Grand Finale Decorated Cake

My birthday is tomorrow-oh dear-and killing two birds with one stone I'm going to have my cake decorating cake assignment used for my birthday cake! Cake class number 2 had us learn all the flowers and basket weave. Now I'm on to class number 3 where we'll tackle to two tiered cake! This cake is so Spring-time like and perfect for the dull cold days of February.

Happy Mardi Gras

Fat Tuesday and what better way to celebrate then with a luscious piece of cake with double thick frosting made of Crisco and sugar??? Continuing to practice my cake decorating skills and conquer the 'rose' I decorated this one to celebrate the holiday. There is a little plastic baby inside for the lucky one to find it!

Cake Decorating

I've been taking cake decorating lessons this last month and a half. Our instructor is phenomenal! She's 86 and you would have no idea that she is. Helen is a buffet of knowledge and competence and anything she says you just follow since no one could ever top her expertise. I'm planning to follow the courses through as long as Helen keeps teaching. She talks about retiring from it but I said "please not until I'm through!" We've been practicing roses which are the quintessential decoration for any special event cake.

I use to decorate cakes when I was in college. Enjoying any special occassion since I knew I could decorate a personalized cake. I went as far as a two tiered anniversary cake. Time, children and other activities led me astray. This weekend I spent time decorating cupcakes. This was mainly to be able to decorate with clowns and practice my roses. I have to be ready for Helen's next class!

I'm on to puppets!

I have loved puppets since I was in second grade and our community library had a summer reading program that had activities. They brought in a visiting puppeteer. From that day on I saw myself becoming a puppeteer. Well, that didn't happen but I am still in love with all things puppet. I have a collection of marrionettes-the Pellum Puppet company kind. And who doesn't love the muppets! This is a photo of my version of my two just finished puppets made from fleece and pingpong balls.

Illustration Friday's "Pioneer"

Fridays sure arrive fast since we face another theme for the week faster than we can create! Amazing that the year goes as fast as it does.

I love history and old photos and old things. My home reflects this. I'm sure that in our day we romanticize what probably was one of the hardest times; to be a pioneer. Starting over and starting new with little or nothing and facing a sod house or endless plains of nothingness. This topic is appropriate facing a new year and a chance to start over in a way. Happy New Year to all.

Illustration Friday's "Undone"

As a mother of 4 and all teenagers, I can easily imagine the word "undone" for this week's topic. What's funny is that I illustrated a mom with a baby and all the housework to do and becoming 'undone'. I'd say that it is much harder as a mother of teens than when I had my 4 under 6. I'll take the latter any day!

www.angeliamclean.com MY NEW WEBSITE IS HERE!

Good news-At least for me. The challenge has always been learning enough Dreamweaver to be able to have my very own website. And I did it all by myself! It is a great sense of accomplishments because about 5 years ago, I knew NOTHING about any adobe product, web design or even how to do digital artwork. I've come a long way. So the launching of my website is more than just getting a website out there, it is a major goal finally accomplished! Yea!

Illustration Friday's "Hatched"

We've been in a deep freeze this past week so I can't imagine anything 'hatching' that's for sure. But this week's topic for Illustration Friday is just that. I have been working on greeting cards and this Easter one seems perfect for the subject. We also have been getting eggs now from this year's Americauna hens. Now, that wouldn't be such a big deal but Americaunas are known for their colored eggs. We've gotten beautiful brown ones but this year one of them is laying GREEN eggs. Yes, Green Eggs and Ham was instantly my thought too. But they're beautiful! I will be anxious to get some jeweled eggs done using these spectacular colored eggs. The other color is brownish pink. Now we need to aim for the blue ones next year!

This week's topic is music. Here are some annoying animal friends carroling at Owl's house. I think Moose tags along but realizes the motley crew is headed for trouble. This is one holiday card of a series that I illustrated that feature the activities of these animal characters.

Although we complain that the decorations go up so early and get earlier every year, I am guilty as charged. But to really enjoy all the creative possiblities that the holiday season has means that you have to start early!

Rebuilding Together Poster Illustration

Since 1999 Rebuilding Together Metro Denver has been working in partnership with the community to revitalize homes and lives in ways that improve the health and safety for low income homeowners who are elderly or disabled.

For their 10th anniversary, they wanted a map depicting their growth and path they've taken. I illustrated a map that used their iconic logo people and included relevant events to Rebuilding Together's history.

To be part of this super organization see them at http://www.rebuildingdenver.org/