Exciting News....

Firstly I would like to wish all of you a peaceful Christmas and a very happy and healthy new year.

I have exciting news about next year - I am going to be moving house again, and will have a studio workshop at the new place so that I can concentrate on my sugarcraft work once more. The good news is that I will be able to teach in my own studio again after a break of four years. I'm planning that the classes will be for a maximum of four people to ensure the best assistance and supervision. The cost of the full-day classes will include use of all equipment and materials, along with refreshments and a light lunch.

There will be some mini half-day classes, and I will also be offering one-to-one classes (weekdays only) starting at two hours, depending on the project you would like to learn.

If you have a group of four friends who would like to come together during the week, classes can be arranged to suit your group.

I have promised various people  that I will travel to different parts of the country for weekend workshops held in hotels- if you are interested in the possibility of a workshop near you, please let me know.

In the next few weeks I will be working on the new timetable, so if you have any specific requests please let me know so that I can consider it.

I will be holding sugar flower-making classes, and intend to have fresh flowers available where possible for the very best results.

Modelling fairies, babies and royal icing classes will also feature, along with a wide variety of other subjects. If you would like to attend any of the classes, but unsure about whether the class is suitable for your skills please contact me when you receive the list. 

There will also be the chance for me to book visiting tutors, and I have a few great ideas for that too.

I am really looking forward to being able to welcome people back to my classes in 2014!

Look out for emails from me about classes and exhibitions I'll be attending. If you change your email address and would like to continue receiving emails from me, please contact me on fran.mac@btinternet.com

or through my Facebook Page HERE

Thank you for your continued support.

Kind regards

Frances McNaughton

Oxted Sugarcraft Club - Fancy Dressed Babies

Industrious...

The lovely Surrey town of Oxted was the backdrop to Frances' Fancy Dressed Baby Workshop today and the class seemed to enjoy their time making babies judging by the laughter and smiles. There were times of concentration and quiet industry, but the conversation level soon rose again as each stage was successfully completed.

This is one of Frances' cutest workshops - these babies definitely have the 'aaah' factor - and are always well received and today was no exception. Each of the students completed their models before the end of the day and we hope they learned many tricks and tips in the use of modelling paste and all the tools.

Seriously aaaah!

The book is available HERE with stage by stage photographs and a full equipment and tool list. There are also demonstrations on Frankie's YouTube Chanel HERE.

Watch out for more news of Classes, Demonstrations and Workshops on this Blog and on Frances' Facebook page HERE

Fairy Workshop - Hillingdon BSG

Sunlight streamed through the windows...

The Sun was bright and the air crisply autumnal as 15 members of Hillingdon BSG gathered at Long Lane Hall in Hillingdon for a Fairy Workshop based on work from Frances' new book "Sensational Sugar Fairies".

These days are always fun, both for Frances and the group, but today with the sun blazing through the windows brightening and warming the room, the noise was at times deafening, the ladies nattering away, laughing and learning as they went.

On these workshops Frances provides the materials, tools and expertise to ensure that each student leaves with a fully completed model finished to a high level and all the ladies seemed very pleased with their work today.

The pieces all looked fantastic - it didn't matter if the student was a beginner or a seasoned sugarcrafter - they all looked wonderful and there was a buzz in the air as the ladies cleared away their kit and carefully packaged their models to take home.

A huge thank you to all the group for a wonderful welcome and a hugely enjoyable day - for lemon cake, an endless supply of tea and the lovely biscuits - we had fun too.

Remember, if you would like to arrange a workshop Frances can be contacted on 07850 105605 or on fran.mac@btinternet.com or through her Website and Shop HERE

Sensational Sugar Fairies

Next month sees the publication of Frances' long awaited new Fairy Book: Sensational Sugar Fairies which will be available from her online shop HERE.

In this new book she begins by revealing the tools and readily available materials she uses and goes on to show techniques such as modelling and all the basic shapes required, sculpting with tools dusting or painting to add colour and texturing with royal icing.

There are the ten step by step projects showing how to make beautiful fairies in fairyland scenes. Some are funny or whimsical such as Buxom Fairy and Fairy's Bathtime, others have a fashionable twist like Steampunk Fairy and  Gothic Fairy; some create a world of folklore such as the Flower Fairy's Baby and My Friend The Bird, and others are perfect for special occasions: Be My Wife, Ice Fairy and again, Flower Fairy's Baby. Many like Peacock Fairy are stunningly beautiful. 

