A baby ballerina modelled in sugarpaste...
I need to thank Ivy, Homecooked, LG, Tartasacher for nominating me for some awards..I will be displaying them on my blog very soon.. Thanks to all of you for the constant support and encouragement.. I am overwhelmed receiving your lovely comments and they are extremely inspiring..Thank You once again..
Baby Ballerina
My English Nirvana Project
Nir 1, originally
This is the English Nirvana Style of cake decorating which is not practised much today as it is very delicate and prone to breakages. Since this was a project, I used a cake dummy which is nothing but a polysterne drum but very good for practising and preserving too.
I had to prepare the floating top collar which you see on the top and some panels which it stands on. I also did the picture in the centre which uses the figure piping techniques.. Coloring it was the most relaxing thing in this. I etched some flowers and stems within each panel to make it look more appealing...
Its completely done with royal icing.
This week was very eventful and full of surprises. I was overjoyed to see that my blogger friends nominated me for some awards :
E for Excellent Award
This was given to me by Hulya , a blogger from Turkey and she has some exquisite recipes to share with us . Thank You Hulya for this gesture..
I would like to extend this award to
Rachel of Tangerines Kitchen
Shn of Mishmash
Cooking and the city
Homecooked
Faery
Arte y Pico Award
Dear Rosie of Rosie Bakes a Piece of Cake presented me with The Arte y Pico Award. Rosie is a very inspiring and encouraging blogger and a friend..I really feel lucky to have known you Rosie and I treasure this truly :))
Here's how it works
You select 5 blogs that you feel excel in creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.
The rules for the Arte y Pico Award are:
1. You pick five blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.
2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.
3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and the link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.
4. Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of Arte y Pico blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.
Here are my Five choices again it is a difficult one for me to choose only five!
Anitha
Sig
Mansi
Kate/Kajal
Shilpa
You Make My Day Award
This was given to me by Cooking and the city...A very sweet person with a wonderful blog..
I am extremely happy to share this with some people who have been very encouraging, helpful and are very sweet people. You really really make my day!!
Cynthia
Asha
Rosie
Susan
Susan from Food Blogga
Glamah
Cham
Uma
Margaret
Cakelaw
Pixie
Namratha
Swati Raman Garg
The list is long..But each one of you deserve it so much...
Yummy blog award
I was graciously given this award again by simple and sweet Precious..Thanks dear..
I would like to pass this on to
Ivy ..A wonderful blogger from Greece..She has the utmost traditional greek recipes!!
Rosie.. A lovely baker with droolworthy posts
Hulya..Yummy recipes really!!
Tartasacher ...Her recipes are so delicious
Carmen.. Another yummy blog
Maria ..a real goddess in the kitchen
So girls enjoy your awards!!!
I will be occupied the next few days so will be off blogging for a while..Will catch up with you soon :))
A gift with love ...
APARNA WISHING YOU A VERY VERY HAPPY AND DELIGHTFUL BIRTHDAY !!!
Its a delight to make something especially for someone .. Made with a lot of love for you Aparna :))
A chocolate cake with chocolate butter icing and covered with fondant. I chose to make these blue glory bower flowers... very dainty and exotic flowers !!
I also made some drapes and small butterflies coloured in the same scheme of blue and violet.
Yummy blog award and a Meme
“Yummy blog award is the award given to the blog with the most yummy recipes/photos”
I have been awarded the Yummy blog award by the lovely Homecookedd. It really was such a pleasant surprise and I feel very honoured to receive this award. Thank you Homecooked I will treasure it! This award was originally started by Roopa of My Kitchen Treats.
Rules for the ‘Yummy Blog’ award Receiver:
The person who receives the award should display the "Yummy Blog !" logo on their blog and also the meaning of the award which is "Yummy blog award is the award given to the blog with most yummy recipes/photos".
