We are always looking for new and exciting ways to dress up our cakes. What could be more amazing than adding a little bling?

Rhinestone Mesh was used in the cake below but, really, any sparkly trim you can find at the local craft/sewing store would work I'm sure.

Geraldine used royal icing to attach the bling to the gum paste/fondant. If you are worried about having a non food grade item on your cake or want to give your cake a little bit more stability, you can cut lengths of acetate to the length and width you need. Again, royal icing will hold this to your trim. Or, if you want, a hot glue gun can be used - just don't add to anything that is going to be eaten.

Rhinestone Mesh is also quite handy if you are wanting to make letters.

First bend floral wire into the shape you want leaving a length sticking out the bottom to act as the spike for sticking into your cake or cupcake. Cut a single strand length of the Rhinestone Mesh and, using a hot glue gun, attach it to the wire shape you created. Once dry, it is ready to add to your cake/cupcake.

I am a Crafter from way back and like to try most things. I have to admit I have not tried modelling fondant as yet as it always looked too complicated and overwhelming. However, watching Kelly sculpt this scarecrow in front of us and revealing some of her secrets for cutting down the work was inspiring and energizing. I am all for making things quicker and easier. Who knows, I may just try a few of these tricks.

I think the best ideas were with the sheaf of corn stalks and the scarecrow shown below...

Instead of moulding the sheaf of corn stalks with gum paste she used rice cereal treats (you could also use cake). The main advantage to this is that it takes a lot of the weight out of the project and helps prevent the cake sagging.

When it came to the scarecrow, instead of rolling large balls of gum paste for the body, head and pumpkin, Kelly used gumballs for the centres and wrapped a thin layer of gum paste over them. Again this helps with weight and the drying time, so she can keep creating.

I started my day with a visit to the Registration Desk. The place was filled with the buzz of excitement and anticipation of what was to come in the following day. Here they were very welcoming and happy to spend the time to talk to you and go over everything in your Packet, from I.D. tag to Special Events invites and the all important Goodie Bag. Included in the Packet was a program of events, rules, maps and schedule.

Demo: How to make a Fondant Crown

The Venue

The Convention was held in the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino, which has a very colourful history. It had it's beginnings back in 1978. Built by Metro Goldwyn Mayer of movie fame it is modelled after the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Since then it has had several different owners and undergone numerous renovations and extensions.

The Convention

There were lecture theatres, the Merchant Room and, the piece de resistance, the Grand Cake Pavillion. There were over 100 seminars being held over 5 days. Many of these were already booked out but I was able to attend a few seminars. The last 2 and a half days were spent meeting the Merchants represented at the Convention - all 75+ of them! Many of these Merchants we have dealt with for a number of years so I was looking forward to actually meeting them in person.

All in all, a fabulous experience.