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| Hey Austin folks, I need a volunteer! As I've mentioned before, I'm heading up the kid area at the Austin cake show on the weekend of February 27 and 28 at the Crockett center in North-ish Austin. I've said before that I'd really appreciate help at the table and that, in exchange, you can come hang with me for a day while I work on my show cake and I'll do my best to teach you whatever techniques I'm working on that day (note: due to allergies I can't have smokers in my home, or pets, sorry, and for my own safety I have to at least vaguely know who you are or you have to be vouched for by someone I know...oh, and no photos please). A lot of people have asked to watch me work or for free lessons, so this is your big chance to get that. But now I have an even more specific need for which I'll exchange extra days/lessons: I really want to go to the Mike McCarey demo on the Sunday morning of the show, so I need someone who is reliable and responsible to run the table for me from 9am to noon that day. It's not that much more than general volunteering at the kid area other than keeping an eye on the money pouch and being in charge enough to keep things going. I'd be right in the next room in case of any emergency, and there are supposed to be other volunteers around anyway, so it shouldn't be that much of a big deal (there's a great kid who will be there and knows the ropes but she's also teaching a class for a half hour somewhere in that time and I don't want to put too much responsibility on a kid). I'll even be there early beforehand to make sure everything is set up and ready to go. It's really pretty easy stuff: kids come and for $1 they get either a cupcake or a cookie (there will probably be a couple of varieties, hopefully listed on a sign), a bag of icing, a cup of sprinkles, and if we get donated fondant as expected, a few balls of that too. 90% of the work is saying, "What would you like?" and then getting it for them and putting their money in the bag, making change where necessary. The other 10% is keeping icing bags/sprinkle cups/etc filled and keeping the place vaguely tidy. You do NOT have to do any decorating. The kids are supposed to do it themselves. You can show them how to squeeze the bag if necessary, but mostly the parents are there and it's obvious (squeeze downward, icing comes out, that's all). Last year, Sunday morning was mostly low-key. The big mad rushes were all on Saturday. I think we had a couple of waves of people but it wasn't bad at all. I expect it to be about the same this year. So as before, anyone who promises to volunteer at least a couple of hours at the table any time can come spend a day watching me make stuff and get lessons. Anyone who promises to come and be my reliable stand-in for Sunday morning can get FIVE days of watching/free lessons, PLUS I will be indebted to you for volunteer time at a later date (must be after the show and not two weeks before Peo's birthday in early October...and we might be gone spring break this year...I think otherwise I should be available). Plus I'll be your best friend, I'll shower you with praise, I'll bake you some cookies after the show...um, anything else? I guess I could potentially offer a free cake for you or your kid or something but that'll depend on when you want it and what you want, but I'm willing to discuss it. For the record, it's totally awesome if more than one person steps up! Pretty please? | ||||||
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Blatherings
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January 2nd, 2010
December 18th, 2009
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| What I've been making for Peo (and Corran's work Christmas party, despite his inability to attend since he's in Oz, but Peo still wants to go) for the past day and a half: ( large pics under the cut ) | ||||||
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December 15th, 2009
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| In the last 48 hours, my watch band has broken, my beaded lip-balm-holder-keychain fell off my keys, a rock chipped my windshield, my passport photos were rejected, one of the four pack of outdoor bulbs I put into the new fixtures blew as soon as I turned it on, one of the two lights on the new range hood failed to turn on at all, the big toe of my "good" foot has turned into an ingrown-nail ball of pain, and a potential $3800 error regarding my foot surgery has cropped up. Know why? Because I was counting on getting lots done on my show cake this last week of Peo's school, and Corran is out of town until December 28 (family emergency), so as many possible things to cause havoc in my life appear to be piling up. So today I took Peo to school, went and got new passport photos taken (it wasn't the photographer's fault, it was because I was wearing a white shirt, but the photographer offered me free replacements which was nice, but I paid anyway since it wasn't their fault...and I've heard they're the only place in Austin that does Canadian passport photos right), got home, inhaled a quick breakfast just as the range hood installers arrived, listened to them complain