I was a little MIA on the blog last week. Much has transpired!
I made a wedding cake! A brush embroidery wedding cake. It was the first time I'd picked up a paintbrush in a very long while. I decided to forgo any kind of template (maybe I'm getting cocky in my old age?) and see if the nearly dormant instinct for brush strokes could be rekindled. It didn't take long for me to get back in the routine.
Making this cake reminded me of all the things I love and hate about painting.
Love: hours spent alone, the rest of the world disappears.
Hate: hours spent alone.
Love: creating something beautiful for someone you love.
Hate: that crick in your lower back that comes with spending hours hunched over your work.
Love: the lasting memory you're creating.
Hate: stained hands, strained eyes.
In the end it made me miss creating art on canvas. Maybe I'll have to dust off the ol' easel after all.
I made a groom's cake too!
The groom proposed underwater, so this cake is a nod to that occasion. I really enjoyed sculpting the scuba divers, even if they are a little Chagall-esque.
I managed to take a few pics when I was off-duty from being Matron of Honor and wedding cake baker. The ceremony was held at the beautiful and historic Museum of Appalachia.
The bride found out a week before the wedding that she is gluten intolerant, so I made her a little gluten-free chocolate layer (right).
My favorite part of the evening was when everyone came together to light sparklers for the bride and groom's exit. It gave me the warm and fuzzies just like the candlelight service at Christmastime.
 |
| A hasty exit! |
Demolished.
Devoured.
Enjoyed.
You can't tell because of the poor lighting, but that's a white cake with lemon curd filling and vanilla bean buttercream. Everyone loved it and there was only a few crumbs left of the chocolate-raspberry groom's cake.
Success! I was one happy baker!
My apologies for no recipe today. I'll be back to regular posting very soon!
xo
stunning!!!! you did an amazing job
ReplyDeleteWow. Simply amazing. Once again, I don't know what to say after looking at one of your masterpieces!
ReplyDeletei saw the photo on instagram and was in LOVE immediately - absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's amazing! You should definitely go back to painting!
ReplyDeleteOh great job Heather, both cakes look wonderful and I bet they tasted AMAZING too!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have you make a wedding cake for me! Maybe for our 15 year anniversary - 3 yrs from now. Seriously...SO gorgeous!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty cake! The decorations are magnificent.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Rosa
Absolutely stunning! That scuba proposal reenactment cake is too precious!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cake! Stunning!
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are beautiful, absolutely stunning!
ReplyDeleteoh my word, that cake is amazing! the flowers are just gorgeous... i love that you incorporated texture into them!
ReplyDeleteThat looks GORGEOUS!
ReplyDeleteI have been waiting for these pictures. Beautiful!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
ReplyDeleteThey both look stunning!
ReplyDeletegorgeous cake :) love all the pictures too.
ReplyDeleteWOW! The cake is stunning! You did an excellent job on both. I grew up in Norris and never would have thought of having a wedding at the museum! It looked perfect!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cake! And sounds delicious. Bet they were very pleased with it :)
ReplyDeleteStunning - I know what goes into making a wedding cake - mine have all been "all nighters" and I arrive at the venue looking like death warmed over. I can't imagine having enough energy to fix myself up to be one of the guests, forget about being the Matron of Honor!! Excellent job!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous! You are so talented!
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you do it. You amaze me with every post whether it's a wedding cake or not. I need to move wherever you are so you can teach me your ways...and so I can meet your adorable pup :) haha
ReplyDeleteHow g o r g e o u s is that wedding cake!?!! Gorgeous looking AND tasty is a rare combination in wedding cakes, but from the looks of your cake in the "after" picture, you nailed it! Congratulations, and I hope everyone had a gread time at the wedding!
ReplyDeleteAn incredible cake for a beautiful couple!
ReplyDeleteIs that cherry moonshine? Ooof, looks good:)
ReplyDeleteOMG. O.M.G. !!!
ReplyDeleteThose pictures say a million words. What a lucky couple to have you baking for there wedding. Love those cakes.
