2018 NC State Fair Entries

Hi there! So, after a couple years' absence from the State Fair, I finally decided to enter again - two cakes this time! My first cake was, honestly - a last minute entry that I wasn't sure I was going to have time for since my primary entry had taken up so much of my time! I just wanted to have fun and push myself with this entry - I primarily make fondant covered cakes and really wanted to try some new (to me) techniques with an all-buttercream cake! And ironically enough, this cake ended up placing higher (1st place!) than the one I spent three weeks on lol! (You just never know!)

As for my second cake - wowee. I loved working on this project day after day...but by the end of it, I really was just ready to be DONE ;) I love the Pixar/Disney movie, "Up" and was inspired to make a cake replica of the house and balloons - so much fun! I ended up placing 3rd in the category for that cake, but am still so tremendously proud of that cake!

Minnie Mouse Birthday

Fun little Minnie Mouse themed first birthday cake - vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream rosettes and a fondant bow!

Captain America Birthday

This was a fun project for a little guy's birthday - Captain America cake and matching cupcakes! The cake was marble with vanilla buttercream filling, covered in fondant and the cupcakes were vanilla and chocolate with fondant toppers.

Carolina Birthday Cake

Fun little cake for a Carolina fan! Vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream filling, covered with fondant and fondant details.

Race Car 3rd Birthday Cake

Fun little race car birthday cake for a little one turning 3! Vanilla cake with chocolate buttercream filling and frosting with vanilla buttercream accents and toy cars :)

Police Officer's Birthday

This was a fun little request for a police officer turning 30! Strawberry cake, vanilla buttercream filling, covered in fondant with fondant details. Loved making the handcuffs :)

BIG Chocolate Birthday Cake

Was this a LOT of cake for a Birthday? You betcha. BUT, this was a very special Birthday - my Dad's 75th. Made even MORE special because earlier this year, after the scare of a pretty massive stroke...we weren't sure we'd get to celebrate this day with him. Blessings on top of blessings on Top of Blessings to be able to spend this momentous day with my sweet Daddy! I asked him what flavor he wanted for his cake and he smiled and replied "Chocolate!" so I wanted to deliver in a big way :) Chocolate cake, with chocolate swiss meringue buttercream and chocolate ganache drizzle, accented with some chocolate cake crumbles. I think he was happy and we felt like WE were the ones receiving the present - of more days with Him! <3 p="">

Simple Strawberry Cupcakes

These were just some simple strawberry cupcakes with strawberry whipped buttercream made with fresh strawberry puree - such a lovely shade of pink! :)

Basketball Birthday Cupcakes

Fun Golden State Warriors/Basketball themed cupcakes for a Birthday boy! Cupcakes were strawberry and chocolate, with vanilla buttercream and custom fondant toppers.

Twinkle Twinkle First Birthday

Fun little buttercream cake for a little one's first Birthday - the party was "Twinkle twinkle little star" themed, and the cake was vanilla with vanilla buttercream rosettes, gold fondant stars and a fondant plaque.

Superhero Cake for Icing Smiles

This was my latest cake for Icing Smiles - a superhero cake to celebrate a special little hero's last chemo treatment! Brody loves all things superhero, so we made sure his favorites were represented :)

Spring Floral Cupcakes

I finally took the plunge and ordered Russian piping tips - I so enjoyed trying them out on these cupcakes!

Duck Blind Birthday Cake

Fun little cake for a guy who loves to hunt :) Vanilla cake, vanilla buttercream filling, covered in fondant with fondant details.

Trolls!

This was a fun little Trolls themed birthday cake - the cake flavors were vanilla and chocolate with vanilla buttercream and fondant details with the exception of the two trolls - they were toys :) I really enjoyed making the fun little rainbow and thought it was a great backdrop to the rest of the elements on the cake!

Tarheel Birthday

Fun and simple Birthday cake for a Carolina fan :)

Star Vs the Forces of Evil (cake!)

In honor of my little girl's upcoming birthday...here's her cake from last year! She LOVES watching Star Vs. the Forces of Evil - totally her favorite cartoon, so I knew I wanted to do this cake theme for her! But how?! Really didn't want to do an edible image, or attempt what would surely be a sadly modeled  version of Star Butterfly out of fondant or gum paste! When searching for inspiration, I came across a screen shot taken from the episode where this particular cake was made for Star - now THAT I could do! :)

I baked the cake (funfetti of course), covered it in white fondant, then hand modeled the fondant "icing" around the sides and top edge of the cake. Then, I used a combination of edible food color markers and thinned gel coloring to paint & draw the image on top of the cake! Not too shabby and the Birthday girl was thrilled with the end result :)

Under the Sea Birthday

Fun little "under the sea" themed cake for a little one's 2nd Birthday! Loved the colors & detail on this cake.

Black & White 40th Birthday

Just a simple little quick cake for a 40th Birthday - vanilla cake, vanilla swiss meringue buttercream filling, covered in fondant with fondant details.

Snow White First Birthday

I loved the theme for this sweet little one's 1st Birthday party - Snow White! Hand cut and etched fondant Snow White cake topper along with an apple smash cake :)

Catching Up!

Last weekend was a busy one! 

Lovely Fall Birthday cake frosted in chocolate buttercream with fondant leaves - 

Then there was a Fireman's Helmet Birthday cake - 

And finally a lovely golden dripped, pink peony Birthday cake -