Sugarcraft by Soni

Three Tier Wedding Cake: Roses and Leaves

2011-12-04T14:51:00.001+02:00

This wedding cakes was made for a bride whose wedding theme of white and olive green created a beautiful effect and i loved creating it.

Three Tier Wedding Cake: Silver Roses with Golden Drape Designs

2011-12-03T14:36:00.005+02:00

This wedding cake was made for a bride, whose wedding theme of silver and gold made it an interesting work to do the drapes with gold prints.

Four Layer Wedding Cake: Drapes, Bows and Flowers

2011-12-02T09:10:00.008+02:00

This cake was made for a bride, whose wedding theme of orange, purple and white made an interesting combination to work on.

Three Tier Wedding Cake: Tiers of Roses in Baskets

2011-12-01T08:38:00.003+02:00

This wedding cakes was made for a bride whose wedding theme was turquoise and purple. An interesting challenge was to place the roses in between the layers without crushing or breaking them.

Three Tier Wedding Cake: Silver Leaves and Pink Flowers

2011-11-30T20:56:00.002+02:00

This cake was made for a bride from Gaborone whose wedding theme was sliver, pink and white. Quite a learning curve on balancing the flowers and leaves on the edges of each layer of cake.

Four Tier Wedding Cake : Ceres Pink Roses and Butterflies

2011-11-29T20:34:00.005+02:00

An interesting and challenging cake to make, the bride had requested ceres pink, purple and white as wedding themes.

Five Tier Wedding Cake : Flowers and Drops

2011-11-28T21:17:00.000+02:00

This five layer wedding cake was made for a bride from Gaborone whose wedding theme was white and turquoise blue. Interestingly this cake was good challenge as i managed to hang the drops from the base of the top cake on a topper from the table cloth made on the fourth layer cake.

Three Tier Wedding Cake: Roses

2011-11-27T22:10:00.000+02:00

This wedding cake was made for a bride from Gaborone whose wedding theme was white and purple hue.The roses were requested to be set at just one side all along.

Birthday and Special Occasion Cakes 2011 Slide 2

2011-11-26T16:54:00.000+02:00

The different occasions required me to understand the events and then make the cakes for the happy events. The cakes made were moist chocolate cakes, vanilla cakes, madeira cakes and fruit cakes.

Birthday and Special Occasion Cakes 2011 Slide 1

2011-11-26T16:34:00.000+02:00

Some of these cakes were made during the last few months in between the wedding cakes.The birhdays, the special occasions and the happy moments ! I was happy to have added the extra smile to the moments.

Three Layer Wedding Cake - Embossing and Regal Purple Roses

2011-11-20T23:08:00.001+02:00

This wedding cake was made for a bride from Gaborone whose wedding theme was regal purple. The spiral stand was specially made to order for this theme. The satin base was set by me to give it the required effect.

Three Layer Wedding Cake - White Roses

2011-11-18T22:20:00.000+02:00

This wedding cake was made for a bride from Gaborone whose wedding theme was pure white. I loved making the white roses and tried to give it the appeal as requested.

Five - Layer Wedding Cake with Pearl Drops

2011-10-29T23:33:00.001+02:00

This cake was made for a wedding couple from Gaborone, whose wedding theme was orange and white. An interesting challenge was to place pearl drops between layers of cakes without loosing the effect and let them hang as well from the top layer. Wishing all happy festive greetings !

Two - Layer Wedding Cake with Roses

2011-10-29T23:24:00.000+02:00

This wedding cake was made for a bride from Gaborone, whose wedding theme was maroon and white.

Four Layer Wedding Cake - Basket of Roses: September 2011

2011-10-02T19:53:00.000+02:00

This wedding cake was made for a bride and groom from Gaborone who wanted a basket of roses. The drops were added along the border and the basket was made of steel grey colour to match the wedding theme.

Four Layer Wedding Cake - Drapes and Bows: September 2011

2011-09-15T19:17:00.000+02:00

This four layer wedding cake was made for a bride from Gaborone whose wedding theme was purple and white. She wanted the upper layer to have a different look I worked on floral leaves to give it a different touch.

Three Layer Wedding Cake - Blossoms: September 2011

2011-09-15T08:01:00.003+02:00

This three layer cake was made for a couple from Gaborone who wanted three layers with different cake designs with little blossoms adorning the bases. White and brown were the marriage theme colours.

Celebrating Four Years of Blogging 14 August 2011 : F1 Racing Car Cake

2011-08-14T23:33:00.000+02:00

As time goes by, remembrance of my first blog space comes to mind. The sugarcraft journey still continues and as one learns more, there is so much more to learn. I took this cake as a challenge which i could have done much better but i learned how to do better next time.

Multiple Drape Four Layer Wedding Cake , Travel Bags : August 2011

2011-08-07T23:27:00.000+02:00

Hi friends, first of all let me wish you all - a happy friendship day. Almost after an year, I back to my space. The year had been busy and i have not been able to post as i did earlier. I moved from Francistown to Gaborone and office work, school, home and other mundane affairs caught up with me. Now i can look forward again for your nudgings, encouragements and advices. Whew ! How time flies.

This cake was made for a bride some time back, who wanted drapes in a different style in the theme of blue and white.

Son of our friend was leaving for higher education to US and this was a surprise gift on the occassion. Everything is edible. I loved trying this out. I missed the blogospehere and your presence. I hope you like my creations. Cheers once again.

Celebrating Three Years of Blogging: Floral Wedding Cake - 14 August 2010

2010-08-14T16:20:00.009+02:00

Today on 14 August 2010, i celebrate by third year of blogging. I can still vividly rememeber how on 14, my first blog was born on celebrating sugarcraft edible creatitivity.Today when i look back, the journey still continues...sometimes i pause, caught up with other affairs of life but then the inspiration never ceases...so much to learn for perfection ! I have acheived the 100th mark in cakes with 50 wedding cakes and other celebartion cakes and continue to realise ..there is so much to learn....i am still a student..each day heralds newer ideas, hopes and creativity.

I hope you all like this creation of mine made for a wonderful bride who wedding theme was blue and white.

I thank you all who have supported my journey and continue to encourage me with your words and thoughts and pick me up by turning back and lending me your hands.

Let me quote a recent article from Harvard Business Review by Christensen, who says 'I have concluded that the metric by which God will assess my life isn't dollars but the individual people whose lives I've touched'

Three - Tier Wedding Cake - Roses & Drapes

2010-07-24T21:00:00.002+02:00

The bride wanted mutliple drapes with purple and white roses and this is what i made for her. The wedding theme was purple and white and I placed the roses at the beginning and endings of the purple drapes. I hope i managed to give the desired visual effect.

Three - Tier Floral Wedding Cake

2010-06-27T19:44:00.002+02:00

The wedding cake was made for the bride whose wedding theme was pink and cream. Pink floral design was what she wanted for an visual appeal and this is what i did. I hope you all like my effort.

Three - Tier Wedding Cake & Roses

2010-05-29T20:01:00.002+02:00

This three-tier wedding cake with a spiral effect of the roses was made for a bride whose wedding theme was white and pink. An interesting challenge was to take the cake to a farm near the river where the wedding was to take place. All 25 roses were taken in a separate box on a cotton bed and off I went on an bumpy road to the wedding place. Each rose was then attached to the cake to give the effect the bride had wished for. After completing it, i could only murmur 'whew'. I hope you all like it.

