OSSAS 2010 Articles

For some reason blogger will not let me post any pictures today, I am going out of town tomorrow though.  I'm going to have my husband put all of my pictures on a disk for me and I will post them all next week.  Sorry about that, I wanted to get as much done as I could, meanwhile here is an article about the Cake Show you will find interesting.

This one has the top six cakes:
http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx?subjectid=370&articleid=20101006_39_D1_CUTLIN725371

Edna De la Cruz posted a video of the cakes:
http://www.fantourage.com/kerry_vincent



I promise to get more posted next week while I am visiting my mom!
Have a great day!

OSSAS 2010 Winners

I got to go to the Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show at the Tulsa State Fair in Oklahoma this weekend.  I had a blast!  Yes, that is me sitting on the front row during one of the demonstrations.  There were a lot of people, cakes and information!

 

 The work on the cakes was magnificent and I got to meet a lot of new people, even some celebrities!  Between my husband and I, we took 1,127 pictures!  It has taken me two days to get all of the pictures downloaded, edited, sorted into separate folders and the cakes "watermarked".  Kerry Vincent asked that I put OSSAS on the cake pictures to prevent people from claiming them as their own.  I think a person who would do that has absolutely no integrity or talent.

Chef Richard Ruskell and Chef Alan Shotts were there giving demonstrations on chocolate and sugar, they will each have their own post with all the fun tidbits I learned from them - and of course lots of pictures!  Alan Richardson and Karen Tack from Hello Cupcake were also there giving demos and they hosted a cupcake competition.  They will also have their own post.  I have a couple of interviews set up from some ladies who entered the competition also. 

The theme this year was mansions and monasteries and I thought everyone was going to have to make exact replicas of the buildings.  I was pleasantly surprised when I got there and realized that each artist was able to pick a mansion or monastery and their own interpretation of that building.  These people probably spent all year designing and practicing making their cakes.  They were gorgeous and the work was precise and exquisite.  Now why don't we talk about what everybody has been waiting for?  Who won the National Grand Wedding Cake Competition?  There were five winners and a grand prize winner.  My pictures of the award ceremony did not turn out great because of where I was sitting and the lighting.

In fifth place is Dawn Parrot from Texas and she called her cake "Heaven to Earth".

 

 I took several close ups so you can see the details of the cakes.

 

 Notice how perfect the molding and crown are?








Our fourth place winner is Rachel Snyder from Missouri.

Notice how she used rocks as part of her cake base?  That really added to the cake!

 Be sure to click on the pictures to enlarge them.  Notice the exquisite string work?










Our third place winner is Mercedes Strachwsky from Florida.  Her cake is called "Reflections of Love"

Talk about attention to detail!  Notice the potted plant and the bridge?  The grass looks real!

Notice the garden arch with the perfect tiny roses and shrubs?  Look at the corners of the moldings too.

Here is a back view and front view of the cake.  In the judging process even the table coverings make a difference!









Rebecca Sutterby from Kansas won second place.

 The gumpaste flowers look so real!

Edith Hall from Missouri won first place.

 Look at that amazing gold string work, it looks like thread!

The grand prize winner is Flora Aghababyan from Las Vegas!

Kerry Vincent designed the trophy, it is huge!  It was beautiful in person!

Can you believe the hand painted details and brush embroidery work?  It's amazing!

The first place winner won over $9,000 and over $600 worth of prizes.  The grand prize winner won over $12,000 and over $6,000 worth of stuff.    I did think it was funny that they won cake decorating videos, the type that I need. 
Be sure to click and become a follower of my blog (on one of the side bars) so that you don't miss any of the posts.  I will post the rest of the pictures of the main competition tomorrow, and the rest of the cakes and highlights over the next few weeks.
I will enter a cake next year, just not in the main competition.  The theme for next year is "Wedding Cakes Rock".  The competitors need to design the best, most awesome wedding cake ever made.  I do want to try my hand at one of the lesser categories.  It should be fun!

Crisp Meringues with Whipped Cream

It's my friend Ebbye's birthday and she has been asking me for a year to make this for her, but I either lost or forgot to write down the ingredients. I found a similar recipe to guide me and just switched a few ingredients and amounts around.

Crisp Meringues

Take a small salad plate and trace circles on a piece of parchment paper. Invert the parchment papers onto two separate sheet pans. Preheat the oven to 200°. Have all ingredients at room temperature(I have found that it is easier to separate eggs while they are cold, but they whip up better at room temp.)

6 large egg whites
1/2 cup thot not sugar (you can use granulated sugar and if you want it sweeter use 3/4 cup, but it was just right)
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1/8 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup almond meal (this is finely ground almonds, you can substitute 1/2 cup chopped almonds or pistachios, or even pecans)
Whip the egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer until frothy.

Gradually add the sugar and cream of tartar, I did a tablespoon at a time.

