Cake Topper Techniques: Fondant Animals-Craftsy Class Review

Craftsy offers online crafting classes taught by acclaimed instructors who love craft as much as we do. That's one of the reasons that I have gotten many of  Craftsy's cake decorating classes. With my busy schedule, the kids and working full time I need classes that are available to me any time and that I can watch according to my own schedule. Besides, more than taking the classes online, they do have a platform where you can ask questions to the instructors, upload photos of my projects and interact with other members.
Given the opportunity of reviewing one of their classes, I decided to take the Cake Topper Techniques: Fondant Animals

This Craftsy class was led by Sharon Wee, an Australian cake decorator, which I never heard of but after a quick search I found her work so beautiful and her very talented skills making fondant toppers.
The class teaches how to make a cow, pig,teddy bear, bunny, love birds,bee,ladybug, penguins and a cute little ducky with fondant. In the first part, she teaches how to make basic shapes like balls, oval, cone and tear drop shapes. I have to say that the animal toppers in this class are made using techniques suitable for beginners, which is the perfect class to take for people who want to start learning basic figures to move into a more detailed and advanced cake toppers.
Even though I consider myself an experienced cake decorator,I always find it interesting to see other people working with different techniques and I am always open to new ways of doing things. I was not disappointed with this class at all. Personally, I have always had problems when it comes to proportion for my fondant figures and I finally was able to learn how to cut and size the proper amount of fondant for each part of the body.
Sharon provides clear and easy to follow instructions and methods for creating every fondant figurine. In lesson 2 you will start making simple figurines, like the ducky that really do not need support, very simple, from there she moves into more detail toppers. I have to tell you that I made this little bunny in no time!

Something I notice is that the instructor assumes that you have some experience working with fondant and you are aware of terms like CMC and Tylose, as well as handling fondant so it doesn't get dry when leaving out.  But honestly having to work with fondant before is not something that you need to know for this class.
From lesson 5 and on, you will learn how to make fondant toppers with movement, which I found very easy to make using pretty much egg and tear drop shapes.Of course, be aware that this toppers need support and time to dry , so you won't be able to finish the topper at once.

I thoroughly enjoyed this class and the time she took to make each topper , since I am a very visual-kind of like to take my time -person.  I was pleased to pick up new techniques, specially when it comes to proportions of the body.

I highly can recommend this class,like I said before, great for beginners and useful for experienced cake decorators. Sharon will teach you the tips and trick to make the animal cake toppers that you have always wanted to make and thought were very difficult.
Craftsy can turn your cake ideas in reality, right there in your own home and at your own time. From fondant to isomalt and modeling chocolate, Craftsy Cake Decorating courses are taught by the best instructors from around the world.
Click here to receive 25% off your first Cake Decorating course with Craftsy!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Craftsy. The opinions and text are all mine.

Naturally Nora Cookie Mix Review and Giveaway

I have told you before that I'm not a fan of baking mixes,I sell cakes and cookies , therefore I feel the responsibility that everything I bake has to be from scratch.
But being a busy mom, working full time and having a baby on the way I feel that is ok to "cheat" sometimes. Time around my house is so tight, and I am sure some of you are in the same boat as me, so I want to go the easy but still nutritious way specially if I can use a good  quality mix. .

Look at this Chocolate Chunk Cookies... they were so good and moist, so yummy!

and I also added some caramel candy to some of them, you know, to make them extra special.

I made these cookies using a cookie mix, a really good one.

Have you heard of Naturally Nora?

Their products  are made entirely from all natural ingredients. No artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or hydrogenated oils. They also can be prepared dairy or soy-free and are kosher.

Not only naturally Nora has cookie mixes, but they also have frostings, cake mixes and brownie mixes.They think that great tasting food should be created in a kitchen, not a laboratory.

Don't we agree with that? 

 Naturally Nora send me a box of goodies to try and they also want to send some your way. I added two small cookie baking sheets along with the mixes, so there is no excuse and the winner can start baking right away.

