My new headshots

On our way home tonight, Teresa yelled (yes YELLED ;)) at John Paul to pull over so she could get some pics of me in front of this COW GATE. I hope she isn't trying to tell me something.... I kinda like this one!!

leeanne

the star of emie cakes (and collin too!)

Tonight we drove out to Screven with our friends the Earnest's, who are visiting from Savannah, for dinner at Reedy Creek. Teresa took these pics of Emie and Collin and I just had to share.

Gotta scoot! I am off to finish up 3 birthday cakes for very special friends of emiecakes!

leeanne

run cake girl, run...

With the new school year approaching, I've been a very busy girl! In an effort to make my day a little easier and to appease Hayley who is utterly tired of seeing "Happy Easter" every time she checks my personal blog, :) I have decided to combine my personal blog with my emie cakes blog. I hope you don't mind...

Today's post has absolutely nothing to do with cakes. (Unless you count the fact that yesterday I baked and ate a substantial amount of butternut cake, which requires me to spend a lot of time on the treadmill.)

A while back, two very special ladies (aka "divas") began a program called Couch to 5K. I'd heard about the program before and even thought about starting it a time or two, but I always chickened out. Well, after seeing these two get motivated, I decided it was time to give it a try.

The C25K is a 5K training program that you can find at coolrunning Before I go any farther, let me say that I am NOT a runner! I've always admired those people who run to de-stress and to "clear their head"...me, I prefer to de-stress by watching Lifetime with a hand full of Oreos and a cold glass of milk! Even in school, I was always the one who finished the mile run at the back of the pack. (But hey, someone has got to be last!)

So about eight weeks ago I embarked on a 9 week journey to transform me from a (kinda) lazy and (somewhat) out of shape lady to someone who can run a 5K (That's 3.1 miles!)

Week 1 was great. Week 2 was okay. Then I fell off the wagon. I got sidetracked and missed a few days. Then, I started over and got to week 3. Week 3 kicked my booty so I went back to Week 2...bla, bla, bla...you get what I'm saying. It seemed like this one would go down in the book as something I never finished...

About two weeks ago, Teresa called to tell me about a 5K run at Disney's Animal Kingdom that just happened to be held during our family vacation in September. What?! That was the motivation that I needed! She signed us up and now I am (seriously) serious about finishing this program. Today I finished Week 3, which is farther than I have ever gone before! I'm expecting you all to hold me accountable...this is something I REALLY want to do!

I would still prefer to eat Oreos and watch Lifetime, but I'm starting to see the appeal of this running thing.

BTW, one of those "divas" who was only a week ahead of me when we first began is now getting ready to enter her 9th and FINAL week of training! Stacy E., I am SO proud of you!!! And Teresa, WE CAN DO THIS!!!

posted by leeanne...

I know all the blog entries say "posted by Teresa", but they're by me...I swear!  I'm still trying to work out the kinks (and remember to sign in as LeeAnne).  Thanks again to Teresa for helping me set up the blog and for all your encouragement!  

- LeeAnne

pictures?

If any of you have pictures of any cakes I've made for you, I would REALLY appreciate you sending them my way.  For some reason I ALWAYS send them out the door without taking a picture!  I'd love to add them to the blog.

Thanks!

happy birthday madelyn...

Miss Madelyn is my kind of girl!  When her mommy asked what kind of cake she wanted for her 4th birthday, she told her that she wanted a "pink cake with m&m's and a crown".  Wow!  Somehow, her mom (Cristy) talked her out of the m&m's, but the "pink" and "crown" requirements stuck.  

Cristy brought over a real crown that Madelyn wanted on the top of her cake.  Madelyn also wants to wear the crown at her party so I'm thinking that the cake will be cut pretty soon after the party starts!  

This cake was so much fun to make...Happy Birthday Madelyn!

 

happy birthday mema...

My grandmother (aka Mema) recently turned 70.  Would you believe that in 70 years, she's never had a real birthday cake?  This cake had to be special!  I must say that it is one of my favorites!  How cute would this be for a baby shower or bridesmaid's luncheon?  

Please excuse the poor picture...it was very late when I finished this cake and I didn't have good lighting. 

aargh!

