I See a Theme of Doll Cakes

Cakes by Fhoa 2007 Hmong Cake Decorating Challenge

Ms. Muse argued with me all day. She wanted me to compete, since I was asked to compete as a last minute challenger for a new Cake Challenge. I had less then 24 hours to prepare and I finally agreed, because I didn’t know if an opportunity like this would ever present itself to me again in my future. I had to thank Ms. Muse for her wisdom.

Four things I learned about my sugar art are:
* I don’t work well under pressure and make a lot more mistakes then normal.
* I don’t like to be rushed through tasks and prefer to be slow and methodical.
* I prefer to take time in between tasks to reflect and make changes.
* My health doesn’t allow me to push so hard without consequences.
* I do not like working in buttercream at all.

What I learned about Cake Challenges in general:
* TV camera’s in your face can make you physically ill.
* Looking up and seeing tons of people watching you can make you physically ill.
* If you look up and see that one challenger is finished at the half way point you probably will become physically ill.

But I got my terrible monstrosity to the table in one piece, came in second, regardless of being physically ill - had a lot of fun, and met new people that I really enjoyed.

Up North

Ms. Muse and I spent the afternoon playing catch with a squooshie ball in the lake with my pup, Georgie Girl. Exhausted from swimming and playing in the water all day we were sunning ourselves on the dock and sharing new secrets while nibbling on some yummy candy bars.

“I’ve had a blast today,” Ms. Muse exclaimed. “Why haven’t we come to the lake more often this summer,” she asked? Not waiting for my reply she stated matter-of-factly, “We will have to do this again before autumn comes.”

I nodded in agreement.

That evening we sat out by the campfire sitting on logs for chairs hugging our knees to keep our balance. All of a sudden, Ms. Muse squeals in delight as she has discovered a firefly. She grabs my hand as we jump up scrounging for an empty mayonnaise jar. Quickly we were out and about chasing the whimsical little glowing wee things.

Later, tucked into our bunk beds, Ms. Muse admiring the firefly we caught, whispered to me about the events of the day and the last thing I remember was hearing her voice tell me how the lake was so lovely. And I dreamed beautiful idyllic scenes.

A Day at the Fair

"Oh come on," she whined. "You know you'll enjoy yourself," stated Ms. Muse.
"No!" I replied adamantly. I could not bear the height I thought. Ms. Muse wanted me to join her on the Ferris wheel, but heights always bothered me and I wasn't winning our argument either. She wouldn't be happy until we were both up in the air. We would both squeal, Ms. Muse out of delight and me out of panic.

When we finally touched ground again, my stomach was doing a topsy-turvy dance. Ms. Muse picked this particular moment to introduce her next agenda item. "Let's get some mini-donuts. Mmm doesn't that sound yummy," she laughed as she grabbed my hand and started dragging me down the avenue. I groaned in disapproval.

A moment later we bumped into Fairborne, the Minnesota State Fair mascot. I introduced Ms. Muse to him and pretty soon we were all chumming about the Midway. He was a lovely tourist guide and showed us numerous venues to try a new food item on a stick or a crazy ride. For a gopher he certainly could hold his own with the bossy Ms. Muse.

Twilight fell and the Midway was aglow with multicolored lights, which began popping on one by one. Ms. Muse exclaimed what a great day we had and proclaimed our next sugar piece we created would be dedicated to our new found friend, Fairborne. That gopher had truly left his mark.

A Muse for Another Artist

Come, said the Muse,
Sing me a song no poet yet has chanted,
Sing me the Universal.

In this broad Earth of ours,
Amid the measureless grossness and the slag,
Enclosed and sage within its central heart,
Nestles the seed Perfection.

By every life a share, or more or less,
None born but it is born — conceal’d or unconceal’d, the seed it waiting.

From Song of the Universal published in Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman (1819–1892).

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.