Cakes, parties and broken promises.. Confessions of a cake artist.

When I was twelve weeks pregnant and hormonal with my second baby, I almost cried when the sonographer announced that my estimated due date was one day before my daughter's second birthday. Feelings of guilt that my first born would not only have to share mummy and daddy was now overtaken by even more guilt that they might now even share a birthday. I swore to myself that day that I would never make them share a party and they would always have their own day to celebrate. 

As my EDD drew nearer and my daughter's second birthday approaching, I grew more anxious. "Come out soon baby boy, so that you're not born on the same day as your sister, " I pleaded with my growing bump. My obedient son did as he was asked and arrived four days earlier than expected. Also enough time for me to come back home from the hospital to celebrate his big sister's birthday. 

The next year flew by, and just as I had promised, we had two separate birthday parties, a very special first birthday party for our little man, and two weeks later, a third birthday party for our little princess. She even got to decorate the rainbow cake she had requested and sugar sculpt the matching cupcakes. So picture this: Put up decorations, take down decorations, put up different decorations. Cook up a storm, clean up after the storm, cook up another storm.  Same guests, different menus, different theme. Two cakes. Yes, we needed the two weeks. 

I would have really really wanted to tell you that I kept the promise I had made to myself, that I would never make them share a birthday party. But to be honest with you and true to myself, I was only able to keep that promise for one year. Although minutes and hours may tick by slowly, the year flew past and before we knew it, we were planning my daughter's fourth birthday and my son's second. Do we hold two separate parties again or let them share one amazing party? We didn't have to deliberate for too long. 

Fast forward yet another year and we come to present day. My daughter is already half a decade old and my son is now three. Being a daughter of cake people, our five year old only wants the latest cakes that are "on trend" and requested a drippy cake with ganache, macarons and meringue. My son gave us two options, Octonauts or superheroes. 

Even though I couldn't keep my promise to give them two separate parties, I will keep my new promise to give them two separate birthday cakes... for this year at least 😜. 

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Mums are tops

As a mum of two kids, I can truly appreciate what limited time a mother has to do... anything, really. I remember having just the one child, and returning to work part time. Although the balance between home and work was a juggling act, work itself was like a holiday! Don't get me wrong, I love both my children more than all the stars in the sky, and I did feel guilty for thinking this way, but really, going to work was like a break. Eating lunch in peace (without having to feed my mini-me, whilst at the same time mopping up the spilt milk and scraping melted cheese out of her scalp) was truly a luxury you take for granted. Heck, even the forty-five minute journey on a germy train, just staring into space or eavesdropping on a high school girl's conversation was bliss. Guilt-free bliss at that! 

So that's why we think it's absolutely incredible of those mums who insist on taking the time and love to make their own children's birthday cakes. Now I mean absolutely no disrespect to the amazing mums who order their children's cakes, especially because without those mums who love our cakes, there would probably be no us. Those mums are probably slaving away at other things, and pay us their hard earned money so that we can create their dream cake for their child.   We are truly grateful and honoured that you trust us to make your beloved children's cakes. But back to the mums who do make their kids cakes, there is something truly special about it. It really takes a lot of effort and time and love, and even motivation to go and grab that spatula, wipe down the kitchenaid and pull out all the ingredients. Even for us, the "cake people", after our hiatus from cakes, it was daunting making our own kids' cakes.  Just the thought of creaming eggs with sugar took a lot of psyching up to do. 

“I need a week to recover from that!! Who knew kids parties were so exhausting!”

— a recent customer who shall remain anonymous ;)

I'm proud to say that quite a few of my girlfriends who choose to make their own cakes often use us as their 1800-cake-hotline. Over a span of a week, they would call or message me, most often after ten o'clock at night..  First, to ask for a good recipe. Then the next night to ask about the consistency of the ganache, then the following night about air bubbles in the fondant. Then almost without fail, at the party they would be highly critical of their creation and tell me how they stayed up past 2am and that they will just order a cake from me the next year. But the following year, I get the same call for a recipe the week before the party. I truly admire you mums and I think that the cakes you all make for your kids are beautiful and from the heart. I'm sure your kids, even if not now, but in twenty years time, will look back on the photos and appreciate all that you do for them. 

Over the years we have had numerous orders for cake toppers only. The mums (and dads!) who love to make their own cake, but just want that extra "awwwwwww" or wow factor. We love doing cake toppers as it means that the parents can still do their thing, and we can also play a part in their magic. Most of our topper orders have been local orders. We've had some from interstate but there was always a relative who would be travelling from Melbourne, so more than happy to help transport the precious sugary works of art.  We've sculpted fondant teddy bears (miniature versions of a child's best friend), large fondant bows, roses, fondant letters and names to personalise a cake, and even fondant goldfish!! 

This brings me to what I've personally been juggling between kinder runs and swimming lessons this week. This week we have completed two separate orders for toppers. One for a little girl who's all time favourite princess is Princess Jasmine from Aladdin, and another, a boy from Cairns who is crazy about the Smurfs. The little girl who loves Princess Jasmine is the youngest of four kids.  I can't imagine how busy that household would be, but her mum still says "I try to make all their cakes every year".  What a champ!

The mum  from Cairns trawled the internet and Pinterest for inspiration for her son's cake.  We are so grateful that even though we are in opposite ends of the country, the lovely mum found us on google and that she had chosen us to create her son's Smurf toadstool house and have it couriered 2982 kilometers to them!!  

After ensuring that the Smurf house was as dry as possible, we carefully packaged up the house and prayed that it would arrive in one piece to that very excited little boy up in Queensland.  

 "All have arrived in perfect condition. They are truly magical. Thank you so much for such beautiful creations" - Sharee

So to answer many of your questions, "Yes, we can do fondant cake toppers only!"  If you love making cakes and want us to assist with adding the final touches to your cake, please don't hesitate to contact us. 

To all mothers and fathers, cake makers or cake order-ers, to our own mothers and fathers, to the amazing father of my two monkeys - I applaud you.   

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Here are some of the photos sent to us from our gorgeous customers, of the cakes they created themselves, using our toppers.

“I’m actually still mesmerised over how beautiful and delicate they all were – my favourites were the bees and ladybugs of course. But then there was the apple barrel…..really all just absolutely beautifully mesmerising. Thank you again for such beautiful, lovely, wonderful cake toppers and for being so accommodating and helpful. It certainly made the birthday a highlight.”

— Sharee

“Thank you so much - Jasmine is amazing!!! The detail is incredible - she is going to LOVE it!!!

The cake was a BIG HIT!! Thanks so much!”

— Amelia