Southwestern Sweets

When I was a teenager I visited Taos, New Mexico, and immediately fell in love with all the local art.

The colors! The jewelry! The weaving and pottery and paintings!

So today I thought we'd celebrate all things South West, Native American, and totally awesome:

(By Cake Heart)

This cake is singing my song, you guys. My favorite colors AND jewelry and flowers? Win!

Hold onto your socks, because I believe this next one is entirely fondant free!

(By Queen of Hearts Couture Cakes)

I could be wrong on the basket weave, but the flowers and woven tier are definitely all buttercream.

And I can't stop staring. (How? HOW??)

[Update: Confirmed by Queen of Hearts: it IS all buttercream!]

When you manage to pry yourself away, check out this sweet little western number:

(By Steel Penny Cakes)

So elegant! But the rope edging and little fence sections add just the right rustic touch.

More impressive buttercream; I think the only fondant here are the rope edges and belt buckle:

(By Michelle's Patisserie, featured here)

The piped barbed wire is - dare I say it? - adorable.

More jaw-dropping pattern work:

(By Hey There, Cupcake!)

That's got to be printed, right? On edible paper?

Although this one's all hand-pieced fondant:

(By Butterfly Sweets)

Those little turquoise beads!! Fabulous.

Here's a baker that would make an excellent faux finisher:

(By Ciccio Cakes)

That's some of the most convincing wood and embossed leather I've ever seen! If you look closely, you'll see there are even tiny stitch marks on the "leather" edges.

Looking for rich color? Then look no further:

(By Cakes by Kristi)

WOW. And look at the sides of that bottom tier: see the sections sticking out? It's 3D!

Maybe you're after a softer palette, though:

(By Avalon Cakes)

Dreamy soft pastels! Love the crochet look of those Dreamcatchers; I have to assume they're molded sugar paste?

(And can I just say how exciting it is to see cakes I can't fully explain? So many cool techniques out there these days!)

Completely crushing on this modern take:

(By Caketini)

It's simply succulent! (Eh? EH??)

And finally, a whole trio of more perfect pastels:

(By Peridot Sweets, featured here)

So much to love, but my favorites are that braided cord and the gold-and-turquoise stones. Gorgeous!

Hope you all have an equally gorgeous Sunday!

There's Really Only One Direction This Can Go...

Wrecky minion Catie paid her bakery $150 to make a Death Star cake something like this:

(Anyone else have a baaaad feeling about this?)

Here's what she got:

THAT'S NO DEATH STAR.

I especially like the paper cut-outs of light sabers. o.0

Over in Things That Actually Exist, here's the "One Direction Chart Topping Cupcake Kit:"

They had to make the frosting chocolate, didn't they.

Now, granted, those weren't made by a professional baker. As we all know, a professional would make that kit look truly... er...

Never mind.

(WHY IS IT SO GREEN?! *hurk*)

According to the bakery where Stacie bought it, this is a dolphin:

A DOLPHIN.

Really.

And finally, yes, I'm sure it's intentional, and it's probably not even new, but it made me laugh, so HERE:

Thanks to Catie, Matthew C., Anne, Stacie S., & Sandra O. for inspiring everyone's next office birthday cake.

*****

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Kitchen Mama Automatic Can Opener