Bristol Workshop

Jo's Tiger Baby...

In recent weeks, the West Country has been suffering, once again, from incessant wet weather. The rain has been virtually constant and rivers, streams and fields are waterlogged as ever more rain falls on already saturated land. One had to feel sorry for those people who are cleaning out flooded homes for the third time in as many weeks, but by whose demeanour one would never guess the despair they must certainly be feeling, a cheerful face put towards the TV cameras that broadcast their plight across the nation.

The lunches were fantastic

We drove towards this unfolding story on Friday, as Frances had arranged another weekend of classes and workshops at The Aztec Centre in Bristol; one day making a  Fancy Dressed Tiger Baby and some tiny Sugar Shoes and the next day spent creating Lily The Pink Fairies. Whilst the rain continued to pour outside, the ladies laughed and worked their way through the two days, enjoying the company and certainly the lunches, but also leaving with some high class pieces that they had created with a little help from Frankie.

The time flew by and the laughter gradually subsided as each of the students packed away their creations, preparing themselves for the damp and dark journey home. As always we hope the weekend was enjoyed by all and we look forward to meeting our new friends and old again in the future.

Another lunch...and Laura's stray Hubbie...

NEC Cake International

Jacqui Kelly's Wonderful shoe shop

Each year thousands (yes, I mean thousands) of ladies and some gentlemen descend upon Exhibition Hall 17 or 18 of the NEC at Birmingham for the now, three day Cake International Exhibition at which hundreds of competitors show their creative creations vying for the glory of 'Best In Show'.

Traders also arrive in their hundreds to set up and display their wares for inspection, discussion and, hopefully, purchase, but this year the anticipated excitement for all parties was dissipated slightly as another, sister exhibition was set up at the EXCEL Centre in London Docklands earlier in the year. It was still busy, especially on the last day, but the numbers were certainly down on previous years.

A Lifesized Cake version of Dobby won Gold

There was some great work around though, and some fantastic pieces the making of which in some cases defied belief given that their constituents were edible and made from sugar. The judges had their work cut out indeed.

Busy, busy, busy...

It was also a good time to catch up with good friends from Holland, Scotland, Ireland and all around England, we really are very lucky, most of them bring us teas and coffees, tablet, macaroons, chocolate, Dutch Tulip bulbs and, of course, cake! Knowing how busy it can get, they look after us very well. It's also a great time to catch up with our fellow Traders, some of whom we only see once or twice a year. Mike also got his annual chance to watch his favourite Bamix exhibitionist.....!

Deborah Harwood's lovely creation usiing Frankie's Tiny Shoe Cutters

See you all next year in London, Manchester and Birmingham!