Jeannette's Custom Cakes

It’s obvious that none of us would be here without our mothers. Their work often goes unnoticed or expected, they never complain or judge and yet still they have to put up with the most.

In light of that I’m going to take a second to talk about my mom. I really don’t even know what to put. She is nothing short of amazing. It doesn’t matter what I do, or attempt to do, she is always proud and more than happy to support me. How did I get so lucky to have someone watch out for me like this. I’m very blessed. Ever since I first started this crazy idea to not go back to work and start a business in the Sault, she has done nothing but have my back. Here’s a picture of mom and I when I first started.

To look at this picture now, it seems SO long ago, and she was as proud as ever.

Not only am I blessed with one mom. I’m lucky enough to have 3! Everything I said about my mom can be said the exact same for my stepmother Mare and my Mother-In-Law Arlene. Mare is my wrapping goddess…all my wrapping is thanks to her, it’s her thing and she loves it. She is also one of my best forms of advertising, the woman is a machine!!

Arlene is constantly making sure I have enough baking ingredients to feed a small army. Thank god, because when a fast cake order comes out of no where, she is there to step in and help out.

I’m a lucky girl. I know it. Not only that but I am so grateful for people in my life to support this ever growing business of mine. I know that it’s not something I can do alone and wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for all three of them.

On that note I am having a Mother’s Day special on cookies. A dozen vanilla sugar cookies decorated for your mom, or that special mother figure in your life. The cookies will come in a basket wrapped up and ready to give to them. Shapes include, circles, hearts, flowers, tulips etc. All baskets are $35. Get your orders in soon so you don’t miss out on something special for your mom!

To all my friends that are new mothers or mothers already…Happy Mother’s Day.

Hey everyone!!

What a wonderful vacation! Family and food, it doesn’t get much better than that. We had a great time, and now it’s back to work. I look forward to answering all of your emails and phone calls, thanks for being so patient!!!

Have a great weekend!

Ahhhhhhhh…..

Well all, it’s that time of year for me. Vacation time! We will be closed from Sunday April 18th to Thursday April 29th, 2010.

All emails and phone calls will be processed after April 29th. Have a great few weeks.

Jeannette

I’ve been getting a few requests lately for repeat cakes. Normally I don’t really like to do this, however when it is a variation of the original design, it’s just another way to see it. Here are a few examples of what I’m talking about.

The very popular original seashell cake.

…and the variation.

I got so many requests for the next cake, here is the original design:

another variation….

So if you see a cake that you like, but it doesn’t have to be as big as the one already created, we can still make it to fit what you want!

That’s my little tidbit of info for the week folks, enjoy your weekend!!!

Well, it’s come and gone, for most of us at least. I hope everyone had their fair amount of chocolate and time with their families. It was great to see mine, and to have a much needed break from the kitchen today. I’m going to take a minute to thank everyone who participated in the Easter Cookie promo. I think they turned out wonderful, and they were perfect for little Easter gifts. Here are few samples..

I love those little chicks!!

More new photos have been added to the gallery, so be sure to take a peek.

Just a note to all a few weeks in advance, I’m going on holidays from April 18-28th, so any orders for summer should be coming in soon. Thanks everyone!  Have a great week!

It comes in all shapes and sizes. I’m finding lately, im noticing that it can be from anything, a shoe, to a random piece of paper. Constantly I find myself thinking, how would I make that into a cake, or wow that pattern would be cool replicated in icing. It’s always a new challenge.

This weekend was no exception. I was given a napkin used at a bachlorette party. Who knew it would result in such a cool cake! I was happy with the result.

Never be afraid to give me something that you might like to see replicated. You never know what it will result in!

Here are a few more highlights from the weekend. Thanks everyone!!

bzzzzzzz.

Hey Everyone,

Any Easter cookie orders to be picked up from April 2-4 2010, will have wrapping and a happy easter tag attached for FREE!! Get your orders in soon, spaces fill up fast.

Cookies start at $2.00 a piece and go up depending on design, minimum order is a dozen.

Have a great day!!

