It's our birthday!

We are one today!  Today is the day I officially launched Curiositea, with my initial Etsy page and a few lengths of bunting to my name!

I can't believe a year has gone by already and we're still going strong!  I've met some amazing people along the way and learnt an enormous amount.

Thinking back to how this all began; it started with a birthday cake.  My eldest son was turning 4 and four weeks earlier we'd had the unexpected premature birth of my youngest son.  Not due until the day before my eldest's 4th birthday, we suddenly had another guest at the party!  My eldest loves Wallace & Gromit, and his new little brother had got him a Gromit cuddly toy as a present for his big brother.  The choice of birthday cake was straight forward; Gromit.

I armed myself with a copy of Debbie Brown's Wallace & Gromit Cake Decoration book and the appropriate icing and was away.  To be honest, I'd never attempted anything more challenging that plastic figures on top of a fairly basic traybake before, so I was a little nervous at tackling something so specific, and well known!  I comforted myself with the excuse that I had recently had a baby, so to even turn up on the correct day would have been an achievement; with or without cake!

I was very proud of the finished result, and the thrill of presenting it to my son at his party was worth the late night and stress.  That was where the idea was put into my head that I could do this for other people.  Some friends asked about a Mermaid cake for their daughter, from that I received my first commission for an RAF inspired 80th birthday cake and I was away.

The thrill is always the same.  The challenge of the idea, the planning, the execution, the moment when the client sees it for the first time; all of those moments are unbeatable.  I sometimes have the privilege to be there when the recipient sees the cake for the first time, though to be honest, I do always look away when it's cut.

I love what I do.  I love that it has formed my life over the last year.  I love the ambition it has instilled within me and I hope I can carry on for another year.  Or two... or three?

Sweet Dreams and a bit of indulgence....

 Preparations are underway for the Pamper Evening at Sandburn Hall (http://www.sandburnhall.co.uk/) just outside York, which takes places tonight from 6pm.

The event is in aid of Sand Hutton PTA, tickets cost £8 and include a drink on arrival and a goodie bag.  There will be an array of exhibitors there, and guests will have chance to indulge in massage, treatments, have their nails done, and simply relax!

In keeping with this theme we've chosen a range of indulgent cakes to choose from.  Among them are Sweet Dreams, which are a comforting blend of malted chocolate with buttercream swirl and cookie!  The perfect bedtime treat!

We also have mini Victoria Sponges, which are simply adorable!  We can't wait to share our other ideas with you.  Stocks are once again limited, so once they're gone they're gone!

Further information can be found on the event's Facebook Page.

Spring is here!

Spring is here!  And with it comes Mother's Day, Easter and a desire to get out and about!

I'm so excited to have stalls at a range of forthcoming events in York.  

Following the success of York Does Vintage earlier this month, there will now be a two-day extravaganza on 14th and 15th May!  Held in St Williams College, which is near the Minster in York, the event will this time take over the whole building!  I'll be there with Yorkshire Teas (www.classiccrockery.co.uk) and our pop-up vintage tearoom.  We'll be serving afternoon tea, including scones, sandwiches, cupcakes and tea and coffee.

I'll also have my cupcake stall, which will feature even more tasty treats for you to choose from.

Before that, however, is the Pamper Evening at Sandburn Hall on Thursday 31st March.  There's be a variety of stalls available, ranging from health and beauty to sheer indulgence!  What more could you wish for for a Thursday evening?

I love meeting fellow cake enthusiasts!  It's fantastic to hear first hand which flavours are favourites.  At York Does Vintage the Rhubarb & Custard flavour were an outright winner, though Mint Choc Chip and Raspberry Ripple were close behind!  I'm thinking about gorgeous, glittery and girlie for Sandburn Hall and vintage, retro cake chic for York Does Vintage in May!

I'd love to hear your thoughts on flavours and decoration, so do keep in touch!  Happy Springtime everyone!

Click here to find out more about Curiositea's Mother's Day Offers

Curiositea Does Vintage!

So excited to be exhibiting at York Does Vintage at St Williams' College in York this Saturday.  Hosted by Audrey and Joans who sell handpicked vintage items, the event will see a range of vintage suppliers all in one venue!

We'll be there with a range of cupcakes, including Yorkshire Tea, Cherry Bakewell, Rhubarb & Custard and Peaches & Cream.  We'll also have some Vegan Gluten Free Vanilla on offer!  There will be limited supplies so once they are gone, they're gone!

More information about tomorrow's event can be found on the York Does Vintage Facebook page.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Vintage Wedding Theme at Gray's Court

Just back from a fantastic wedding fair with the lovely ladies from The Wedding Affair (www.theweddingaffair.co.uk).  

Today's event was at Gray's Court which is a beautiful venue in the shadow of York Minster.  

I opted for a vintage themed cupcake display which I felt would be off-set beautifully against the dark wood paneling in the main hall.  The decoration was all done in buttercream, but some used granulated sugar and some were piped swirls.  I presented a collection of coordinating toppers including handmade cardboard toppers and individually made fondant decorations.  The decoration followed an antique gold theme, with hints of pearl, lace and a bit of sparkle.

Where possible I make all of my cupcake toppers, particularly in bridal schemes, as coordinating with the overall colour-scheme is essential.  The cardboard toppers can be created using images, photos, messages, initials... anything.  These touches can make a display so much more special.

My tasters today were Red Velvet (a chocolaty sponge with cream cheese icing), Amaretto (almond flavoured sponge with buttercream and almond flake), and Gluten Free Vegan Vanilla.  These were made using a variety of gluten-free flours, soya milk, Yorkshire rapeseed oil and sugar.  The 'buttercream' was made from vegan margarine, vegetable shortening and icing sugar, and it piped beautifully!  

It was a lovely day and I met some fabulous brides and grooms-to-be.  I look forward to creating something beautiful and personal for them.

Cupcakes.... delivered!

There is a fantastic website which has recently been launched in the UK, which enables you to order a box of cupcakes online and have them delivered to virtually anywhere in the country!

Imagine Interflora for cakes!

The cakes are baked locally by approved bakers and delivered by hand.  No risking cupcakes through the post here - all orders are lovingly delivered to their lucky recipient. 

Their full range can be found at www.directcupcakes.co.uk

Some cakes are just special.....

I was asked to make a cake for a good friend of mine's mum's wedding.  To be asked was an honour, and to make a cake (with such an incredible brief!) for a woman who I have great respect and fondness for was a privilege.  I was so saddened, recently, to hear that she is very unwell and things are not looking well for the future.  To be contributing to her special day, particularly with this context, is quite overwhelming.  

The brief was "a bright rainbow with their names underneath".  A rainbow is often used on children's cakes, so I wanted to make sure that this was bright, but sophisticated.  I really hope they like their surprise cake.  I loved making it.  Though the future may be shorter than they might have anticipated, I am sure it will be filled with love, happiness and life. xx