So this is me

I recently had my portrait taken, wearing makeup no less!. And for anyone that knows me, will know this is likely a once a year occurrence. However this all came about when I was invited to an event "Celebrating Hardworking Woman" for business woman here in Whangarei. It was an event run by Nikita Parker with proceeds going to "Look Good Feel Better"And the gorgeous Minette took our photos.

So with this lovely photo in hand, I thought I would tell you a little bit about myself
I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister and furbaby owner.
I wear glasses and can't manage without them.
I am not a follower of fashion, I live in jeans - I do not enjoy shopping (unless it's for kitchen gadgets, cake toys or good food & wine, then I LOVE Shopping!)
I love to travel. My favourite places to visit are OLD, I love museums and galleries.
I live, breathe, eat and even dream about cake. When visiting new places my first stop is often to do with food or cake related.
I hear all too often "I just don't know how you do what you do - how do you have time". I could laughingly say it is due to not wearing makeup and not co-ordinating my outfits. But the truth is I have an amazing support network. My long suffering husband has at times been both mother and father to our children whilst I've travelled throughout NZ and overseas to cake shows and cake related events. And Grandma Kiwicakes, whom many of you know and love has been my rock not only in business, but with the family too. And here at Kiwicakes I have a great staff that have been with me for years - I'd be lost without them.
I read A LOT and if I have a good book in hand, I've been known to be unable to put it down. I don't have a favourite genre, if it's good I'll read it.
I love to cook and take great pleasure pottering about in the kitchen.
I love discovering new restaurants and eateries
I strive to shop locally, whilst I have been known to make an appearance at the supermarket, I am a regular at the local butcher, Bin Inn, Co-op and markets. I prefer old retro to new items.
My fitness regime is pretty much non existent, but I walk a few kilometres every day with our wee dog. The rest of the time you'll find me glued to my computer, doing everything behind the scenes that is needed to run Kiwicakes.

Custom sprinkle medleys now available at kiwicakes

 Three months ago I started on the lengthy process to offer Custom sprinkle medleys at Kiwicakes. AND NOW THE SERVICE IS HERE

It’s been a lot of work, the ingredients document was like writing a small novel. And I am so thankful for the wonderful Hayley who created the awesome custom medley photos (I don’t envy her laying all of those sprinkles out in straight lines).

We’ve sourced extra wonderful sprinkles from around the world, to extend our already awesome sprinkle selection. And a complete overhaul of our kitchen shelves was needed to create space, for each colour.

Some wonderful Kiwicakers agreed to be my custom medley testers, so I could try to iron out any wrinkles in the service, their medleys have been mixed and delivered.

I can’t wait to get mixing for you! Click herehttp://www.kiwicakes.co.nz/711-sprinkle-medleys to find out more about the service 

Kiwicakes article in Creative Junction magazine

Our new range of cakes is profiled in the latest issue of Creative Junction magazine. You can read all about it here 

Kiwicakes blog mentioned in NZ House and Garden Magazine December 2016

It's great to know all of the time spent preparing blog posts is worth it. When something like this happens!. Kiwicakes blog got a mention in Small Bites by Sally Butters in the Christmas issue of NZ House & Garden magazine for our Chocolate transfers tutorial.

Here's a link to the tutorial Sally Mentions (shown above)

Here's a link to a tutorial using chocolate transfers with strawberries - I find these perfect for the CHristmas dessert table, as they're a light alternative when you're feeling full, yet still fulfill my sweet requirement whilst looking amazing.

Here's a link to a tutorial for those wanting to put chocolate transfers on moulded chocolate shapes

And last but not least here's a link to a tutorial showing how you can make shapes using a chablon mat and chocolate transfers

A Kiwicakes cake mix makes 48 cupcakes - here's how I did it

Testing the Kiwicakes cake mix I found 1 cake mix made 48 standard cupcakes. This is pretty good value from a 12.95 975g mix. I used the "Classic Cake Mix" in my trial. They also make a 4 inch high 8 inch diameter cake, and a pretty decent aprx 3 inch high 9/10 inch diameter cake.

Kiwicakes in "Kiwi As" sugar art collaboration

Recently I was involved in the "Kiwi-As" sugar art collaboration. I decided on an Andy Warhol inspired Tiki piece. I had the privilege of my piece being chosen for the banner of the facebook page. You can check that page out here and see all of the other great works by NZ decorators.

