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!

Cottenham - The Final Show

After 25 years of existence, the Cottenham show has had its last annual day. Always held in early October at the pretty village of Cottenham, not far from Cambridge, it has always been a precursor to the hugely attended and annually awaited NEC Exhibition in Birmingham. Yet there is still a place for these smaller Regional Exhibitions as many do not wish to travel the distances required to reach the NEC, and others are unwilling to battle the crowds. It is a shame, therefore, to see one of the most popular of local events fade away.

There were a good number of people who turned up for the day and the sun shone through the high windows allowing a glimpse of the autumn brightness outside, as it threw patterns across the inside walls throughout the show.

The wonderful Eddie Spence MBE always helps draw the crowds with his morning demonstrations and people travel from all over the region to watch his work.

The displays and work on show were fantastic as if an extra special effort had been made by all for this last show and the end of day prize giving was more emotional than usual.

We certainly hope that many Regional Exhibitions will effect the necessary changes required to enable them to remain a viable proposition, they will never be able to compete with the much larger shows but should be able to maintain a place as a Local event with a bit of advertising and thoughtful marketing....

Taart en Trends - Apeldoorn

There were smiling faces everywhere at this show...

Holland is always a trip we look forward to immensely every time we have to go. It's always worth the travelling, the preparation, the early starts and the late nights. We meet our English friends, our Dutch friends and Frankie's many, many European fans who approach us with smiles, kisses and hugs - I love it! Each trip sees our Facebook and Twitter followers increased and our lives enriched.

Marielle Vroome's wonderful work...

This show is very well attended - although the late night Friday (11am - 9pm) can be a little onerous.We have so many Dutch friends now all of whom make us feel so welcome and so at home and it's great when they come up to the stand all smiles and Dutch greetings.

There was so much fantastic work on show, and I'm always so surprised that these wonderful pieces are made out of cake, icing and sugar. If you ever get the chance to go grab it with both hands - I promise you won't regret it.

West Wickham Workshop

On yet another beautiful Saturday morning, with a hint of autumn in the air but with the late season sun pushing away the mist and the heavy dew, Franc and I drove the 40 minutes to West Wickham, just outside Bromley. The sparkling sunbeams made even the M25 look acceptable as we made our way up the hill to junction 4 and turned off towards Bromley.

Today was workshop day and the ladies were all going to make some models from Frankie’s book Sensational Sugar Animals. We settled in and the students spent a very pleasant day modelling wonderful animals from the book; a tabby cat – based on our own gorgeous Riamh –  and a woolly sheep.

We had a delicious lunch with the sunshine still gracing us with its had finished their pieces and carefully packed them away for the journey home. We trust everyone had a great time – there was certainly plenty of laughter in the workroom during the day.

Patchwork Cutter Weekend

Jan's Autumn Fairy

 What a Wonderful Weekend!

We had been invited to The Wirrall by Marion and Gerry Frost of Patchwork Cutters who often run demonstration and Workshop weekends at their fantastic complex near Greasby. We both loved the Countryside and the weather held well until the aftermath of Hurricane Nadine hit the UK on our journey home. The traffic was disrupted as the skies opened, unleashing oceans of rain and gale force winds across the South which steadily moved northwards meeting us on our way back to Kent.

...and the fire escapes are...

It didn't matter though, the journey was well worth it - we were treated like guests by Marion, Gerry and all the friendly ladies who attended. Northern Hospitality is all we could have wished for - we felt like Royalty - and I have no talent, remember!

Gerry and Frankie at Red Rocks

The demonstrations and the Workshops were fully booked covering Tiny Shoes, Fancy Dressed Babies and Fairies from Frankie and some intricate cutter pieces from Marion. The finished work was excellent and everybody took a completed fairy home. Many ladies also made the most of Frankie's new book having arrived just the day before we left and signed copies were eagerly purchased to compliment the Tiny Shoe Cutter Set.

Finished  Fairies

Our huge thanks to Gerry, Marion and everybody who made our weekend memorable and fun. Even Nadine couldn't take the edge of our enjoyment.

wonderful work ladies...

Mini Sugar Shoes

Frankie's long awaited book to compliment her tiny shoe cutters is to be released at the end of this month (September).

The shoe cutters have been available for some time and the number of hits on YouTube has testified to their popularity - the instruction videos are easily accessible to anyone wishing to supplement their knowledge of how best to use them.

The new book has twenty ideas, many of them new ranging from flip-flops to full blown high heels, Boots and booties -  and advance orders are already high. Later, a Tiny Sugar Bags book will be released to give further ideas with the shoe cutters...watch this space.

Sugarcraft Weekend - Maidstone

A collection of Lily The Pink Fairies

This was another wonderful weekend that sold out quickly; the opportunity to make Tiny Shoes, Fancy Dressed Babies and The Lily The Pink Fairy. The two days were busy but each student completed the pieces  and took them home with them.

The great thing about these groups and workshops is the camaraderie that develops during the day. By the late afternoon, Facebook, Twitter and e-mail addresses were being exchanged, not just between Franc and the class members, but also among themselves and trying to get them all to go home was a challenge itself.

We sincerely hope that everyone was proud of their work and enjoyed the weekend as much as we did.