Collin's third birthday was pirate themed...and what a fun theme it was!  We had grown adults that spoke "pirate" for an entire day...very entertaining!

For his cake, I wanted something clean and simple.  I ordered a "jolly roger" cookie cutter to help me make the fondant shape on top.  The cake is iced in buttercream...the red and black decorations on the cake are made of fondant. 

an emie cake for emie...

When my little Emie turned one, I knew I had to have an extra "sweet" cake.  I am all about "themed" birthday parties and I used a cupcake theme for her party.  I'd planned to just make cutie-pie cupcakes in lieu of a cake and then I decided that I would incorporate the two: cake + cupcake = giant cupcake!

The colors that I used were bright and girly and the over sized confetti sprinkles finished it perfectly.  I used icing tip #723 (basket weave) to make the "cup" part of the cupcake...I alternated the sides to give it the right texture.  It was a big hit!

roll tide?

So this GA fan was recently asked to make an Alabama groom's cake.  As hard as it was, I think I pulled it off.  The groom (Chris) pretty much gave me free reign to do whatever I wanted to with the design.  Chris graduated from the University of Alabama and loves Alabama football.  When I think of Alabama football, I think of  Bear Bryant (and his famous houndstooth hat).

It's always a good thing when I have a while to think about the design and execution of a cake.  I can also practice different techniques before I have to put the cake together.  So, one Sunday afternoon, I whipped up a batch of black icing and tried to practice piping a houndstooth design.  Wow!  It was really hard and it didn't look like I wanted it to.  But, since I had time to spare, I was able to come up with a different solution.

I did a little research and found a great product...printed, edible paper.  I know this stuff has been around for a while, but the quality and designs have come a long way!  I found an adorable houndstooth print and instantly knew what I wanted to to!  

Chris also likes to play golf so I was able to incorporate the two interests into one great looking cake!  I substituted the golf balls you see in this picture for a set of Alabama golf balls which tied everything together.  

a birthday down on the farm...

All the cakes I make are special, but some are extra special...just like this one!  This is the cake I made for my son, Collin's first birthday.  We decorated his nursery with a farm theme and the fascination "stuck".  He has always been interested in farm animals, tractors, and anything farm related.  So, it seemed appropriate that his first birthday party would reflect this obsession.  

I love the bright colors and I was able to use a few of his favorite toys for extra decorations.  (I washed them thoroughly first!)  I also enjoyed making the grass on this cake.  I used decorating tip #133...one of my favorites!   I think the "ruggedness" of the barn and the writing makes it looks like children's art.

All in all, it was the perfect cake for a perfect  party!

a sweet cake for a sweet couple...

Katie and Charlie are just about the sweetest couple you'll ever find!  Katie is a no-nonsense girl who has a great sense of humor and Charlie is the epitome of a southern gentleman.  They had their rehearsal dinner at the Isle of Hope Marina and decided to serve their groom's cake there.  (Great idea!)  

Charlie requested a German Chocolate cake.  Most of the cakes I make use buttercream icing because it's easy to decorate, but I'm a BIG fan of German Chocolate and I knew we could figure out some way to jazz it up to fit in with their "coastal chic" theme.  And of course, cupcakes on the side are always appropriate!

photo courtesy of memoriesnmore photography

welcome to emie cakes...

Once upon a time, there was a little girl who loved to watch Mrs. Diane bake and decorate cakes.

That's pretty much how my story begins.  Mrs. Diane is a dear family friend and when I was a little girl, she used to let me watch while she made birthday cakes.  Being the patient woman she is, she taught me simple techniques like how to mix cake batter, how to make buttercream icing, how to smooth icing....you get the picture. 

Over the years, I've made lots of cakes for family and friends, but it wasn't until recently that I decided to take my "hobby" and turn it into a little something more.  With the encouragement and support from my family and a few good friends, Emie Cakes was born.

My dear friend, Teresa suggested the name and I think it's perfect!  As many of you know, Emie is my daughter and she's sweet and cute...just like my cakes!  (Teresa also designed this blog...thanks, T!)

So...it is with great pleasure and pride that I present my creations to you!  Every cake has a story and I look forward to sharing these stories with you.   Please give me a call if I can help to make your next celebration or special occasion "sweeter".  912.670.0007