Sunday Sweets: To Be Of Good Cheer
September 11, 2011 "Be of good cheer. Do not think of today's failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles. Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost."
— Helen Keller
;)
We will never forget the events of ten years ago, but we will carry on, and we will carry our hope, and our courage, and our good cheer with us.
I wanted to feature cakes honoring our police, fire, and medical services today, but since we did that not too long ago I don't have enough material for it. So instead, after much deliberation, I've decided to just feature Sweets that will make you happy. Not because we don't honor our heroes, or mourn their loss, but because joy and beauty are their own tribute - and today, I think we can all use a smile.
So, why don't we start by cheering Up?
;)
Cake by Kakes by Katie, photo by Wendy Updegraff
There's something about bunches of colorful balloons that make me think of my childhood and theme parks, popcorn and parades, and warm sunny days. The fact that this was such a sweet movie doesn't hurt, either.
Crisp white tiers with bright zingy colors = instant cheer:
;)
Submitted by Rachel D., made by Hana of A Piece of Cake
I love the lacy swirls and little bows.
Here's one that will *really* take you back to your childhood:
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Taken at the Orlando ICES convention, baker unknown
So adorable, it's hard to believe any of it's edible!
Of course, you don't always need flowers and cute characters to perk up your day:
;)
Sub'd by Rob G., made by Kakes NYC
Mmmm. That's the stuff.
This next one is pure, goofy fun:
;)
Sub'd by Geri S., made by Cake Central member irena11
You might recognize the art; it's been all over the 'net and it's from an artist named bri-chan.
Anyway, the best part is that's not edible paper! The baker used a frozen buttercream transfer, a painstaking and time-consuming technique that requires hand-piping every line and every color. Amazing.
These colors always make me smile:
;)
Sub'd by Rachel G., spotted here, but the baker isn't listed.
I can never get enough orange and teal - never. And those patterns on the cake and board! Gorgeous!
It's amazing how many cakes I find that I want in plush. Here's one more to add to my list:
;)
Made by Casa De Cupcake
Just look at that paisley pattern on the owl - and the little edible ribbons and buttons!
If somehow you haven't melted from the cuteness yet, this one will definitely do you in:
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Sub'd by Paula D., made by The Bunny Baker
I'm melting. Melting, I say!
Here, this should pull us back together:
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Admit it: you laughed.
This is one of my favorite Sweets of all time:
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Those graduated colors are hand-piped icing, which means the baker had to mix up each color individually. And the flowers! Ack! Doesn't it remind you of Mexican embroidery or folk art? Just beautiful.
Ok, just a little more cute:
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Sub'd by Jannie P., from this Dutch cupcake contest, baker unknown
Now I'm going to be singing "Honey Bee" all day.
And finally, the Sweet that made me smile the most and the longest:
;)
Sub'd by Amanda K., made by Bubolinkata
Is that not the most gorgeous thing you've seen today? Look at those little strawberries, and each perfect petal! It's like life and love and cheer, all embodied in one cake (and cupcakes). I love it.
I hope you enjoyed today's Sweets, and that they made you smile. Now, go hug someone you love. Then go hug someone you don't even like*. Because we have to start somewhere, and I think today's just the day to do it.
*Maybe check for pepper spray first.
Reader Comments (98)
Thanks Jen, those cakes made me smile, inside and out.
Awesome cakes. I needed those. Esp the tiny one with Hello Kitty. And the rainbow one. And the last one. And the statue of Liberty one. And... OK, I'm smiling.
I want to order one of each. Esp the Disney Princess one for my next b'day. Even tho I'll be 52. Ack!
What a lovely idea! I don't even like clowns, but the ones on that circus cake are adorable enough to almost make me change my mind. D'aaaw.
Thanks for making me smile, Jen! :)
The first cake with the towers-nice, tastefull and well done. The princess cake, squashed leia cake and donut cake-lolol. The other cakes-awwww
I really enjoyed today's post - beautiful things are perfect for moving past terrible events.
I found the Disney princess artist here: http://bri-chan.deviantart.com/art/smile-for-the-camera-42854459
The princess art was originally done by Brianna Garcia. Here's her DA page:
http://bri-chan.deviantart.com/
Wonderful, wonderful post for today. I was dreading today, but this was the first thing I saw and now I feel way better! I hope more people take your attitude. A quote for the day: "Living well is the best revenge." Thanks for the day-brightener!
Best. Sweets. Evah!
That art from the princess cake is my desktop!
I LOVE Sunday Sweets! The beautiful cakes make me happy.
Wonderful and thank you so much for such a beautiful Sunday sweets!!
gorgeous cakes! love the owl, the flowers, the funny princesses!
meanwhile, if you want something funny, (though completely unrelated to cake) here is a spoof of the Miracle Max scene from The Princess Bride, starring a goofy engineer and his three cats. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idoHtkbC7Wk&feature=related
Jen, this was exactly what I needed to see today. Something sweet and funny and beautiful. Thanks!
