September 29th, 2009
To Bake or Buy?
Published in: Personal
Isaac’s birthday is quickly approaching – too quickly if you ask me! He’ll be turning 1 on November 1st, which is a month away. I want to throw him a wonderful party with all his friends, lots of great food, fun presents, and of course, a delicious cake! When it came to the cake, my first thought was, ‘I’m a creative person, I’ll make it myself!’. Little did I realize that making a cupcake bear isn’t quite the same as drawing a bear! For the entire process of decorating, I kept wondering where the ‘undo’ button was…
After throwing away a couple attempts, I’ve posted my ‘best’ result. (My attempt with fondant will go unposted as it was shamefully trashed) I admit to watching TLC’s Cake Boss and with my high standards for cake decorating, I’m not sure my skills will cut it. I thought I would post it anyway to see what you guys think. Should I give it another go or call the local bakery to order that super cute porcupine cake I saw in the window the other day?
My hats off to cake decorators everywhere! It’s truly a wonderful skill and much more difficult than I gave it credit. Maybe my dreams of being the next Martha Stewart should be put on hold…
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chrisd Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Such a cutie! It is great!He will love it!
lyndsay Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 9:44 am
I think your cupcake looks great. I once tried to make a chocolate sponge cake and it turned our as 2 large biscuits!!. Unfortunately my sister is a domestic goddess and makes amazing cakes etc – not jealous really – honest!!
Wendy McElmon Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 9:45 am
mmmm… they look delicious Rachelle!
Annie Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 9:45 am
I think your “attempt” is magnificent! If only I could do half that quality – I’d be in business = literally… lol
Lisa Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 9:59 am
WOW I love it! You did a wonderful job…. soo cute
Maika Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:00 am
wow felicidades esta muy rico!!
Orkan Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Il est si beau !! dommage de devoir le manger !
Denise @ PaperGems Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:24 am
Looks TOO cute to eat! Great job!
Joseline Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:52 am
I think your knocking yourself off too much. These are adorable.
Sharri Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 11:32 am
These are just adorable! Great job!
I love watching TLC’s cake boss, Ultimate cake challenge and the challenges on HGTV…I would love to be able to make cakes like that.
MF Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 11:51 am
superbe…..bravo
Suzanne Mendoza Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Wow, give yourself due credit. They are adorable. 1,000 times better than anything I could make.
Tara Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
They’re simply adorable! I say do them yourself : )
Rachelle Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Thanks for all the encouraging comments! I think it’s kind of nice to make the cakes myself so maybe I’m willing to sacrifice my high standards… I’ll just have to make sure they taste delicious! I was thinking of making two kinds – red velvet and vanilla coconut…mmmmmmmm….
Moia Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
I love your cupcake bear. Most people would have homemade cakes if they could choose. I am sure it tastes very good, the bear looks cute. Love from Moia
Luisa Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
I think the bear has a funny happy face and Isaac is going to love it and give you a big smile of thanks t you’ll remember for ever. Besides it’s his first birthday cake and I think that in some years time when looking at his photos from his first birthday, he will tell everybody that it was done by his lovely mother. Better than any lovely bought cake!
Kylie Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Oh wow those cakes are soo cute!
My little man turns 1 on the 31 Oct, so were doing a little Halloween party, but only cute monsters nothing scary…lol
Rachelle Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Kylie – We’re the same way – only cute costumes! I found him the PERFECT one today and he is too adorable in it. I’ll post photos of him after Halloween.
Heather Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
1 already. Time flies!! The cup cake looks fabulous!!
Ana Macovei Says:
September 30th, 2009 at 1:27 am
Isaac will love your cupcake bear.They are lovely like your illustrations
Lisa Says:
September 30th, 2009 at 3:16 am
This is just darling! No porcupine necessary!
Sara Says:
October 1st, 2009 at 4:17 am
OMG you should do a tutorial on how to make those…I would love to do them too…this is soooooo super cute :)
Rachelle Says:
October 1st, 2009 at 8:57 am
Sara – I’m flattered you’d want to make them as welll! I’ll document my process when I make them for his bday :)
find high dofollow page rank Says:
October 2nd, 2009 at 9:13 am
That looks soooo goood :)
Michelle Perkett Says:
October 2nd, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Your art is so charming and whimsical! I just love it. I love Cake Boss, too. The one with the doves (pidgeons) was hilarious!
Michelle :)
Barb Derksen Says:
October 4th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Is your cupcake based on one of your adorable characters? VERY sweet (pun entirely intended) Do you have cupcakes in any of your illustrations? I believe you are a fellow Canadian? Thx for sharing! I always love to come visit. I don’t always get to comment but I truly feel blessed when I do get the opportunity. :) Barb
Rachelle Says:
October 5th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Barb – I think my teddy bear is somewhat based on my illustrated characters but it’s hard to be exact as I could only find certain candies/chocolates to work with :) Here is an illustration with cupcakes: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelleannemiller/2304675315/
…and yes I am most definitely a follow Canadian – I’m from Ottawa :)
Rachymommy Says:
October 6th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Rachelle… I just have to tell you that I adore your site!!! You are so talented, and I have a thing for creatively talented people. I LOVE the little cupcake you made… it is so sweet… like an edible children’s illustration.
I just had an adventure with cupcakes myself recently. Come visit my site to see the cupcakes I made and also one of my most favorite cupcake books ever… I think you’d really like the book.
P.S. Did I mention I love your site! One of my greatest unrealized ambitions is to illustrate children’s books… but that’s another story for another time.
Don’t you dare call the local baker. Your cupcakes are wonderful!
Rachelle Says:
October 6th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Rachymommy – Thanks for your kind comment :) I think with all the encouragement from this post, I couldn’t possibly NOT make them myself now! I just checked out your website and your pumpkin cupcakes are so adorable! I love how you showed the step-by-step process. I am tempted to try making these are well…
Brooke Says:
October 16th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
I think these cupcakes are adorable!! You did a great job!
Chrissy Fanslau Says:
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Very cute cupcake! Definitely as cute as on paper! How long did it take to make?
Rachelle Says:
October 23rd, 2009 at 8:14 am
Chrissy – Thanks! I’m glad you like them :) The decorating didn’t take too long because it’s mostly chocolate pieces and a bit of icing… maybe 5min? To make all of them for his birthday is another story, especially since I’m such a perfectionist!
SEO Tools Reviews Says:
October 31st, 2009 at 7:39 am
I would love to take a bit from this bear…
You are an artist!
Sugar Art | Rachelle Anne Miller Creative Studios Blog Says:
January 20th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
[...] was so inspired by my work and did such an amazing job reproducing the images. I had my own go at cake decorating not too long ago and it’s definitely not easy! Very cute [...]