The Fun Stuff

We’ve been getting to do some fun stuff around here lately, with weddings and birthday and special events happening every weekend through the summer. A couple of weekends ago James and Hidalit were married in their own backyard and we put together a cupcake stand for them that looks the way summer should taste.

pretty in pink, and green

I forgot to bring scissors when we set this one up, and I needed to cut the flower stems, so I had to borrow a pair. Someone gave me Hidalit’s sewing scissors, and I was having a minor freakout about using fabric sissors on something other than fabric. I’ve spent so much time yelling “You’d better not be using my fabric scissors on that!” that I could barely stand to use them on the flowers.

A week before that, we did a setup for an event to raise money for the In Defense of Animals Elephant Campaign. Take a minute and read about what you can do to help elephants, who were never meant to be in circuses and living in zoos. I’ve been doing some reading recently on elephants and whales, and how scientists think they communicate using infrasound- low booming frequencies than can be heard from long distances, but are outside human aural perception- and it is amazing me how much we just don’t undertand about how animals think and feel and communicate.

stop staring at me

I told the woman organizing the event that I would make elephant themed cupcakes, but I don’t think she expected an army…

what do you get when you mix and elephant and a rhinoceros? eleph i no!

I set them all up on a stand with a jungle decorated cake topper, but that photo is on my other camera – I’ll post it soon. Back to work now, more weddings this weekend, and coffee to brew!

-Lisa

These are a few of my favorite things

Before I learned the beauty of baking, I loved only photography. And while decorating cakes is probably my favorite thing to do on earth, I still pack the camera into my bag every morning to capture life at Sweetpea. I just wanted to share with the world my FAVORITE baked goods moments. Here they are. (Maybe later I’ll share my favorite employee moments…)

First off, this wedding cake we did last year is definitely my favorite one. Fondant birds and Mod deco dots. It was lots of fun.

So mod.

Next we have some run of the mill Mint Chip cupcakes. This picture just seems uncommonly appealing though, which must ring true for others as well seeing as it is my most viewed photo on Flickr!

This LOST Dharma cake was for the premier party I went to and was a pride and joy for a while.  Don’t you wish this would drop randomly from the sky into your mouth?

We have to go back!

Pride and joy until I made ANOTHER one, which I felt was much better.

Matthew and Dixie were delighted.

Now this is just awesome. (Copied from a button)

You're invited to the No Pants party!

Another proud moment is when I cracked the soy-free, gluten-free, sugar-free vegan muffin code. Kapow! Nothin’ Muffins!

Ain't Nothin'

Perfect doughnut…

shiny!

I love pie so much. This is epic.

oh so very blue

Now I’ve only been baking “professionally” for about 2 and a half years. That’s not a ton of time under my vegan belt purchased from Herbivore. I’m still learning, especially when it comes to crazy cake decorating. But if someone asks nicely, I will usually try my hardest to get them what they want. When asked to make a Tiki themed cake, I was a little scared. But this is what Lisa and I produced, modeled after the invitation to the birthday party it was for. I’m just waiting for Ace of Cakes to come-a-knockin’ now! (Only not at all)

ting tang walla walla bing bang

That’s all for now. Remember you can see tons of photos from life at Sweetpea on our flickr site, flickr.com/sweetpeabakingco

Thanks for watching!

-Katie

FREE TREATS (and hugs)!

That’s right folks. All you need to do is this:
Come into Sweetpea this FRI or SUN night, purchase something to go, put it in your own reusable container and/or cup…. and get a free cupcake, iced tea, or hot drip coffee!!!  Only available during my 2 barista shifts this weeknd.  See details below.

When I decided to cover a couple of barista shifts this weekend, I wanted to do something special. I really wanted to find a way to reward some of my favorite patrons. Though there are a few exceptions, most of my favorite customers have one thing in common: they bring their own reusable containers and cups. And in order to entice the rest of you to do the same, I figured I’d give away free hugs to anyone who utilized one during my shifts.
“Pure Brilliance!” I thought.
Then the voice of reason (Lisa) piped up and reminded me that free treats might help sweeten the pot as well.

GAME DETAILS:

• Offer valid once per person each day (this Friday 7/3 from 1pm to 8pm and then Sunday 7/5 from 2pm to 8pm).
• One free cupcake on FRI. One free iced tea or hot coffee on SUN. Hugs both days (only if you want ‘em… and you have to be brave enough to ask for one!).
• Bags, boxes, to-go cups, etc… will NOT be given with your free treat/drink. That should go without saying.
• You can only redeem your free treats/hugs when I’m working, so don’t harass the morning folks.
• Your hand does not count as a reusable to-go container. Though I totally respect that method of transportation, this event is aimed to get folks to find a container / cup, take it with them to Sweetpea, use it, and realize that it’s not a big hassle. Rinse. Repeat.
• Minumum purchase to get the free-bee:  anything.  Sure it could be a 75 cent peanut butter cookie, but come on… do you really need a container for that? Plus, I’ve seen the way you’ve been looking at those Caramel Nut Bars
• Though hugs are unlimited, please don’t torture me with weak and/or awkward ones. Give me the good ole Brian Wilson hugs! Feel free to request mid-air hugs, follow up high fives, etc… Of course, this is all dependent upon if anyone else is waiting behind you in line.
• Bonus points: If (in addition to bringing your own reusable container) you live a vegan lifestyle AND arrive on bike, let me know and I’ll announce to the cafe/bakery: “I love [your name here]!” really loud.
• There will be one brief reminder via Sweetpea’s twitter at the beginning of each of my shifts.

Once again: Thank you so much to all of you gorgeous, charming, and talented customers who can proudly say, “No, I don’t need a bag/box/cup.”

-Ben

Edit: If you put $2 or more in the Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary jar on these days, I’ll give you a hug. But only if you’re clean, so shower that day, ok?. – lisa