Fold the nuts, vanilla, and almond extract (if using a different nut, omit the almond extract).  I found that the extracts did not distribute evenly, so they probably need to be added first.

Gently place the meringue into a pastry bag with a #805 tip, or cut a big hole in a plastic baggie. Pipe out the circles, filling in each circle with a spiral into the center. If there are holes, just smooth the meringue over them. Bake for 2 hrs, or until totally crispy. Prop the oven door open with a wooden spoon to allow the meringues to cool slowly to help avoid breakage.   I layer the meringues with whipped cream.  Fill and assemble the meringues immediately so they do not lose their crispness.  This is also delicious with shaved chocolate in the layers on top of the whipped cream and you can also cover it with ganache then frost with Italian Meringue Buttercream.  You can also freeze it and eat it frozen, which I have not tried.

Whipped Cream

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2-3 tbl thot not, palm or cane sugar (I put the cream and sugar int the mixing bowl and chill for at least 30 min. to dissolve the sugar)

1/2 tsp almond extract

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Whip until stiff, do not over whip or under whip.  It will leave peaks in the whipped cream.

Here is a picture of one I made with chopped nuts instead last year.

As you can see, I have a very small kitchen to work with!  LOL
Have fun baking, these are easier to make then you think!!  If you have nut allergies, omit the nuts!
Missy

Nutella Chocolate Chip Cookies

One of my favorite treats is Nutella - or hazelnut spread.  I love it on crepes, but I'm not sure I know how to make crepes.  I was wanting to make some chocolate chip cookies for my husband  I have found following the recipe on the back of the chocolate chip bag usually produces some pretty good cookies.  So I pulled out all of my ingredients and measured out my flour and I was 1/2 cup short!  Uggh!  So I had to substitute kamut flour., and it worked out just fine!  Here is what I did, the recipe is mostly from a Nestle bag with a few changes.

1 3/4 cup all purpose flour  (supposed to be 2 1/4 cups, but like I said I ran out!)
1/2 cup kamut flour ( I don't know why you couldn't use all kamut for a healthier cookie!)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter softened (I use unsalted, rbst free)
3/4 cup granulated sugar (Yes I used the real stuff this time!  LOL)
3/4 cup brown sugar (You can substitute all the sugars for  1 1/2 cups palm sugar if you want)
2 TB hazelnut spread (I might try 3 TB next time!)

1 tsp vanilla extract (not imitation!)
2 large eggs
1/2 of a 12 oz package milk chocolate chips
1/2 of a 12 oz package semi sweet chocolate chips (I could have just said 6 oz!  LOL)

Preheat oven to 375°
Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl.  Beat butter and sugars in large mixer until creamy.  Add vanilla and Nutella and mix.

Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Gradually beat in flour mixture.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Then you can be lazy like me and spread it in an 11x15 cake pan or jelly roll pan and bake for 25 minutes.  Be sure to grease the pan first!  Or you can do it the old fashioned way  and drop by rounded spoonfuls on an ungreased cookie sheet then bake for about 10-11 minutes.  Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to finish cooking.

To finish them off, top with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles!  And you can't forget the tall glass of milk - my husband loves chocolate milk!

I hope you enjoy these!  Does anyone have any great cookie recipes they would like to share with my readers?

Happy Baking!
Missy

Husqvarna Viking Serger

Sew, Mama, Sew is having a giveaway for a Husqvarna Viking Serger here:  http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=9630
I need to tell you why my life would be better with serger.  Right now I am using a yucky Brother sewing machine that is being passed around my church.  I Praise the Lord I have a sewing machine, since I have not been able to afford a new one.  I am saving up for a sewing machine, but I only have $50 saved so far and since I want a good quality machine it is going to take a while.  I have started a business from home, making aprons.  It should not take long to make an apron, but because I have to stop frequently to fix my bobbin, sometimes it can take me all day to make one apron.  I want to specialize in my "Mommy and Bath time" aprons, but it is made from towel material.  My sewing machine HATES terrycloth and the bobbin pops out like every five minutes when I am trying to do a simple hem.  If the bobbin is not popping out then my tension is going crazy and my thread breaks.  With a serger, especially a good quality one like the Husqvarna Viking, I could serge up the hems lickety split, in no time at all.  I could make all kinds of fancy edges and stitches on my aprons also.  I would also like to start making cloth diapers with Velcro for my friends, they are very expensive online and there is a definite need for them, but it takes me so long to make my aprons that I do not have time to expand my business.  I would also like to make my skirts and Christmas gifts, but by the time I get done with an apron, I am so frustrated with my machine that I don't have the time or energy to pull out more sewing.   (It doesn't help that I keep dipping into my earnings to buy groceries!  LOL)
If I am picked to win the serger I would be very grateful and it would be a tremendous blessing.  My husband would thank you too, he won't have to hear my sighs and "uggghs" when my machine goes ballistic.
Thank you very much!
Milinda

A lot of cake videos!