Floral Three-Tier Wedding Cake & Park Theme Birthday Cake

2010-04-27T19:02:00.004+02:00

The wedding was a special request for royal icing work of floral desings on the middle layer of the cake. I loved and enjoyed making the cake.The wedding theme was blue and white. A request for a park theme birthday cake was also an interesting learning for me. The days have been busy and but i am really blessed with you - my blogger friends, who continue to inspire me. Have not managed to leave my blog trails your blog sites but I know i will. Please give me some time. Thanks for passing by and i hope you like them.

Traditional African Pots Wedding Cake

2010-03-31T22:12:00.001+02:00

This wedding cake was made for a bride who loves african theme and it was great joy to do that. The wedding shade was orange so made the roses to match the pots. Made the quills and added feathers and wheat stalk to give the touch. I hope it reflects the theme well. Recently have been little irregular in uploads and interaction with you lovely bloggers but i guess will soon catch up with your creations.

Wedding Cakes - Basket of Flowers : Dedicated to Scott Clark Wooley

2010-02-23T22:20:00.000+02:00

Hi friends, I could not manage to post these wedding cakes which i had made in January as i had gone to India during last week of the January till middle of February for academic and business ventures. Most of the time was spent in Delhi with a little dash off to Rajasthan to say 'hi' to a close friend and then some time at Bangalore and now i am back.

The Basket of Flowers Wedding Cake was what the bride was looking for and i made it in electric green shade to match the bridal theme. The other three-layer cake with a top of Basket of Orange Roses was again made to match the marriage theme.

I also want to share something that a learner in sugarcraft can feel happy about. Among several cake artists that adorn the world and from whom, i continue to draw inspirations, there is one artist, to who, i have dedicated my creations to. Scott Clark Wooley,( http://www.cakesbydesign.cc/ ), a great humble artist from whom i can understand what perfection means....a philosopher, a poet, a creator...the virtues are endless.

I cherish the note that he had sent me. Friends, all of you who are passionate about this art must surely meet him. He stays in New York and i envy all those who are in US, who can learn so much from him. Anytime i feel i need to understand some thing, he is there to help me out impromptu through e-mails. One day, i will surely meet him. I do hope you all like my new works.

Three - Tier Wedding Cake: Drape and Basket of Roses & Lilies

2010-01-23T23:38:00.003+02:00

Happy Ushering into 2010 to all of you ! It is still days of reunion, family get-together and joyous occassions of wedding bells and marriages in Botswana. Ths wedding cake cake was made for a couple, who wanted a basket of flowers, especially roses with a drape falling over the cakes. I hope you like it. Thank you all for new year greetings and wishes. May this year bring more joys to all of us.

Three -Tier Wedding Cake - Ferns and Roses

2009-12-27T16:05:00.000+02:00

This wedding cake was made for a couple whose wedding theme was lime and electric green.With the christmas festivity on, we wish you all merry days that shall herald 2010 with fun and brighter moments all along ! A joyous embrace to all of you !

Three-Tier Wedding Cake (Electric Blue Hue) , Island Cake

2009-11-30T16:01:00.008+02:00

Its so good to be back in the blogging world. I spent some time visiting the blogs of the friends, who constantly inspire me with their words of wisdom and comments.These cakes were also made some time back with my friend Christine but being caught up with the academic bug, like the earlier post, could not be uploaded. The wedding cake and the birthday cakes were made as per the specifications required. Currently am busy with some wedding cakes and as i make more and more, its a wonderful realisation that there is so much to learn. Each cake is different, and more I make, more it dawns upon what perfection means. I do hope you all like them.

Three-Tier Wedding Cake,Powerpuff,Car & Doll B'day Cakes: October 2009

2009-10-30T23:30:00.008+02:00

Whew ! Finally with submission of MBA dissertation and examinations over, I can breathe as a re-born ! These cakes were made as per the request with my friend Christine, way back in October but i did have time to upload them. Now, i can be a bit more regular in browsing your spots and add few lines to your creations. December is quite an interesting month here and I will post the creations perhaps every week. I hope you all like them.

Three-Tier Wedding Cake: Roses & Lilies - September 2009

2009-09-26T23:54:00.010+02:00

This three-tier wedding cake was a request for a bride whose marriage theme was white and orange. The roses and lilies were to adorn the golden pillars with drapes and bows around the cakes. I hope you all like it. This is time of festivity and i wish all of you a very happy vijaya dasmi

Wedding Cakes - Briar & White Roses; Birthday Cakes - Cowboy Hat, Castle Cake; And a Gift Box: Sep 09

2009-09-15T22:23:00.017+02:00

The above two two-tier wedding cakes were made some time back but i did not have the oppurtunity to upload them; the request for cakes was to adorn them with briar roses and white roses.

The cowboy hat was surprise gift from a wife to her husband on his 40th birthday.

The castle cake was made for a sweet little girl, who was celebrating her 7th birthday.

The gift box was an idea for a lady who wanted to gift her friend on her anniversary celebrations.

I thank all of you for visiting my blog and leaving words of appreciation. At this moment i am just collecting your wishes and keeping them with me for support and encouragement. I will open my hands one day to express my joy on how you have all helped me to fly with confidence.

Sugarcraft: Celebrating two years of journey on blogspot - Strawberry Wedding, Heart Anniversary and Annie Apple Birthday Cakes

2009-08-14T00:28:00.012+02:00

Today is the second year of my journey of sugarcraft. 14 August is the day that will remain imprinted forever. Today as I look back and see that I have made 85 cakes for different occasions….I feel like a student again..there is so much to learn….the more I make..more is the revelation of what perfection means. I thank all of you for believing in me, supporting me and encouraging me with your words that are magical and work wonders. Last few months have been challenging times and I was not blog spotting much but now with renewed energy, conviction and faith, I start all over again.
Here are the cakes made for an anniversary, for a toddler and for a newly wed couple. Fresh strawberries merged with chocolate leaves and hearts carved out of them (my hubby’s idea, eh), Annie apple was fun to make and the two-tier tilted heart wedding cake was interesting to balance upon. I do hope you all like them !

Birthday Cakes - Pirate, Ballet Shoes, Purse, Numero Uno, Butterfly, Doll, Bicycle: June - July 2009

2009-07-13T23:51:00.018+02:00

These are birthday cakes made for different ages, who are celebrating life and i had the opportunity to experiment with colours and try to understand more on making cakes in different forms, under tight time frame and learn from my mistakes to improve. I would like to apologise to all who visit me, leave encouraging messages and I not blogging back. Please give me some time...and thank you ! I hope you like the experiments.

Three African Pots Wedding Cake: May 2009

2009-05-31T20:42:00.007+02:00

This set of three pots with flowers, few twigs and ivy leaves and resting on the sugarcraft cloth as well, were made for a bride who wanted a traditional design for her wedding. All pots are fruit cakes which were matured in time. The bride was happy to see the colours merge with her wedding theme. I hope you all like the traditional pot wedding cake as well !

I am sorry for being not so regular in responding.... give me some days.

Five-Tier Wedding Cake:Roses - April 2009

2009-04-23T22:41:00.006+02:00

This cake was made for a bride who wanted each layer to have unique sugarcraft design and techniques. When I finished it, it had convergence of all that I have learned till now ! The theme colour for the wedding was white and mauve. I hope you all like it.

Three-Tier Birthday Cake:Roses and Butterflies; Three-Tier Wedding Cake:Roses; Birthday Cake:Fairy Castle - Feb' & Mar' 2009

2009-03-29T22:16:00.019+02:00

This was made for a friend of mine,whose daughter was turning 16 and wanted roses and lots of butterflies on a bold coloured cake with scrolls.

