Sweetpeas : My pinch flowers : Oh well, swell!

On this very solemn Sunday, I made these pinch flowers just to distract myself, They were just simply arranged a top a fondant covered mini cakes, cupcakes actually. Named them the 'Oh well, swell' just because I am just totally frustrated with the attitude of people around me. So I just say, 'Oh well, swell!!!' and smile.

These were made for a customer as a sample order. ;-)

My current creative drive is still on course though, thank God! and I am in no means of creating burnt cakes with black frosting, black gum flowers or black anything ( thought of it though!).

Just need to sexy-fy my cakes and myself and just be happy! I got myself new fondant toys yesterday, and boy! they made me happy and giggly all night ( gave the impression of being on something ;-) ) For all its worth, I am happy on this really solemn Sunday! Have a good week all!

Happy Valentines Day!

Well a Happy Valentines Day to all! This year, must be the economic scare, I did not get as much orders as I did last year! But then, I made corny 'bee-mine' cupcakes, which is cute looking (to my clients and me at least)! And some pink and yellow ones, some daisies and hearts, of course very macho black and red 'hugs and kisses' cupcakes and some buttercream orders. Very simple and plain. Not labor intensive I would say. They are all packed and awaiting pick-up later for tomorrow!

Many people perceive this day for lovers only, but to me its another day to celebrate love. Which ever way you see it, I wish you all happiness. I dedicate 14.02.09 to the following persons, with lots of love, hugs and kisses:
'Mom and Daddy, thank you so much for being supportive in my passion, and forever letting me pursue my hobby; in all ways, helping me deliver, buying me books, collecting my supplies, etc. Thank you for everything. Could never repay you, ever! Love you always.'

My aunt Choo-Li, also a baker ( must be in the genes!) : ' Thank you for being there for me when I was 5 years old, insisting that I get to help you bake cakes and cookies, even with Mums disapproval ( I was 5, Mum had her point!)

My late Tok Mak, a great cook and baker (genes again!) : ' I never knew you well enough, but Daddy always tells me I am just like you. Wish you could be here to see me now.'


I dedicate the XOXO cupcakes to a certain person who has indirectly inspired me for the past two months and what the person has injected in me is the push for me to be more creative, as seen in my mum cupcakes two posts back.

I thank you for your unknowing extra drive you have given me. XOXO.

YAYYYYY!!! MUMS BEEN FEATURED ON...

cupcakestakethecake!!!

woohooooo!

check out this link:
cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2009/02/mum-cupcakes.html

"Flower cupcakes always, always make me smile. Not sure if it's because I so rarely have fresh flowers in my life, or they're just gorgeous when done right. "

Thank you so much Rachel!

being 'mum'...

Yellow Mums
Nothing like yellow flowers. I just realized, I like doing yellow flowers, they seem so happy, so sunny so smiley and non complicated. Unless a client requests for a specific color theme, I always suggest yellow. But I personally do not wear any yellow. ;-) No wonder.. ;-)

Another personal favorite color, which is technically not a color is white. My other favorite is black you see. ;-) White flowers evoke calmness, which I just get the sense of, as I shape petal by petal to perfection. They look pretty too.

White 'Peaceful' Mum

You might think mums are my favorite, but not quite. I love white orchids. Tonnes of them, single stem, one flower, etc. I just love them. I love getting them as a bouquet, no guys seem to get this though (hint hint, hint hint , wink wink! ;-) )They are gorgeous, will try experimenting next time, but will leave you with my whimsical mums.

Button Mums

'hello naomi enchanted garden' wannabe cupcakes, dubbed theworkingdapur's 'Garden Friends'

This has got to be the longest blog title I have ever posted!

As all may know, hello naomi is an artist that has truly inspired me in more ways than one. I have been following her works, but never had I the courage to actually imitate her gorgeous works of art, till today that is.

Yesterday, I sent her an e-mail to grant me permission to follow her Enchanted Garden cupcakes, and gratefully, permission was granted, and off to the kitchen I went. I was pleased, they were nothing as nice as hers, but it was nice, and I got the 'oooh-s and aah-s', which was fine for me.


Hello naomi, thank you so much for your inspirational cupcakes! Thank you for letting me do it!

theworkingdapur's version below:


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Hello naomi's cupcakes titled 'Enchanted Garden' lies at the link below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hello_naomi/3234902308/

Happy New You!

My CNY set consisted of red fondant covered cuppies with a faux orange on top...
Yes, I actually waited for the Chinese New Year to start before blogging. Hmmm...I myself wonder why? Well, I have been rather busy with things since Christmas, just could not find the time to upload photos onto my flickr account ( its also user : the workingdapur ) or my beloved blog. The holidays, Chinese New Year weekend, was the best for me, hung out with my beloved friends, and just partied! hmmmm....you know who you are....loved dancing and prancing with ya!

I am back and am here to stay! To all clients and potential clients feel free to e-mail or call me to enquire. Some stuff, as all may know, are not here on the blog. The blog was supposed to be my mini portfolio. Read: WAS.

Here are some of the things I did from January:









A mixture of retro looking cupcakes order, well more cafe like actually, ( I wish I have a shop) , the modern art ones ( which was surprisingly liked by my beloved client, I had reservations doing something simple like that) theres the 80's buttercream flower thing, my oh-so-mod peanut butter ones, hmm...and etc)
Till yesterdays pickup. Congratulations Jac and Alvin. Baby Joshua will have his first moon today! How time flies.