The receiver should also quote their favorite yummy-licious :) dessert(s) that they have ever prepared/eaten. Don’t restrict yourself to any dessert, chocolate bars also welcome.Also the receiver should pass on the award to four other bloggers who's blog they find "yummy" and let them know about the rules:)
Also the receiver should pass on the award to four other bloggers whose blog they find "yummy" and let them know about the rules.
I need to share with you the yummy desserts I have prepared or eaten and my favorites are:
Gulab Jamuns
Chocolate walnut cake with hot chocolate sauce
Lemon cheese cake
I really wish I could nominate all my blogger friends and share this award with them but rules say that I need to nominate only four so I choose:
Cynthia of Tastes like Home
Pixie of You say Tomahto I say Tomayto
Rachel of Tangerine's Kitchen Hangout
Faery of Faery's Kitchen
Hope all of you enjoy it as much as I did!!!
I had also been tagged by Divya Vikram who has a wonderful blog called Dil Se for a a Meme called Top ten pics..
So here are my favorite ones
Cattellya Orchid
Arhan's Ark
Peony
Butterfly
Booties in filigree on a royal iced cake
Sunflower
My birthday cake
Doll cake
Gerbera
Lilies
Rose and lily cake
I really enjoyed doing this Divya. It brought back memories and its a great feeling. Thanks once again.
I further tag
The Caked Crusader
Namratha
Shn
Cakelaw
Cakespy
Anitha
Please participate if you like. I had a great time doing it :))
Arhan's Ark!
A welcome cake for my nephew.. Yeah, celebrating Arhan's arrival in India and our first meeting with him.. So baked a chocolate cake for him... 
The decorations of the cake have been done with fondant. My sister (Arhan's Mom) was overjoyed to see it .... Love you sis..
Cupcakes for All
I know I have been away for a little longer than I had planned for... but am back and really eager to share what I made for my family...
These are eggless chocolate cupcakes with some marzipan decorations and some fondant flowers.
Have a closer look...
Welcome Summers!!
After four months of long winters in the hills, the bright sun and warmth in the air with flowers in full bloom, is more than welcome.
To celebrate the onset of summers coupled with my parents visit to my house after many years, I decided to make something special and synonymous with the Summers !!
I love trying out new flowers and finally sat down to make "The Majestic" Sunflowers ...
I used two cakes of completely different flavors for this arrangement!! The only similarity was that they were both eggless and had walnuts in them. The bottom tier is a Danish apple walnut cake and the top tier is a date walnut cake infused with plum jam.
I would love to share the "casualties" I met whilst making this cake...
I ran out of fondant for covering both the cakes and time demanded me to finish the cake ASAP.. So I tried a short cut by first placing the smaller cake on the bottom tier and then draping both of them with a single sheet of fondant. So far I have always covered both cakes individually with fondant and then made the tiers. It was slightly difficult doing "the short cut" way as the fondant tends to tear.
I covered them with the ivy leaves and thats where the scallops and the fondant ribbon lacing came in!!
The overall look was appealing and I loved the sunflowers :))
I would also like to inform you that I will not be able to blog or visit your wonderful spaces for two weeks... See ya soon :))
Narcissus and Mimosa Blossoms
March 8 is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women.
I learnt about this event from one of my favourite blogger Asha of "Foodies Hope" and it motivated me to make a small contribution my way..Sugarcrafted Narcissus flowers and Mimosa Blossoms.
The International Women's Day event is being hosted by lovely Zorra from "kochtopf". In her own words " Yellow" because on this day in Southern countries there is the tradition to give sprigs of bright yellow Mimosa flowers to women. The flowers are intended as a sign of respect and also an expression of solidarity with the women in their support for oppressed women worldwide.
During my recent trip to Nainital I saw beautiful Yellow Narcissus in full bloom and that was what immediately came to my mind.
I also made some mimosa flowers as they signify this day.
Thanks Zorra for hosting this lovely event.
Wishing all of you a very Happy Women's Day...
Arum Lilies On Choc Cake
My attempt at having a rich chocolate cake with sugarcraft flowers!!
I was privileged to do a cake for a conference in Nainital and their requirement was a chocolate cake.