Frances is building on the success of her best-selling Twenty to Make: Sugar Fairies and her original book Modelling Fairies In Sugar with these more developed designs, including wonderful scenes for the fairies to star in.

Find us at the NEC in Birmingham in November, but if you can't wait until then click on the link above and order your signed copies now.

Don't forget, Frankie is also available for workshops and will demonstrate how to make these wonderful models in classes in your own area. Why not contact her today at frances.mcnaughton@gmail.com

Cake And Bake Show Earl's Court 13 - 15 September

Endorsement from Eddie Spence MBE...

The Cake and Bake show is on again this week at Earl's Court. Why not come along and say hello....you could also pre-order Frances' new book 'Sensational Sugar Fairies'.....

Scotland in September

Having had a three week trip to Australia and then an August of rest and regrouping, working on stock, ideas and planning for the remainder of this year and next; we began the late season with a jolly jaunt north of the Border to meet up with the talented Paul Bradford and David Brice his business partner at their light, airy and superbly situated studio in Kenmore on Loch Tay.

Paul has been in the cake decorating business since 2001 and has designed cakes for the Bee Gees, famous footballers and Monacan Royalty. Recently the business has expanded into online tutorials and now boasts a customer base in the tens of thousands from all over the world.  Several TV appearances have ensured his continuing success and popularity and we were to spend five days or so filming some of Frances' work for future online programs which will be available shortly. 

Both Paul and David are consummate professionals and yet Frankie and I felt instantly at ease in their company. In fact Paul and Frances had so much to talk about and so many ideas to share that we almost had to guide them to the table for lunch and dinner and even on our long, wonderfully scenic and weather blessed walks they would still be head to head discussing technology, sugar, Sugarcraft, books and teaching methods along the way intermittently stopping to take in the breathtaking scenery that surrounds Paul and Davids' studio.

The Magical View from the Studio

Yet in between the filming and the photography we did have time for some wonderful food, long languorous but invigorating walks with the dogs Ben and Leo, a little bit of fishing (Mike) and an occasional glass of wine. If you ever get the chance to visit Paul and David we sincerely recommend you take the chance; Paul's new book is now available and the ongoing Internet tutorials are available for all levels of ability - check out their superb website HERE

A New Facebook Page

After an awful lot of hard work, Frances has finally completed her new Facebook page. 

The new page allows instant access to her free tutorial videos and much more interaction between all her fans worldwide.

Please go over and 'Like' her page and clicking 'Follow' will ensure that you are kept fully up to date with all her activities, new books, products and shows at which she will be appearing.

Look for the new logo as shown above - and stay in touch!

Wired Sugar Lily - With Frankly Sweet Tiny Shoe Cutters

As promised, another new tutorial from Frances is available to watch on her YouTube Channel. This time, how to make wonderful lilies using the petal shaped cutter from her Tiny Shoe Cutter set

We very much hope you enjoy it.....

Twenty To Make Sugar Scaries

Frankie's new book in the 20 To Make Series is now available....you can order it HERE, or you can catch us at Brighton Racecourse this Saturday 18th May.....

A Trip To Sweden - Kakburken

Recently, Frankie was invited to Sweden by Camilla of KakBurken - her Facebook page is HERE - to teach Tiny Shoes, Fairies and Fancy Dress Babies for a weekend.

It was a wonderful few days for Frances and she was very well looked after and welcomed by the Swedish enthusiasts. The results in all three workshops were beautiful and the models made were proudly displayed at the end of each session. Judging by the comments on Facebook and Twitter it would seem that the students enjoyed themselves too.

Frances didn't get to see too much of the Swedish Countryside due to a flight delay, but the hospitality of her Swedish hosts left nothing to be desired and left an abiding memory of friendly faces and bright, warm sunshine.

Frankie's present from Sweden

Huge thanks to Camilla, Jonas and Cordelia for their assiduous attention to Frankie's comfort and for looking after her so well.

Holland Sugar Art Show

It was time to go back to visit our Dutch friends and to attend the 6th Sugar Art Show in Boskoop. Run by Bart Van Vliet - the marzipan specialist - the show has been run at a fairly low local level but has attracted many visitors over the years.

We've been lucky enough to be involved in most of the shows, but we've noticed two things over those years:

Firstly, we've seen the standard of the work rise at an impressive rate. The competition pieces are very well constructed and thought out and over the period we have been travelling to Holland, the ideas have been very well executed.

...some fantastic work....

