Blogger's Comment Problems

Hello everyone! I changed the settings for my comments because Blogger was having so much trouble. Now you should be able to comment with out any problems. :) <a href="http://bullrockbokeh.blogspot.com/2011/06/blogger-is-having-comment-issues.html?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BullRockBokeh+%28Bull+Rock+Bokeh%29">Bull Rock Bokeh</a> has some information on their <a href="http://bullrockbokeh.blogspot.com/2011/06/blogger-is-having-comment-issues.html?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BullRockBokeh+%28Bull+Rock+Bokeh%29">blog</a>. Stop by and check it out. It may help you get more comments too.

Playing With Cupcake Wrapper Template

Ok guys. I know this isn't cake related but I just had to share. We have a booth at the local farmer's market and made a few wash cloth cupcakes with a wash cloth and cupcake wrapper template. I think it would also be a great idea for a slumber party favor.

How cute is that!!! They are quick and easy too. I am working on the tutorial now so I will have that posted for you very soon. :) You are going to love these. :)



Stop by and check out all the great entries!!

Palm Trees Tutorial - Zebra Monkey Cake - Day 2

Today we tackle the trees in the monkey jungle. I'm sure there are special cutters you can buy for making them but I like to use the tools I already have for multiple projects. Even though I may make my trees a little different they turn out cute. So lets get started.

Supplies for the trunks

Supplies for the leaves.

Supplies:
food coloring

2 color greens fondant

brown color fondant

fondant tools

sharp knife

rolling pin

leaf cutter

1. Start with the brown and roll it pretty thick. I would

say almost a half inch thick. This gives the trees a 

little more 3d look and not just a picture on the cake.

2. Next with the sharp knife cut strips about an

inch wide. I just free handed it but you can measure

them if you want. The way I see it is trees aren't

perfect so mine don't need to be either. lol

3. With a ball tool soften the edges of the tree trunks.

Give them a little more rounded natural look.

4. With the veining tool press crisscross lines into the

tree trunk fondant. This makes it look more like a 

palm tree.

5. With a little water on the back of the tree trunk 

glue it to the side of the top tier. Trim off the extra

to be even with the top. 

6. You should have 5 or 6 tree trunks glued to the 

top tier if you used an 8 inch round cake. Just 

space them out some. I like the uneven look with

this cake.

7. Now for the leaves. Start with the darker green

fondant. Cut out at least 2 for every tree trunk 

plus a few extra for good measure.

 8. Now cut out some from the lighter green fondant.

For every one dark green you cut, cut 3 light green.

Maybe a few extra just to be on the safe side.

 9. With the sharp knife cut out tiny triangles. That

gives it the tropical look.

10. With the veining tool mark vein lines in the leaf.

Now repeat steps 9 and 10 for each leaf you cut.

Now you are ready to make trees.

11. Starting with the dark green leaves, glue them

onto the trunks with water. This should hang over

a little more than the rest of the leaves. You want

them to peek out from the light green leaves.

12. Now glue on the lighter green leaves. Glue on

one row of leaves then go back over and glue on 

another row. You want to stagger them a little so

you can see the points of each leaf. 

13. Make a row of mixed greens to give it a little

more textured look. If you have any extra leaves

you can also glue them onto the cake in the center.

There you have it. You have made palm trees for your

monkey jungle.

We are almost finished with the cake. Not many more steps to go. Next we will work on the monkeys that are hiding in the trees. I think they are my favorite part of the cake. Just let me know if you have any questions. I am happy to help all I can.

Happy Caking!!

Zebra Monkey Cake - Day 1 (zebra pattern tutorial)
Hiding Fondant Monkeys Tutorial - Zebra Monkey Cake - Day3  
3 D Monkey Topper - Zebra Monkey Cake - Day 4

 

Zebra Monkey Cake - Day 1

Today we start the tutorial for the monkey cake. This cake really is super cute and easy! I know it looks like a lot of work but it really isn't. I will break the tutorial up so when you get ready to make it you can click on the part of the tutorial you need. A tutorial for all levels of decorators.

This will be the zebra pattern tutorial. The zebra pattern can be used in a number of cake designs. Not just for this monkey cake. it is a popular one around here.

Isn't it cute!!!

1. First you want to crumb coat and cover your cakes.
(fondant covering or buttercream covering)

Then stack it up. It is now ready to decorate.

2. Roll out some black fondant really thin. If its not thin 

it will stick out from the side of the cake too much.

I would say its about 1/16th of an inch Being that thin also

helps to curve it into all the nice zebra shapes. 

I use cooking spray canola oil instead of powdered

sugar to roll it out on. Helps to make the back 

sticky so it will stick to the cake better.

3. With a sharp knife cut little stripes that are narrow

at the top and narrow at the bottom. So start at the 

top thin, get thicker in the middle, and thin again

at the bottom. Click on the image to see it bigger. 

4. Pick a spot and start adding the black stripes.

I cut one in half to get the flat edge for the bottom. I 

gave it a little curve to it as  I pressed it on the cake.

5. Keep adding the stripes in different curves and shapes.

Going all around the cake. Add some long ones and 

some short ones. Some in the middle and some on

the edges.

6. It should look something like this when you are done.

The pattern doesn't have to match exactly. Each one of

my zebra cakes have a different pattern because I 

curve and twist the stripes all different ways. 

There you go. :) You are on your way to a finished monkey cake! 

The next tutorial will be making the trees and leaves for the jungle part. Those are easy and super cute! 

Let me know if you have any questions!! Can't wait to see everyone's cakes!!

See you then! Happy caking!!

Palm Trees Tutorial - Zebra Monkey Cake - Day 2 
Hiding Fondant Monkeys Tutorial - Zebra Monkey Cake - Day3
3 D Monkey Topper - Zebra Monkey Cake - Day 4

Monkey Birthday Cake

 

I was happy to be able to make the cake for one of my best friend's daughter! We had a blast with this cake and will post a tutorial shortly. :) 

Zebra Pattern Tutorial - Zebra Monkey Cake Day 1

Palm Trees Tutorial - Zebra Monkey Cake Day 2

Hiding Fondant Monkey Tutorial - Zebra Monkey Cake Day 3

3d Fondant Monkey Tutorial - Zebra Monkey Cake Day 4

I entered this picture at 

Stop by and see everyone's entry. :)