Eat cake

    I have just returned from a three day workshop on Sculptural Cake Decorating. It was relaxing, tiring and wonderful all at the same time. The weekend came to an end with ten exhausted women carrying ten beautiful (and completely different) works of art to their cars. Hugs were shared, and some of us promised to keep in touch. Unfortunately for us, the structure of our cakes were made from styrofoam; not the lovely, buttery confection we had imagined, eating it for weeks afterwards until we finally exploded from too much sugary goodness....
    We bonded over fake cake.


    However, now that I have it home, sitting on the table, in my living room, I no longer want to eat it; I want it to live forever in my house; I will never get tired of it, no matter how dusty and faded it gets. It's a reminder of a pocket in time when I lost sight of who I was supposed to be, I immersed myself into whatever decided to dwell inside my head. For three days I didn't care about the outside world, or if anyone approved of what I was doing.

    What made it all so special, for me, was how the center had managed to combine the artistic lifestyle with the classes that they held there. Where we stayed was quite basic; the house was over a hundred and fifty years old, the amenities were minimal, the atmosphere one of simplicity and comfort. We had no choice but to forget the outside world. We were in a very rural area with no televisions, no radio, definitely no internet service and very sporadic cell phone coverage. Everyone at the center was there to study or learn a craft, so the focus was on their art (not the latest debate on Government Healthcare). We had no choice but to be absorbed into our surroundings.

    When we first arrived we were given hours of instruction on the art of fondant cakes, and how to decorate them. Then came time to start sketching our designs. I admit I was a little intimidated to have to design and present a cake (albeit styrofoam) to a woman who has singlehandedly taken the dessert world by storm (the delightful and tremendously talented Collette Peters). Fortunately, she made it very easy for us to like her, and I began to sketch my ideas out onto my notepad. I knew almost immediately the pattern and colors that I wanted to use. After she had consulted with each of us we were given the arduous task of carving the cakes out of styrofoam forms. It sounds easy, but honestly, I think it took me about three hours to get the measurements and the shapes right. At the end of day one I had three sawn off pyramids, all of graduating sizes. The following morning the fun part began, we started coloring and shaping the fondant to cover our "cakes".

    During the next two days I want to believe that the cake became a reflection of me and my ideas. It is a colorful cake that has symmetry and whimsy, but it is also woefully imperfect. It may be an act of self-preservation, but I firmly believe that beauty and character lie within our imperfections.

    As my cake evolved I needed to change a few things. The bottom layer was supposed to be purple but as I mixed the purple food coloring into the white fondant it started to turn blue. I added more and more purple and it just became more and more blue. Collette asked me why I had that puzzled expression on my face (my daughter lovingly calls this my twisty face) and I explained about the color problem. She said that for some reason the purple reacts with that brand of fondant and turns it blue. Adding red only muddied the color, so I had to change direction and redo all of my color schemes throughout the cake. I was happy that I was able to adapt so easily. The more philosophical part of my reminded me that this was perhaps just another teachable moment that can only happen when mistakes are made (but, let's not get too carried away, it was afterall, just a styrofoam cake, not the Mona Lisa).

    Last night, after I returned home, I thought of some of the other women who were in the workshop. An architect who spent some time the week before planning her cake; she assembled it beautifully, so quickly and perfectly, with no gaps or structural issues. A young woman did an amazing cake that was a stack of classic horror stories. The top of the cake had a bloodied hand creeping out from the top. Alternately, she also did the sweetest, tiny cake that looked like it had just fallen out of a fairytale. And my dear friend, Debbie, who did a topsy turvy cake that was a glamorous study of pinks and purples with silver pearls in between.

    Does this mean that given the freedom to do whatever we want, we begin to embrace who we really are inside? I think it does. All of these women were creative, and yet the cakes could not have been more varied. As we got to know them I could see why they did what they did and the relevance that the cake may have had in their lives.

    These women had an opportunity to design whatever they wanted; in an environment with all of the tools that they could possibly need, with a teacher of world-class renown. When given all of these things most of us chose to demonstrate who we were in a very tangible way. All of them beautiful, but all of them different.