I decided to make arum lilies for the ocassion as white flowers would go well with a dark base.
The base cake was a rich truffle cake and the top tier was a mocha cake.
The arum lilies had tall stems which went through the top tier and reached the base cake as I thought that would look different.
People really liked the look of the cake and the taste as well...Finally its the taste which matters!!!!!!
Doll Cake
One doesn't have much of a choice when you have to bake a cake for your 7 year old daughter who is fascinated with Barbies ...
Well, I had no alternative when she came to me and said "Mamma you will make a doll cake for me , isn't it " ...that was it and I really had to think hard to manage to fulfill her wishes and dreams.....
I have enjoyed myself thoroughly in the whole making of this cake and it kept me awake one whole night to be able to complete it..But believe me it was an accomplishment in itself and gave me immense satisfaction to be able to make it the way I wanted it to be.
The doll's dress is made completely with fondant with some embossing and painting on the gown. The face and hands are that of the plastic doll.
The hat is made of fondant and I was totally thrilled about it..I made some miniature roses to embellish the hat..I got so carried away with them that they also went on as a brooch and also on the gown ..This whole venture took me back to childhood days and its a terrific feeling....
A close up of the baskets ...The baskets and lace work on the edges of the cake are made from royal icing and the baskets have been filled with fondant flowers.
Posted on 7th Feb 2008
Daisy Birthday Cake
Dear Friends
I have finally got down to be able to make something and share with all of you.
I have been really pressed for time and thus have not been blogging regularly. I just take this opportunity to thank all my well-wishers and friends for your continual support and encouragement . Believe me its just your love which brings me here and gets me to share with whatever I am able to do. My sincere thanks to all of you once again. I will keep visiting all your blogs and update myself with whatever I have missed so far as early as I can .. :)
I made this small birthday cake for my mother-in-law in all the hustle-bustle that I am surrounded with ... Its a chocolate cake with dark chocolate filling inside and turned out just as I wanted it be ..
nice and moist from inside and not too sweet.. The cake was polished off in minutes and thats the real compliment. :)
I also saw while uploading the photos that before the cake could be clicked the "H" from "Happy Birthday" had been eaten away...No points for guessing as the house has 3 kids and anyone of them could have done that... :) The cake was decorated with a few sugar craft daisies which are really quick to make ...This helped a lot as the very next day it was my daughters birthday as well and pressures of the big party was building up....
Posted on: 7th Feb 2008
Lilies.... and a baby fairy.......
The lilies were made on a special request for a cousin of mine for her birthday in Mumbai...Yes, they will be travelling from Delhi to Mumbai and now have to think about its packaging !!! I am skeptical about this bit always and keep my fingers crossed till the end !!
Though I was severely down with viral this week I still managed to sit up and do the flowers in tiny bits...The fairy idea came up from my 7 year old daughter when she saw it in a book and she was very keen that I make it...So, thats how the baby fairy came up!! My daughter was really very excited about it....
Since I was'nt making any cake for my cousin and just needed to do the flowers I was thinking hard on how to click photos of these when I found the cane basket and then everything fell in place.....
The baby fairy close up and a Meme
A close up of the baby fairy...
The post follows by a MEME ....Sorry Rachel for the Big Delay....Hope you will pardon me!! Girl you've really gotten me thinking...Me n weird!! Ha ha!!
I had been tagged by Rachel to write a meme about 7 random or weird facts about me
The rules for the meme are:
1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 random and/or weird things about yourself.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
Now come the weird facts or so to say...About ME
1. I am conscious about putting on extra calories yet I keep having a craving for sweets whenever I am hungry...Imagine with the frequency of cake baking and sweets available in India...he he!!
2. I am a cleanliness freak...want everything neat and tidy around me...even in the kitchen am constantly wiping and cleaning the working platform whilst my cooking is on...
3. When I am out shopping, its kind of weird that on a particular day I like just one color things...like if its pink then everything else that I like or feel like buying that day happens to be pink alone!!
