I Sugar Coat It is officially 1!!! Come join in the celebration...
It has been a little over a year since I started blogging, and exactly one year since I Sugar Coat It! was conceived.
I started the celebration early on my Facebook page with a little game of Cookie Scrabble. Four lucky winners scored aprons - a small token of thanks for helping me reach 1K. Then last week I had my first blog giveaway for a few of my favourite things!! Thanks again to everyone who participated!
I have learned a great deal over the last year from a number of sources. I started out with a series of courses offered through my local Michael's store, purchased a few books from Amazon, scoured the web (YouTube), took a weekend course for figure modelling at the Bonnie Gordon College of Confectionery Arts and taught myself a few things along the way. Although my abilities do not yet match my imagination, I am enjoying the learning process.
Anyone who knows me well, is all too familiar with my insatiable appetite for learning - professionally and personally. For me, the best part of learning is sharing knowledge gained, with others. So, for this leg of my blogday celebration I thought I would continue my J's Favourite Things theme and offer you a chance to learn something sweet from a couple of my favourite courses.
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| Some techniques I've learned in the Craftsy and MyCakeSchool courses. |
I initially thought about making this a single prize pack - winner takes all, but it's always nicer to spread the wealth - so three people will get lucky. And in an effort to acknowledge and include my international readers, I purposely decided on gifts that do not require shipping. Can I get a WOOT-WOOT!!
With the help of Craftsy and MyCakeSchool.com, I am able to offer two online courses - cause there's nothing sweeter than learning (well, cake maybe...), and instead of the two books I wanted to include as prizes, I'm including an Amazon gift card.
So here's how it will go down. There are three prizes - only one prize per winner (to be clear - you can only win one of the prizes listed below). They are:
1 Craftsy Online Course - Handcrafted Sugar Flowers with Jacqueline Butler. WINNER - Stephanie B.!
$30 Amazon Gift Card. WINNER - Natalie M.!
If you entered my last giveaway, then you know the drill. If not, it's easy to enter:
- Login to the PunchTab Giveaway Widget below using your email address or Facebook account.
- You will be prompted to:
- Leave a comment telling me, "Where/how you first learned to bake/decorate?." You MUST leave a comment on my blog in order to be entered.
- For extra entries, perform any or all of the additional actions listed in the widget - Subscribe to My Blog, Follow me on Twitter, Become a Fan on Facebook, Tweet My Giveaway, Like This Post, PIN my Cake. Each action is a separate entry.
Fleur De Lys says
Sorry, to re-comment but made an error in posting my email, with should read: fedali67@aol.com instead of what I posted
Goreti says
I've always been interested in baking & decorating. Finally took the Wilton classes but have learned a lot online. My favorite thing to make is gum paste flowers.
Alejandra says
As long as I remember I loved cakes! specially chocolate cakes ! and since I was a kid I wanted to make my own cake and my mom enrolled me in some classes and love it!!! .....now I'm a mom and working from home doing cakes!!!! http://www.everythingcake.com
I would love to win the sugar classes with Jacqueline Butler!!! :0) I never took a class on sugar flowers and I'm learning by myself on the internet. Jacqueline is my favorite so far and would loveee to win her class!!!
Thank you for giving us these great opportunties to everybody to keep learning !!!!! I'm beyond excited and happy to found you !!!
God Bless!
Nanthini Retnam says
I picked up baking from my mom in her kitchen 🙂 I'd love to win the 1 Year Membership to MyCakeSchool.com.
katia says
I've been baking for many years, but I totally got into cake-decorating when I made my kids birthday cake ... I'm hooked since then 🙂 I would love to win a membership to My Cake School!! I have taken Jacqueline's online class, and it is FANTASTIC!!! Thanks for this great giveaway, and congrats to your one year blogiversary!
Tina Meikle says
I learned to bake from my mom and nana. I learned to decorate at 16 by taking the wilton courses!
Meemmee says
Like you I started taking courses and Michaels. I fell in love with decorating (already loved to bake). I then got a job at a local grocery store bakery. Since then I have taken classes at Nait college, online courses and trial and error. I am a sponge and love to learn!
Lisa says
I first learned to bake when I was in middle school starting with boxed cake mixes then on to experimenting with a basic vanilla recipe & adding things to "doctor it up."
natty212 says
I've been baking and decorating cakes for about 4 years, I took a few Wilton decorating courses and I would really love to learn more.