This wedding cake was made for a couple, whose wedding theme was white and green of different hue.

This cake was made for little girl who wanted a simple castle with few fairies.

I thank you all in believing in me.

Four-tier & Three-tier Wedding Cakes: Roses - January 2009

2009-02-22T01:10:00.012+02:00

I had made these cakes some time back but sometimes when you are confronted with revelations that tell of hurt and sadness, you have to re-look at the definition of friendship and watch games people play, and your creativity is caught in the realms of philosophy and it takes time to shake the thoughts off...

The above four-layer cake with white roses was made for a couple, whose wedding theme was white and electric green.

This three-layer wedding cake with yellow roses was made for a couple, whose wedding theme was yellow, off-white and aquamarine. I hope you like them all. I am still to post the appreciations endowed on me and will surely do so in my next post. Thank you.

Three-Layer Wedding Cake & Two-Tier Animal Kingdom Birthday Cake: January 2009

2009-01-20T22:43:00.004+02:00

Greetings to you all for the new year. What a day to post the cakes ! After watching the inaugural ceremony of enigmatic and charismatic Mr. B Obama becoming the President of USA, I feel happy to post the cakes on this day with these three words 'Yes, We Can'

This three layer wedding cake was made for the couple, whose wedding theme was electric green and pink. I made the floating briar roses (with drapes and bows) as the cake was to be taken to Ramotswa, approximately 500 kms from Francistown.

This two-tier vanilla sponge cake was made for a kid on his first birthday. His mother had observed that the kid is fascinated with animals and I tried sugar modelling of the animals for the first time. Of all things, my son was fascinated by the pig's tail. I hope you all like my creations.

I will soon post the awards given further by our blogger friends in my next post but would still like to say now 'thank you'.

Six-Tier Wedding Cake: Christmas Wedding - December 2008

2008-12-24T22:57:00.014+02:00

It felt nice to have made this wedding cake on occassion of festivity. The wedding theme was lime yellow and lime green and i made this six-layer fruit cake with rose creepers and lilies as thought of by the bride. I hope you all like my idea.

I would like to wish all of you a very Happy Christmas and beautiful ushering into 2009. I thank you all for your encouragement and advice and wish to receive them all along the years to come. Here's some Quotes:

C S Lewis: Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: 'what ! you, too ? Thought i was the only one.'

Oprah Winfrey " Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right."

I would also like to share nature's marvel, pictures taken by my son, when the moon came in-between Jupiter and Venus recently.

Heartiest Wishes Once Again !

Birthday Cake:Hearts with Wine Glasses - December 2008

2008-12-04T00:10:00.007+02:00

This birthday cake(s) was made for a couple, who were celebrating their births on earth together. It is a wonderful coincidence and I thought to join the hearts together for the celebration of life with two wine glasses, a scroll of wishes and two white roses. The cake is also laid on the fondant cloth with small silver balls strewn all over.
One gets wind beneath the creativity wings, when one shares and discusses the theme with friends and dear ones and it was my hubby's idea for this heart-shaped wine glasses. Especially this filigree work was interesting to experiment with. I hope you all like my theme ! I have received some further appreciations from you all and i will display them soon. Thank you.

Bridal Shower Cake: Array of liles - December 2008

2008-12-03T23:09:00.005+02:00

This cake was a sweet gift from a lady to her sister on the bridal shower occassion. I made the cake and added few liles with a double shaped heart for her beautiful future with her dear one.

Birthday Cakes: Different Shapes - November 2008

2008-11-23T20:40:00.007+02:00

Hi friends, last few days had been quite busy at work and i was not able to post the few birthday cakes that i had made. It was interesting as i made few flowers and then laid them on cakes of different profiles. Last two cakes were done over a night, as they were to be taken to Gaborone.

Some of my blogger friends as Steph, Kitchen Flavours and Indranee have shared their awards with me, for which i feel humbled again. Thank you ! I will proudly display your gesture.

Three - Tier Wedding Cake: A Lily with Purple Roses - October 2008

2008-11-02T02:58:00.011+02:00

Hi friends, after spending the entire month busy with examinations and the mind engulfed with concepts from leadership and organisational dynamics, strategic corporate finance, information mgmt, business research, business ethics, international business etc, it was such a sigh of relief when i finally wrote the last of my 6 papers of 2nd year MBA on 30 October. I yearn again to continue on my journey of sugarcraft.

This wedding cake was made for an Australian bride, who was getting married in Botswana. She had contacted me while in Australia and when she came to Botswana, we met, and i made this cake as per her specifications. She did not want an elaborate cake but a lower fruit cake and the top chocolate cake with a lily and few roses. I had made this cake and i hope you all like it, as well.

It also made me reinforce in what my hubby tells me : Make it simple - don't over do the details or it will become too "busy" for the eyes. Let it be fluid with no clutter effect. The client is not interested in what else you know but simply wants what he or she desires !

I have posted the birthday cakes (made during the examination period !!!) and Nature's wonder as separate posts. Thanks for visiting me again !

Birthday Cakes: Basket Ball Court & A Girl's Sandal

2008-11-02T02:24:00.009+02:00

These birthdays cakes were made for my friend's children in very less time, during the time when i had some gap during the examination period !!! but promise is a promise, and i had given my word. Though not perfect, as i would have desired, but going through the process of making different types of cakes has enhanced my learning. I hope you will all appreciate my effort.

If winter comes, can spring be far behind !

2008-11-02T00:39:00.014+02:00

Whilst preparing and busy during the examinations, i use to amble around in my small garden to appreciate the beauty of Nature. Its spring time in Botswana and here are some pictures taken, which shall continue to guide me in my journey of perfection in sugarcraft ! The pictures are of high resolution and can be zoomed to a much higher degree.

Its makes me remember from my ICSE panorama book poem:

"And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils." - By William Wordsworth

Eight Birthday Cakes - October 2008

2008-10-07T22:50:00.010+02:00

It was a wonderful learning experience as we made eight birthdays cake in last 10 days. Some were made during late evening while some were made during weekends. Interestingly the themes requested were different, so it was a good learning curve for me to play with fondant and marzipan and make different types of sugarcraft cakes such as chocolate, madeira and vanilla. My friend Christine and sometimes my hubby helped me a lot in idea generation, visual impact, aspects of ratio etc. Due to constraint of time, perfection as i would like it to be were not achieved in some of them but i gained the knowledge on how to do better next time.

As my second year final MBA examinations have started, i will now stop cake works and concentrate on academic works. I was working on the last wedding cake, prior to examinations, which i shall upload in my next post.

I hope you all like our effort. Below are the eight cakes that i have posted as separate posts.

Birthday Cake: Scroll - October 2008

2008-10-07T22:37:00.010+02:00

This scroll cake was especially made for an elderly person and was a gift from his neice on his birthday. The cake was taken to Gaborone, where the gentleman resides. The photographs were taken, prior to docorating the base with a fondant design.

Birthday Cake: Dartboard with darts - October 2008

2008-10-07T22:31:00.009+02:00

This dartboard cake was requested by a lady, who wanted to celebrate her husband's birthday. The order was at a very short notice but we could not refuse it and made this for her. The round edges did not come out very well but it was a good process to go through.

Birthday Cake: Bows - September 2008

2008-10-07T22:16:00.010+02:00

The two-tier birthday cake was made for a girl, who wanted to celebrate her 21st birthday. She had requested a square-shaped cake with bows and this is what we did.

