This weekend we are celebrating Tracy’s marriage to a fantastic man, Matt. They are so perfect for each other! We won’t be around to post much but be sure to look for some great crafty projects from Tracy’s DIY wedding!

T&M, we are so happy for you!

I was asked to do a beachy/relaxing/retirement cake this weekend and was given the freedom to decorate as I wanted. I love beachy cakes because of the textures I can create – smooth is not the goal!

I’ve done sand before. It’s a simple mixture of brown sugar and granulated sugar. The decorations are made of fondant and I had some help from my friends Madalyn and Kristin. Thanks, ladies!

The ocean was more fun! I used an angled decorating spatula and lifted up the waves. I added some white to the crests and a shell pattern around the border.

The cake was vanilla and lemon pound with key lime filling. It was refreshing and screamed relaxation!

Before Katie was born, I wanted to make sure Ethan felt involved in the whole new baby sister process. To welcome her into the family, we decided to make a present for her together. I printed out a couple of pictures of him and gave him a piece of cardstock to color. I then talked it over with him about what to write. This was his final project:

It sat in Katie’s bassinet at the hospital and now hangs over her changing table. I think it made Ethan very proud to be able to tell everyone “I made that!” when they came to visit.

How did you help your child welcome a new baby? And suggestions for continued inclusion? You can leave a comment below. Thanks!

I am back to baking after a short maternity leave and jumped in with a couple birthday cakes, a wedding cake, and a retirement cake. I’ll show you the wedding cake now and add the others as I find time! Our new little one is being a great helper right now by sleeping in her bouncey seat at my feet as I type.

Chantal and Don chose a simple cake with scroll decoration. The scroll work is painted with a shimmer dust to make it stand out a little bit.

The cake was vanilla pound with custard in the middle tier, chocolate cream filling in the first and third. The icing is buttercream and tasted delicious!

The cake topper was a Willow Tree figure that I placed on a metal lid and surrounded with icing dots. I also used icing on top to get it to stick.

Congrats Don and Chantal!

Thank you, Aunt Tracy!

I’d smile if I knew how. I’ll look tough in my cute dress instead!

ps. Do you like my bow?