    I think we should enjoy what makes us different. What makes us think or cry or giggle. Take the time to find out what these things are and make them a part of your life. Source URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/08/
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Memory Makers Magazine

Bank Holiday Weddings

    The August bank holiday weekend usually results in a fairly wet United Kingdom but fortunately both of my weddings this weekend escaped any rain. Saturday's wedding was between Victoria and Elliot and held at The Old Library in Dulwich College with a reception held at the Cinnamon Club in Westminster. The lovely couple and their guests enjoyed the beautiful surroundings of the college before making their way to Westminster on a London tour bus, taking in the embankment on the way. Here's a shot of Victoria and her bridesmaids shoes.
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    Then on Sunday I was at Loseley Park to capture the wedding celebrations of Gabrielle and James. Loseley's famous gardens were in full bloom which helped create some beautiful pictures of the loveley couple and their guests. Then it was over to the Tithe Barn for the wedding breakfast, speeches and a late night party. I'm always looking for interesting places to put the wedding rings and could not resist this one.
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    Both wedding stories will follow on shortly.Source URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/08/
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* Welcome!

    Ciao everyone.!
    U re now looking at ladeeda-in-action.blogspot.com. The private website just for us! In this website, u will see many beautiful fashion stuffs designed by Jane!

    This blog u r now viewing is still empty n dull but promise u the next time u view, it wil b colorful n full

    C ya next time people!!


    LA dee da!!

    MembersSource URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/08/
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3rd Day in Ipoh

    Woke up 630am
    cz need to fetch my dear go for quick bfast
    then he will be bck to BW d
    so miss..
    cz few days bck he oso busy
    less time together...
    T.T

    Then go Foh San to grab seats
    but
    who knows..
    damn many ppl til no car park
    then change place to eat curry mee

    Back home was js 9am
    Oww...so sleepy *yawn*
    but gotta go out JJ bring grandparents shop
    erm, i js window shop
    cz walk with so many ppl couldn't buy thgs i want
    so told mom tmr cm again to use my Bday voucher of PADINI
    hehe..

    So damn bad luck
    come bck Ipoh
    my hundred ringgit over bag was spoilt
    Vincci shoe spoilt oso
    wana repair
    but no time and reasons to go
    sigh! Pathetic-nye

    But 2dy Baskin Robbin got 31% start fr ytd
    for 3 days...woohoo!
    so happy cz 1st time buy BR which gt discount
    bought PINT size with 2 flavors
    Maui Madness and Choc Chip
    and i eat till so "zai" d
    share with mom
    but still feel kinda full

    ltr on went to buy famous
    Kaya puff and salted chic
    lucky ordered the kaya puff ytd
    or else sure cant buy much
    holiday is really holiday
    all out station ppl
    cm n eat n buy
    where we need to reserve or book advance
    or else its a NO NO

    Head for lunch at Poly Luck Rest.
    then bck Taiping
    act is fetch mom's parents back
    then 3am bck Ipoh immediately
    Tired..nap nap..
    til 630pm..oh shit!
    over slept..

    cz suppose go Korean BBQ with mom
    but we din book..so it was full house
    then no choice
    go Ipoh Garden East for steamboat at SKY Corner
    rm29.80 (nt include tax/service charge)
    It's a NO LIMIT foods and drinks
    Sushi, handrolls, ice cream, sea food
    pop corn, desserts, teppanyaki
    and special soup for steamboat
    Wow..marvelous..!

    Due to we want teppanyaki
    so we sit outside where its an open air
    ordered Miso Soup
    would like to try Kimchi soup nextime
    its kinda difer fr other steamboat rest.
    where they use difer kind of soup
    eat till my yface oily oily and hair was smelly
    cz the teppanyaki lo...
    aiks..

    so damn full..sit there for almost 2hrs only chao..
    me and mom eat..
    2 person around rm66 smthg..
    it's nt bad, but i din tk seafood
    cn order certain type of sushi
    but can't eat much of that cz will very full
    soup was nice..
    erm, overall i thk its better than MP

    Happy cz they have Yam ice cream..
    my fav..hehe..
    alt very full, stil i tk 2 scoops of it..woohoo!
    9smthg..bck hm..
    tired whole day..but gotta do my own thgs too..