To create these little tiki faces I used this mould. I coloured gumpaste with progel colouring from Rainbow Dust.

New maori word wedding and cake toppers now available

At Kiwicakes we love all things Kiwi. So we've had these wonderful new acrylic cake toppers made suitable for wedding, birthday, baby shower, christening or 21st cakes. Aroha, Kia Ora and Kia Kaha. Proudly made right here in NZ. Click here to view on the Kiwicakes website.

Bakels white & chocolate truffle perfect for drip/drizzle effect cakes

The white or chocolate truffle available from Kiwicakes is great to use as a ganache layer under fondant. It can be coloured to use as a cake covering. And it drizzles straight from the bottle for drip effect cakes. At 15.95 for a 1kg bottle it's great value compared to the time and expense of making ganache. It's also great for dipping strawberries.

For the covering of your cake. You can go for a fully covered look like photo #1 or using a wide scraper - scrape some back off. To achieve the look in this photo.

When using it as a cake covering I cut the top off the bottle and microwave like this. You can add colouring once melted if required. And left overs can be put in another container or simply glad wrap top of cut container.

I added pinky/red colouring to white truffle for this cake. By squirting melted chocolate truffle on to a cooled cake. You can complete the drip effect in under two minutes. Having it in the bottle is so handy. Use only as much as you need. Then simply put the bottle back in the cupboard till next time. So no waste.

I used more chocolate truffle to stick the raspberries and chocolate balls to the cake.

New sprinkle medleys available from Kiwicakes

These lovely new sprinkle medleys are available now at Kiwicakes. Just perfect for sprinkling on your drip or drizzle effect cakes. Click here to view $8.95 for 150g

New Kiwicakes cake mixes launch this week

My journey to launch Kiwicakes cake mixes started back in Melbourne in March. And finally this week they're launching at Kiwicakes. We've a super yummy caramel mud (yummy toffee/brown sugary taste), a deep rich chocolate mud and a great tasting red velvet. They've been tried and taste tested here at Kiwicakes and we've all given them the thumbs up. Clickhere to view. 

Stacey's Parisian Dream - Eiffel Tower cake

Earlier this year, the uber talented Stacey from Design@409 said to me "Sandra I'd like a Parisian bistro or street scene wafer paper please". I sent Stacey some options and Stacey's Parisian Dream wafer paper was born.

We got to discussing these wonderful acrylic Eiffel Tower toppers Stacey had designed and was having produced right here in NZ. I told Stacey I simply must stock these at Kiwicakes - and she made it happen.

So yesterday when I received photos of this finished cake from Stacey - I was blown away. I mean seriously How cool is this? I just wanna reach right in to my computer screen and pluck that macaron off the top. The little pink pearls are Kiwicakes pink sugar pearls

If you've a special idea for a cake topper you can, contact Stacey  through her website. Check out her work to date. She's amazingly creative and will certainly create something special for you

New mini kiwi cutter designed and produced for Kiwicakes

I am thrilled to announce the release of a new mini cookie cutter we've had made exclusively for Kiwicakes. It's stainless steel and you can purchase here for just $5. So cute as mini cookies, but I think they'd also make cute cut outs for cupcakes.

Whatever your passion Kiwicakes will see you right

Did you know we've an ENORMOUS range of cookie cutters. Whether your passions, is owls elephants horses or anything in between we've got you sorted.

Bronchiectasis Foundation launch here in Northland 7th April 2015

Yesterday was a very special day here in Northland with the launch of the Bronchiectasis Foundation the Culmination of a dream of Esther Jordan-Muriwai. Yesterday would have been Esther's 25 birthday. Sadly she passed away 10 months earlier. Family, friends, health professionals, dignitaries and the Governor General, Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae acknowledged her courage and determination during the launch event.