and work for about half an hour because it turns out this fancy new hood is "professional class" which is translation for "does not fit into the standard hole cut into the underside of the cabinet", then called the podiatrist's office to discuss the weird billing error stuff that came from the insurance company (they think it's an error too but can't be sure until they see their version come in), then went outside to plant the replacement trees the Arbor Foundation sent since the last ten died (they arrived on Saturday so I really had to get them in the ground today or tomorrow), then weeded the garden since the weeds were killing my plants and I haven't been able to weed since the surgery, then sprayed not-very-eco-friendly RoundUp on the weeds that have taken over the xeriscape and swallowed Peo's sandbox, then cleaned up all that stuff, then removed the good and bad bulbs from their fixtures and put them back in the box to return, then had a shower, then had lunch, then put together the package with the passport photos, then got in a WHOLE 45 MINUTES of sugar work, then went and stood in line at the post office for 45 minutes (which is why I bloody well avoid the place in December and had been oh so sensible in sending out Christmas packages weeks ago), then realized it was too late for me to make it to the podiatrist's office to pay them the remaining deductible they've been waiting for pending the resolution of the previous insurance error (I told them I'd be in today or tomorrow), then picked Peo up from school, then battled insane stupid-people-cutting-me-off traffic for 40 minutes back, then returned the box of light bulbs to Costco, then did Costco shopping and almost forgot to get more bulbs, then got home and put the new bulbs all in (they all work, yay), then put the groceries away, then made dinner with Peo (hot dogs wrapped in store-brand crescent roll dough, but I let her cut out Christmas cookie shapes...only as I opened the dough did I notice that there was some crusty dough on the outside of the can so I went with the theory that it was from something else and cut off a bit from that end of the roll just to be safe and we're all just going to assume it's fine because I was so not up to dealing with her mega-angst if the promised special dinner didn't happen), and now... *wilt* *droop* I still need to make cookie dough tonight, though, because it has to chill for tomorrow night Peo can make cookies for her teacher so we can take them to school on Thursday, which is her last day before the holiday. And my feet hurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrt....*whine* Did I mention that I got in a whole 45 minutes of sugar work? Yay me. I learned that with certain spherical objects that have an indentation on one side, when you're making the line that goes around the middle, you have to turn the sphere against the knife and not the other way around or else the indentation makes your eye want to slope the line and then it looks all wrong and you have to do it over again. At least Peo is funny...she keeps singing Christmas carols with entirely mangled lyrics. I don't mean Jingle Bells, Batman Smells, either (although I sang that to her and she was amused)...I mean like "a faybe is worn" for "a babe is born" and "you'll go down in this tree" for "you'll go down in history". She only believes my corrections about half the time... And the Lion King is over now so someone is demanding her stories before bed... eta Forgot to mention the wonky iPod...first it got stuck on shuffle driving home from the overlapping Christmas parties I had on Sunday and Peo was in tears because she only likes the songs, "IN THE RIGHT ORDER!" Since then, it has developed a habit of the music player crashing out at the worst times...like the wee hours of the morning when it's on as a white noise machine so I get woken up by the ticking of the fan, or when I was in the middle of doing the gardening today, or when driving on the highway with Peo and she's finally happy that the songs aren't shuffling... | ||||||
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December 1st, 2009
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| I am now a woman with a blow torch. Muahahaha. (I must've looked like hardcore DYI plumbing lady at Home Depot today, buying flanges and PVC bits and a blow torch, and it's all for cake! Well okay one bit was actually for the shower hose...) | ||||||
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November 25th, 2009
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| Here's a quick frugal cake decorating tip: If you're making your own fondant and use up the standard 2lb bag of powdered sugar, you can store the fondant in that bag with the top twisted shut and held with a twist-tie. It's got a sugar-dusted lining so it won't stick too much, it's good thick plastic, and the perfect size. Then when you're done with that fondant, you can chuck the bag knowing that you got a second use out of it and didn't need to use virgin plastic. | ||||||
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November 19th, 2009