    p/s: Pics to be uploaded when bck Kampar

    Source URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/08/
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Second day at hometown

    Oops..late post..--> 29/08/09

    Woke up early morning
    fetched grandparents for breakfast
    then bck home do house chores

    Tired but din sleep at all
    late noon thought of going for hair cut
    who knows heavy rain
    but we alr reached G.Rapat
    but the "STYLE" saloon rec by Yvonne was so many ppl
    and i can't wait cz need to rush for another appointment
    then bck hm bath and prepare for dinner with family

    went MP Steamboat
    js eat ngam ngam full..not much
    then quickly go to church to watch dear's performance
    when reach Bercham
    i jz go along what Ah Zhen told me
    but din even see a church
    wondering where is that place
    called dear but no answer
    bet he is performing
    and im late for it

    Then round n round..
    till i go bck the same place again
    only realise actually its nt a church
    js a shoplot where those Christian followers
    rent it for functions
    OMG...
    find so long only manage to find it
    thx to Saki & Angie for stading outside
    only i knew it was there
    js near my Yellowie service center
    swt..=.=

    Then, walked in and saw dear n his crew
    they nt yet start
    due to the people keep singing n again
    1st time step in to such place
    get to knw their ceremony and abt Jesus or Christian stuff

    Kind of scary when see them convert to Christian
    and fell on the floor
    accor to Angie, its a ceremony
    where they wil lie down on flr immediately
    after the priest "bla bla" smthg to them
    to get spirit fr GOD
    Amen..

    later on, around 9 smthg they only perform
    Cross V-victoria..
    haha..their dance crew name

    Sorry Sorry by Super Junior
    n i help to record it
    but too ark plus lighting system over there
    hardly capture four of them
    Then, Call Me..this dance was good
    and people thr oso say good
    haha..anyway
    they did a great job
    after practiced for months
    Poor guys
    haven take their dinner
    girls and guys keep saying they are hungry
    later on, tk some pics and chat with the people over there
    only go to Foh Sing hawker stall
    for dinner / supper la

    Found out that people of Christian quite friendly
    but its a bit scary that they keep asking u to join in
    ahem...im loyal to my own religion
    always do..

    after supper, chat awhile
    then they are tired
    went bck home
    Dear stayed over nite at my house
    cz next morning early bus bck hometown
    to celebrate his mother's bday/retirement

    T.T
    They are going to TAO..
    wuwu..


    Source URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/08/
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Hamid & Hamida :: Family Session

    Lots of bribing too place during this session. The exchange of choice was jelly beans. Who doesn't LOVE jelly beans, right? Deal went like this, you hand over the beans, we MIGHT just look at the camera here or there. Hand over more beans and we might even smile. This is truer then you think. :)

    Wonderful family shoot from a few weeks ago. The kids were SO CUTE! Could have passed for one of my nieces or nephews. :) H&H, you have beautiful children. Hope you love what we created as much as I enjoyed creating it.

    ATTENTION!
    Christmas is soon approaching and my calender for Family pics is filling FAST. I'm currently completely booked for all of Sept & Oct. If you've had it in mind to have a session for holiday cards I email book me:) I have about 5 sessions left.

    samhassas@gmail.com

    Thanks for the look my friends.

    ~Sam
    What a handsome family!
    THIS!



    I love this.

    I have a hole in my stomach...


    Those eyes. awwwwww.

    Source URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/08/
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Yay! Back to hometown

    It's Friday! im back to hometown..damn traffic jam...hate it! sit in the car so long make me puke!
    Evening only get bck home, bathed..then read some magazines and newsletter of mine, since i so long din cm hm..get thgs settled down.
    Heard fr mom that Ray is coming bck, probably reach at night time. So, i decided to go for window shop since i gt total 80% fr Padini cz its my bday month..wee! SHOP SHOP SHOP!!

    Reached JJ 7 smthg, js walked in two tenant shops...walked out fr MNG..saw sm1 and it was so familiar, its them! Clee and Huey San, they were still in Ipoh, thought they went bck to Kampar d. Then only realise they purposely drag n waste time in Ipoh, wanted to go bck Kampar sharp at 12am which is Kah Yin big day!
    So, i decided to join them and chat chat, nt even shop for 30mins, Ray msg me and gotta fetch him, Then head back to JJ, meet up with them go for dinner. I suggested them to eat Glass Noodle Crab which is nearby my house. Since, some can't eat seafood, some dun take spice..so, go for normal dinner, which is "zhu cha"...