4. I used to suffer from nausea and vomitting when I was a child while travelling in buses for a long journey...Its unbelievable that the fear is so much that I avoid all circumstances in which a bus travel is required till date ... I haven't even tried the Volvo buses which ply from Jaipur to Delhi and prefer a train instead.
5. I can sleep for hours together ..and can still feel lazy and go to sleep again......and that really bugs my husband...!!
6. While cooking it often happens that I know this is not what I should do and yet I carry on doing ..and obviously mess it up and will then make all efforts to correct it...Dunno why I cant stop and correct myself in the very beginning!! So much energy goes waste.....
7. Though I am a North Indian I have a terrible weakness for Bengali food...I love bengali food ..and freak out talking in Bengali...thats coz I have studied in Bengal throughout and have a great affinity for that place!! Dunno if its a weird fact but yes a fact it is!!
To keep the meme going I tag
1. Cynthia of Tastes like Home
2. Asha of Foodies Hope
3. Sig's Live to eat
4. Mansi Desai's Fun and Food
5. Rosie
6. Jeena
7. Anitha's
I completely understand the pressures of work and family...So do take your time to do it...and it's fine if you are not keen on it :)....
My students creation
Dear Friends,
I wanted to share with all of you one of the cakes made by a student of mine...Sonali Agarwal of Kanpur city.
Sonali had attended the Sugarcraft Flower and Foliage workshop at IHC, Delhi.
Sonali's letter attached here:
"hi swati,
It was my sister-in-law's bday on 28th dec and the cake i made got me loads of appreciation. All thanks to you!
I am sending you the pictures of the cake. Do give me pointers to make it even better.
Thanks n regards,
Sonali"
Sonali, great work....just keep it going...excellent shading on the leaves and pretty roses and carnations!!
Look forward to more such cakes from you. You really make me feel proud !!!
Birthday cake
Hi everyone. I was caught up with a lot of travel and family this month and so the sudden disapperance from the blog...and really missed being here and visiting so many lovely sites of my co-bloggers...
Amidst all the travel and workshops I got a chance to bake a cake and didn't want to miss the opportunity. Though the cake was made at a very short notice but I enjoyed every moment of it. This really takes me away to a different world and gives me immense pleasure to try out new things and turn imaginations into reality.
This sugarcrafted birthday cake has been made using embossing techniques and chandelier icing on the cake board edges. This bit did call for a lot of patience as they were really delicate but finally determination did win.
I made a bow with sugarpaste but with the kind of weather in Delhi now the drying time was longer than expected. The climate does have a big impact on this kind of sugar work.
A close up of the flowers ... The flower arrangement could not have been simpler :)
WISHING ALL MY BLOGGER FRIENDS AND STUDENTS A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.
The birthday cake
I baked a lemon flavoured cake and covered it with fondant.
This time attached some tulle to the board and trimmed the edges with royal icing. I also attached some royal icing lace work to the cake sides just above the flowers and they do enhance the delicate look of the cake...was really pleased with the lace work!!
The blossoms are mixed in different shades of peach, orange and white. I also mixed some maple leaves with some holly leaves...dont ask why?? Even I dont know!! :)
The top has a very small arrangement of the flowers with some tulle at the background to match the base. The tulle again has edges done in royal icing with nozzle no.1... Its best to have all fine work done with a no.1 or no.0 tip nozzle.
A little bit of free hand royal icing pattern is also done.
All n all a very simple arrangement with basic blossoms ...
Do feel free to ask any questions regarding the cake...would be glad to answer them!!
The flower making
The flowers prepared for the cake!!!
Quite A variety of blossom flowers, maple leaves and holly leaves with some buds made with gumpaste and dusted with petal dusts.!!
Swan in Sugarpaste
This swan had been made in gumpaste sitting on a sugar plaque with little foliage on the background.
The drying time needed was a lot and required some patience!! Guess was worth the wait and effort!!
SWEET PEA
Since long I had acquired the sweet pea cutters but somehow making them just kept postponing..
