Buzz
365: DAY015
The Fest of Ale in Janesville, WI celebrated it 10th year with a sold out crowd and over 100 beers available for tasting. A lively crowd and great bands set the tone for a wonderful event with proceeds going back to the local Kiwanis group donating the funds to various community endeavors. Our custom beer themed dessert bar included cakebites (Red Velvet, Chocolate Guinness, Triple Chocolate plain as well as some topped caramelized bacon) and super yummy treats (mini pumpkin cupcakes w/ creamcheese frosting, sugar cookies, peanut butter cookies + homestyle fudge brownies) from our friends at The Afton Market. As always, not only were the sweets a hit but our display was unexpected and wowed the audience.
365: DAY008
Last year, Monroe Elementary in Janesville, WI donated 1,372 pounds of food to help the hungry in their community through an event called Delivering Bags of Hope.
Below you’ll find a simple collection I created for one of my clients who is a part of this initiative. She wanted something to “thanks” to the kind individuals who generously donated warehouse space this year to process the bags. Follow the link above to see how you can take part.
[iPhone photo]
Fired Up at Circus World’s Circus of Chefs Gala
All I can say is WOW!
I remember sitting on Eno Vino’s patio at a meeting about Concert on the Green with my friend Gina. It was one of those randomly warm, summery days in early spring. Before we parted, she hesitated to tell me about this wonderful event called Circus of Chefs in Baraboo. I clearly remember her saying that we could easily take the dessert category, but I didnt believe her.
The day of the event was a very, very (VERY!) hot humid day. It started off smooth until we arrived, unpacked and realized we had about 15mins to build our display before judging commenced. WTF! How did we possibly overlook the whole “timing” issue. Anne and I kicked it up into high gear and got the majority of our table up with the exception of a few small touches. Phew!
Once everything started full force, Annie, Drew and I settled into our groove. When it comes to a full-on sensory experience, thats where we shine. We must have done something right because we left Circus World with 2 awards that night, Best Display and Best Desserts!
You can see a full listing of our amazing competitors as well as the other winners here:
http://circusworld.wisconsinhistory.org/Gala/AwardWinners.aspx
In regards to our table design, this was by far the most detailed one Ive designed to date. The circus theme gave me so much to work with. Some of the flair for this display included…
- Centerpiece with a ring of elephants carrying fire
- Bulb string lights snaking the table
- Our pinstripe tablecloth made with ribbon
- Popcorn filled vessels
- Gypsy details like a fringy scarf and a chest of crystal balls
- Gigantic Gerber Daisies with the illusion its being watered by a bottle of Jack
…just to name a few.
We sampled our signature dessert (Cakebites!) in a variety of chocolate (Triple Choc, Triple Choc with caramalized bacon, Triple Choc with Cayenne) and of course our customer favorite, Red Velvet. We also sampled some of The Afton Family Market marbled mini cupcakes frosted with their homestyle fudge frosting. The cakebites and cupcakes were given a bit of flair of their own when we added in Cass’ amazing little circus themed toppers. Crafted out of modeling chocolate, her collection included Admit One tickets, top hats, mustaches and feathers. What can I say? Shes a genius!
I promised our team would be back next year….although Im not sure how to top ourselves for that one?
Our Award winning dessert display at Circus of the Chefs 2012
So honored to take Best Display and First Place Desserts at this year’s gala held at Circus World in Baraboo, WI. Thank you to Anderson Fine Art Photography for the photo
Zombie Prom Delectable Desserts
Call me a nerd, but anything to do with zombies is right up my alley. So when Hedberg Library in Janesville contacted me about doing desserts for their Friday the 13th Zombie Prom I was beyond ecstatic. I had expressed interest in being a part of the event so I’m very thankful the staff took me up on my offer.
Zombie head cakebites aren’t the easiest creations to whip up so I changed my initial design plans and went with more of a creepy direction. Forked eyeball cakebites and others that warn of danger all clad in the prom’s colors were a hit! Added industrial decor touches, and my fave sign where I channeled my inner Shining added to the creepy factor. I also made sure to add some prom flair by incorporating dried red roses and a mirrored platter.