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| Remember the cupcake version of Kerry Vincent's surprise birthday cake from a Food Network Challenge I made for a Cake Wrecks event? I got email from Kerry Vincent today praising it and thanking me for it. How cool is that? You know, I've got pretty high exposure for a total amateur... | ||||||
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November 4th, 2009
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| You know those dreams where you're in a class you either would never take, or appear to have forgotten about, and all of a sudden it's exam day or there's some other factor that you're not ready for, and it's all super-stressful? I had one of those last night, but under fairly unusual circumstances... Yesterday I put in my registration for February's cake show in Austin, including paying for the Sunday demo session featuring Lauren Kitchens, Kathy Scott, and OMG *swoonforthecakeGOD* Mike McCarey (you can sign up for this and other classes/events too!). I considered taking one of McCarey's longer classes, but I really need that second one about structures NOW, and will have to learn that stuff myself in the next few weeks for my show cake. Plus since I'm not selling cakes, I can't cost-justify it, but oh man oh man I really wanna... Anyway, I decided to be responsible and settle for the demo during the show. But last night I dreamed that I had signed up for one of the other classes somehow by mistake or something, and when I showed up a couple of days before the show to help do setup (as I will be doing), I saw the people going into the class and someone told me I'd better hurry or I'd be late. I had the sinking feeling of having spent the money I didn't mean to spend, but it was too late to get it back at that point, so I then had the giddy rush of getting to go to the class. But then another sinking feeling because I hadn't brought whatever we were supposed to bring along (which isn't actually much for those classes, but for some of the others I considered, you need to bring a cake dummy with fondant and/or other things). So then in the dream one of the nice people from the cake club (I.H., waving at you if you read this which you probably don't) started giving me her extra supplies, which saved the day even though I still felt like a dork. And then, of course, just as the class was about to begin, I woke up. Damn, almost had free-dream-class with Mike McCarey, Cake God. How cake-nerdy is that? PS The show still needs volunteers and there are perks for putting in lots of hours. There's a meeting tonight at All in One Bakeshop (8566 Research Blvd Austin, TX 78758) at 6 pm. The announcement on the Meetup Group says, "Please make plans to attend the next meeting of the 2010 That Takes the Cake Show planning meeting for Committee chairs, members, and Volunteers. The group will be reviewing current plans for the show, discuss the budget, and potential classes. Anyone interested in participating in this planning process is encouraged to attend." So if you're interested in volunteering, come on by. Plus, my previous offer of potential time sitting in my kitchen watching me make stuff for those who promise to volunteer at the kiddie table with me still applies. | ||||||
| comments: 6 comments or Leave a comment |
October 17th, 2009
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| *squee* Cake Wrecks posted their Austin wrap up and even though I couldn't go to the rescheduled version (since that happened alongside Peo's birthday party), I sent them the pics of the cupcake wreck I made and they posted a couple to the blog: http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2009/1 Woot, that's twice I've been on the good side of Cake Wrecks. I should open a business or something. Except for the part where that's actual work... More pics were here for those who missed it: http://kimberlychapman.livejournal.c PS Thank you to those of you who let me know about it...I actually saw it really early this morning but this was my first chance to post about it. :D | ||||||
| comments: 3 comments or Leave a comment |
October 8th, 2009
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| The Cake Wrecks tour has been rescheduled for this Saturday at 2 pm, right in the middle of Peo's birthday party. So obviously, I can't go. If there's anyone in town going and who would be willing to take my cupcake wreck in for the competition, I'll let you keep any prize that's won...I just want the fame and glory! So far it seems everyone I know who is interested is busy and not going. :( | ||||||
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October 4th, 2009
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| Photos of what would have been my Cake Wrecks Cupcake Wreckplica entry today if the event hadn't been cancelled (and they've just updated to say that John is sicker than they thought, so best wishes out to him because that sucks big time!): ( Read more... ) | ||||||