ReplyDeleteThose cakes look incredible! I love the embroidery on the wedding cake, and everything about the groom's cake, especially the bubbles - nice touch. Your divers look great! Congratulations to you and the lucky couple!
ReplyDeleteThe most beautiful cake i have seen so far...
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning cake! It looks amazing, and even better... it looks like it was delicious too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous cake! I've seen some pretty ones in my day, but this really tops them all! It looks like it was a lovely wedding, and I know it meant a lot to the happy couple that you were a part of it.
ReplyDeleteAll three cakes (the original, the groom's, and the mini gluten-free cake)are absolutely stunning. I would be so worried that I would screw something up.
ReplyDeleteNot only a beautiful cake, but a beautiful gift to your family - the gift of your talent, time, and love that you put into every creation. Looks like a wonderful wedding! Kudos to the Cake Matron! :-)
ReplyDeleteJust completely beautiful in every sense! Thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteYour cake is a true work of art!
ReplyDeleteLove how much this looks like real embroidery. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteChristina
www.becauseofmadalene.com
Wow!! How long did the painting take? It looks AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteThe wedding cake is beautiful! The groom's cake made me smile. And the little gluten-free cake just touched my heart. A week out and finding out you are gluten intolerant could mean you would have nothing to eat at the meal you planned! Well done!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing accomplishment! Great job!! Both wedding and groom's cake are terrific.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning!
ReplyDeleteThe embroidery cake is absolutely stunning but you have captured my scuba diving heart with the groom's cake and I think the Chagall-esque divers make it even more special.
ReplyDeleteAmazing, incredible, beautiful... Words don't do justice to this!
ReplyDeleteWow thanks for sharing ! really great job !
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!
ReplyDeleteBEAUTIFUL! You are so talented!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine seeing anyone cut into this masterpiece, but after seeing the photo, I want a piece too! Such beautiful work and looks like a lovely wedding too!
ReplyDeleteThere are no limits to your talent....just amazing. Both of them....or should I say, all THREE?!? So sweet of you to make a GF version, too!
ReplyDeleteYou did a fabulous job on the wedding cake, and on the groom's cake as well. I don't know which I like more! I also loved this post... No, you didn't give a recipe, but you gave a glimpse into your "baker's life" and your wonderful private life. What a wonderful wedding -- LOVED the sparklers idea! And the wedding cake looked so delicious inside, and the groom's cake being chocolate raspberry? Oh man, come on now. I want a piece of either RIGHT NOW! It was also SO thoughtful of you to make a mini gluten-free cake for your friend, after her discovery a week before. You are a good, kind, thoughtful person. OK, enough compliments for you!! ;)
ReplyDeleteBest,
Gloria
P.S. Hey! I want a jar of those Smoky Moonshine Cherries, thank you very much!
ReplyDeletegv
When I watched the reception staff stab my first wedding cake and dismantle and serve it in about 10 seconds flat, I admit I wanted to cry a little. Luckily that feeling goes away when you see everyone enjoying the cake and eating every last little crumbful. This is a beautiful cake, I haven't ever tried the brush embroidery but this is inspiring!
ReplyDeleteVery, very beautiful and elegant cake!
ReplyDeleteThat was such a beautiful cake. You did a great job! I haven't tried that technique, but my interest is sparked. Thanks for posting the photos, and congrats on a successful wedding and groom's cake!
ReplyDeleteInspiring...utterly inspiring! You did an amazing job! I am just now getting into fondant..yours is way over my head. LOL! Someday ......
ReplyDeleteI usually just lurk here, but as someone who embroiders I really love this cake. You did a fantastic job and it made my day to read your post.
ReplyDeleteBoth cakes are gorgeous! I am amazed at your patience - I would have a difficult time finishing a project as big as a wedding cake. Your design is very pretty and I love how adorable and thoughtful the groom's cake is!
ReplyDeleteWOW! If I wasn't married already I would have this cake as my wedding cake. LOVE IT! Thank you so much for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteI am in awe. What an amazing job you did. I love the pictures of the reception. Kudos!