To enter the giveaway for a box of goodies from Naturally Nora:

-Just leave me a comment on your thoughts about using cake, cupcake or cookie mixes.
-For an EXTRA entry, like Naturally Nora on Facebook and leave a separate comment letting me know that you did.

Giveaway is open for residents of the US only.
Winner will have 48 hours to respond  with shipping info,if no response, another winner will be chosen .
A winner will be randomly chosen and announce in this post on Monday June 27th. 
Good luck everyone !
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opinions about the cookie mixes are mine, I really, really love them.
I was not paid to write this post.


AND THE WINNER IS....


Jane said...



I use brownie mixes fairly often and cake mixes occasionally. I almost never use cookie mixes, but would love to try!
jcottey at aol dot com
June 24, 2011 1:17 PM

Thank you so much for entering the giveaway everyone!

CSN Stores Product Review

CSN Stores, with over 200 online stores where you can find everything from  wall art and decor to fantastic bakeware, super cute cookware and anything you can imagine for your house is sponsoring my blog to review one of their products. I have done it before and I am looking forward to do it again. CSN Stores have a big selection of  baking tools and cutters that I am so ready to get. All the items are in a  variety of price ranges, so there really is something for every budget. And best of all, they offer free returns and free shipping on most items!
I've shopped with them a number of occasions and I'm consistently pleased with each purchase.I recommend you to go to their site and look around.


Anything special that you would want to see reviewed?
I am so excited about being able to pass on some recommendations to you.

Cupcakes, fudgy brownies and a yummy Giveaway

I am not a fan of  baking mixes, and please do not get mad at me! If a box has more than 14-15 ingredients in which half of them I have no clue how to pronounce,I kind of get scare. I love to bake from scratch, but sometimes we are so busy and we do not have the time to shift or measure and we want to go the easy but still nutritious way.

Have you heard of Naturally Nora?

Their products  are made entirely from all natural ingredients. No artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or hydrogenated oils. They also can be prepared dairy or soy-free and are kosher. Now we are talking!

I made cupcakes using the vanilla cake mix and the result were moist and fluffy cupcakes. The frosting was really good and not too sweet.

And if you are a chocolate lover, the Fudgy Brownie mix is for you. I added to my brownie mix 1 cup of cream cheese, I just love the combination of chocolate and  cream cheese. The brownies tasted delicious and  they were moist and not too rich.

 Naturally Nora send me a big box of goodies and they also want to send some your way, I even added a packet of regular and mini cupcakes liners along with a 1M tip so you can frost your cupcakes or your cake.

To enter the giveaway for a box of goodies from Naturally Nora:

-Visit Naturally Nora and leave a comment here with the mix you would like to try,
-For an EXTRA entry, like Naturally Nora on Facebook and leave a separate comment letting me know that you did.

Giveaway is open for residents of the US only.
Winner will have 48 hours to respond  with shipping info,if no response, another winner will be chosen .
A winner will be randomly chosen and announce in this post on Friday Nov 12.
Good luck everyone !
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opinions about the cake mixes are mine and I was not paid to write this post.

AND THE WINNER IS....

Cara Lee said...

I love to bake from scratch, but I am a sucker for box brownies!

 I'd love to try Nora's brownie mix :)

Thank you so much everyone for entering the giveaway!

CSN Stores Review and more to come!

HAPPY NOVEMBER...everyone! So many fun things are coming to my blog this month, you won't want to miss them.

To start, I have gotten an awesome offer and I am taking it!
Do you know that CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from contemporary coffee tables to fantastic bakeware and anything you can imagine for your house? Their selection is amazing and they offer items in a variety of price ranges, so there really is something for every budget. And best of all, they offer free shipping on most everything!
Don't you just love free shipping? I've shopped with them a number of occasions and I'm consistently pleased with each purchase


This time CSN Stores  is sponsoring Pink Little Cake by sending me a gift certificate to spend on any item I want. Of course I will go straight to the bakeware area and get something, anything special that you would want to see reviewed?  

I am so excited about being able to pass on some recommendations to you.
Stay tune this week, I have fun cakes to share with you.