I felt well enough to play 
Spent most of today in a flurry of planning emails with my cousin for her wedding cake in June. She's finally decided on the design. She & her mom are going to get all the materials so I only have to supply the labor. I've decided to be Zen about the whole "outdoors in the summer heat" thing--they have been warned repeatedly about the possibility of disaster. I will give them my best heat-resistant cake and then wash my hands of it all.
Leah--Can I PM you with some SPS questions specific to this cake? I don't want to hijack the FNCC.
Time to chill and let the DH put kids to bed.
Kristy
I'm thinking about selling fondant cupcake toppers on etsy. Does anyone have any ideas on how to ship these? Bubble wrap maybe? Or ziplocks?
Another late check in from the West Coast. Just finished up a creme cheese buttercream for the 48 chocolate and vanilla cupcakes for our Cub Scout Pinewood Derby tomorrow. This week was work on figures for a display cake needed for an auction later this year (perfect as a shower display cake for Bridal Shows too) as well as the actual display cake. Now things are drying so I can place the figure on top next week. Plus figures for a baby shower cake coming up in a few weeks. My hands actually hurt from all the teeny tiny detail work but everything turned out SO cute! All in all a very good week!
Cat
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