This weekend was great. Busy, but great! I had to call in my “staff”. I use that term loosely haha. My Mother in Law, Mother and Husband all helped me out with some baking this weekend. With 10 cakes, it was the smart thing to do. Here are the highlights from the weekend.

I’m loving that it’s spring time! Time for spring cakes…so exciting! I hope everyone is out enjoying the weather!

On a side note: if you’re trying to contact me and I don’t get back to you in a few days, don’t panic, weekends are very busy for me and I often don’t have time to answer emails until late Sunday or Mondays. Please be patient, I will get back to you. I appreciate all of your calls, emails and word of mouth. Keep it coming!

Enjoy the week everyone!

Back in early January, I was contacted by the Communications Intern with the Alzheimer Society of Sault Ste. Marie & Algoma District, Shaylan Spurway. She had contacted me to inquire about me donating a cake for their 25th Anniversary Gala.  I was more than happy to jump on board. Not only is this a terrible disease, but it as effected my family as well as my husbands. How could I say no to something that was so close to my heart.

Shay and Bea came over to my house, and we immediately seemed to be on the same page. We stayed in contact for a few months making sure that things were moving along as planned. They chose a marble cake with vanilla buttercream to please everyone, which was a smart idea. Here is the final result.

It was pretty big! One of the biggest ones I have ever done. Nearly 200 forget me nots.

I was happy to help out the community that has been so great to me during this whole process. I can never say that enough.

I am grateful that Shay contacted me to do this. Grateful that I decided to help, and grateful for a new friend.

Very slowly, I’m starting to notice my transition from graphic designer to a cake artist. Don’t get me wrong, the basis behind them is very similar, and I really believe that I wouldn’t be learning so fast if it wasn’t for my background in design. I think this week was my turning point.

I had a client ask for a 50th birthday cake for her mother. According to the daughter, the mother loves bling, leopard print, louis vuitton, martinis and purple. The cake artist in me immediately started sketching. Now when I was in college I hated initial sketches, and I mean hated. I didn’t get the point. It took 8 years for me to FINALLY get it. On the computer its a simple command + z and you can continue. This is not the case for me anymore. Although I do think it very often. Which I believe will always stay with me, as many other designers do. “Oh I wish I could command +z that”. For those who have no idea what I’m talking about, it means undo. This doesn’t work with cake. The second you put black icing on a white cake, its there, no matter how hard you try to get rid of it, it stays. Same thing with carving cake. You can’t just “put it back” it’s done.

I found myself saying to my husband yesterday, “I feel like my job is one giant puzzle”. The more I think about it, the more it’s true. I see this final vision in my head pretty much after my initial consultation with my client, then it’s my job to have the final product look as much like it as I can…out of cake! It’s not an easy task, but I love it! It’s a challenge. This cake was nothing short of that.

I stood and stared at this 14″ square cake board for a good hour, just trying to decide where I wanted to put everything. Where as if I was still at my old job, or working on design at my laptop, I would have made 5 different versions of it and picked the one that I liked the best. Not here, what I decided was staying. Peeling fondant, icing and cake off a board is messy!

So I decided to make all the little pieces first (and the shoe took a week) while I was thinking. The bow, the tag, the purse accessories etc. Once that was done, I still hadn’t decided. This was by far my most ambitious cake to date. There was no turning back, I just had to start. Time was wasting.

So here is the end result. I really wish everyone could have seen it, it was awesome! I loved it, and felt proud.

The Louis Vuitton pattern on the bag is all hand painted, and it’s all edible.

A close up of some of the detail.

I’m in love with the gift tags lately. They add such a nice touch.

That bag is my pride and joy, and probably the closest I’ll ever get to a real one!

So now, I am a cake artist, not just a designer. I can’t see me being one without the other. These are all new experiences for me, I’m learning as I go and I’m so happy that everyone is following along with me!

Be sure to check out the gallery for the rest of the cakes from the weekend, including an 80’s cake, an anniversary cake, and a whole bunch of girls birthday cakes.

Have a great week everyone. Thanks again for all the support! Spread the word!!