I have been following along on Kerry Vincent's fantourage page, although I have no idea how to post any comments on there!  LOL  I found a ton of cake videos, be sure to check it out!
http://www.fantourage.com/kerry_vincent/193983

Wilton also has some good cake videos, you can check them out here:
http://www.wilton.com/ask-nancy/basics-of-rolled-fondant-podcast.cfm

Don't forget to check out TLC.com for full episodes of Cake Boss (although they don't have any full episodes today just clips and decorating tips)
http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/cake-boss/

 and DC Cupcakes.
http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/dc-cupcakes/

TLC has some great decorating tips from both shows and recipes and stuff. 
Food network has some clips from some of their cake shows too!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/search/delegate.do?fnSearchString=cake+challenge&fnSearchType=site
Too bad they don't have full episodes since I don't have TV reception I miss all the great cake shows!
I'm looking for some more great cake video sources, please share them with us!  I love to hear from everybody!

Happy Decorating!
Missy

Vintage Va-voom sew along

I came across a great vintage apron sew along for a vintage pattern at vintage vavoom.  She  did a three day sew-along where she teaches you to follow a pattern, cut out the material then put it all together.  I have not had a chance to stop and read everything yet, so I wanted to share it with y'all so I can find it again next week when I do have time.  Be sure to check it out, she tells you what pattern you need and everything!
1.  http://vavoomvintage.blogspot.com/2010/07/tutorial-im-gonna-teach-you-to-sew.html
2. http://vavoomvintage.blogspot.com/2010/08/apron-sew-long-day-one-cutting.html
3. http://vavoomvintage.blogspot.com/2010/08/vintage-apron-sew-long-day-2-sewing.html
4. http://vavoomvintage.blogspot.com/2010/08/vintage-apron-sew-long-day-2-sewing_14.html
5. http://vavoomvintage.blogspot.com/2010/08/vintage-apron-sew-long-day-3-finishing.html

She even has a video showing how to do a slip stitch, so be sure to check her out!  I have a similar pattern to do, so I will need to read this first!
Happy Sewing!
Missy

Disclaimer: I do not necessarily agree with everything on her site, but she has some great sewing helps.

Apron themed Banquet

We had an apron themed banquet for our revealing party for our Praying Sisters.  It was so much fun, the only thing is that after looking at my pictures I realized how much weight I have gained!   Ugggh!  It's been too hot to walk anywhere, I need to start doing exercise videos but my VCR broke!  Okay back to the party!  As everybody probably knows by now, I have a fascination with aprons!  So I was so excited that Pam, our coordinator for Secret Sisters liked my theme idea!  My pictures are kind of fuzzy, so sorry about that!

To decorate, I hung a clothesline from the ceiling and then hung aprons up with clothespins.  I hung a clothesline on each wall.  I also tied waist length aprons across the window.  I then tied any leftover aprons on the backs of the chairs.  We borrowed tablecloths from everybody  and put the like colors

together for the tables.   We were going for a country look and put mason jars with zinnias on the tables and I made candle holders with short mason jars that I put a tea light candle and buttons in.  We drank out of mason jars and put the flowers on crocheted doilies or washcloths that my friend Susan makes and sells.

We used all kinds of aprons.  I put up my vintage smock aprons, My clown apron I got at a yard sale when we were first married,  aprons that I am making, I even still have the apron that I got from the ladies missionary group at BBC like 15-17 yrs ago!  I borrowed aprons from my friends also.

Since we all used things from home, we did not need to spend very much money at all!  The zinnias came from Pam's garden, and we borrowed the jars from Pam, Cara and Susan.  I had a ton of buttons we used, and I have a lot of tea lights I got on clearance years ago that I have been slowly using.

We put the vintage tablecloths on the serving table and I sprinkled buttons all around.  We had brisket, sweet potato salad, cream biscuits, watermelon, coconut cream cake and tea for dinner.

We all posed for pictures!  Everyone has a unique apron and we all shared aprons stories or memories or in my case facts about aprons.  We then opened our gifts and ate and Miss Debra gave us a devotion and Pam read us a poem about apron pockets and God.  (I have had several people ask me about this poem, I got it from here: http://www.juliabettencourt.com/download/apronpocketsskit.pdf , there are also a lot of great ideas on here too!)

Lynn gave me a new hat a new hostess apron.  Don't you just love this apron?  I've been wanting one for a while!  Chris said my hat is a hillbilly hat - silly man! Thanks again Lynn!

Thank you for joining us at our party, I hope you had as much fun looking at all of the aprons and fun we had as we did!  I'll finish up my pictures with another picture of the cake and another hostess apron.  And a cute baby apron.