On 1st December 2010 my very special friend, Katie was 40 years old. A magical masquerade ball was planned at Shottle Hall. Unfortunately due to the massive amount of snow we had in early December the party was postponed.
Boo!
Not to worry though as it was rescheduled to January and even more people could make it.
Yay!
Katie and Adam asked me to make some cupcakes for the party, so I have spent quite a while trialling quantities, practising my piping and colours and gathering sprinkles and sparkles.
Even to the extent that my outfit and my nail varnish matched the lilac cream cheese buttercream frosting that Katie had requested*
* This is not true. It was just one of those freaky midnight blue and lilac based coincidences.
Here we are all masked up and ready to party.
It was a really lovely evening in a perfect location and a chance to catch up with lots of old and new friends. Adam had arranged a string quartet and Katie directed a Venetian style formal dance to entertain us.
I was nervous about just getting my cakey offering right, so I asked Wendy from Quirky Cookies to make a cake to top the cupcake tower.
I’m so glad I did as this starry starry cake was just fab as Wendy matched it to my cupcakes, and kindly loaned me a cupcake stand too. The topper made a nice gift for Kate to take home at the end of the night.
Because if I know one thing about Katie is that she likes purpley blue starry things.
…and cake.
Also, true to Katie’s generous nature she forewent presents and asked for donations to the NSPCC instead.
Here are a few of the photos we managed to grab between glasses of champagne, canapés and silly dancing.
Happy Birthday Katie. We all hope that you had a fantastic time on your slightly belated but well deserved very special day.
CultureChoc2010
January 17, 2011
Pretty!
Miss Anthropist
January 17, 2011
Those cupcakes look absolutely beautiful!
victoria patterson
January 17, 2011
The cakes look amazing Claire – and if I look half as gorgeous as you and Katie when I turn forty I’ll be happy! Belated birthday wishes to both of you…… x
Carine
January 18, 2011
They look so pretty!!!!
Stefania
January 18, 2011
Bellissimi dolci e delizioso post,ciao
purelyfood
January 18, 2011
Beautiful cupcakes, a very lucky friend.
Medifast Coupons
January 19, 2011
These cupcakes are hot! The compliment the theme of the party so well, such a great idea. Wonderful designs and the photo’s are classic! A definte “horay!”
Ann@A Cook's View
January 19, 2011
Amazing. Love the designs. What a special celebration.
thingswemake
January 19, 2011
Thanks for the comments everyone!
Deborah
January 19, 2011
I just love getting your posst by E-Mail and I’ve noted such in my latest posting.
I think e3veryone should do the email posting notices.
While I don’t do a lt of baking or cooking for that matter … I sure enjoy seeing what
you make and things you do.
I’m here!
Alan Oliveira
January 21, 2011
Hello how are you? My name is Alan, I live in Brazil, I have a WordPress blog that has this same issue, but I can not make images of the posts appear. How you managed to get pictures on your home in the WordPress blog?
thingswemake
January 21, 2011
Hi Alan, I think what you are trying to do is add ‘featured images.’ Here is what you need to do: when you are editing the post click on the ‘add picture’ button, then ‘choose file’ and upload your chosen picture. When it has uploaded scroll down the page an click on ‘use as featured image’. That’s it! You can use pictures that are already in your image library or post also, instead of uploading a new one, but you can’t use ‘from URL’.
Hope that helps.
Claire
Alan Oliveira
January 21, 2011
Claire thank you much for your time, your tip was perfect and now I can go back to work on my blog, a big hug: D
Sarah, Maison Cupcake
January 23, 2011
Fantastic cake and pictures! And wonderful to have such a fun party to cheer you up in the new year. I think you could start a new trend selling nail varnishes alongside cupcakes?!
Everything but the kitchen sink
March 24, 2011
Those cupcakes are gorgeous, how did you get the frosting so lovely-looking and perfect?! Lots of hard work I’m sure. Recently discovered your blog and loving it! xx
Yasmin
April 26, 2011
The color of your frosting is simply gorgeous; I love that it’s slightly shimmery. You’ve also just inspired me to have a Venetian themed party for my next birthday 😉
Lovely photos and blog!