Tiffany says
I first learned to bake by watching my mom and aunt. But I learned all my cake decorating techniques by self-teaching through books and videos.
Rebecca Mc says
My Mum & Nana taught me to bake/cook 🙂 As for decorating, i'm fairly new to that & have picked up little hints online & through photos online that others have posted.
Marjorie Pino says
I've been baking ever since I was little with my mum.. I remember always helping her stir the batter and she would always let me lick the spoon lol.. however, it's only recently that i've become more creative and started baking gourmet cupcakes and cakes... I love it so much..i've learnt by myself watching youtube and tutorials online. I think a 1 year membership to My cake school would be amazing!! Thanks for the opportunity!! - Marjorie 🙂
Jan Taylor Kuzan says
My mum taught me to bake years ago but have only just started making my own stuff so still in the learning mode, I would love to win the membership to my cake school if I am lucky enough x
mel says
I learned to bake from youtube videos!! :)) Esp that of Mayen's! also through blogposts and then practice... practice... PRACTICE!!!
GramCrkr says
My Grandfather always loved to bake. He would bake for all our car rides from IL to Fla etc. I would help him in the kitchen whenever I could! As I grew older I starting taking all the Wilton decorating classes at Michaels. Now my passion is cupcakes and working on getting my business started! 🙂
Tasha says
I decided to make my younger daughter's 1st birthday cake in July 2011 with fondant. About 6 months later, I got the itch to try it again. In the past 6 months I've enjoyed making as much as I can for friends and family, trying to teach myself all the techniques I can find from blogs and webpages. I am happy to say that after some great feedback, I launched "Baked Happiness" last month and had my first order a week later!
Barbara says
i have been decorating cakes for many years, just took those courses that you took at Joann Fabrics and know I am hooked on the more fancy cakes!! And all I want to do is learn more!!
Reine Birdsell says
I grew up baking and loving it with my Mom. Then I began teaching myself how how to decorate through trial and error and web tutorials. Congrats!
SariM says
found I really like to play w/my food! started at the hobby stores and then joined ICES and met so many sugar crafty folks. love making sugar flowers, playing with chocolate, trying new recipes and sharing what I know. thanks!
marina ramirez says
Funny thing was I had bought my caddy full of stuff 14 years ago, and only did a cake here and there fory my kids, and finally this past year I have been baking and baking watching youtube as inspiration tutorials on facebook and anything I can get my eyes on to master becoming a greak keiktress (lol) I just love doing it and though I havent charged for any of the cakes Ive made I do want to make something out of it! I think this opportunity of winning anything will be a great opportunity for me. I am a mother of 4 boys 6 if you count my husband, but that 6 boys that I am so proud of and want them to be proud of me as well. I love your blog Ive been brousing here and there I added it to my favorite pages and Im sure there will always be something for me in here to learn on, Thank you for again doing this! Much love, Marina
poohz says
i've been baking for a few years now..but have recently re-introduced myself into decorating cakes etc..so many new ways and so many great recipes and tutorials to watch..have done a few cakes recently but would love to be able to win an online membership (for once) and enhance my learning on these great finished results , can do with adding new utensils too and your amazon voucher would most def help with this :0))) xxx
Charnee lyles says
I love and live to cook and I always wanted to bake, so I taught myself last year while my husband was deployed to afghanistan, it calm me and made it easier not worry about him so much
Glgl Confections says
I walked into my sister's kitchen, well over 30 years ago, and a friend of hers was decorating a 3D cake, I thought "I can do that" and have been ever since.
Stephanie says
My dear grandmother tried to teach me to bake whenI was very little. Despite her best efforts I failed at everything. My husband also tried to teach me without any success. My best friend tried as well just to find out I was a lost cause!!! Years later my son wanted a Harry Potter cake. I was unable to find any in the bakery/stores around. I decided to try to make it myself thinking how much my son would be dissapointed. I learned how to crochet with youtube so I decided to look for cake making videos...well I was so happy to see all of the videos from wonderful cake decorators out there. Thanks to the generosity of cake decorators willing to share their knowledge I was able to learn how to bake and decorate (basic skills) a cake as well as making my own fondant. I made my son a cake and everyone was so shocked. My son loved it. Since then I have been making cakes and cupcakes for my friends and family. Now people are even paying me to make them some!!! When I asked my friends what I should call my little "business" my best friend replied "it's a miracle" LOL
Sandy Turley says
My Mom tried to teach me to cook period and while I wasn't interested at the time as I was young... My mother-in-law did a great job of being my teacher! My daughters were my inspiration into cake decorating! I did everything from building houses out of graham crackers.... all the way to cake decorating now! I am self taught except for taking the Wilton courses last fall to learn how to make flowers!! See thats "all I needed to learn"... Ha Ha.. Little did I know that there was so much more to learn.. and I have learned a lot! I am a greenhorn I will admit but I have a blast trying new things! Some turn out just wonderful... and others not so much but learn I will... Thanks so much for allowing me to enter your contest! Sandy from Sandy's Sweet Treats.