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| *headdesk* I spent the last three days making a Cupcake Wreckplica of epic proportions for the booksigning tour of the Cake Wrecks blog. But Jen and her husband have gotten really seriously sick (he's in the ICU!) so they had to cancel the Austin trip. The poor things are no doubt run ragged. I feel awful for them. But selfishly, I feel awful for me too because I really really really put a lot into my Wreckplica and I doubt it'll survive long enough for a potential reschedule, since it's got actual cupcake in it, and much of it is exposed as part of what it is emulating. And I doubt I can find time for another one what with Peo's birthday party, then holiday stuff, plus I really need to get going on stuff for my show cake soon. I'll take lots of photos and post them later. eta pics up here: http://kimberlychapman.livejournal.c | ||||||
| comments: 4 comments or Leave a comment |
September 27th, 2009
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| OMG, check out the awesome Alien wedding cake on Sunday Sweets today: http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2009/0 | ||||||
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September 14th, 2009
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| You know, there are a lot of cake decorators or folks who want to learn cake decorating around Austin who have asked me to show them stuff. And now that the organizing is beginning for the 2010 Austin cake show, I'll be looking for volunteers to help me with the kiddie table at the event. It's not hard, but it can get busy...basically we need people to take orders for cupcakes/cookies, take the buck for each one, give them what they ordered along with an icing bag and some sprinkles, and generally keep the whole thing moving. Last year it was me, another volunteer, and an 11-year-old who had intended to teach other kids and totally didn't get a chance because things were too busy. There were some other volunteers who did brief stints too, but at times it was only two or three of us trying to serve as many as 15-20 kids at a time. Volunteers get into the show for free. There's going to be lots of stuff to see and do in there, so you can volunteer for a couple of hours here and there and otherwise get to do lots of fun things. Plus those of you who have wanted to hang out with me to watch me make stuff...well, let's just say that for those who are willing to put in some serious hours helping me out at the kids table, I'm pondering ways to give a special thank you in the order of some free lessons at my place someday, or something along those lines. Stay tuned, and maybe go ahead and block out the last weekend of February on your calendars... | ||||||
| comments: 3 comments or Leave a comment |
September 11th, 2009
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| I am behind on several topics. Here is a quick-as-possible update: 1) On the Tidy-vs-TV battle, we won, but needed reinforcements in the form of grandparental units. They were under strict instructions not to actually pick stuff up for Peo (and oh, did she try to ply them every way possible!) but were available to keep her company and help count items. The room got clean. Unfortunately, one of the motivators was to be able to go to my cake meeting that night...and I screwed up because the meeting was the following week. Oops. But I admitted my error and we made good by Peo by going out for Chinese food instead, where she happily chattered the words/phrases she knows in Mandarin. 2) Coolest/funniest/deepest thing Peo has said recently: she wants desperately to visit Kai-Lan and has been convinced that she has to go to CartoonLand to do so, and declared to Corran that if she goes to CartoonLand and meets Kai-Lan and Kai-Lan draws a picture of her, then it will be a picture of Reality. 3) With tons and tons of the right stretching in advance, I can now take short, stompy, unassisted steps. As in, not safe to be carrying a pot of boiling water or anything, but could probably escape a fire in the house. And the podiatrist told me to get a cane to try to get off the crutches. So I did (for $25 all they had were patterned ones and I didn't feel like spending extra for wood so I have an old-lady pattern but the least old-ladyish they had), and I've been using it when the ankle is nice and warmed up from stretching. However, I have to be careful to not leave myself abandoned with crutches out of reach, because after about 10 minutes of not-stretching, the whole thing locks up again and the cane is insufficient. Podiatrist says it's acute tendinitis and not the bones/hardware/surgery. So I've got more appointments with physical therapy now, and they can now do other stuff since they know it's not hardware in the way, so we'll see how it goes. 4) Taught the two cake classes last week. The Mensa one ended up with only two adults and two kids...and the kids were periodically unsupervised and made a mess of my gel colours. They grabbed them and were jamming my brushes into them before I even noticed (one of the brushes is still soaking to get the colour out from under the metal bit, grrr), since I was trying to teach the adults. Plus, I couldn't easily cross the room to get them back. So I asked very seriously for them to go easy and not mix the colours, but they did. Gahhhhh. The adults were very pleasant and the organizer very gracious and all of that, but I think I have a new rule that under no circumstances will I ever teach