FAREWELL 2012 ... HELLO 2013 !!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!   2012 was a phenominal year full of challenges and accomplishments.  I could have sworn I did more (I was so busy), but according to my schedule I ended the year with 53 wedding cakes, 23 groom cakes, and a bunch of "other" cakes in between.  I'm looking forward to what 2013 has to offer. 

THANK YOU to my past, current and future clients ..... I look forward to playing an important role in whatever special event you are planning (weddings/birthdays/babies, etc). 

THANK YOU to the many vendors who I have worked with in the past and will work with in the future.  I consider it an honor to be considered part of the team who make our customer's dreams come true. 

THANK YOU to the many venues who have opened their door to allow me to showcase my talent.

2013 Trends:  Texture, texture, texture ... my goodness just wait until you see what my 2013 brides have planned.    In as much as texture is important .... simple elegance is also. 
 
The 2013 Wedding season will begin in February for me.   As of today, I have 20 weddings already scheduled for 2013 .. and one 2014 client already.  The month of May will prove once again to be the busiest. 

The cover of my annual portfolio is saved for my first wedding cake of the year ... and I'm thrilled to announce that as of right now the Pierce-Rokicki Wedding (2/9/13) will grace the cover of my 2013 portfolio !!!

Blog Updates:  I've been horrible at updating the blog .... I'm so sorry .. I've created so many wonderful designs and it's a shame you can't see them.  One of my new year resolutions is to create and publish one blog post per day until I'm up to date.  So stay tuned.   Until the blog is updated however, please feel free to find and 'like' Eileen Carter Creations on Facebook.  There you will see what I've been up to. 

Let me introduce you to the people who make up Eileen Carter Creations:

Eileen (aka The Cake Lady) - my Cake Lady nickname was given to me by past clients .. and it has stuck. I've been baking cakes for 25+ years ... I worked for a major corporation for most of those years, able only to create as time permitted. In October 2004 upon returning to work from my honeymoon I received the news that my last day (after 23 years) was December 1st.  I didn't skip a beat and on January 1, 2005, Eileen Carter Creations was launched and I haven't stopped yet. I absolutely LOVE my job.




Clay (The Cake Wrangler) - without his love and support (and brawn) I would not be The Cake Lady. He arrives with a smile and makes all around him smile. He's a hugger ... and often while I'm working on a cake, he can be found giving hugs to his favorite florists, coordinators, and/or photographers.


On behalf of Clay and myself, we wish you a safe and Happy New Year!

WEDDING: Wood-Wimbs, Old Decatur Courthouse, 3/17/12

BRIDE AND GROOM:  Kim Wood and Chris Wimbs
VENUE:  Old Decatur Courthouse









I met with Kim and Chris about a month before their wedding, their cake design was different and chic ... flat finish with twigs and floral ... then about 10 days before the wedding, the design changed to resemble a birch tree with their initials carved within a heart.  Too cute.  They also went from a square cake (serving 100) to a round cake (which served 78 to better fit their expected headcount). 

The Groom was a Tennessee fan but lived here in Georgia, so we incorporated both on a licence plate cake. 

And check out the cute favor that everyone received ... license plate birdhouses ... made by the bride and groom. 



VENDORS: 
Photographer:  requested photo many times, no response.
Music:  not provided
Floral:  not provided
Caterer:  not provided
DOC:  not provided

WEDDING: Cantos-Suarez, Private Residence, 3/16/12

BRIDE and GROOM:  Valeria Cantos and Diego Suarez
VENUE: Private Residence

I was first contacted by Diego (the Groom) mid-February requesting my assistance in creating their wedding cake.  We met a couple of days later, tasted cake, and they were sold.  Back then, I was working out of Miami Circle with friend, Nancy, who happened to be a Chef.  They learned that we (Nancy and I) did a little catering, so ... they came back to taste our products and they were sold again and we ended up not only creating their wedding and groom cakes, but catered their entire event.

It was a long day and night ... but their friends and families are wonderful people .. and the bride and groom ... well, I love them both and can't wait to see them again on their first anniversary. 