I Sugar Coat It! says
"Approve"
Sweet Couture House says
My sugar walk is very similar to yours. Keep up the great work!
Marina Reyes says
Hi! I always liked cakes, specially the ones that one of my aunts use to make. They were delicious and pretty. I just love beeing crafty. So when I had my kids, I started looking at Wilton's books and made all of them with the star tip. I just made cakes for my kids' and husband birthdays. I'm not professional, since I have not taken any class. But will love to.
Chelsey hibbs says
I first learnt how to bake from my grandma... The few decorating skills that I've learned are complements of michaels
Elizabeth says
I first learned to bake when I was little from my mom.
Angie Sharp says
I first learned to bake watching my mom and later helping her while i was growing up
Renee Glassey-Mackillican says
I learned to bake from my mother
Sonia Faust says
i started baking when my kids were little to save money
Jo Walton McLure says
My grandmother taught me to decorate cakes when I was just a kid. I received the love of baking from her and my mom.
Tammy Wakley says
Baking was something I loved to do with my Mom and family as a little girl. My Mom always made great cakes for us, she definately lit the "fire" in me. Then a few years ago my neighbor asked if I wanted to take a cake decorating class with her, just to learn something new. I found an art that combined my love of baking with my love for crafting. It has been my sweet hobby ever since then. You've got to love an art that people get to eat, a feast for the eyes and the stomach!!♥
Debra Antunovich says
I was about 15 when i first started baking cakes ,Im 53 now and have an interest in cake decorating for about 4yrs,I've done 1 wedding cake ,numerous birthday cakes, 1 christening cake and a celebration of life cake for a wake.
Whimsical Days says
i started baking a couple of years ago just online via youtube etc because my children were asking for cakes for birthdays but i couldnt afford to get them professionally made because i gave work up to look after them so it was the best of both worlds and the children enjoy it too
Amanda says
I taught myself in my own kitchen. After making a couple simple birthday cakes for my daughter my love for cake decorating grew and I was on a mission (and still am) to learn everything I could about cake decorating!
Debbie Nelson Woods says
I bought several of the Wilton decorating books and used online tutorials.
Desiree Blair says
I started decorating working in my local grocery store. a few years later it became my hobby on its way to being my second source of income!
Holly Kay Weber says
Thanks for the chance to win such AWESOME prizes!!! Happy Birthday/Anniversary!!! I've baked for most of my life and was always the one making desserts for family functions(so much so, they wonder what's wrong when I sign up for mashed potatoes or string bean casserole from time to time for a break LOL!) I learned to decorate "officially" by taking Wilton classes with my cousin 12 years ago and became an instructor not long after and did that for 11 years. I miss it already! Thanks again for the chance!
Deborah Fordham says
I taught myself to decorate but have been baking for years
Desiree Blair says
I taught myself to bake and found my love for decorating working in my local grocery store!
andi says
I have been slowly teaching myself and taking a course here and there.
Brenda Boran says
My mother first taught me to bake as a child, I continued to learn and grow as an adult.
Deanna Main says
First learned watching my mom when I was really young! Recently rediscovered the passion I have for baking and decorating cakes by taking a cake decorating class. So exciting all the new ideas and techniques that are in the world of cake decorating now. Absolutely love it!!
Andrea Kovach McGowan says
My mom taight me how to bake when I was 8 years old. I taught myself how to decorate and i am still learning. My 3 year old daughter loves to help me in the kitchen when I am baking. I hope to pass everything I have learned to her.
Wafaa Siqueiros says
I wanted to make a doll cake for my daughter's first birthday but I hated how the piped stars looked on the dress. So I figured I would try to make it myself with this fondant stuff. I have never gone back to decorating with frosting and I've become more adventurous with each cake I've made.
