Look what I did!

I spent a good portion of last week fretting and worrying over a rather interesting project. A delightful person from livejournal emailed me and made a request. She asked if I could make her a cake for her husband's birthday -and she would pay me. I almost turned her down because I thought, "Oh I can't do that." But I stopped myself and took on the task. I must be brave now and then.
I was given carte blanche over the cake (the only request was no coconut) and I created a practice cake so I could see what adjustments I would want to make to the final product. I being the slightly scattered and masochistic sort decided to make a cake I had never made before. I don't recommend this to most people.

I made a flourless chocolate cake and put on a chocolate ganache. I would say the trickiest part in the whole process was attempting to write with royal icing. I am thinking I might work on that in the coming year and also maybe take a class in decorating to learn a few more tricks. I served the practice cake to a few friends this weekend and they rather liked it. It proved to be a rather dense and rich creation so a little goes a long way.

The person who asked for the cake seemed quite pleased with the presentation and emailed me yesterday saying the cake went over well.

I am so proud.

Here is a picture of the cake:



Voila. I have just sold my cooking services for the first time!

twiddly

Here in charmingclutter are the final two paper ornaments I made. I seriously went overboard with this stuff.

I need to mail things today and sort out the Christmas eve/Christmas day menu.