Birthday Cake: Car - September 2008

2008-10-07T22:08:00.008+02:00

This car cake was made for the birthday celebrations of a two-year old boy, who is fascinated with cars.

Birthday Cake: Flower Box - September 2008

2008-10-07T22:02:00.009+02:00

This cake was requested by a person for his mother's birthday. This cake has a filigree flower box. Unfortunately, the picture taken does not show it very clearly.

Birthday Cake: Purse - September 2008

2008-10-07T21:55:00.010+02:00

This purse cake was made for a girl who was celebrating her 21st birthday. She wanted a purse cake after having seen my earlier creation of the red leather purse. This was made in four hours on the same friday night, when we also made the hat cake. All fondant work including the red cloth with folds.

Birthday Cake: Hat - September 2008

2008-10-07T21:47:00.009+02:00

This hat cake was made for a lady who wanted to celebrate her 40th birthday at Sua Pan. This cake was made in two and half hours on a friday night. The lady had requested a simple hat with some floral decorations.

Birthday Cake: Pilot's Cap - September 2008

2008-10-07T21:38:00.009+02:00

This cake was made for a budding pilot, who is attending the course at Port Elizabeth, South Africa. This cake was made in the afternoon in four hours to be taken to Port Elizabeth in the evening. All fondant work including the base cloth . The shape could have been better but it has been a good learning experinece.

Four-tier Wedding Cake: Electric Green Shade - September 2008

2008-09-27T00:22:00.006+02:00

This cake was made for a young Botswana couple, who had requested a square shaped wedding cake with specific electric green shade to match the bridal marriage theme with few red roses and ivy leaves and a simple floral royal icing design on the three tiers. The cakes are all fruit cakes, which were matured over time and this is my first square shaped wedding cake. I found it difficult than round cakes, especially with maintaining the straight contours and how to avoid the clutter effect of the designs and to have a pleasant visual impact. My friend Christine and I worked on the cakes and the couple were fairly happy with our work.

The week had been busy with several birthday cakes and ensuing week will follow with another wedding cake. Will soon post the cakes in my further posts. I hope you all like this cake !

Four-tier Wedding Cake: Turquoise Blue Drapes

2008-09-19T09:47:00.015+02:00

After attending lectures on regression analysis and company mergers and acquisitions and elements of corporate finance, I heaved a sigh of relief, when i returned home and picked up my sugarcraft tools to finish the wedding cake, that was requested by a young Botswana couple. Turquoise blue was the wedding theme and i had to match the colour of the drapes to the wedding dress. As usual, I worked along with my friend Christine to meet the specifications of the cake (all fruit cakes) requested and here it is ! The couple were happy with the desired cake and i hope you will all like it, too !

Three - tier Wedding Cake: Roses - August 2008

2008-09-09T19:11:00.009+02:00

This three-tier wedding cake was made during the last week of August for the Botswana bride and groom, whose wedding theme included the colours of pink and white. Roses, i have seen, are almost always the choice for the new couple and here i was, making this cake. The fruit cakes were matured in brandy and after the roses and blossom flowers were made, i sat down with my friend Christine on a late evening to decorate the cakes. We worked over the night to give the finishing touches and then finally sank on the couch at 4 a.m. to relax over coffee.

The couple came in the morning to collect the cake and i felt happy when i saw a satisfying look on their faces.

I could not post the cake earlier, as i have been very busy at work and now am off to Jo'berg for MBA classes but decided to post it prior to my leave. I hope you will all like it !

Three-tier Wedding Cake: Arum Lilies - August 2008

2008-08-24T14:20:00.011+02:00

First of all, i cannot thank you enough for all your support and confidence you have showered on me as a blogger. The comments overwhelms me !

This three-tier wedding cake was made for an young and beautiful Botswana bride, who is getting married on the next weekend. She loves arum lilies and leaves on the cakes.

Of all sugarcraft work, i love making wedding cakes the most, where the bride or the bridegroom will suggest you the flowers they want and how many layers of cakes they desire for their wedding. And the conversation will also include the theme and the ambience and the colours et al. It challenges your mind to do in accordance with the promise you make and then wait to see the reaction. It helps one to improve further and the journey continues...

Often, fruit cake will be the choice and you sit down to do some calculation on size/height aspect, then bake them and mature them with brandy over time, then cover with marzipan, followed by wrapping them with fondant icing and start doing the decoration, as wanted. I love to go through the process.

I hope you all like this cake.While making this cake, there were some requests and as you see, i have posted them separately.

Birthday Cakes:Purse & Train - August 2008

2008-08-24T13:34:00.019+02:00

While making the wedding cakes, one request came from a doctor for a surpise gift for her doctor wife and my friend Christine and I thought about a red-suede leather purse. So, she baked the chocolate cake and we sat down yesterday at 12:00 in the afternoon to make the cake. Amidst laughter and ladies gossip, we managed to give the finishing touches at 4:30 for the party at 8 in the evening.

I hope you like the purse with bold and red theme.

The train cake was made in two hours on friday for the kid and i had received the request in the morning, whilst at work.The train-set are toys, which got from a friend. Did not have time to make sugarcraft train but will attempt it in future with time on my side. I hope i have not done it badly.

Blogger friends give me strength to carry on in my journey and here a few among others who feel that i can make the journey to perfection ! I sincerely feel honoured and humbled. I will surley pass them on, as it should be, in my later posts.

Ivy of http://kopiaste.blogspot.com/ had passed this gesture a while ago.

Kitchen Flavours of http://kitchenflavours.blogspot.com/ had passed this 'Wylde Woman

Award' award

and then further 'Best Blog Darts Thinkers & Beautiful Site Award'.

Indranee of http://spicesandcurries.blogspot.com/ had passed me this magic lamp and earlier frienship awards.

Thank you !

Sugarcraft : Celebrating one year of journey on Blogspot

2008-08-14T07:23:00.013+02:00

It was on 14 August 2007 when something stirred my hubby to urge me to post my first cake on the blog world. I was not very keen to tread out in the unknown world but gave in to his encouragement and published my first post of wedding aniversary and birthday cakes that i had made for my friends in March 2007. I had received two comments from unknown bloggers but it changed my world from then on...and i began feeling comfortable in the blogging world. As i look back on the journey that i have taken so far and pause, i feel the road less travelled is worth taking further and remember the words of Robert Frost

The woods are lovely, dark and deep

But I have promises to keep

And miles to go before sleep

And miles to go before i sleep !

As i read again several comments and the words of encouragement that have come from you all, i feel so happy..the journey is difficult but you led me the hand, cajoled me, coaxed and helped me to rise again and again...a beginner's journey is not easy, especially with studies, full-time job and family but i will not give up, i promise you all !

When i take account of what i have done....17 birthday cakes, 7 wedding anniversary cakes, 8 wedding cakes, 1 each of engagement cake,celebration cake and wedding reception cake, i ask myself.. could i have done better ? maybe by next year !

In this journey there have been sad times, interesting times and amusing times.

A sad occassion

One of my blogger friend wrote to tell me that i have been accused of copying a blogger's title in a certain forum. When i read, instead of being angry, i felt sad that without verifying the facts, can i be accused and my worth or creativity be questioned. When i told my hubby, he had simply stated to leave it and remember the Indian national emblem engraving "satyamev jayate"or 'truth alone triumphs'. However, he indicated that his hypothesis has failed again that all good creative persons will always have good hearts.

