Welcome!

How would you like to see this Bollywood cake from inception to completion? In Cake Central’s article “Sketch to Cake: Kathy Zyduck’s Bollywood Cake” posted by Andi Satterlund, you can do just that.

Since Bollywood is a theme in my friend Marcy Singer’s latest book, Cross Stitch Before Dying, I’d be remiss if I didn’t give her a shout-out here. In that book, Marcy’s mom–costume designer Beverly Singer–enlists Marcy’s help (and that of some of Tallulah Falls’ finest stitchers) in working on the wardrobe for a Bollywood-inspired film.

After you’ve learned how to create your own Bollywood cake, you might feel like a princess. So, it would be only fitting that you’d follow Carrie Lynn Fields’ Royal
Icing Tiara Tutorial to make yourself a crown. You’re given a list of supplies and the complete seven steps to creating a beautiful tiara. Carrie Lynn even instructs you on mending a broken tiara.

Have you ever made a Bollywood cake? How about a royal icing or chocolate crown? How did it turn out?

Marcy’s Musings

Hi, all! Happy summer! (Unofficially, I know, but still….) I love it that school is out, and the shop is often buzzing with kids shopping with their moms or grandparents, teens shopping on their own, and even people who didn’t even intend to shop but came in to pet Angus. It’s a happy time of year. The theme of freedom really abounds in summer, doesn’t it? It begins with Memorial Day when we remember those who died that we might have our freedoms, and ends with Labor Day when we all feel as if we have to buckle down and get back to work…even those of us who’ve been working all along! But, let’s not dwell on the end of summer. It’s just begun! If you don’t believe me, ask Jill. Our marvelous mannequin is decked out in white linen shorts, a crocheted coral bikini top with a matching cover up, and a straw hat. She is ready to hit the beach! Of course, if she did, the tide would wash her out to sea and we’d never see poor Jill again. So, alas, she must stay here at the counter of the Seven Year Stitch. Gee…must I end every thought on a sad note? Okay, how’s this: let’s picture Ted at the beach. Swim trunks, shirtless…. Ah, much better. Now I’m feeling all From Here to Eternity.

Spotlight on: Marie Claire

Hooray for Marie Claire! In their May 2013 issue, they spotlighted the embroidered bohemian trend. Here is a beautiful example (vest by Isabel Marant), and their website has a slideshow featuring more examples. You’ll have to scroll through to see them all, though. Additional pieces in the slideshow include jewelry and shoes.

Doing it Yourself:

If you’d prefer to do your own clothing embellishments, check out these articles:

Ideas to Decorate Clothes

How to Embellish Clothing with Beads

How to Embellish Your Clothes and Accessories with Buttons

Embellish with Embroidery

Welcome!

Cake Central has done a wonderful job in a recent newsletter extolling the virtues of wafer paper. Writer Leanne Winslow calls wafer paper “an under-appreciated decorating medium when it comes to cakes.” Check out her article for additional images of cakes made using wafer paper decorations. I love the delicate butterflies on this one!

If you’re interested in learning more about decorating with wafer paper, search Cake Central for additional articles and images. Also, check out the wafer paper rose tutorial by Deborah Stauch. Deborah gives readers a step-by-step, illustrated tutorial on making wafer paper roses.

Have you ever worked with wafer paper? If so, what are your thoughts on the medium?

Marcy’s Musings

I ran across these applique projects from Erica’s, and I just had to introduce these to you guys! They’re adorable, under $4 each, and they fit into a standard size envelope! You can send them as greeting cards or frame them to give as gifts.

Welcome!

I’m excited that my friend Gayle Trent has finished my latest adventure, BATTERED TO DEATH, and it’s scheduled to be released on September 24, 2013. I know I’m getting a little ahead of myself, but I wanted to share the wonderful things people are saying!

“One day I found myself happily reading . . . mysteries by Gayle Trent. If she can win me over . . . she’s got a great future.”

—Dean Koontz, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Trent has written an absolutely captivating cozy, complete with all the traditional elements of the genre. . . . I hadn’t even read past page seven, and I had laughed out loud numerous times. The dialogue in this book is filled with snappy wit.”