Tini Phangjali says
I watched my mother bake when I was a child, but I never tried. My mom wouldn't let me because she thought it would be a waste of ingredients.Now, I'm a mother of 2 teenagers. I always wanted to take a pastry and cake decorating class,but I could only afford Wilton's decorating class 1 and 2 . What I did because of my financial situation is use the Internet to look at other people's photos on their websites to copy their decorating style. I used sites such as My Cake School. I hope I win so I can really learn how to bake and decorate . Thanks for holding this contest 🙂
MrsBowtiy says
The very first cake I decorated I did though trial and error on my own it was two cars drag racing for my son's 9th birthday. I took a class at Michaels about a year later.
Karie Collins says
I learned to be creative with cakes when I was little. My mom used to make so many and was even published in a local newspaper for one she did. After she died when I was 9, I didn't want to be bothered with cooking or baking at all. Then I had my son and I realized my mom did all her baking/cooking for everyone else. I started the same. Making cookies, etc. as Xmas gifts when we couldn't afford more. Then I started baking cakes for birthdays at work. Each month I would try something different in the design. When I met my now husband, he bought me my first cake decorating tools (I had been using zipper bags and waxed paper the whole time. Together, we have developed some of our own techniques and started a business doing custom cakes and cookies as well as some basic catering.
Kelly Cihy Miller says
i learned to bake when i would spend the weekends with my gramms. she was so patient with me, and taught me to break down recipes so i would understand why it was made a certain way. As i grew up and started a family myself i turned to baking to save money on birthdays for my children that wanted specialty cakes that i could not afford to buy. Then started getting pretty good baking from scratch that i would start to bake for friends that actually wanted to pay me. so after 28 years and still doing it, thanks gramms! love and miss you!!
Lynette Malan says
I took a class in South Africa (when we still lived there) from a lady who was very patient with me 🙂 Decorating is my passion and I really like to learn more. I am rolled in for another course in September at our local Michaels. Can't wait!!
Paula Blair Lowman says
I learned to bake from my mom a long time ago but I just recently took the Wilton Cake decorating classes at Hobby Lobby and have found a hobby that I really love.
Melody Whicher Goff says
I remember watching my Nana cook/bake as a little girl but pretty much I am self taught over the years
Katherine O'Donnell says
My cake decorating adventure actually started on a dare! When I was engaged to my husband his little sister was taking the basic Wilton courses and begged me to let her do my wedding cake (yikes!). I was a little hesitant but she then said "I'll do yours if you do mine!" So then I thought, "ha ha! Retribution!" :). She was only 17 at the time and so a year and a half later during her first semester at College she called me up and said "I'm getting married in 3 months, do you know how to make wedding cakes yet?" Double Yikes! So I took the 3 Wilton Courses really quick and that's how I got started. Almost 10 years later and I'm a Professional Cake Artist and Instructor, I have my own TV Show with a local community station and am about to open my first location. . . an amazing yet so very fulfilling ride :)!
Virginia Ogilvie-Shanks says
I am self taught and I started as a way to stay home with my boys:)
Radhika says
Hi J,
Happy 1st Anniversary!
I learned to bake from my mom. Love trying something new always. Thanks for this wonderful giveaway.
Radhika
Radhika says
Just pinned your cake. Beautiful! I learned when I was a small girl and still love to bake. R
Jacklyn says
I learned to bake and decorate by reading books and following blogs.
barbara cohen says
My mother used to bake and decorate cakes. I initially got the bug from her but it wasn't until i had my son that I really go into it.
Jo says
I first learnt to decorate when I had my first daughter. I scoured books and the internet and ended up with a passable Christening cake. But my appetite was whetted and I wanted MORE! Now I have 2 daughters and love decorating their birthday cakes every year.
TooTTi FruiTTi says
I took a class at Celebrity Cakes in Capabala Qld. Australia. Lesley, the tutor was wonderful.The course was the cheapest I had found. I don't know why cake decorating is soooo expensive.
Regina @SpecialtyCakeCreations says
I think I started baking in Kindergarten. My mom taught us from early on. She's to blame or thank for my sweet tooth 🙂
Lori Bohn says
I first learned to cake decorate when I was a teenager and took a Wilton course with my Mother and 2 sisters.
Tiffany Austin says
My husband deployed in 2005 and I needed something to do. I was always interested in cake decorating and took a class at Micheals. I have been hooked since!