Well, as i look back , i feel my pride is still intact and you all have appreciated my uniqueness. I had created the blog way back but had uploaded my first post in August 2007.

An interesting occassion

When i wrote an e-mail to a sugarcrfter of 20 years to critique my work, she told me that your second cake of the four layer cake is not straight and now i have a spirit-level, which i use and it was a tip for a lifetime ! I have purchased tools from USA, UK, South Africa and have some indigenous tools , which my hubby made for me to make my work easy.

An amusing thought

Whenever i make wedding cakes, i always seek input from my hubby and it helps to make work easier. One of the remarks he makes is never to make butterflies and gives an strange connotation that butterflies remind him of people, who are selfish and self-indulgent and who do not come to a flower because it is beautiful but because it can feed on it. The flower may think that the conjugation will remain forever but when the butterfly has fed itself, it will fly away to seek another, and it will find excuses to break that trust and faith. Well i dont agree with his analogy and will make butterflies.

Reflections

All the cakes that i made so far were made in accordance with what the clients wanted. Never had really the chance to practice or experiment on what i feel i should make...maybe will get chance in ensuing year. The journey to perfection is long but i will keep on moving, with your support, with you judging me when i go wrong or lifting me up when i require you all. Thank you ...I feel so happy that i have over 7500 profile views till now. Thank you for your time that you give to me !

Birthday Cakes: Bratz & Hulk Cakes - August 2008

2008-08-09T17:49:00.007+02:00

While busy in the decoration of the wedding cakes ( will soon post ..) , i was requested to make two birthday cakes for the kids as impromptu as possible...my friend Christine helped me in baking of the cakes and then quickly i sat in the late evening to make the cakes. I used the flood icing technique for the Bratz girls and made the Hulk standing among the rocks...did not get enough time to do it patiently and imperfections are quiet evident.

Birthday Cake: Ballerina Cake - August 2008

2008-08-03T20:28:00.009+02:00

This fondant birthday cake was made together with my friend Christine for her daughter's birthday that was celebrated today. The two-layer chocolate and vanilla marble cakes were covered with fondant and the ballerina shoes were laid on top of the table-cloth. This involved a total no. of eight hours and we started the work on late saturday evening.

The cake decoration came out well but unfortunately, the fondant ballerina girl which i made could not be painted very well with silver and it left a very smudged look..can anybody help me on how to paint fondant with silver ? I have had no problems with gold earlier !

Surely, the path of sugarcraft is interesting and you face unknown challenges but i will keep on trying !

I wish you all a very HAPPY FRIENDSHIP DAY ! It's a lifetime treasure.

Birthday Cake: Doll - July 2008

2008-07-21T21:02:00.007+02:00

Again on Sunday, late in the evening, i sat to make a birthday cake for my friend's daughter, who was turning two years old on Monday. The party theme was white and pink colours and this is what i came up with. I did not do more floral natural decorations and bought a doll from a supermarket and covered it fondant floral dress with a pink hat and an array of flowers and butterflies around her. The two-layer cakes were of strawberry flavour. In last four days, i made three different cakes of different themes and sizes and feel that the journey of sugarcraft is quite interesting and challenging but its worth the travel !

Birthday Cake: Shirt - July 2008

2008-07-21T03:37:00.005+02:00

These last few days have been quite challenging, interesting and busy with new creations to indulge in and make them for occassions such as as weddings, birthdays et al.

This fondant chocolate cake was made together with my friend Christine in five hours during late evening of Saturday, as the cake had to go on Sunday to Gaborone for birthday celebrations. It was quite interesting to work on the tie, the stitchings and the contours of the shirt.

Will post further creations in coming days !

Four-Tier Wedding Cake: Falling Drape with Roses - July 2008

2008-07-19T14:52:00.011+02:00

This four layer wedding cake was made for a bakery manager of a famous supermarket. The wedding theme included the roses near the falling drape using just two colours to match the settings. The rich fruit cakes were made and matured with brandy over a period of four weeks. He is getting married today and may God bless the bridegroom and the bride. Our wishes are with them.

Two of my blogger friends have shared their affection by way of awards, which i will write about in my next post. Thank you !

Two -Tier Wedding Cake: Gold Flowers - July 2008

2008-07-14T01:41:00.011+02:00

This cake was made for a young Batswana bride, who wanted golden flowers such as roses, lilies and ivy creeepers on a two-tier cake for their wedding, which will take place next week. Well, most of my last week day evenings were spent on covering the fruit cakes with marzipan and fondant, after they had been brushed regularly with brandy to let them mature over time. This weekend, I sat down to make the roses, lilies and ivy creepers and then individually paint them with gold. Amidst that, I gave myself a pause to make the spiderman cake..had to make child happy and smiling, isn't it! May the would be bride and bridegroom be blessed with love always !

Birthday Cake: Spiderman Cake - July 2008

2008-07-14T01:29:00.007+02:00

While still adding final touches to the wedding cake, i was requested to make a small spiderman cake for a three-year old boy on saturday, when i returned home from office and had just settled down. I made this cake in three hours and you will realise there are imperfections and i was racing against time. Next one will be a better one, i promise !

Birthday Cake:Chess - July 2008

2008-07-06T23:43:00.008+02:00

My son's birthday falls on 6th July and i made this cake for him. He is very fond of chess, often busy with Harry Potter chess pieces and his school seed postion and i decided to give him a surprise...it took me three late evenings to make the madeira cake with fondant kings and queens and knights and bishops and...and...phew ! altogether 32 pieces and the board. I chose the theme of tricolours : white, black and blue to represent the colours of Botswana. The party was celebrated on the lawns of new Adansonia Hotel amidst our friends, his friends from his school and our friend circle and the day ended with chess cake being shared among us all after he blew the candle and the kings and knights and bishops becoming part of the edible history !

The coming weeks have interesting themes and I will try to share with you all as they come along.

Basket of Flowers: Birthday Cake For A Blogger Friend: June 2008

2008-06-24T09:43:00.018+02:00

Hi I am back from India and what a nice way to start again !

Cynthia http://www.tasteslikehome.org/ is celebrating her birthday today i.e. 27 June 2008 and i thought....let me be part of her celebrations ! I know her as an "embodiment of positive energy, a beautiful pure mind who shall never fail you" and who inspite of her busy schedule, always has time to pass by the blogs of her friends.

Cynthia, as promised, here i am, to present you with this basket of flowers laid on a table. Let me celebrate your birthday with a wish 'may you live to be a hundred and may the last voice you hear be of your love'

The basket has roses and liles and few blossom flowers on a bed of rich moist chocolate cake and placed on a fondant table cloth of a table of madeira cake. I hope it brings you another feather of joy in the celebration of life !

I would also like to pass this small gift to you. The picture has flowers from my garden, crystal and stones from my living room with words of worth to live by. You may choose, when ever, to pass it on to someone, who you feel, is adding to the body of knowledge of the blogging world.I had a surprise while in India, when my hubby designed a logo with a theme for my blog and e-mailed it to me in India. Three rings to represent the cakes and colours to represent where i come from with a sweet signature 'edible creativity'. I managed to upload it on my blog but could not get enough time to reply to each one of you. So now, here i am, ready to do some more expriments in sugarcraft, to learn more before the second year final MBA examinations in October.

I would also like you all to visit the blog of a very wonderful sugarpaste artist from Cape Town. Her blog site is http://sugarflorals.blogspot.com/ Her works are amazing and she inspires me a lot with her work. Incidentally when i wrote to her about my admiration for her, she humbly said that its me that inspired her to upload the blog. It makes me feel so happy to be part of happiness and joy and share and discover friends all over the world.

