Creative Christmas Cupcakes - Student Creations
Ah yes, I have not one but two write-ups to do for this section due to the way the weeks have fallen.
Firstly we had our final ever Cupcake Workshop at the Craftworks (as we're moving venue next year). We have had a great year, and Lizzie has been fabulous, but unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Lizzie has a new venture starting next year and is on the move, and so am I. We are excited about our new chapters and of course, will stay in touch....she can't hide from me anyway even if she wants to as I see her on the school run! LOL!
As for the workshop, it was all about the festivities this time as it was the Creative Christmas Cupcake workshop!
I'd actually been looking forward to this one for a while and had gotten myself into the Christmas spirit even putting together some Christmas tunes to play on the evening. The day's prep took its toll on me though, and I actually thought at one point that my back would give out completely. I stood still for quite a few minutes in my kitchen I can tell you, and I think the cakes were coming out in sympathy with me too as some were a little lopsided and some had a few cracks in them! Needless to say, overall, they were fine, and I managed to get everything done. I continued to wear my Thermacare back wrap, which at present has become like a new friend. Seriously all this pain because I bent down for Shoe Polish!
The lesson time was fast approaching, so I went to the studio and got myself set up. Sue was the first to arrive, followed by Louise and Doreen. Louise brought the homemade cards that she had made for me and was feeling the cold from outside, I told her about my back wrap, and she proceeded to warm her hands upon me! Next was Gail, Hazel and then Leonie (pronounced Leyanie, I know this because I got it wrong twice my bad) Lesley and Eleanor who are the family of Alan whom I had met on the PTLLS course. Not to put any pressure on me, but one of them works at a very famous coffee chain, and the other is a teacher. So no pressure on me or my teaching skills honest.....
Once the ladies had settled in, I brought out the models that we were going to be making; they were met with crossed glances and a few gasps. As I say to all of the student's everything is just a shape and trust me, you will be able to make any of the items once I show you the techniques.
I started the demo with the snowman and the Christmas pudding and showed the ladies the easy way to makes shapes and added definition to their creations. Louise as creative as always cut a slice out of her pudding straight away and then attached arms to her snowman. She and Sue have a competition going each lesson to see who can outdo the other, they are very passionate about cake decorating and love adding their own spin to things. There's always a lot of friendly banter and giggles going on with those two! The Christmas music seemed to be going down a treat too, and Leonie, Eleanor, Lesley and Hazel all seemed to be having a great time too.
I made some tea and coffee and then got into demo number two, which was the present sack, and Santa stuck in the Chimney. Sue decided she wanted to go one stage further and add Santa's body to his legs. I love this as I give them a simple design, and they enhance and make their own creations with it. Fabulous!
Back to tea-making duties again (it's thirsty work all this creativity) and then finally onto the polar bear and penguin. I did a step by step guide on the polar bear as there are different elements to the design, and I didn't want to overload the ladies so with this one we actually made them together. The night flew by, and all made much fun, many laughs and great designs.
It was a great end to my Help Me Bake year, and I am excited about all the new programs I will be offering next year...(see the Workshops) if you're interested!
Here are the ladies fabulous designs!
Doreen:
I think Santa has been stuck in that chimney for a while!
Gail:
I love Pingu the penguin here!
Louise:
Check out the pudding slice and snowman's arms....get in there! LOL!
Sue:
I think the penguin has had one too many sherry's and Santa has definitely had his fill of mince pies!
Hazel:
I love the very chirpy penguin (he looks like he's going to break out in song any minute) and the very cheerful snowman!
Eleanor:
Here's another soulful penguin just waiting to bust a move!
Lesley:
We have a very charming snowman made by Lesley, and I also think this penguin is picking up the chorus too! Think he may be lead vocals!
Leonie:
A very frozen penguin and a lovely cheery snowman.
At the end of the evening, the ladies expressed their enjoyment of the workshop, as did I having their company. We had a great night, a bit of a sing-song and great creations!
I am really looking forward to the next chapter of the Help Me Bake adventures!
The next write up is about my final night at college and all the nonsense that went on with that! Following soon...but not yet because I'm off to bed....#tireddotcom.