Katie pictured above also has Bronchiectasis. You may remember Katie from December 2013 when I made her 10th birthday cake for Operation Sugar. (you may also have seen her in Countdown supermarket ads, the local paper and other Bronchiectasis awareness campaigns)

Earlier this year the Whangarei Cake Guild had the pleasure of meeting Esther's parents Camron and Ana. They came along to one of our monthly meetings and told us Esther's story of bravery and perseverance living with this terrible illness. I had tears in my eyes listening to Esther's story and immediately my mind went to my young friend Katie, as she battles with Bronchiectasis every day. Esther's parents asked if as a club we'd be prepared to create a cake for the launch of Esther's dream the Bronchiectasis Foundation. Of course as a club we all wanted to help. The stunning cake you see is a group effort from many members. I was proud to get involved, in fact I was bursting at the seams to help. Kiwicakes donated the cake supplies needed to make this cake. Every member had a different job. Mine was to cover and emboss the cake board (using an impression mat). The Whangarei Cake guild was represented at the event yesterday by Anne & Megan, who both contributed to making the wonderful cake (Megan baking & covering, Anne was one of the rose makers and cake transporter - many other members helped to produce this stunning cake).

You can read more about this wonderful event and Esther's dream here in a Northern advocate newspaper story
You can watch the story on Seven Sharp TV Show here and see the lovely Katie being interviewed and on Maori TV here
If you want to know more about Bronchiectasis you can check out the Northland support group facebook page here 
Photos used with permission - Lisa Reed.

A little glimpse in to the treasure trove of Kiwicakes - our wire selection

Here at Kiwicakes we've over 8000 products in stock, that's a huge number of items. I frequently hear "I didn't know you had these" I wanted to show you today just what an awesome selection of wire we have, everything from thick to thin, paper covered to metallic. You can find it here at Kiwicakes

Tala - brand new nozzles will fit your old equipment!

Did you know brand new Tala icing nozzles purchased today will still fit an icing syringe from the 1920s. Tala has been making baking & decorating products since 1899. Their factory in England still produces many of the items in the way they've always been made. Which is great news if you've a set you're looking to expand or purchase replacements for. - see my short video

Our Operation Sugar challenge

Thanks to Sarah &; Mike & the GoBake team we we were nominated for the "Operation Sugar pie in the face challenge" to fundraise for Operation Sugar Ltd.
And of course we were able to each make a nomination too. I nominated Ashley from Cuppacakes, Karina nominates Lisa Hansen from The Whole Cake & Caboodle and Laura nominates Kim Donker from Cake Tin Love.
Thanks to Ashley from Cuppacakes for making the cupcakes which were smashed in our faces - I could smell cream cheese frosting all day long, right in front of my nose!

New Kiwiana moulds in stock at Kiwicakes

Today I'm thrilled to be sharing with your three new silicone moulds joining the Kiwicakes kiwiana range The Pohutukawa sure to be popular for Christmas as well as weddings.

Both the caravan and the pukeko are kiwi classics.

These have been right manufactured right here in NZ, to our specifications.

Kiwicakes 8th birthday cake winner - Paula Andrew

At the recent cake expo in Auckland. Paula Andrew our winner of the Kiwicakes birthday cake competition delivered her winning cake. The little Trixie Kiwi unfortunately forgot to hop in the car, for the tip down to Auckland from up North. However we think Paula did an amazing job to get it to us at all, with all her wee ones out sick with the flu.

It was great to be able to share our birthday cake with many expo visitors and our friends from other cake stalls around the hall. It sure was a tasty cake (raspberry and lemonade). Everyone commented just how gorgeous it was to eat. We done Paula, we loved our cake!

Kiwicakes Sprinkles in the making

I was recently invited to visit our New Zealand based sprinkle manufacturers factory, I'm not sure what I expected, but a scene reminiscent of Willa Wonka's greeted me. At Kiwicakes I'm proud we have our own brand of sprinkles and sugar pearls produced right here in NZ, which are nut free, gluten free & suitable for vegetarians. Where possible our sprinkles manufacturer opts for natural colourings too.

First of all I had to costume up like a sprinkles maker.

They even make their own icing sugar right here in the factory, starting with good old NZ Chelsea brand sugar. 

They make a heap of each colour at one time (the sugar pearls start off as non pareils and are grown larger, to the size required the more time they spend spinning in the drum)

I wonder how many years it would take me to use this many yellow sprinkles?

Here's how the sprinkles called Jimmies or Hail are made - it's just like a giant mincer. Once the sprinkles are extruded, they are chopped up and enter a low humidity drying room, the temperature and atmosphere is so pleasant in that room, I could have stayed there all day, not just because of the gorgeous smells permeating the room. The sprinkles are dried in there for a few weeks.

What you cannot tell from my photo is that these drums were spinning around and around, quite quickly and noisily. I sure had a blast visiting my sprinkles manufacturer and am proud to be selling Kiwi made merchandise.