VENDORS:
Floral:   a friend
Photo:   a friend
Music:   a friend
Caterer:  Flour Creations
DOC:   none

WEDDING: Amores-Santos, McGarity House, 3/3/12

BRIDE and GROOM: Rachel Amores and Steven Santos
VENUE: The McGarity House in Temple, GA

On Friday, March 2nd, Georgia had horrible weather ... tornadoes and up to 100 mph streamline winds. One of the hardest hit areas was Rockmart which is in the vacinity of Temple, Georgia. I started early Saturday morning calling the venue to make sure that there was no damage and that the wedding was still on .... although I could not get anyone to answer the phone, I figured that if something had changed, Rachel or Steven would have called me. So off we go to Temple, GA. What a pleasant surprise to find this gem in the middle of nowhere .. unscathed by the weather the previous evening ... and absolutely charming. Check out this incredible staircase. Both the grounds and the house are worth checking into if you don't mind traveling an hour west from Atlanta.

Rachel and Steven's cake was 4 tiers (bottom tier was faux), 4 different designs, and offset. Love using a different color on the cake .. and absolutely love their topper.

Congratulations to Rachel and Steven. Much happiness always.


VENDORS:
Floral: Brides mom
Photo: never received
Music: American DJ
Caterer: Big Girls Events and Catering
DOC: Melita with The McGarity House

WEDDING: Clark - Gordon Biersch Brewery - 3/2/12

BRIDE AND GROOM:  Candi and Robert Clark
VENUE:  Gordon Biersch, Midtown

Erica and Ray (of famed 35 Atlanta Photography) hosted an intimate post-wedding reception at Gordon Biersch-Midtown for friends Candi and Robert.   I was so pleased they asked me to provide the cake. The color scheme for the night was blue, white, natural tones ... and beachy. LOVE how the cake turned out.

FUN CAKES: February 2012

February is such a fun month ... and it shows with extra cakes and cookies.

First, let's talk about this adorable baby shower cake. Megan ordered it for a friends baby shower. The baby's room was decorated with blue, green and a hint of pink .. oh and don't forget the little girl turtle. So cute !!!

February = Valentines ..... hugs and kisses were sent everywhere !!! Sugar cookies covered in rolled buttercream ... yummy. These would make a great wedding favor also.






For all of you book worms out there ...... check out these yummy bookmark cookies !! What a great idea for Book Club gatherings.


Jessica was on the planning committee for a friend's bridal shower .... this red, white, and black beauty stole the show !





Nancy made these wedding dress cookies for a bridal shower. The dough is a lemon-rosemary shortbread and they are iced in rolled buttercream. They were so popular, the customer ordered 30 more for the following weekend.

WEDDING: Martin-Abele, Rhodes Hall, 2/18/12

BRIDE and GROOM: Holly Martin and Chris Abele
VENUE: Rhodes Hall

As a vendor, Rhodes Hall is not one of the easiest venues to get in and out of, but as a bride, I can only imagine the expectation of holding your wedding in such an awesome environment ... full of dark wood, stained glass, lots of character.

I was contacted by Holly's planner back in December, we met in January and their wedding was held in February. Holly came in with a design in mind, but left with a totally different plan. She chose one of my favorite designs .. I call it "Stages of Bloom" ... hand drawn stems provide a place for a mix of floral in full bloom, medium, and bud stage. I don't believe this cake would look good with roses, but just about any other flower would work.

Congratulations, Holly and Chris !!!


VENDORS:
Floral: Carla Duncan, On Occasions of Atlanta
Photo: Compliments of Becca S Photography
Music:
Caterer:
DOC: Jennifer Lackey, Storybook Weddings

FUN CAKES: January 2012

In January, everyone is recuperating from the Holidays, so planning events in January is at a minimum. Unless it's a special birthday.

Erin contacted me back in September and got on our schedule for January ... now that's advance planning. It was Reeves' first birthday. All children love to read and love to be read to, so a stack of books was created for her special birthday party.

Happy 1st Birthday, Reeves.

WEDDING: Smith-Roberts, Mason Murer Art Gallery, 1/21/12

BRIDE and GROOM: Juanda Smith and Leighton Roberts
VENUE: Mason Murer Art Gallery

Our second and final delivery of the day ...

We love placing our cakes in art galleries ... after all, what we create is edible art !!! When we arrived at Mason Murer, the joint was jumpin' with vendors getting ready for this big event. Drapes were being hung, place cards were being arranged ....

This 5-tier elegant cake had lots of "glitz" .... Juanda (the bride) provided three brooch's that were attached to thick width pewter colored ribbon ... a glitzy "R" monogram was placed on the top ... and the two other tiers were dotted with silver dragee's (edible beads). So very pretty.

Congratulations, Juanda and Leighton !


