Poppy Tutorial

The last cake I posted was topped with flowers that were inspired by a photo I found online through a search for Moroccan Poppy.

No Expert
I have made a few other 'How-To's', but I am always a little shy about posting them - I am no expert after all. I've recently realized, however, that it is less about 'expertise' and more about sharing - and I love to share. What's a good deal, sale, tip or trick if not shared?

Medium - How Best To Share?
I am still playing around and trying to determine the best medium in which to present my how-to's. I did a pictorial on sugar brooches, which I also adapted into one of my favourite Apps, SnapGuide. It's available for free download from the App store on your iOS device (iPad, iPhone) - it may also be available on Android. Check it out, lots of great How To Guides on a number of unexpected topics.

For this how-to, I created a slideshow using Keynote on my Mac - the equivalent to PowerPoint on a PC. It was as easy as dragging and dropping the photos into the slides, adding instructions and some music - I used a Zero 7 song called End Theme, uploaded to YouTube and Voila!

I'd like your feedback and I am only interested in the constructive kind. If you don't like this format, tell me why - are the slides too quick? instructions too vague? is your preference video? is the music distracting? Be honest, but be kind.

Unfinished Business
In going through my iMovie library, I came across a number of unfinished projects (haha - a real Gemini, huh?). Over a year ago I created a how-to video for this Anemone in video format. I spent so much time editing it in iMovie then decided it was not good enough, but never found the time for a redo. And they will never be completed, I am more likely to start afresh or move on to something else - I eyes are set at the front of my head, and that's the way I move.

Self Promotion
I am proud to report that out of hundreds of entries, my Ruffles & Pearls cake was one of the lucky 24 chosen for Sweetopia's Sweet of the Month. Head on over and vote for mine here and if there are others that tickle your fancy, I won't be hurt if you voted for them as well. I believe you are allowed one vote for each cake. Although I only have 11 votes, I feel like a winner. I do this cake thing as a hobby and I am fairly new to it, so having been chosen as a finalist is a bit of an accomplishment in my opinion. YAY for me!!

Speaking of accomplishments, I was recently named Cake Decorator of the Week over at CakesDecor.com, and have had a few of my cakes/cupcakes make it to the Daily Top 3.

Ok, that is as much self promotion as I am comfortable doing, and even that was a little painful. A mentor in my professional life outside the sweets world recently said to me, "if you do the work, don't shy away from the attention it garners and stop feeling so undeserving" - see, I listened. 🙂 Although the advice was in context of my career, I feel it applies here and in other areas of my life. It also applies to you, yes, YOU! WE are all deserving!