Instead of Playing Games - Locked Away on a Lovely Weekend

Ms. Muse came to visit early Saturday morning and did not leave until Sunday evening. Having company that long tends to tire me out, but she did help in the studio and not make me do all of it by myself so I was not alone in my creation marathon. We created two rather intricate but very different pieces.

Originally she had planned to spend only Saturday with me and to go swimming, but we got to talking about the success of the Rose De Toilet Spray Atomizer and started discussing a new technique for the Smocked Cake. Then we stayed up late on Saturday just talking about my need to create a doll again. This would be my fourth. Ms. Muse mentioned a ragdoll design so……into the studio we went on Sunday morning.

We finished both of them, but I am rather pooped out and we never got to the lake to swim, which was the original reason she came over to my studio in the first place!

Girl Things

I was playing with my ‘Lil Sis and Ms. Muse came over to visit. We had fun treats to eat, a lovely evening and we thoroughly enjoyed each other. We did what all sisters and girlfriends have done through the ages…...we talked about make-up and perfume. Eventually Ms. Muse could not contain herself and she got busy helping, yes helping, create a beautiful perfume bottle. (She rarely helps, usually she just comes up with the ideas and leaves me to carry them out.)

We played with the fondant Rose Eau De Toilet Spray Atomizer, and the lace. Ms. Muse loved the smell and sparkle dust and ‘Lil Sis really needed to play with her fabric. I know her muse friend was around somewhere, but was really shy about taking a lead. Anyway, ‘Lil Sis even captured the cake photo.

We eventually tired out around midnight and went our separate ways. But the pleasant evening and good time with everyone left me with lovely little roses dancing in my dreams all evening long.

Fighting through a Dry Spell or Just Taking a Break

I have been in a creative dry spell, because of family commitments and Ms. Muse has been a little under the weather.

Unfortunately my Mapplethorpe/tulip tribute did not make it into Art Kudos. I do realize it is hard for me to cross artistic barriers and have judges actually look at the piece from purely art for art sake instead of a baked product, but I do know that my sculpture’s representation could have been better executed and next year I will devote more time and effort to bring it to a higher level.

Recently I have been experimenting with cake and frosting recipes, because I have submitted my official entry to my State Fair and the competition will be quite competitive. The actual design of the cake is rather simple in its execution and in order to follow the rules, which call for a round cake up to 9 inches with up to three layers tall, my greatest challenge would be the recipe itself and not the design. I have been going through some of grandmother’s recipes. Hopefully I will find the right combination. The rules state that there should not be fresh flowers, fresh or canned fruit in the entry. According to Tish Boyle and John Uher author’s of The Cake Book there are at least eight types of cakes.
1. Angel, Chiffon and Sponge
2. Pound and Coffee
3. Butter and Oil Based
4. Fruit Based
5. Flourless
6. Cheesecakes
7. Mousse and Ice Cream
8. Meringue

For this competition I have eliminated numbers one, four, five, six, seven and eight in order to either to follow their rules or because they are not the right type of cake to use along with Fondant icing. That leaves only number two the Pound and Coffee, and number three the Butter and Oil base cakes, which cuts down my recipe options considerably.

Besides the State Fair, I have searched out two other art shows and will be submitting sugar sculptures; both of them are due in September. So between the art shows I have previously identified, the two new shows I have just recently identified and along with the State Fair competition, August and September will be very productive months. I will have to call on Ms. Muse to see if she is feeling better and seek out her advice.

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