A few thoughtful words:

'Believe not only in yourself, but believe in your friends as well for it is in the eyes of your friends that you discover yourself.'

'True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it be lost.'

Chrysthamum Wedding Anniversary Cake: May 2008

2008-05-23T14:29:00.017+02:00

Dear inspirations, that's what i call you all my blogger friends ! The MBA examinations took me off the blog for a while but as you know, there is an ad which comes on the NDTV (oh ! yes, we are able to watch it here, too, in Botswana) which says 'the end of knowlege is love and the end of education is character' so while my passion for sugracraft is still a journey to perfection, when ever priority for education comes on front, i just snugly tuck my hobby for a while and try to concentrate on studies, as i have no control over the age which is passing by !

With examinations over, i made this cake quickly in two days for a friend's wedding anniversary. With winter setting in and chrysthamum and roses in bloom, i chose this theme for them. It was liked by them and i hope you all will also give me a slight pat for trying ! Well, there still much room for perfection and i will keep on practicing !

When i opened my blog, I was and still am overwhlemed with love and affection that you bestow upon me. Thank you so much for thinking of me this way !

Cham http://spice-club.blogspot.com

Homecooked http://homecooked.wordpress.com

Susan http://foodblogga.blogspot.com

Roopa http://www.rvkitchentreats.blogspot.com

feel that my blog is 'yummy'. Hey girls, i bow down like the gilrls do in school.Thank you !

I am sharing this with Mansi Desai http://funnfud.blogspot.com, whose signature is 'discover the cook within you' and i would also like to wish her belated birthday! Sorry, dear, missed it but will be there, next time !

I also share this with Margaret http://kitchen-delights.blogspot.com, whose posts are indeed as said !

I will also share this with Panettona http://painetchocolat.wordpress.com/, whose posts are an excellent visual appeal !

I will further share this with Aparna http://mydiversekitchen.blogspot.com/, whose diverse kitchen is worth the read and the quality of the posts is very commendable !

Anitha of http://cakesbyanitha.blogspot.com/ shared this 'Arte y Pico' award with me. Her sincerity and honesty reflects in her works. Not a word of self-praise and she continues to carve out themes diligently.

I will pass this work of art to Asha http://foodieshope.blogspot.com/, whose blog is work of art, where she is candid, sweet, makes you feel comfortable while reading her posts & her posts always has elements to learn from. Asha, thanks for accepting me in your fraternity and often leaving words of encouragement for me.

I will pass this to Lori Lynn http://tastewiththeeyes.blogspot.com/ whose blog is in her words 'the cooking, photographing, posting and sharing my adventures with food...and reading and enjoying and celebrating your blogs and your successes in the kitchen and beyond" how true lori ! Your posts has value and food for thoughts, always !

I will pass this award to Cynthia http://www.tasteslikehome.org/, whose zeal for perfection amazes me. Over the one year, interaction with her on the blogger wolrd has made me wiser, humbler and an learner, not yet a guru ! Cynthia, you deserve my awe !

I will also pass this award to Rosie http://rosiebakesapeaceofcake.blogspot.com/, a truly inspirational blogger. I know you have been handed this twice so no more words required from me but i still feel you deserve many more !

I will also pass this award to dawn http://fizaa.blogspot.com/, where insights into human relatiosnhips are words of art. Her thought provoking words make you pause for a while. She speaks of maintaining friendship so beautifully and talks of love and its betrayal so eloquently. Dawn, may your book released pass through several hands but the thoughts of it remain with hands they pass through !

Margaret http://kitchen-delights.blogspot.com/
MrsB http://ickystickypudding.blogspot.com/

feel i make their days. I am indeed happy to know that i have that positivity in me. Thank you, dear !

There are are other precious bloggers, who make my day everyday. With you all, i share this award !

One of you is caked crusader http://thecakedcrusader.blogspot.com from UK, whose passion for baking amazes me.
The other one is Priya http://prsrblog.blogspot.com/, whose posts on relationships, friendship, trust, faith, oppurtinism, betrayal of love and other human emotions is worth reading. I share this award with you.
I also look forward to posts from Gloria from Chile http://canelakitchen.blogspot.com/, whose enthusiasm for a wide variety of food amazes me. Gloria, i share this with you.
I also read Anna Haight http://mtkilimonjaro.blogspot.com/, whose signature of 'trying out something new is fun' makes wonderful reading. Anna, you make my day !
I also read Ivy'spost, an interesting blog http://kopiaste.blogspot.com/ with lots of things from Greece. She calls it ' kopiaste, which in hindi means namaste ! Ivy, you , too make my day, eh!
Susan http://foodblogga.blogspot.com/ you make my day, too, with your posts that are filled with much needed information that really helps !
Pooja http://creativepooja.blogspot.com/ you make my day with your posts and innovative competitions that challenges the creative mind !
Roopa http://www.rvkitchentreats.blogspot.com/ you posts are worth reading everyday and you too make my day. I know there are other who also think of you in this way. So i am right too, isnt it !
Anitha http://cakesbyanitha.blogspot.com/ It was good that i met you. I always pick up some form of inspiration from your themes ! You too, make my day !

I will continue with my token of appreciation and recognition of other friends in my next post. I am off to India for few weeks for a break with my sony lipstick mp3 player, with loads and loads of songs !

Celebration Cake: India Association Family Fun Day : May 2008

2008-05-12T07:54:00.009+02:00

India Association celebrated 10th May as Family Fun Day at the Club and I made this cake to raise some funds for the association. Before the American Auction could start, we discovered that it was the birthday of one of our esteeemed member's wife and it was decided not to auction the cake but celebrate her birthday on the ground with this cake.

This cake was made in less than two days, as i am occupied with studies for the MBA mid-session examinations, which starts from this week. I have given YUMMY BLOG AWARD by two of my lovely blogger friends Homecooked & Cham and will display it in my next blog.

I thank all my blogger friends for visiting and encouraguing me so often ! I will be off the the blog until my examinations are over.

Heart of Roses Wedding Anniversary Cake:For A Blogger Friend: April 2008

2008-04-24T11:36:00.008+02:00

In one post, Gloria http://www.canelakitchen.blogspot.com/ mentioned 25 April 2008 as her wedding anniversary date. So, here's to you, Gloria ...a beautiful mind.., wishes for a very happy wedding anniversary ! May you both always keep shining in glory ! The butter cake was made by my friend, who bakes wonderful cakes and decorated by me.

Wishes to you at Santiago, Chile from me from Botswana, Africa !

I dedicate this simple, plain yet a beautiful heart cake to you !

Four-tier Wedding Cake: Fruit Cake: April 2008

2008-04-14T12:11:00.031+02:00

This four-tier wedding cake was made for a Botswana couple, who wanted the drape woven cakes with roses on the top. I had started the process in March by first making the four cakes with marinated fruits and nuts in liqor and then letting them mature and ripen with time by brushing them at regular interval with brandy over a period of four weeks.

I must admit that in my pursuit for perfection, with some practice by now, i have been able to understand a little bit about measurements and the drapes with the cake size/height ratio came out satisfactorily, also courtesy due to creative critique from my hubby.To add few more words, my first critics and admirers are my hubby and my son.

The wedding bells were embossed on the cakes and the drapes were pinned with daisy sugar flowers.