ReplyDeleteI have only just found your blog, and wow your cakes are amazing! Looking forward to regularly reading now!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first visit to your beautiful blog - what a wonderful experience. I will certainly be back often.
ReplyDeleteGORGEOUS!! :D
ReplyDeleteWonderful work. Congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful!! And it sounds delicious too!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Was the cake covered in fondant before you painted it? It doesn't look like buttercream - but maybe your buttercream is that perfect! :-)
ReplyDeleteSuch a gorgeous wedding cake! I LOVE the groom's cake too:) Saweeet!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous cake, Heather! And the groom's cake is cute, too. I've been wanting to try brush embroidery for some time but I don't have the artistic background that you do, so it may be more of a struggle for me and my clumsy hands. I'm thinking my first attempt will be white on white :)
ReplyDeleteYour brushed embroidery cake is stunning and the groom's cake is beautiful and fun. Much like the wedding it appears:)
ReplyDeleteLove seeing the picture of the cake having been devoured...best compliment to its artistic creator ever!
Love both cakes! I sure have enjoyed your website. I just love the cakes you make!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautifully done! Both cakes are exquisitely done. Color, design, balance -- perfect!
ReplyDeleteI can definitely relate to your love/hate relationship with painting and caking. I go through the same rewarding struggle every time I sculpt a cake.
oh, it's wonderful your cake!really good job!
ReplyDeleteCouldn't be prettier. Even those of us who did not partake in devouring are no doubt feasting with our eyes...I know I am. Beautiful job!
ReplyDeletelovely
ReplyDeleteBoth are fabulous, but I'm loving the grooms cake!
ReplyDeleteI fell in love with this cake when I saw it on your IG account. Just gorgeous, Heather :)
ReplyDeleteWow, these cakes are amazing! I love the scuba divers on the groom’s wedding cake - Absolutely superb!
ReplyDeleteAmazing decorting and the white cake with lemon curd filling and vanilla bean buttercream cakes looks delic. Will you post the recipe for the white cake with lemon curd filling and vanilla bean buttercream cake anytime soon
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Beautiful. A very talented lady. I would love to do something that lovely.
ReplyDeleteYou are very gifted, that Cabbage Rose Cake is beautiful. That wedding is my kind of shindig!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Melaina
Can't get over how you got the brush strokes to look so much like embroidery! Fabulous work!
ReplyDeleteWow, that wedding cake is incredible. I love the detail and colors.
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and you are so talented and such an inspiration!!!!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Heather, Are you going to make your way to the west coast anytime soon? :)
ReplyDeleteThat cake, no wait CAKES look amazingly crazily incredibly tasty!!!!!! One for me? :)
ReplyDeleteThat is one of the prettiest wedding cakes I've ever seen. And the wedding looks like a total-hoot-mega-blast!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful! It sounds like you had a lot to juggle during the wedding but you were still able to produce such beautiful creations...bravo.
ReplyDeleteWow ! Love the cake, it was a simple and fun wedding. Simple cake, and I'm sure it taste so good.
ReplyDeleteThe wedding cake is breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteThis is the most interesting and gorgeous cake I have seen in a long time. Kudos, girl. You're a genius!
ReplyDeleteWhat an extraordinary cake, I love it . It's so different and beautiful thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI am way overdue on this comment, but seriously...both of these cakes are amazing!! You're so incredibly talented! :) I love "embroidered" cakes so much, and you did a fantastic job! Congrats! :) (And the wedding looked seriously sweet.)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning, you are so amazing Heather! xo ~Lili
ReplyDeleteI was wondering.... What did you use to paint the flowers onto the cake? Is it like a Royal Icing or buttercream?
ReplyDeleteQue de talent, à chacune de mes visites mes yeux se remplissent de beautés plus belles les unes des autres, c'est un plaisir de pouvoir venir regarder toutes tes belles créations, félicitation, tes photos sont vraiment très belles, continues ton beau travail, bonne journée.
ReplyDeleteHeather, that is CRAZY!! I've never seen this post. AMAZINGLY gorgeous!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete