Most of my work is inspired by fashion, or at least design outside the culinary world. Yet people always ask me to make a cake that looks like their purse. Why do you want to eat your purse! This blog can be a learning tool for you and an outlet of self expression for me:) No more purse cakes! Enjoy!

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Cake Spade;)


Every year when my sister's birthday comes around, there is only one store I go to for a gift....


Oh yes....my sister's favorite....Kate Spade!  I fell in love with this store the first time I walked in.  The store itself is a color haven for any type of designer.  Oh and she captured my heart with this piece.....





Yes Ma'am!! 

Soooooo....I my very first Fashion Caker post will be designed around the beautiful style and grace of Mrs. Kate Spade!

The problem is that I want to do everything!!!  But I decided to self edit and found this dress as my perfect inspiration.....


Something about the colorful and beautiful chaos of this pattern draws me in.

The way I design is much like that of Kate.....or any other fashion designer....I start with inspiration and a sketch....



 Now this is just a start.....I always end up changing something.  That's the beauty of design:)  Especially, if you are not filling an order.  In that case, I would encourage you to stick to your original plan....you know, so you don't get punched by a bride!

So here is what you will need for this project....

  1.  Three cakes (real or dummies)...round, 8", 6",and 4"
  2. Fondant (I used a creamy color....about 5 pounds)
  3. Black gumpaste (for detail work, could be fondant with a little Tylose)
  4. Gel colors (including white)
  5. Paint Brushes (various sizes)
  6. Piping bag with #1 tip
  7. Royal Icing (less than 1/2 cup)
  8. Ribbon cutter
  9. 10 inch round cake display board
  10. Ribbon to cover the edge of the display board
  11. Scissors
  12. Gumpaste quilting tool

Okay the first thing is to cover your cakes in fondant.  Side note....as I progress through these blog posts, I will be going back and showing you how to do some basic things like fondant work...so no worries.

The bottom and top tiers are the one that will receive the print so let's do those two first.

Now we have to mix up colors for the print....

This is red and blue with a touch of white to lighten....




And as you paint the design, use vodka to thin the food coloring gel a bit, to paint with ease.

There are no stencils or cutouts for this so it will have to be freehand.  I am going to start with the purple flowers first....


 I make the outline in a medium purple and then fill it in...


Next, I add the pink center....


And some darker spots in purple...

So it should look like this, give or take a few flowers....

Now that we have our framework, let's paint the orange and pink motifs next...


I do this the same way....outline and then fill in.  BTW, it doesn't have to be perfect....that's why I chose this print...use your own imagination:)


Now we can add the black leaves and plants......I just doodled!!


Perf....

Do the same to the top tier and we are good to go....


These could be cakes on their own...

 Look at that little nugget...

Okay now let's stack them....


We are going to leave the middle tier simple.  One thing I love about Kate's style is that her pieces are simple and chic...not fussy....and timeless....

The cakes need boarders.

Let's line each with a thin black gumpaste ribbon to make the colors pop!


So I'm just rolling out  a long strip and using my ribbon cutter to make consistent lines.  Then I stick them to the cake with a little piping gel (or water).

Okay....design change....see...I told you! 

Here is the original...

 This is too busy for Kate, and the spade is way to big!

I am gonna move the bow to the middle tier and make a smaller spade.

Here's how to make a bow....

First you want to roll out a thin piece of gumpaste (about 6 to 7 inches long)



Then cut a strip about 5 to 6 inches long (you can use the ribbon cutter here too), and chop off the ends....



Add a little piping gel to the center....


Starting at one end, fold the two corners in towards the bow....


And then pull them back towards you....


Smush it into the piping gel and do the other side...



Squeeze the middle and add a center strap....



Then I like to pull the top pieces together a little, especially since this will sit on the middle tier.

Now for the tails, you want to make another strip and cut it diagonally...



Then we place a little piping gel where the bow is going to sit....




Then add the tails....



Now add the bow...



Yay!  We could just leave it like this....




But we need an ode to Kate!...and a little piping....

So using a cutter (your choice) I made this little guy and gave him some detail with the quilting tool.....



Now let's paint him gold....





I also piped a small bead boarder in white....



Looking great!  Here is where the spade comes in....I cut a tiny one to fit in my little gold coin...you can use a cutter for this if you like...




Okay we need a little more gold...

I mix up some Gold Highlighter with vodka to paint the pearl boarder...






And I think that should do it!!!  Let's see!






I think Kate would be proud!!


That's all for now.

Thanks to Kate Spade for all of your beautiful designs!


22 comments:

  1. Yay! I'm so thrilled you are sharing you fabulous talent. Love your work. I'm a fan.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Technically I'm the one who introduced you to the store so doesn't that make me the inspiration. LOL That cake is awesome and I now expect fabulous Kate Spade cakes for my birthday!! You make me so proud everyday!!! Love you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I pretty much love painting on cakes and don't get to do it nearly enough. So "watching" you do it is fun.
    And you better make sure your #1 Fan gets this cake!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Joshua, Your are so talented and such fun!!! The cake is fantastic. My daughter and i took some classes from you at Viking School and if we had a 100 of your talent we would be sucessful. Love you on Food Network compititions also. You and your boss at Highland Bakery are true artists!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I can't thank you enough for sharing your talent.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I can't thank you enough for sharing your talent.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love, love your style. You ooze talent!! Please keep these coming - you are such an inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I LOVE IT!!!!! I JUST LOVE YOUR WORK BECAUSE YOU INSIPIRED ME....EXCELENTEEE !!!!<3

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great post Joshua! Can't wait to try this - time to raid my wife's closet!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gorgeous Joshua! Of course it helps if you can paint more than stick figures. I can dream though....

    ReplyDelete
  11. love it.......very clear instructions...I would like to try painting on a cake...thank you

    ReplyDelete
  12. Fantastic! I took your craftsy course, it was great. I'm so happy to have found this blog. You are right up there as one of my favorite cakers!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Amazing, love it!!! You have given my inspiration ability to soar.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great site and tutorial ! Thanks for sharing you're knowledge 

    ReplyDelete
  15. Awesome tutorial! I just signed up in craftsy just to see your video and then found this blog :) Thank you so much for sharing your talent and for this detailed tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  16. It is amazing!
    I love the way your decorate your cake!
    I am so happy to see this!!!!
    Fashion with Cakes ! Both r my hobby and favorite~
    Thank you very much for sharing and wish you all the best!

    ReplyDelete
  17. now that is just gorgeous... would u mind sharing what shade and brand of gold you are using ?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Yes Ninu....it's gold highlighter from CK Products

    ReplyDelete
  19. Beautiful! I'm actually based in Singapore (oh and a blogger too: www.changmoh.com) and there a new bakery that's just opened here called Cake Spade - you'd adore it. Very much named after your heroine.
    Changmoh Girl xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's awesome! Your blog is fantastic!! I am will share your site with my readers! Thanks!!!

      Delete
  20. Hi Joshua, can painted cakes be refrigerated? Would the paint design run after its been sitting at room temp from the condensation?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! Painted cakes normally will run if placed in the fridge and then taken out. Condensation is the downfall of many cakes!! If you need to make a painted cake, it is best to do it on the day of the event! Thanks for reading:)))

      Delete