VENDORS:
Floral:
Photo: Never received from photographer
Music
Caterer: Affairs to Remember (www.affairs.com)
DOC:

WEDDING: Grapstul-Hipp, The Peachtree Club, 1/21/12

BRIDE and GROOM: Beth Grapstul and Ben Hipp
VENUE: The Peachtree Club



Our first of two deliveries for the day ....

When Beth (the bride) first saw her cake as an image on my camera, she said "Eileen, it's just like my dress ... it's stunning!" and it was. I absolutely can not wait to see the pro pics of this one. Nancy spent two days working on the oh so thin petals that were dusted with a silver shimmer. Beth provided a beautiful brooch that served as the center of the flower.

Now the groom's cake .... totally different !!! Who doesn't like Krispy Kreme donuts and miniature Cannoli's ? It was tough layering the donuts as the powdered donuts were heavier than the glazed weighed more than the glazed .. cake vs. air ... next time I would suggest using only glazed donuts.

Beth and Ben make an adorable couple and I wish them much happiness.


VENDORS:
Floral: Stylish Stems www.stylishstems.com
Photo:  never received from photographer
Caterer: Peachtree Club
Music:

WEDDING: Lewis-Griffin, The Wimbish House, 1/1/12

BRIDE and GROOM: Tracey Lewis and Mark Griffin
VENUE: The Wimbish House

This marks our first wedding of 2012 and the cake will grace the cover of our 2012 portfolio. Thanks to Caycee Callaway (photography) for the quick photo turnaround.

Congratulations to Tracey and Mark who started the year off with their wedding (1/1/12) at The Wimbish House. Tracey looked beautiful. I got a chance to hug her before she went down the stairs to Mark, told her to breathe and to have fun.

This 4-tier beauty was bordered in a pewter ribbon that matched the bridesmaid dress with a bright gold ribbon centered. Two small cascades of white roses, hydrangea, lambs ear, and dusty miller finished the cake beautifully.

FLAVOR/FILLING COMBINATIONS:
6" - Vanilla cake filled w/ Strawberry Cream Cheese
8" - Vanilla cake filled w/ Grand Marnier Buttercream
10" - Vanilla cake filled w/ Amaretto Buttercream
12" - FAUX

VENDORS:
Floral: Stylish Stems www.stylishstems.com
Photo: Caycee Callaway info@caycecallaway.com
Caterer:
Music:
DOC: Gail Johnson Weddings and Events www.gailjohnsonweddings.com

ABOUT US !!!

Eileen Carter
In 1985 ... being new to the Atlanta area and looking for something to do on the weekends, Eileen started baking and bringing her cakes to the office on Mondays. After several "Eileen... can you bake me a......" from her co-workers, she started charging for her culinary creations. The "Cake Lady" quickly became well known and recognized in the Atlanta Wedding Industry. In 2004 she married Clay Carter, left her Corporate environment and Eileen Carter Creations was born. Eileen has been the recipient of WeddingWire's Brides Choice Award for the past five consecutive years and The Knot's Best of Weddings for the past four consecutive years, not to mention her many publications in National and local magazines.

QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU GET . . .

What do you get ... when you take Eileen Carter Creations and combine it with The Flour Shoppe? You get .....

FLOUR CREATIONS !!!
(The Flour Shoppe + Eileen Carter Creations)

Recently, an opportunity presented itself that made me ask "Who can I work with to create tasteful and beautiful cakes? Who can help me change the cakeworld? Who compliments my skill set? Who would my skills compliment? Who has similar goals and vision that I do?

I am pleased to announce the collaboration between Eileen Carter Creations and The Flour Shoppe. I have moved my shop out of my home and am now in a commercial environment. We are still in the process of organizing and setting up the shop, and baking up a storm. I hope to have everything put in its place by the Holidays.

I am still Eileen Carter Creations .... Nancy still has The Flour Shoppe .... but when we work together on a cake or catering an event we become Flour Creations.

My strengths are Nancy's weaknesses ..... Nancy's strengths are my weaknesses ... and together we are a force to reckon with in the cake industry. I'm so excited for this new endeavor and partnership and hope that you will be too.

We are not open to the public .... we are available to meet by appointment only. Our contact information follows:

Workshop, 4/254-3190
Eileen Carter, 7/815-1469 or eileenmcarter@yahoo.com
Nancy Short, 4/545-8521 or gapastrylady@yahoo.com

We look forward to working with you soon.