—Pudgy Penguin Perusals

“Entertaining…and tasty read” 

–Entertainment Weekly

“It has been an absolutely fabulous experience knowing Gayle as a good friend and a genuine pleasure watching her mature into a very accomplished storyteller. The fact that she can weave a mystery about the things that we both find enchanting while drawing in a mainstream audience illustrates her skill with words. Daphne gets to investigate the complexities of the human condition, with one hand on her mixer and the other wielding a piping bag while embracing the craft that I love so much. Both Gayle and I are fascinated with the ins and outs of baking and decorating and the convoluted backstories that make it all so exciting; the crème de la crème for a mystery writer. A must read for cake bakers and anyone who has ever spent creative time in the kitchen!”

–Kerry Vincent, Food Network Challenge Judge and Master Sugar Artist

Does it get any better than that? Wow!

Here’s what the book is about:

Daphne Martin’s life is pretty sweet right now—she has a loving boyfriend, a popular cake decorating company, and has recently entered into a cake competition in town. But when she attends a class with a famously ornery celebrity chef, all of that threatens to change. The chef is found beaten to death with a cake stand after his first lesson, and he has more enemies than anyone can count. So it’s a shock to Daphne when she immediately comes under police suspicion. And on top of that, her boyfriend tells her he’s considering a career move—to Kentucky. To a company run by an old girlfriend! And, there’s still the cake competition Daphne has to win.

Daphne will need to put her wits to the test again—with the help of her nosy friend Myra—in order to clear her name, win the competition, and salvage her romance.

If you’d like, you can go ahead and pre-order the book!

Marcy’s Musings

Hi, there! Can you believe it’s the middle of  May already? Before you know it, you’ll be sitting on the beach or by the pool. The laughter of children will be your background music as you read a good book (an embroidery mystery, maybe?). So, here’s a quick and easy bookmark you can make to help keep your place while your read. I made this one for Sadie, but you can use the middle space to write any name you’d like.

Welcome!

American Cake Decorating recently posted that British sugar company Tate & Lyle welcomed a few lucky people to their Tasting House. The company set up a series of rooms in a hotel. Each room was dedicated to one of the company’s new range of sugars. There was a British drawing room with the cake vase pictured (additional photos are at the American Cake Decorating site). There was a Mississippi room with a five-foot long Mardi Gras Cake (the baby heads are really creepy), and a room with an Easter Island statue. In the bedroom, there were edible cushions, a meringue rug, and a bathtub filled with caramel corn.

According to American Cake Decorating, fourteen British cake makers spent over 2,900 hours baking and decorating the treats that filled the rooms. Cake makers included Cakeadoodledoo, Rosalind Miller Cakes, Two Little Cats Bakery, and All Mine Patisserie.

All of the treats, by the way, were available for tasting. Wow, Hotel Willy Wonka!

Marcy’s Musings

Do you like the cover of my latest adventure? I’m delighted with it. In fact, I’m delighted with all the covers designed by this artist.

This book, CROSS STITCH BEFORE DYING, relates the events surrounding my mom’s attempt to involve me, Reggie, and Vera in costume design for a movie about a Bollywood actress. Wouldn’t you know it, though, the star of the film–a nasty little diva nicknamed BTru!–winds up dead. The last person overheard arguing with her? My mother, of course! So now Mom’s Suspect #1, and I have to help clear her name and keep us from being the killer’s next victims in the process.

The book will be released on August 6, 2013. Thanks so much for your continued interest in my adventures! If you’d like to pre-order, here’s a link:

Welcome!

In this issue of Killer Cakes, I’m spotlighting a unique cake competition. Threadcakes sees t-shirt designs from Threadless turned into 3D and 2D cakes.

Cake entries will be accepted from June through August (see complete rules) and must be based on a design found on a particular page. Entrants are encouraged to contact Threadcakes with any questions.

This contest has been ongoing since 2007. Have any of you Killer Cakes readers ever participated? If so, how did you do? Would you send us a photo of your entry?

Are you considering entering this year? If so, please keep me posted!

Marcy’s Musings

I have lots of people come into the Seven-Year Stitch looking for cross-stitch and needlework magazines. Fortunately, I keep several in stock. If you don’t live near Tallulah Falls, however, you might want to look for these magazines online:

Cross-Stitch & Needlework - May 2013 issue features some adorable patterns, including some designed specifically for children. What a creative way to keep little hands busy during rainy spring days!

Just Cross Stitch - Site features some cute free patterns in addition to subscriber information.

Cross Stitch Gold - This magazine’s 100th anniversary issue hit stands on February 12, 2013.

Needlepoint Now –  The March/April 2013 issue features a daffodil pattern as well as a Keep Calm design!

Inspirations – This is an online magazine from Australia. Click the link to check out the beautiful miniature stumpwork on the current cover!