Ostera Design for Couture Celebrations at the 2011 Janesville Bridal fair
Our team had the pleasure of adding our flair to the local Bridal Fair alongside Couture Celebrations. It’s always wonderful to meet other wedding vendors and ALWAYS a pleasure to meet the “couples to be”.
This mini dessert spread was inspired by the Couture Celebrations logo.
Introducing…Couture Celebrations
It was a fantastic day debuting with Couture Celebrations (Janesvilles Premiere Party Planners) at the Rock County Bridal Fair. I have the pleasure of sitting alongside Scott and Cheryl Cramer as a design consultant as well as providing services as one of their quality vendors. Here’s a sneak peek of the mini dessert spread compliments of yours truly.
Charming Gypsy Blog Love!
This is the second week in a row this DIY project has been featured on another blog. This is LOVE!!!! Check it out at —-> http://www.charminggypsyvintage.com
Love Day at the Lodge
I don’t always gush about venues I’ve worked at, but The Elk Lodge in Janesville WI in my book, is by far the best. It isn’t the fanciest, or most beautiful place but the appeal lies in their delicious food and their staff that always goes above and beyond. I was fortunate to cater the Storms’ wedding dessert table here last December and the appreciation must be reciprocal because I was invited back for their Valentines Day dinner. I didn’t really know what to expect with an older crowd, but I was pleasantly surprised at what a fantastic time I had. Good people, good food, drinks and Elvis made for a memorable night.
I started building this display by imagining a romantic picnic for two. I laid sparkly silver fabric, my rice paper umbrella and two of my favorite crackled angled rim glasses down. I added and took away pieces until eventually the display emitted a romantic feel. This specific table was dressed only with my cake truffles in Red Velvet, Luxe Triple Chocolate and our holiday specialty flavor Champagne. Take a peek!
Special thanks again to the amazing staff over at the Lodge! For more information visit them at http://www.elks.org/lodges/home.cfm?lodge=254 or come see us at the Janesville Bridal Fair on March 4th at Craig HS.
JAC Awards in the Making
With anything that is new, there are lessons to be learned. Growing a project as part of an inspiring and talented group was a journey and I cant wait to see what next year brings already. Thank you to Elizabeth Hough, Yuri Rashkin, Teresa Nguyen and Judith Moriarity for you relentless efforts in showing the art community love. Check out some other photos of JAC Awards Micellany…
Blog Love
Check it out! My DIY jewelry tree was featured again but on a blog called RoomMates this time.
2nd Annual Janesville Area Creativity Awards 2012
I love being a part of projects that have so much potential to turn into something really, really great. The JAC Awards is a fundraising event put on by The United Arts Alliance. I had the pleasure of helping organize this event along side some of the hardest working and talented people I know. I was also given the honor of being nominated in 2 very different categories this year: Culinary Artist and Photography.
I took BLACK&GOLD elements from the JAC Awards and used them as inspiration for this dessert spread. An under-lit table cover, a feather boa and mini gold JACs gave this display the flair it needed to be AWARD SHOW GLAM. I stole a few moments to capture some of the details. Like Cass’ awesome mini chocolate cupcakes topped with vanilla frosting and Chocolate Award Man army.
For more information on how you can nominate for the 2013 JAC Awards or for more information on United Arts Alliance, visit us —–> www.rockcountyarts.com
“Jeweltree”‘s Offbeat | Love
Double-duty organization solutions should be heard! Thanks to CATROCKETSHIP and her amazing offbeat team for featuring this project too: my vinyl decal jewelry tree. 
Some vinyl cutouts and some pins is all you need to recreate this easy-peasy project!
“Battle Ready”‘s Offbeat | love
- Mini Nerf Gun Armory
I am personally a huge fan of the OFFBEAT | EMPIRE. Its a small reminder that I am not alone in my world of quirky ideas and wants; that it is truly ok to be MYSELF.