Believe me when I say that, before I joined this website, I did not think that I had any special quality that made my work stand out. I don't advertise myself except I do drive around in a bright yellow car with my logo on each side and pink writing saying The Icing on the Cake and balloons on the front...my pride and joy is my car! I have a great guy who put my website together for me who is forever telling me to make more noise about my achievements and I have ignored him.....until now. The competition at the NEC in Birmingham is an important event for me as I have no training in sugarcraft so to get a certificate that lets me know that I have reached the highest standard is a good enough reason for me to continue what I do. This year, I won 2 Gold Awards, as you probably all already know and I have been approached to do demonstrations and possible workshops. I have always planned to do this in the future but thought I'd wait until I was good enough!! However, behind my back, my website creator gave my telephone number to a local news website and they called me which took me by surprise as I didn't know anything about it. My web guy said that "someone had to do it!" Anyway, they asked me some questions and congratulated me and are coming to interview me on Friday. In the meantime, they have put me on the front page of their site....well my cake at least. Earlier today, I got another call from another local newspaper who want to come and take photos and interview me too! I am suddenly feeling all celebrity!
I have to say a big thank you to everyone on this site who have made me feel that I have something to offer. I am still getting loads of mail and I really appreciate everyone taking the time to write. I have so many pictures of little "mini me's" which have been created by so many of you due to a little slide show which caused more fuss than I could have anticipated.
I am still preparing for a new tutorial website but some other things are happening too so until I get my ahead around it all, I shall have to take things a step at a time. Once my demonstrations kick off, who knows what will happen.
I'm sorry this is so long.....this is a condensed version of what I could've written but I tried to keep it short!! I just wanted to share since I feel that quite a lot has changed for me since joining this site. You have all been the kick in the pants I needed to realise my own worth.
Thank you. 
Congratulations. You have always been an artist that I looked up to! You are beyond worthy and I wish you continued success....you don't need any luck....you have mad skills!!! 
Congratulations!!
Angie
Congrats on your Gold Awards!! Your cakes are AWESOME!!
The blessings are doubled in return, for we have all been introduced to you and your talent, pre-celebrity. That gives us all the confidence we need to reach for the stars in our craft. Granted some of our stars will sit a little lower in the sky than others, but we will all shine just as bright. Congrtaulations on your Gold awards and continued good wishes for your new life path, from all of us.
With many good thoughts,
Gloria I
Gloria summed it up for me perfectly. Beautiful words!
We've all learned so much from you, Lorraine, and your artistry just improves with every new project. I for one am inspired by you to learn more, try new things, just 'jump in and give things a go'.
Such a short time ago I may not have, without the support of CCers. What a great place this website is.
LOL....None of us are really as suprised as you are. Way to GO.
Congratulations, fame's a'knockin, cuz your cakes are just rockin'.
Maureen
Lorraine,
You are such a fantastic, caring person. You deserve all the good things life has to offer. Your talent is amazing. If you ever feel like a trip to Hawaii, USA. I would love to have you stay with us. Of course I would pick your brains shamelessly. Bless you & congratulations. Keep us posted.
June
How kind you all are. This has been quite an emotional day 
I should have finished a wedding cake today but I still have time tomorrow so I gave up! I've been reflecting a little and will have an early night I think and hopefully tomorrow I will spring out of bed feeling ready to take on the day.... 
I did say hopefully!
Lorraine
Just to let you know I have put you as my buddy so every day I check to see if you have made another cake/////I love your cakes and Know you must be a wonderful person from the red tea pot etc etc......Good luck with everything sometimes we do not realize our worth.....I did 2 hours a week and became hooked but problem is the time and sometimes I think why am I doing this..I think you really have to charge to make it worthwile well certainly flowers etc, so time consuming. Now I just learn on my own as the teacher use to talk a lot and I became very agitated I have a lot of energy to burn and hate HATe wasting time. You Deserve all you get.PS cant wait to see the wedding cake. Yes its a great site but boy do I waste my time on here.....
without getting too emotional, i'm going to say that,
I've found a GREAT GREAT friend in you! Thanks!
BTW- i'm sorry last night wasn't so early after all...
i thought the article was great! i believe that talent like yours needs to be seen. i'm glad your web guy did this for you, how sweet!
I am amazed that you could not be shouting from the rooftops about your glorious and personality filled cakes. I think i have all of them saved as favorites. i get goosebumps everytime i see a new addition. You are truely an inspiration and a kind person. Im so glad to hear about your new successes and Celebrity status. Keep turning out those georgeouse cakes and do what you do best and only good things will happen.
I am still preparing for a new tutorial website
I can't wait for you to do this!
Congratulations on all you've done. Your work is magnificent and you deserve all of this plus much more!
I loved your slideshow and I enjoy seeing all of your fabulous creations.
Thankyou for your generosity in sharing with us.
Well I am sooooo glad to see you are starting to believe everything we have all been telling you!
You know how much of an influence you have had on me.. Im just so glad you are getting the recognition you so thoroughly deserve!
Buckle up and be prepared for the ride Lorraine as this is only the start for you my friend!
Love
Kathryn
PS: Is there somewhere we can view the interviews?
Congratulations on your success.Have enjoyed looking at your creations. I am sure all of this can be overwhelming, and at some point will get to a manageable level, until then, keep the faith, keep doing what your good at, keep reaching for the stars, keep us little people in mind when you reach the top. Continued success to you.
I AM SO SO PLEASED FOR YOU 
, I absolutely agree with all fellow CCers, they have really summed it all up......and you know something I could kiss your website chap, cos it looks like he's speeded up the proceedings for you doing workshops!!!!! GREAT, and as you know from before I WANT TO BE THERE, front of the class 
and as I told you, It's going to be like dying and going to heaven....beeing taught by YOU and in my favourite place on earth...Scotland.... CONGRATULATIONS Loraine...you SO DESERVE all these wonderful things happening for you.
Denise
I agree!! You're work is amazing!!! You truly deserve the recognition you deserve!! I expect to see you in the O Magazine!!! Great job and may God's blessings flow!!
NO, NO, NO! I am not saying it until you give us the link to the news website! You can't leave us hanging like this!!!!
Theresa
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