Ah yes, I have not one but two write-ups to do for this section due to the way the weeks have fallen.
Firstly we had our final ever Cupcake Workshop at the Craftworks (as we're moving venue next year). We have had a great year, and Lizzie has been fabulous, but unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Lizzie has a new venture starting next year and is on the move, and so am I. We are excited about our new chapters and of course, will stay in touch....she can't hide from me anyway even if she wants to as I see her on the school run! LOL!
As for the workshop, it was all about the festivities this time as it was the Creative Christmas Cupcake workshop!
I'd actually been looking forward to this one for a while and had gotten myself into the Christmas spirit even putting together some Christmas tunes to play on the evening. The day's prep took its toll on me though, and I actually thought at one point that my back would give out completely. I stood still for quite a few minutes in my kitchen I can tell you, and I think the cakes were coming out in sympathy with me too as some were a little lopsided and some had a few cracks in them! Needless to say, overall, they were fine, and I managed to get everything done. I continued to wear my Thermacare back wrap, which at present has become like a new friend. Seriously all this pain because I bent down for Shoe Polish!The lesson time was fast approaching, so I went to the studio and got myself set up. Sue was the first to arrive, followed by Louise and Doreen. Louise brought the homemade cards that she had made for me and was feeling the cold from outside, I told her about my back wrap, and she proceeded to warm her hands upon me! Next was Gail, Hazel and then Leonie (pronounced Leyanie, I know this because I got it wrong twice my bad) Lesley and Eleanor who are the family of Alan whom I had met on the PTLLS course. Not to put any pressure on me, but one of them works at a very famous coffee chain, and the other is a teacher. So no pressure on me or my teaching skills honest.....
Once the ladies had settled in, I brought out the models that we were going to be making; they were met with crossed glances and a few gasps. As I say to all of the student's everything is just a shape and trust me, you will be able to make any of the items once I show you the techniques.
I started the demo with the snowman and the Christmas pudding and showed the ladies the easy way to makes shapes and added definition to their creations. Louise as creative as always cut a slice out of her pudding straight away and then attached arms to her snowman. She and Sue have a competition going each lesson to see who can outdo the other, they are very passionate about cake decorating and love adding their own spin to things. There's always a lot of friendly banter and giggles going on with those two! The Christmas music seemed to be going down a treat too, and Leonie, Eleanor, Lesley and Hazel all seemed to be having a great time too.
I made some tea and coffee and then got into demo number two, which was the present sack, and Santa stuck in the Chimney. Sue decided she wanted to go one stage further and add Santa's body to his legs. I love this as I give them a simple design, and they enhance and make their own creations with it. Fabulous!
Back to tea-making duties again (it's thirsty work all this creativity) and then finally onto the polar bear and penguin. I did a step by step guide on the polar bear as there are different elements to the design, and I didn't want to overload the ladies so with this one we actually made them together. The night flew by, and all made much fun, many laughs and great designs.
It was a great end to my Help Me Bake year, and I am excited about all the new programs I will be offering next year...(see the Workshops) if you're interested!
Here are the ladies fabulous designs!
Doreen:
I think Santa has been stuck in that chimney for a while!
Gail:
I love Pingu the penguin here!
Louise:
Check out the pudding slice and snowman's arms....get in there! LOL!
Sue:
I think the penguin has had one too many sherry's and Santa has definitely had his fill of mince pies!
Hazel:
I love the very chirpy penguin (he looks like he's going to break out in song any minute) and the very cheerful snowman!
Eleanor:
Here's another soulful penguin just waiting to bust a move!
Lesley:
We have a very charming snowman made by Lesley, and I also think this penguin is picking up the chorus too! Think he may be lead vocals!
Leonie:
A very frozen penguin and a lovely cheery snowman.
At the end of the evening, the ladies expressed their enjoyment of the workshop, as did I having their company. We had a great night, a bit of a sing-song and great creations!
I am really looking forward to the next chapter of the Help Me Bake adventures!
The next write up is about my final night at college and all the nonsense that went on with that! Following soon...but not yet because I'm off to bed....#tireddotcom.
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