Surprisingly, they were very quick to make as there was no drying time and finished the whole stem in just about an hour.
I remember having sweet peas in my garden in Botswana and the wide variety of colours that the blooms would show up was fascinating..I am very fond of gardening too but not always successful with it.. :( It was really exciting watching the blooms in pastel shades and ofcourse the very attractive soft green long tendrils and the pods which grow along with the flower...
Though sweet peas can also be made with the petal nozzle with icing but somehow I feel the beauty of this flower comes with sugarpaste where one can show the delicate petals, pods and tendrils....
BUTTERFLY
A butterfly in sugarpaste ...
Hey, its alright to have a fascination for butterflies....and they look too pretty to me.. :)
Wait till you visit my house and then you will actually believe that I do have a strong liking for these critters.
All the details have been hand-painted.
FUSCHIA'S
Fuschia's caught my eye for the first time on a trip to Nainital and was fascinated with the pendulous flowers with soft looks. You will find them in hues of pinks and purples and all of them are very eye-catching...
I also found it very interesting when one of my cousins seemed to possess fuschia earings!!!
HAPPY DEEPAWALI
WISHING ALL MY FRIENDS A VERY HAPPY DEEPAWALI ........
HERE IS SOMETHING THAT I DID FOR DIWALI.....
I HAD PREPARED HOME MADE SWEETS AND ARRANGED THEM IN A BASKET FOR DISTRIBUTING TO MY NEIGHBOURS.... DECORATED THEM WITH SOME SUGAR FLOWERS AND RIBBONS (as they seem incomplete without them)....AND MY FRIENDS WERE REALLY THRILLED!!!
The basket contains some gunjiya's, nariyal laddoo n besan laddoo's..which I had made at home.
PEONY
PEONY ...AN EXOTIC SUGAR FLOWER FOR CAKES...
I always had a fascination for this flower because of its majestic looks.
Peonies originate in China where they have been in cultivation for over 1000 years. The color selection is vast and ranges from white, cream, yellow and pink, to red, peach, magenta and burgundy.
Peonies are extremely elegant, eye-catching flowers to use on a wedding cake and are both simple to make and yet delicate in appearance.
This sugar flower has been attached to a drift wood just for photography purpose. Besides the photography, one can display them as a centre piece on the dining table so don't restrict yourself to having them only on cakes.
HEALTH FOOD
BUT WHO'S GONNA HAVE THESE.......
SUGARPASTE MODELLED FRUITS AND VEGGIES...CAN DO THE SAME EVEN WITH MARZIPAN.
FOND MEMORIES...DEAR STELLA...
Dear Friends,
This post is dedicated to Stella, who is not there with us anymore.
Stella became a part of the SugarcraftIndia family in June 2007 at the Habitat Workshop.
I remember Stella as a very quiet and attentive student with a very high skill level.
Lets all pray for her and her family...May her soul rest in peace.
OCTOBER 2007 WORKSHOP F & F
FLOWER AND FOLIAGE WORKSHOP GROUP....
A VERY LIVELY GROUP...BECAME LIKE A FAMILY WITH THE 18 HOURS SPENT TOGETHER!!!
OCTOBER2007 WORKSHOP AT IIC
The October workshop of Fondant, Orchid and Icing Techniques....I had a great time with all of you and hope you too enjoyed as much as I did.
Baby Booties Again!!
BABY BOOTIES ...Yes again...this time with modelling paste and plunger blossom flowers..Different from the filigree ones that I did before..hope you like this one too!!!
Ways with Royal Icing
Will be posting more of these soon.
Cake Border With Royal icing roses
Showcasing a border example with royal icing roses and leaves and the butterfly as well!!I've got a fascination for butterflies!!!
Will be posting more border designs soon. Lemme know if you like this.
ANIMAL MODELLED CAKE
MAKING CHILDREN'S BIRTHDAY CAKES IS A LOT OF PLEASURE AS WELL...INNOVATIVE AND INTERESTING!!!