Ant Cake....well, DEAD Ant Cake!lol

Yeah. I had an email from a girl who's husband is starting a new job and she wanted a cake for a little party in his honor. Can you guess the new job? Exterminator. The cake: an ant. So, me being me, had to put a little spin on the ant and made it well, exterminated!lol This was atleast 2.5' long...it was a HUGE cake....and when they cut it guess what color cake they will find? Red...oh, yeah...it's just THAT GROSS!LOL Strawberry White Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Buttercream, and the center piece was white cake w/Chocolate Buttercream. I hear the guests loved it and there were a lot of black mouths!LOL

My FABULOUS new boots!!!

I am TOTALLY IN LOVE with my new boots!!! Ladies...grab 'em and growl~cause these hot little items will NOT last long!!! Limited supply and only at ETC....

Look what I found...

This is the original sketch for my niece's wedding cake and the finished product. I found it amid the mass of art supplies!lol

Wedding or Celebration Cake Design Sketches

One of a Kind~Original Wedding/Celebration Cake Design Sketches....These can be baked in any flavor, handpainted or hand sculpted, and decorated in any color to make your event a memorable one!

Faux Fondant Sample Cake

Here is a 6" sample cake I made for a "tasting" held last night. The couple wanted the look of fondant without the taste of fondant, so I attempted to do a faux fondant buttercream and it turned out pretty smooth for it being the first time. The piping was a rush job done with the same buttercream (really too thick for piping) only tinted, and was ONLY for COLOR EXACTING purposes and not to show a finished product example~so take it easy on me!LOL The cake was a 4 layer white cake with buttercream frosting~and it passed the taste test! yeah!!!! I also took a sampling of MY FONDANT, and the future bride and groom liked it so much they decided to go with a hand painted fondant wedding cake. What a compliment!!!

"THRIFTY HOT MAMAS" Couponing at ETC

I am SO EXCITED!!!! This coming Tuesday, April 6, at 5:30 p.m. mark your calendar and plan to attend the first "Thrifty Hot Mamas" Coupon Club at ETC on Main Street. Not only will we share some great money saving tips and loads of coupons, but there will be some great surprises as well! Get in on the money saving action, and loads of fun! The class is free...well, actually if you count the free coupons you will receive...they are paying you to come!LOL Be sure to bring your unwanted coupons to share with the group. I hope to see you there!!!

Disclaimer: Saving money becomes addictive...join at your own risk!LOL

http://etconmain.blogspot.com/

"Hiding the Eggs" Easter Cupcakes

Chocolate Strawberry cupcakes with strawberry frosting, coconut "grass", candy clay eggs and bunny feet with candy clay bunny tails rolled in sprinkles. The "bunny butt" cupcakes were a HUGE hit with the kiddos at school.

Spring Cupcakes...birdies in a nest!

These cute little birdies are quickly becoming my favorites! Spring has sprung with these Strawberry cupcakes with toasted coconut nests, and candy clay birdies. Thanks Vanessa~I really enjoyed making these. It is always a pleasure when someone calls up and says they need something, tells me the event, then says "do whatever you want to, I trust you". I hope Reagan and her class enjoys their special treats from Miss Vanessa.

Mad Hatter Tea Party...come peer through the keyhole

Happy 8th Birthday Emme Sue!!! Mad Hatter tea party theme. Chocolate, Vanilla, and Strawberry cake with buttercream frosting, and draped in Candy Clay and Fondant.

Miss Tennessee Basket~Emily Hobbs

I just wanted to pass this info along from my friend Brandie Mansfield.
Hello ladies! Many of you already know that my sister, Emily Hobbs, is headed to Jackson, Tennessee to participate in the Miss Tennessee Pageant this year. We are all so excited!
She has to take a themed basket for the silent auction that goes on during the pageant. She has decided on a "Products of Warren County" theme. I think this is a wonderful idea considering all of the talented artists and shop owners we are surrounded with.
I am in charge of collecting the donations. If you would like to donate an item of your choosing for the basket, we would greatly appreciate your support. Please include a business card for extra advertising! This will be a great way to spread the word about your product.
You can drop your donation by Bobby Ray Elementary anytime or contact me about pick up. I need all donations by April 1. Thank you so much for helping Emily achieve her dream. You all are the best!

Sincerely,
Brandie Mansfield

Good friends and wedding cake....

Presenting Mr. and Mrs. David Wood....