a class again that uses MY equipment unless there's a nobody-under-18 rule. Unfair, because I know of kids in their early teens who are highly responsible and quite talented cake decorators, but that's the last time I'm risking my stuff on someone else's kids. Plus I'm not sure how valuable my time was teaching two adults who thanked me but admitted they'd probably never try any of it themselves. I'd only do a class like that again if it had pre-enrollment, as opposed to this, which was part of a convention with a show-up-if-you-wanna style. Four other women came in near the end but really, I'm not sure how much they could have learned doing that. The cake club class went much better and I've received lovely positive feedback, so I'd happily do that again any time they want me. But no more casual volunteering for non-cakies, I think. 5) Corran's parents were here and are now on their way home (may have landed by now, not sure, US to Sydney flights are scary-long), and were very nice Cinderellas for us the whole time, helping cut into the backlog of cleaning that had piled up since my surgery. On the day they arrived, Peo suggested they go back home immediately, but then of course when they left she was upset. Today she roleplayed it out with toys, which seemed to help. 6) Been watching the Canadian show "Intelligence" on DVD via the library and it's very interesting...but I wish Matt Frewer would stop muttering all the damned time, especially since there's no closed captioning or subtitles. Grrrr. All the US DVDs I get have at least the closed captions...which may even be a requirement these days? Pain in the ass how many UK/Canadian ones don't. I have a hearing problem and men's voices turn to mud when there's low-note background music, which this show has in spades. So I have to listen to it LOUD or I miss half of what's being said, and then inevitably the next scene has loud music so it's a huge noise. Pain in the ass. We also finally got Watchmen from the library queue and Frewer was in that too, as was another guy from Intelligence. And two weeks ago I ended up seeing Felicia Day in a ridiculous amount of things all within a few days...rewatched Dr. Horrible, there was the video about dating the avatar, and there was an episode of Monk (which I'm also doing by library DVD) as well. And something else, but I forget. Am I being celebrity-stalked through my TV or am I just a pattern-finding ape? Hmmmm... Anyway, off to finish Intelligence so it can go back to the library today before it's overdue, and to work on the last bits of the Kai-Lan dolls (one for Peo, one for ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} nightxade's daughter) and then finish up the Biscuit Brothers stuff that has been taking for-bloody-ever. | ||||||
| comments: 8 comments or Leave a comment |
August 27th, 2009
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| OMG, it's just the week for all things Dr. Horrible, including cakes: http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2009/0 | ||||||
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August 26th, 2009
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| Attention cake enthusiasts in Austin: I'll be doing the demonstration for the Capital Confectioner's Club for the September meeting. I'll be showing how to make the mice from the cake that won the intermediate division at last year's That Takes the Cake! Sugar Art Show and Cake Competition (link now has basic info for next year's show which will have a sci-fi theme!). The club is open to anyone with an interest in sugar arts; you do not have to be a professional. Heck, I'm not. The meeting is Tuesday, September 8, at 7:30 pm. Location and more details on the club's calendar page. And on the slight chance that anyone reading is involved in the local MENSA, I'll be doing a class on basic cake decorating at their convention on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. For the record, this is all donated time...I'm not making any money on any of it. | ||||||
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August 22nd, 2009
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| Some interesting stories I've seen lately: Taco Joint Fined $46G for Firing Mom for Breastfeeding The Lighter Side: What Do Republicans Really Want? More Shoppers Thinking Twice in the Checkout Line (many people should be thinking more without a recession!) Awesome Doctor Who cakes on Cake Wrecks' Sunday Sweets from a few weeks ago | ||||||
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August 18th, 2009
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| Tee hee... | ||||||
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July 3rd, 2009
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| Hahaha... Hey Doctor Who fans, heck out the photo Consumerist used on this story... | ||||||
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June 18th, 2009
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| Edible Wolverine. The face isn't right, but I guess we could settle for licking his chest hairs off... | ||||||
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Blatherings
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