    RM128...ding ding...quite ok la..10 of us...and eat til full full..then , head to pasar malam cz they want to try "chou toufu" . Unfortunately, started rain and pasar malam closed when we reached. So they started to drive bck to Kampar, while Mr.Khor's trick is more than enough. Called up bday gal saying he is alr in Ipoh due to tmr's performance. And evyone act so real that nothing happen. (actually bebe is playing 3 person role..ah Zhen, Benny & Mun Hon.) haha..geng leh...

    I waited ray to fetch me in pasar malam area..kinda scary la..alone standing there in the dark..with those indians there..lucky he manage to come and fetch me asap...back home tk shower and rest..checked mail and found out that hell lots of internship docs again..swt =.=

    So damn farn! hmm..wondering what is bebe's plan for this assistant class rep..really wana see her reaction..hehe...HAPPY 21st BDAY to dear KAH YIN...! God bless...

    p/s: Feels like days din c u...miss..^^Source URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/08/
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Parts 2 & 3

    It took me 15 minutes just to color the birdie
    so I divided the video in two parts.
    Next video will show the detailing of the feathers with acrylic ink.
    More information on the materials I used to make this can be found here.
    Source URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/08/
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Cathy & Nate :: Wedding


    The cop and the nurse! Emotions were on high at this one. Lots of tears. Lots of laughs. Loads of fun. Thanks for letting me be a part guys. You'll remember these cool cats from their engagement session a while back. Get this, they went to Australia for about a month for the honeymoon. They tried to bring me back a kangaroo but customs stopped em. Stinks.

    The were married at St. Anne's Catholic Church in San Francisco. WHAT A GORGEOUS PLACE!
    The architecture is breathtaking. Reception was at The Crown Plaza in Foster City.

    Big ups to my buddy Sergio for coming down from Seattle to come help us out. Talented young guy, steady holdin it down in his part of the world. Him and the Quan Bomb both came out. These guys didn't even know what hit em. :)

    Thanks for the look see everyone. Congratulations to the bride and groom once again.

    ~Sam
    Shot of the groom was taken by Sergio. :)






    The emotion....

    Is this place crazy or what?!



    Really fun group here.
    I LOVE this shot of you Cathy.

    Handcuffs....he's a cop....marriage...linked....get it?
    The dragon KICKED the lettuce head. I love their reaction here.



    Best money Dance shot you'll ever see in your life.
    Hot.
    Source URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/08/
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Shella & Matt wed in Sparsholt nr Winchester

    A glorious summer's day was a most welcome guest at this very personal and beautiful wedding. Shella and Matt were married in Sparsholt Church and held their reception in a farmers field nearby. A large marquee had been set up, welly wanging, coconut shy's and casino's entertained the guests, most of whom then camped out overnight in the field, including the bride and groom in a tent bridal suite. Yes a tent bridal suite!

    Shella's fabulous red wedding dress
    Photobucket
    The bridal bouquet
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    Reminded me of the James Bond cat this one
    Photobucket
    Shella slides into her dress
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    Bridesmaid and sister looks on
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    Shella's arrival at the church
    Photobucket
    The ring goes on
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    The beautiful flowergirl
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    A nice view of the church after the service
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    The happy couple
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    Shella's red dress made her bridal portraits really stand out
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    Off to the reception now
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    The aforementioned Bridal Suite
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    The cake was a replica of the marquee, a nice touch
    Photobucket
    The unusual reception venue
    Photobucket
    The boys do a rat pack
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    Some welly wanging
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    The speeches get underway
    Photobucket
    Time to lose some money
    Photobucket
    The groom and best man go and prepare for the first dance (all will be explained)
    Photobucket
    A field in the sun, what else should you do
    Photobucket
    Shella awaits the first dance
    Photobucket
    After a bucks fizz routine the boys trousers were ripped off to great applause, a very unusal but in keeping with the day very fitting first dance.
    PhotobucketSource URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/08/
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