When my friend Angel called and asked me to do a cake for her wedding I told her I "don't do sheet cakes" she laughed and said she didn't want a sheet cake she wanted something different. I am all about something different, so I readily agreed...and it didn't hurt anything that I really like her and the groom...David and I graduated together. This cake was 100% edible right down to the ribbon, bows, and monogram. French Vanilla cake with buttercream frosting layered with white chocolate, milk chocolate curls, chocolate ribbon and bows, and candy ribbon with candy flowers with a candy pearl in the center. Thank goodness this thing made it there in one piece...and everyone loved it~whew! Congratulations Angel and David....xoxoxoxox

Hippity~ Hoppity Easter is on it's way!!!

Personalized Pails are now available at ETC. Hand painted and sealed these would make a wonderful keepsake Easter Pail, or great edition to any room for organization. Fill with your favorite items and give as a present.....custom orders are always welcome!

Beautiful weekend....

The past weekend was so beautiful. I wish everyday could be that sunny and nice. I did manage to get in a few paintings Saturday night...I know....I lead the EXCITING life. LOL The bathtub one I want to try again on...I am not happy with the girl, but with watercolor there isn't much of a second chance. The fish look like they are gossiping...maybe they are just getting in some "fish tales". Yeah, that was pretty bad. Anyway, I am getting into a cupcake kinda mood again and you all know how I love my cupcakes! xoxoxo

Elisa Cooper Luna DONATIONS AND UPDATE

http://www.wsmv.com/news/22523747/detail.html

Please continue to keep Elisa Cooper Luna and her family in your prayers. Elisa has a long, hard road ahead and so does her family. Paddi Smith and I were talking about putting together a gift basket of snacks, drinks, restaurant and gas gift cards, change, and cards.

We know there are so many of you out there that would like to help the family during this unbearable time, but are not sure how to do so. Please join us in showing this family the love and support they need, whether through a donation or something as simple as a card or letter. Shawn Stinson (National Diamond Co.) has so graciously opened his business to receive these donations and Paddi and I will make sure they get to the family members. The first delivery will be this coming Monday, February 15. Following deliveries will be scheduled. Thanks so much. and PLEASE KEEP PRAYING.

UPDATE FROM ERIC BONNER Thursday, February 11: I just left UT Hospital. I want to be as clear and concise with this update as I can be. I am not a doctor, of course, and want to make 100% sure that I don't misrepresent anything:Elisa is in critical care. I got to see her and pray with her and for her about an hour ago. Her mom and Barry were also there. She squeezed my hand with her left hand. I told her that all the Warren County folks loved her like crazy and that literally thousands are praying for her and look forward to seeing her back at school.Her prognosis seems pretty good insofar as leaving the hospital is concerned, but even that will be a long, long way off. She suffered two differed entry wounds. One exited and did some damage to the spleen and lung. The other lodged in the 10th vertabrae. They won't even think of trying to dislodge it for fear of more damage being done. There is paralysis from the waist down. The doctor has said that "recovery from that is unlikely but that miracles do happen." That is pretty much a direct quote.... Elisa is being sedated by the doctors. I don't know exactly the thought there. Maybe you medical folks can make some inferences on that one. Maybe pertaining to shock. I really don't know about that.There is an issue with one of her lungs that has been compromised somewhat. Not as severe as a collapsed lung, but something they are certainly having to monitor. As far as the particulars of her physical condition, that's the most clear assessment I can give.Barry is "Husband Of The Year." (I am not even in the running by the way. Ha. Trying to laugh to keep from crying.) He is so in love with her, kissing all over her, just the best ever. He's in shock and has not slept since this first happened. He's running on pure, pure adreniline. Pray for him and for Elisa's mom and dad. I cannot imagine how surreal this is for all of them.The secondary issues for the family are: the intense media attention surrounding all of this; the criminal / legal aspect; the SCORES of students, teachers, friends and church members AT the hospital and on the phone. The family is in a complete fog and overwhelmed. Then the obvious matter of the ......... anger - - makes me so damned mad I can barely type it myself. The senselessness of it all. I'll just leave that alone for now.I'll keep everyone posted as best I can. PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY!

Watercolors here, there, and everywhere!

Now available at "ETC" custom watercolor whimsical paintings. For a limited time, have your child's name hand painted in beautiful watercolors for only $35. Original art to personalize your child's room. Display size is 9x12" and comes ready to frame. Just like they are, no two will ever be just alike!