I was tagged by Gloria of http://www.canelakitchen.blogspot.com/ for a meme to describe six words about myself. Quite difficult proposition, eh but this is what i am:

@friendly @honest @compassionate @energetic @fun-loving @dedicated

I would like to add my new friend Tartasacher of http://milpostres.blogspot.com/, who visited my blog for the first time and gave me an honour which i have to maintain. Thank you, dear !

Teddy Bear Birthday Cake:For a Blogger Friend: March 2008

2008-03-31T12:33:00.024+02:00

When i posted the cakes for my marriage anniversary and my husband's birthday,one of my blogger friend Archana Pritish(http://archysrecipes.blogspot.com/)had commented:

Archy said...
Belated Aniversary Wishes to you both..As usuall Lovely cakes Anamika !!Both us B'day is dis month end.. It was lovely u wud make a cake for us both :) !! I'm so curious to watch and eat the cake u make :P!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:19:00 PM

Archana, i love reading all the comments, it's like going through the rite of passage, where i try to understand and appreciate each word written and your valuable time spent on my blog.

Here's something i came up for you .... a teddy bear hug for your birthday ! I was working on a wedding cake, have several knocking deadlines for submission of assignments for MBA and the long office hours but i could not forget your words. I must and always try to find space for smaller happiness (choti choti baatein..as said in hindi), but do forgive the imperfections ! Teddy Bear has buttercream icing work, fondant work and chocolate cakes. Happy days ahead to you !

Welcome Cake: March 2008

2008-03-19T22:41:00.008+02:00

One of our dear friends, who is in Indian Army has been blessed with a baby girl on 13 March 2008. On that day, the congratulatory calls with the new mom and dad evoked pure joy and the impromptu telly conversations, as usual, evoked memories of their time spent in Botswana. The beautiful angel is Gayatri and I welcome the adorable darling's arrival in this world with this cake !

Message for mom & dad: Vibha and Atal, this cake is for Gayatri . During celebrations at home, do open the blog and show her - her first gift from me !

Message for Gayatri: Little angel, hugs and kisses to you from your aunty in Botswana !

I also wish to share this happy occasion with all my blogger friends and convey my wishes for incoming Easter and Holi celebrations !

Birthday and Wedding Anniversary Cakes: March 2008

2008-03-11T15:13:00.012+02:00

March is the celebration time for our family. My husband's birthday on 7 March followed by our wedding anniversary on 8 March. I often tease my hubby for being so courageous to have married on International Woman's Day. Amidst flurry of activities and partying from 7 - 9 March, followed by the hectic monday mania at office, i did not get time to post the cakes which i had made for the occassions. Sometime i wish, i had more time for my hobby of making cakes but it's life and i try to indulge in creativity, when ever i can, away from daily rigmaroles of home and office.
My son wanted to present a basket full of chocolate truffles to his dad and who would he look at for turning his imagination into reality - off course, his mum. And there i was, working late night for two days to fulfill his wish ! And then, i wished to make a heart full of roses for my anniversary. So another day was spent in making it. All is sugarcraft work with madeira cakes !

Well, during these two days, what i cherished most were the phone calls and smses from the friends and relatives from India and other parts of the world. It makes one feel so complete to achieve the human bond and collect lifelong treasure of friends. Even though, it means the cellphone smudged with icing sugar or the cordless phone smeared with marzipan and fondant, when interrupted but it's a great feeling !

And now I have evergrowing circle of wonderful blogger friends and I celebrate this with you all, the first time after i entered the blogosphere in 2007.

Wedding Anniversary Cake: February 2008

2008-02-24T00:23:00.011+02:00

This cake was made for one of our friend's from Indian Army, currently posted in Francistown, who celebrated their 13th marriage anniversary on 22 February 2008. Despite very busy schedule at office, i had promised myself that, like last year, i will make the cake for them, this year too ! A promise is a promise, it has trust and faith and moment of truth, whether to others or oneself. Well, i had a night and so spent late hours to complete the cake. My heart leaped with joy, when out of affection they said that this cake was perfect for the occassion and to cherish the memories, the moment was captured in the camera - our friends, the cake and me ! I could feel the pure joy, like the reverbrations of pure innocent creativity.

The cake was vanilla sponge cake with three layers of strawberry and cream fillings. I used natural flowers this time to decorate the cake with royal icing decorations and frilled border.

Two-Tier Birthday Cake: Chocolate Ganache Marble Cake with Cigarellos - February 2008

2008-02-12T16:16:00.003+02:00

This two-tier chocolate ganache marble cake was made for a very good doctor friend from Indian Air Force, who is in Francistown. This birthday, we all wished for a fairy in his life, as he is still a bachelor and we could not think of a better theme of combining his birth with a wish for a lovely girl in his life. He was happy with our warm gesture and we captured the moment in a camera of him blowing the candle and making a wish. The party was organised in a Indian Restaurant with the perfect ambience among severals friends.

The rich moist chocolate cake had the flavour of coffee mocha and cinnamon. It was just chocolate and chocolate and nothing else!
With love in the air and Valentine's Day around the corner, I made this cake with lots of hearts, chocolate flower embellishment and roses for our sweet friend to be struck by a Cupid's arrow !
And I found it worth for carrying a wish , to go as a submission for Pooja's theme for Valentine Day http://creativepooja.blogspot.com/2008/02/theme-of-week-valentines-day2008-round.html

Three-tier Wedding Cake - Pink & Gold Theme: January 2008

2008-02-01T14:35:00.001+02:00

Hi friends, I was working on this wedding cake for almost ten days. This was made for a lovely young Sri Lankan couple, who recently got married and are on their way to Australia. The theme of the cake was pink with gold trimmings. I made the scrolls and hand painted them with gold. The arum lilies, roses and blossom flowers were made with hue of pink and gold to match the ambience. The wine glass was painted gold to hold the top tier of the cake. I made the date cakes for the second and top layer and the bottom layer is a madeira cake. It really makes one feel so happy to see smiles on the faces and take one step further as a sugarpaste artist in search of excellence ! In the world of infinity, as a learner, one keeps building the foundation slowly, and your words and comments (i value them) helps me in this journey to move on.

Birthday Cake: Animal Farm - January 2008

2008-01-28T08:32:00.001+02:00

While working on the wedding cake project on 25 January 2008, a request came to make a cake for a five-year old kid's birthday on 26 January 2007. As i cannot refuse anything for kids, i said 'yes' and off i went on a spree to spent two hours in the evening to make the cake. The kid's mom just wanted the letter '5' but i had just casually asked, 'what does the kid love ?' and he loves animals. Well, it gave me an idea and this is what i could do - a buttercream icing cake with the theme of the animal farm. Except for the animals (which i purchased in a rush-rush moment from the supermarket), everything else was made using buttercream icing. After i had made the cake, then i realised..hey, i should used a little more of orange colour to qualify for pooja's theme of the Republic Day http://creativepooja.blogspot.com/ Anyway, there is always the next time, isn't it ! Will soon post the pics for the wedding cake.

Sugarcraft inspiration from an African Creeper

2008-01-17T14:07:00.001+02:00

As I get more involved in sugarcraft, a transformation has occurred. I have become closer to Nature and its perfect sytem. I had waited patiently for this African creeper above, to bloom despite skeptism, but I knew that one day it will ! It did, and my faith and trust in Nature's system is re-inforced. Currently, its raining heavily in Francistown and I can see a dramatic change in climate of Botswana. And I wonder, if to change, like other things, is inevitable. Here are some flowers that are dancing in the rain in my garden.