Maureen Cooney Conners says
After watching all of the beautiful cakes created on TV- a friend and I took a class at Michael's-- it was the worst!!!! We sisn't even finish the first course- I just started practcing on my owm, searching the web, dvds- anything I could do to improve- I still have a long way to go- but I do love it! Good luck everyone- and thank you for the contest- it is so nice!
azucena says
I learned baking with my mom it was our thing to do as mother and daughter...but only a year ago I decided to take the decorating classes at my local hobby lobby store and since then I can't stop baking, I am still learning and I know I have a long way to go to get beautiful flowers as I see everywhere in you blog...love your flowers and your art!!
Sarah Russell says
I learnt to bake when I was young as I grew up with my grandparents. My grandmother loved to bake and now I love it too. She never did things by halves, it was always cooked with butter, eggs from the chooks and every element was homemade, no packet mixes or bought decorations! I have such fond memories, it brings tears to my eyes when I think of the love she shared with me in the kitchen
Jo Anna Brown Oakes says
I took the first course class of Wilton's at Michael's and instantly became addicted.
Karen Doskas Yuck says
I've baked for as long as I can remember, always helping my mom out in the kitchen. 5 years ago I went into pastry school and have been decorating desserts ever since.
Amparo Hubbard says
I learned by watching youtube videos and from others sharing tutorials, reading books from the library and practicing.
Angie says
I am teaching myself via google, imagination and then blogging my progress to keep me motivated xxx
Sandra Greco says
I started baking once I had children. I started by baking they birthday cakes and then came the bake sales at school 🙂
Pat Hughes says
Being one of eight children, and the only girl at home by the time I was old enough to bake, my brothers often talked me into making treats for them. I became interested in cake decorating when I had children of my own. And now, here I am, a grandmother - and itching to put my cake decorating skills to work again. But decorating has changed immensely in the last 30+ years, so I'm ready to learn!!
susie says
I remember baking a batch of chocolate chip cookies by myself when I was like 12... I told my grandma I could do it... WEELLLL..... I added to much salt. Haha I can remember my grandma eating them until they were gone.... haha
KWSuki says
I took my first cake decorating course at Michaels last year when I was visiting out of town. I can't get enough of classes but no classes of any kind are offered in my home town.
Lorena Walczak Pardo says
My Gram taught me to bake and I taught myself to decorate cakes before finally going to culinary school.
Annabel Cutland Van Noord says
Starting baking with my mom when I was very little. Starting decorating with fondant a few years ago - I'm self taught from books/the internet! Great giveaway - there's always more to learn!
Jodie Whitley says
I am self taught for the most part with respect to the baking side of things. I would generally say the same for decorating, however I have taken a few Wilton classes and a couple at Bonnie Gordon. Congrats on the one year anniversary!
Brenda Dubois says
I took a Wilton course 3 years ago and fell in love with it, I only bake for friends and family right now, would love to have a bussiness doing something that I love to do but have not gotten over the fear of disapointing anyone. Hopefully that will change soon. I am learing from you and a ton of other Cake and cookie decorators! Thanks for the give away! Brenda bydubois10@yahoo.com
Heather says
I began baking at an early age and have always enjoyed being in the kitchen. I took cake decorating classes in 2010 and have been self teaching since then
Lisa Flynn says
I started baking when I was 9 or 10 helping my grandma make her christmas cookies
Katryna says
I first learned to bake when I first go married 4 years ago!
Annapet says
I love Jacqueline Butler! Her online class at e-craftsy is the only sugarcraft instructions I have received. Making time to do more flowers in a few weeks.
Happy blog birthday, Jacquee! Congratulations!
Annapet says
I first learned to bake macarons 2 years ago when I got laid off from work.
mssherry56 says
i started decorating cakes last year when I took classes that I had always wanted to take. I love it , it is so much fun and stress at timesbut to see the end results of what you did. is amazing feeling
The Frosted Cake Boutique says
I learned last year initially from taking a Wilton Course and knew right away this was my passion 🙂
Lisa B. says
Funny thing how I began to decorate...My daughter, then 13, became interested and we got her classes for Christmas. Now she teaches me! I love working with her!
Jennifer Lynn says
When i was middle school aged, mom and i made some holiday cakes together at home. basic baking and decorating, but it definitely got me hooked! I eventually took some classes at a local craft store plus some online. Now i find myself using my creativity in the kitchen more often than not!
Sarah Fallon says
I first learned to decorate while taking classes a couple years ago at my local cake store!