I read you every day. I don't often comment, but I had to today. This was the first thing today that has made me smile. Thank you. :)
Thank you for that.
:) Lovely. Hope your day has been full of hugs too!
Loved your theme today - joy is indeed a great tribute.
Good job, Jen. Thank you.
Want. Owl. Cake.!Thanks Jen for making me smile today.
This was perfect. I'm smiling and crying at the same time. I am watching the remembrance on TV - just like I watched the original events on TV 10 years ago - and this was the perfect counterpoint to the sadness of today. There is still beauty and humor and incredible creativity all around us. Creativity wins out every time.
Those were just adorable! And you're right, I DID smile!
You chose well, Jen.
Jen, from watching your Twitter feed, I know this took some time to decide upon, and it is absolutely perfectly chosen and perfectly written!! I agree with the sentiment that we need smiles to continue healing from what occurred.
Great cakes today, and I like your introduction and conclusion very much.
I also like the way the Dunkin Donuts cake-maker put the warning on the coffee cup.
Thank you for this gentle and sweet post. Needed. If you haven't bumped in to this blog http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/ you may want to. Besides great DYI, tutorials, and free graphics and fonts, she too is in the fan club of "orange and teal rocks!"
Hey Jen, thanks for the post today. Today is my birthday and it's great to see something that doesn't make me cry. Yes, I celebrate on this day because it is my birthday, but I celebrate it in honor of all the people who cannot celebrate theirs.
I know this post is for the anniversary of 9/11, but I lost my 3-year-old in a tragic accident last month and I felt like this post was just for me. Thanks Jen, it was a beautiful reminder of all the wonderful things in this world...in the form of cake :)
I've never written a comment on your blog but I have to say thank you. There are so many tears surrounding this day I needed a reminder that there was beauty and good in this world.
One of my favorite Sunday Sweets! Some of the most beautiful and awesome cakes yet. I've had the Up cake sitting in my pictures for a while. For some reason I thought you already posted it.
The cake with the rainbow dots reminds me of the candy dots on paper. I LOVE those things, so thank you for showing me a cake that made me think of them!
This post is perfect and beautiful and made me smile. Thanks.
Good call for today. Excellent. Thank you.
Stunning cakes! And that little bee cupcake is amazing! SO many fab cake artists out there!
Nicely done; thank you. Now I'm off to hug strangers, and I've got salt spray, which I think will off-set any pepper spray....and if not, I'll be a well-seasoned hugger.....
I have never posted before, either, but I really enjoy this site - and have to agree with everyone else: you nailed it. Thank you for putting something so sweet and beautiful together to help us all feel happy and hopeful, I think we all really need that, especially now. I'm on the brink of being jobless again, and the landlord is doubling my rent in a few months, so, I agree that positive thinking and working together are the only things that will get us all through these dark days. Thanks for setting such a great example for the rest of us.
I've been on the verge of tears since I woke up this morning.
This post is perfect.
Thank you.
Thank you.
The original of the princess cake is here on dA http://bri-chan.deviantart.com/art/smile-for-the-camera-42854459?q=&qo= by bri-chan. ^_^ (hope that link works- I'm mobile & they don't always work) also I love your site!
Group hug!! (can I kiss the monkey?)
Mission accomplished: I teared up, smiled, laughed and smiled again. But especially laughed- Jabba in this post? that was a mind bender
:D
The Princess cake made me laugh out loud. And the "rainbow" cake, and the New York one, and the owl---incredible. The flower garden cake is especially amazing. Thank you so much for your message and posting such wonderful photos today!
Posting these AMAZING cakes today was a great decision...made me smile on a day when a smile is needed! Also, thanks for the link to the Steam Powered Giraffe song. ^^ That *really* made me smile.
Thanks, Jen!
Thank you. I needed a post that didn't make me cry. It isn't often that someone can make me remember the day with a smile. This was a good call.
The Disney princesses artwork is nice, but I don't like that the artist left Tinkerbell out. Sure she's not a princess, but neither is Alice! It's so unfair.
http://s3-ak.buzzfed.com/static/imagebuzz/web02/2010/2/4/21/disney-girls-lookinggoofy-27982-1265335937-38.jpg
Well done Jen, well done..
Thank you for a truly inspiring post, not to mention showing me the first ever Disney Princess cake that I would ever consider purchasing (*is a geek of many fandoms, but Disney ain't one of them*)! I think that you struck just the right chord for today, and one which I think those who were lost would appreciate. I also loved Momcat's quote for the day: "living well is the best revenge" - hear, hear!
@Tricia: *big hug*
Terrific post and beautiful commentary. Thank You.
http://www.facebook.com/NightowlcreationsNZ - you want a plush owl like that? This lady can do!
Eat more cake or the terrorists will win.
I love that owl! I'd buy it in a plush.
I don't often read through the other comments before I post, but today I did. @Tricia, I'm so sorry, and I said a prayer for you just now. I'm glad Jen brought you a smile today.
Fabulous cakes!..I just love the last one!..