The pictures are of high resolution & can become screen savers

I am working on a cake and will soon post the pics.....

Birthday Cake: Powerpuff Girls - January 2008

2008-01-07T09:02:00.001+02:00

What a wonderful way to start the year. One of my close friend's daughter is fascinated by powerpuff girls cartoon and wanted blossom, bubble and buttercup - the three kindergarten girls,who have the mission to save the world, for her birthday.

I looked for inspirations to conjure a theme for the cake. I thought of the powerpuff girls, who will wake up at midnight, place a cake on a table on their bed, stand on a pillow and sing the birthday song for her. And this is what i could make, using marzipan and fondant on a madeira cake. An attempt to bring joy on the face of the little girl and match her imagination with my brave ability.

Our office opened after the Chiristmas holidays, before the birthday (6 January 2007) and I was caught up with new year plans, meetings etc. Considering me as a learner, please overlook the imperfections and the finesse. I was short of time, had just one and half day and it has been raining in Francistown.

As for my little darling, her gleeful smile said it all !

I would also like to offer COMPLIMENTS FOR NEW YEAR to everyone and a big 'THANK YOU' to all who visited my blog and accepted me as 'The Sugarcrafter'. Your comments and words means a lot and I know the worth of my everincreasing 'circle of inspirations'. In retrospective, 2007 has been a happy year...I passed my first year of MBA, tried to make wedding cakes, anniversary cakes, engagement cakes, birthday cakes, experimented with different techniques of cake decoration and look forward to the new year with you all around to critique me.

Among several e-mails that i received for the new year, here's few i liked:

'Everybody sees how you seem, however, only some know who you are'

'Perhaps God would want you to become acquainted with many different people in the course of your life, so that when you meet the right ones,

you can appreciate and be grateful for them'

Birthday Cake - The Mermaid's World : December 2007

2007-12-17T12:31:00.001+02:00

5.The waving mermaid

4. The closer view again

3. The closer view

2. The front view

1. The mermaid cake

This birthday cake was made for a little girl in Botswana, who wanted a mermaid for her 4th birthday. It was a challenge to meet the little angel's imaginations & expectations ! Well, I tried to be a little girl and think from her point of view and i could see the star-fish, colured sea-shells, rocks, reefs of different hue, marine plants, octopus and a lovely mermaid, sitting on a rock and resting her hand on it. A brave attempt to fulfil a girl's fantasy of the little mermaid in her world, using fondant and marzipan.

Four-tier Wedding Cake - Rose Bouquet : December 2007

2007-12-14T14:33:00.001+02:00

5. The display at marriage hall

4. The final cake arrangement

3. The top layer view

2. The top layer cake

1.The preparation at home

This four layer wedding cake was made for a Bostwana couple, who adore rose bouquet on a white cake. The rose bouquet has blossom flowers and a ivy creeper. The sides of the cakes are covered with scrolls and patchwork of small rose flowers.

Three-tier Wedding Cake - An African Theme : November 2007

2007-11-30T11:11:00.001+02:00

This cake was made using the sugarcraft, modelling, painting and icing techniques. It was my first experiment to make a wedding cake using an African Theme, as this is what was expected of me to do. The wedding couple from Botswana love the traditional wedding cake and I tried to use my imagination, after having lived here for 10 years. The masks, the quills, the woven pottery, the giraffe and zebra skins are an important theme and I tried to make them using fondant and marzipan, from what ever i know till now. Everything was edible.

Three-tier Wedding Cake : November 2007

2007-11-27T15:12:00.001+02:00

The wedding cake made in 9 hours on special request from a person, who i could not refuse. It was made for a lovely Bostwana Couple.

Five-Tier Wedding Cake - Indian Bridal Theme 2: November 2007

2007-11-26T15:01:00.001+02:00

I was happy with my experiment of fusion of art.The wedding was at Gaborone International Conference Centre, Grand Palm Hotel.

Five-Tier Wedding Cake - Indian Bridal Theme 1: November 2007

2007-11-21T12:28:00.001+02:00

It involved making 65 roses, over 250 little blossom flowers & 35 leaves

The preparation started at Francistown and the six cakes were taken in a car for 460 kms for the marriage in Gaborone. The classical multi-layered cake was blended with the indian theme of marriage to give it an ethnical indian appeal. I spent three long nights to make the preparation for the cake and the last night was spent in giving finishing touches to the cake. The drapes and the cake itself, luckily, remained intact during the journey.

Sugarcraft inspirations from a bonsai bloom

2007-11-21T10:59:00.001+02:00

The flowers bloomed after 15 years on a bonsai plant (species still unknown to me) here in Botswana in November 2007. I manged to capture few shots digitally but what awes me is it's pure sheer pristine beauty ! My camera could not capture it's perfection enough ! The edges kept on blurring even with very high resolution..such is Nature's perfection.

It has become again my source of inspiration for sugarcraft !

Birthday Cake : November 2007

2007-11-05T08:24:00.001+02:00

The birthday cake was made of chocolate and decorated with sugarcraft flowers of myriad types e.g. orchids, roses etc.

My experiment with flora:Tiger Lily

2007-10-30T09:12:00.001+02:00

With examinations over and festive mood in the air, it's creativity time again. Made this tiger lily with roses and ivy creeper and little blossom flowers. Soon will post the 'how series' on how I made the different flowers and foliage by drawing inspiration and understanding from different books and online information available.

Two-tier wedding reception cake: October 2007

2007-10-29T09:33:00.001+02:00

At this time of the year , Botswana blooms with lilies of different hues and you can draw inspiration from them. Made this reception cake with lilies for recently married young vibrant couple of NIIT, Botswana.

Between life's duty and creativity !

2007-10-15T11:49:00.004+02:00

The month of October was busy with my MBA examinations.

Bridal Affair: Soni's Cake 5 -Two tier cake with orchids

2007-09-25T09:39:00.004+02:00

I made this yellow cake with orchids to add colour to jesty and upwardly mobile young generation. Well ! lot of youngsters came to the stall and wanted me to make similar cakes with bright and bold colours ! I was happy with the experiment !

Bridal Affair: Soni's Cake 4 + Three-tier wedding cake with roses

2007-09-25T09:38:00.002+02:00

A plain and simple three-tier wedding cake with a rose posy was much liked for its sheer elegance. Some visitors commented that too many flowers of different varieties spoil the elegance of simplicity. I could not agree more !

Bridal Affair: Soni's Cake 3 - Three-tier wedding cake with arum lilies

2007-09-25T09:36:00.001+02:00

This was my first endeavour to make arum lilies and try free hand drawing on the cake. Well, the visitors to the stall loved the cake but i still feel i need to practice more and make lilies again to give them the perfection they require !

Bridal Affair: Soni's Wedding Cake 2 - Three-tier cake with day lilies

2007-09-25T09:35:00.001+02:00

I experimented for the first time with day liles that are very popular as part of the wedding cakes in Bostwana. I also tried the jacobian style and experimented with dust and clours !

Bridal Affair: Soni's Wedding Cake 1 - Three-tier heart of roses

2007-09-24T08:59:00.001+02:00

All persons who visited the stall were happy with the way the wedding heart, full of roses was poised over the two -tiered cake. And they wanted to have it immediately..i had difficulty explaining the dummy part of the cake !

Bridal Affair 2007: The Display on 23 September 2007

2007-09-24T08:56:00.001+02:00

The display of the cakes were done under ' Soni's Cakes' at the Marang Residency Hotel