Unfortunately, in the last couple of years, attendance levels have dropped, especially since the show grew too large for the original venue in Alphen Am Den Rijn. This is sad because it does not correspond with a drop in enthusiasm or Popularity for Cake and Sugar Craft.

As a forager, this was one of my favourites

We were not very busy over the weekend, but as always, the crowd were friendly and generous with their comments and time. It was fantastic to see our some returning fans and Bart gave us an evening to remember on Saturday night. So no complaints here....

Cake International - ExCel

There was a lot of this going on - this is  Diane

Another show over, another weekend full of meeting with fans new and old, meeting our friends and making many more. As always, these shows are extremely busy and by the evenings the team are tired and hungry and ready for a well earned glass of wine or beer - or two.

This was a quiet time...

But, as I said, our friends are there, and it's always nice to catch up even if it is only a week since we last saw some of them at Manchester. Naturally, not everyone goes to every show and so there are others to chat to - if only we had the time.

This year there were a few stars available to stalk - if the mood took you; Paul Hollywood, Mitch Turner, Mary Berry and John Whaites to name just a few, and the hall often rang with cheers and applause as they took stage.

Busy, busy busy

We sold out of a few items despite planning this show like a military campaign, so if you couldn't get what you came for, please visit our web shop HERE. Our apologies if we caused you any inconvenience.

As close as I could get to Paul and Mary - the crowds were phenomenal

A Weekend in Manchester

An impressive Building

It was a very busy weekend at The Cake And Bake Show - the first one to be held in the North. 27,000 visitors over the weekend and more celebrities than you could throw a cupcake at made it a little difficult at times to travel even the 50 yards or so to the toilets. But time and again I heard the same expression - the Northerners are a friendly lot; no impatience, pushing, impoliteness or frustration, just friendly chat, banter and a n awful lot of genuine interest.

The Wedding Showcase are area was a hit - and with smiles like these , why wouldn't it be?

The food sellers were mobbed incessantly, buyers four deep around their stands, until their wares were sold out. The public theatres, both free and charged, were always busy and the air was full of the excitement and smells of baking.

More celebrities than you could throw a cupcake at...

Yet, we found time to make new friends, to learn new skills and become excited all over again about baking, cake and icing. We shared our experiences, our stories, our recipes and of course we sold our products too.
We hope those of you who went enjoyed it and will come and see us at The next Cake and Bake show in London.

Next week we will be at Cake International in London and can only hope for the same enthusiasm and friendliness there, pop over and say hello....

John and Cat,  GBBO stars popped by...

Cake And Bake Show - Manchester

April 5th, 6th and 7th...Are you going? Come and say hello.

We will be there over the three days and would love to see you.

All the details are here:

YouTube Tutorials

Just a reminder to all of Frankie's Fans, there are tutorials available on her YouTube Chanel, just search for Frankly Sweet.

Many more will be added in the future so why not subscribe and be informed directly when new tutorials are released

Cork Sugarcraft Exhibition

We just love our trips to Ireland; we Honeymooned here and we have made both friends and many wonderful memories in the Emerald Isle. So it was lovely to be back in Cork City for the biannual Sugarcraft Exhibition at Little Island at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

There were 300 entries into the Competitions - the largest number ever, and in all the years we have been coming here the standard has got better and better every time. This year was no exception and over the two days of the show there were many comments regarding the standard of the work, which, even to a layman like me, was exceptional. 

Exceptional Work...

As always, Frankie was busy demonstrating; Tiny Shoes on the stand and Fancy Dressed Babies and Fairies in the Demonstration Rooms and the show was busy all over the two days with Sunday afternoon - Mother's Day -  proving to be just as popular as the Saturday.

The Craic was good too; Murphy's here in Cork, not Guinness, with a Jamieson's chaser - or so I'm told, the Cork Sugarcraft girls looked after us so well, and made us so welcome, that it was a real wrench to leave. Unfortunately, the Ferry Company tried to help, cancelling our early morning crossing due to the severe weather, but we got across on a bumpy little catamaran Ferry later that evening which tried its best to relieve us of our hearty meals, but we're made of sterner stuff, and we survived both the crossing and the snow storm that hit the South East corner of England and made our midnight drive across Kent a minor adventure.

Worth it?

Every single wave tossed, Snow flurried moment!

Can't wait until 2015! 

20 to Make Mini Sugar Bags

Frankie's new book 20 to Make Mini Sugar Bags is now available HERE

It compliments her 20 to Make Mini Sugar Shoes Book and her Tiny Shoe Cutter Set and details how to make handbags of various design  to match those wonderful shoes you have all been making....