Laura's 15th Birthday Party Cake & Decorations -- Candy Theme!

Friday night (July 27th) was my daughter's 15th birthday sleepover party.  In my Hispanic culture, a girl's 15th birthday is very important.  Typically, girls will celebrate by having a Quinceanera which is really just a huge party.  Laura may of liked a huge party like a Quinceanera, but that was just not going to happen.  But, what I could do is make her birthday cake extra special.  I know, it does not compare to a Quinceanera,  but that is the best we can do.

The story about her cake started on her Laura's birthday, July 21st.  I posted on her Facebook page a birthday greeting.  While I was posting it I decided to add a photo of a candy theme cake from a Pinterest board on her Facebook page.  Laura loved the photo so much she told me, on Facebook, that she wanted THAT cake.

I can decorate cakes but this cake was HUGE!  I told her I would try and it would not be exactly the same but I could do something similar.  While we were shopping for supplies, Laura found that exact cake on the cover of Wilton's 2012 Cake Decorating yearbook.  She was so happy because she figured now that I had instructions I could make her that cake.  Even with instructions I told her it would only be two layers, not three.  Once she agreed on the changes we got to work.  Here is the cake from Pinterest.

Here is my version....Laura's 15th Birthday Cake:

The birthday cakes I decorate for my kids birthdays are truly a labor of love.  I don't decorate cakes often enough so it's a slow process for me.  This is the biggest cake I have ever baked and decorated.  The bottom layer (Lilac) is an 18 inch round.  The cake pan is a half circle because if it were a full 18 inch circle, it probably would not fit in my oven!  Thank goodness I found a local store that stocks just about everything a cake decorator would want.  I got great advise and many supplies at Cake Crafts.  Two days were spend creating the decorative elements, baking and decorating this cake for Laura...but, it was worth it.  Laura loved her cake and in the end, that's what this was all about.

Since her birthday theme was Candy this year, I had fun creating a candy shop type of display for the party.  Laura created a cupcake liner garland and did most of the work on the ice cream cone decorations.  Twinkling white lights and paper lanterns decorated the patio.  Laura's friends had a great time just hanging out, watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics, eating candy and watching movies into the early morning.

Sometimes I wonder where the time has gone.  Really, it feels like it was just yesterday when I held Laura in my arms and she was just a baby.  Now, she is talking about taking Driver's Ed course because just like a typical teenager she has her sights on driving....I am not ready!  Will I ever be ready for all these changes that come too quickly?

15 Lollipops created from fondant...

Candy dots, ice cream cones, cupcakes...Laura's favorite colors are tiffany blue (teal) and purple.

Laura's crafty work

Laura cut the paper cones, selected the fabric, cut the fabric circles.  All I did was sew the ruffle and hot glued it on. 

Candy display was just fun to create

love the colors ...candy just makes people happy!

Cupcake paper garland - Laura's work.  I created a candy garland using a pendant shape clear bag.

The party guest got to take all the candy they wanted home

Firehouse Quilt Show in Castle Rock, CO

The Firehouse Quilt Show  was a 2 day show in Castle Rock.  It was on Friday and Saturday, July 20 & 21.  On the 21st, was my daughter's Laura 15th Birthday.  She has been a great help at all these shows. Before I applied to this show, I talked to Laura about it and asked her if her birthday party could be delayed to the following weekend.  She encouraged me to apply and told me not to worry...her birthday party could be delayed.

  This show was a little different because we got to setup on Thursday, which was really nice since setup was much more leisurely and it was indoors!  After we setup, the kids and I went to the Castle Rock outlet mall...we enjoyed a nice lunch and then went shopping for Laura's birthday gifts.  Friday, Alex joined us for the first time at the show.  Thankfully, between his Nintendo DS and our laptop, he was entertained during the show.  Alex had a mini Star Wars and Harry Potter marathon. 

 On Saturday, Laura and I got to spend her birthday together at the show.  We had a good time together.  I love having her with me.  She is a really hard worker and I appreciate how supportive she has been.  After the show, I surprised her by taking her to her favorite cupcake shop and got cupcakes for her and the family.  We all celebrated her 15th birthday by going out to dinner.  

Here are some pictures from the Firehouse Quilt Show:

 

Vintage Linen Birds

Love my new business cards

Felted Wool Rings - Flowers and Butterflies

One half of my booth. 

Summer Horseshoe Market

I can't believe it's already Thursday...actually, it's very early on Friday!  I have neglected to post pictures from my booth this past Saturday at the Summer Horseshoe Market.  It was a very HOT day but no winds so I rather the heat than high winds any day.  I thought when we left Austin, TX just over a week ago we would return home to cooler summer weather but that has not been the case.  It's as if the Texas heat followed us.  Anyway, despite the hot day, Laura and I had fun mother daughter day at the show.  Met lots of sweet people, customers and vendors.

I think I finally put my anxiety over setting up the canopy  behind me.   We managed to put the canopy up ourselves.  At the end of the show, Laura and I celebrated packing up and loading the car in less than 1 hour...55 minutes to be exact.  This is a record for us.

I will try to post pictures of our next show which starts Today...Friday, July 20th.  Here is some info:

2012

Firehouse Quilts

7th Annual Quilt Show

July 20 & 21, 2012

(10a-5p daily)

at

NEW LOCATION

Events Center

at Douglas County Fairgrounds

500 Fairgrounds Road in Castle Rock, CO 80104

MAP

  

Isa Creations booth at Summer Horseshoe Market

Business Cards Upside down!  Laura corrected my error...

Home Sweet Home!

It's been a very long 4 weeks but thankfully, we are all back home!  We returned from Austin TX on Monday night.   I am exhausted and honestly, somewhat overwhelmed but also very happy to be back home.

Now, I need to focus (easier said then done) and get ready for this Saturday's Summer Horseshoe Market. Thankfully, I organized my inventory before we left for Austin.  Only one thing is causing me some anxiety...the white canopy tent!  Laura and I had trouble setting it up on our own at Sweet William Market back in May (other neighbor vendors helped us out).    I have to believe we can do it on our own this coming Saturday.