Tarts and PIes for Thanksgiving

Strawberry Tarts

Mocha Soft Center Tart

Cranberry and Almond MIni Flan

My Tarty Life

Don't mind the title. But it will be a tarty weekend for me. First up, Pineapple with Coconut Custard Cream Tarts. Yeah, ode to pina colada!

Anyone who knows me personally would know how my life is split into two, half a professional in the office, the other half as an islander?!! Oh wait, what happened to the other part of me as a professional baker? Hmmm...but then again Im 'big' enough to have another career or two... ;-) Well the tarts were ode to the islands of the world!

Got rave reviews as the taste was very tropical, the coconut cream custard sealed the deal!

Orders available for minis and large tarts.

Mini Quiche Mania

They were sinfully delicious.
I use to think that regular (sliced) sized quiches were not sufficient just because, they had lesser crust. So I decided to go mini, as always. These were loaded with roasted tomatoes, tuna flakes, mushrooms and succulent black olives..I live the color combo...and I did not have any ham at home. ;-)

back to my journey...

First and foremost, thank you for you e-mails of concern for my disappearance. I am so sorry for those orders I couldn't fulfill. I am going to start blogging on a regular basis like before, but now my focus will be where my blog started; at square one.

When I first started this blog, it was meant to celebrate my ability and skills to prepare foods for those I love. Along the way, I started baking for orders. From that point on, my kitchen was filled with orders from strangers I don't even know. But, I was even happier, to be able to make strangers gleam with happiness from once they sampled my goods. This went on for months. Until one day, my dad requested ' Could you please make me an apple pie. How much is it?'. I just froze.

What happened to me? This was the man who bought me my first digital kitchen scale, my oven, my books and whatever I needed to 'experiment' with when baking was my hobby. How could he ask me that? Then it hit me.

I became 'lost' in my journey.

The next day, I made my crust, then cored apples. It felt good. It felt like how I had felt when I first made my short crust pastry. I was careful, but I knew what I was doing. Unlike before, I moved faster, to ensure I got the 'crumbly-flaky' combination, cuttting butter with precision. Rested the dough. Lined my tin. Filled the tin, then covered the filling with a layer of my crust , then I decorated with pastry leaves.

I presented the pie to my dad the next day. He was so happy. He even told me to take pictures of the 'cutting' ceremony. I was happy.

I stopped taking orders since then.

it has been a long, long while...

Sometimes I just tend to forget. I forgot to do something, I forgot to buy something, I forgot about my bag of hazelnuts (!) but I did not forget about my blog. I have been busy.

My new work schedule meant more work and longer hours in the office..sigh...sigh..sigh..same hours in the kitchen meeting orders, experimenting new recipes and way lesser and sometimes no time even to update my blog.

Was away sometime in July, no photos yet even on my flickr, and I know I am not supposed to use that as a reason but I swear its valid. Many things has happened these past few months and I can say, theworkingdapur is here to stay! (so cliche!) Anyway, I will be posting and blogging regularly starting the month of August ( fasting month again, and how soon...) and start taking orders for Raya already.

I will be away from the 20th till the 27th of August. Till then...

the unblogging blogger

I have been getting e-mails asking where have I been, what have I been up to, whether or not I still bake and etc. Well, thank you for your e-mails and notes of concern, yes, I still do bake and do take orders, mostly normal cupcakes without any fancy decorations, just swirls and flat tops, so I decided not to post them. It would be boring for both readers and me. Till I get any order out of the ordinary, I won't be posting that much anymore. E-mail me your requests or orders at my yahoo account.

Cupcake Bouquet : Sunflowers

Try a bouquet of cupcakes next time round for a gift. The flowers are made with buttercream and the base I have used here are moist chocolate cupcakes. Well, the bowl belongs o my neighbor, who makes delicious 'laksa Johor' , so instead of returning the bowl empty, I decided to give her six 'sunflowers' instead. The bowl could only fit six. :-)

I made more than six and here they are, as sunny as a sunny day.

My bouquet. E-mail me for enquiries.

Easter Bunny Request Quest : Passed Easter Topper!

I got a request for bunny toppers for Easter and this is the final and QC'ed bunny that will be topping many a cuppies this 23rd!

Oya, I have been missing, I know. Well, the past week was with normal cupcake orders and the past weekend was my highlight, my darling Aunt ordered 180 Savory Cheese Tarts and I forgot to take any pics of them...aaarghhhh.....well, I thought I could not meet the deadline ( I had 1 1/2days) but I did, and I am so happy, she was satisfied with them! Thank you so much Chu! Love you lots!

Birthday Wishes : Same theme: Spring!

Well the yellow and pinks ones were for Cik Siti! All the best to you this year! I like the single flowers too, simple with a stand!

St.Patrick's Day , March 17th, 2008

Celebratory cupcake for St.Patrick would obviously be decorated with shamrock, gold bits and good luck wishes Do e-mail to enquire. Orders opened. The picture above is a personal favorite :-)

How To : Contact theworkingdapur

Hello everyone...

I get comments on my flicker as well as myblog log enquiring about the cupcakes. The easiest way to contact me is by e-mailing me your name and cellphone number, and I will call you within 24 hours. Thank you for all your support!

theworkingdapur@yahoo.com

Cupcakes for Easter

This will be part of my offerings for Easter. Will be posting more after Easter or maybe before, depending on situations, orders I mean. :-) Orders are open for Easter already, do enquire for other styles. Oya, bunnies, decorated Easter 'eggs' , nests, and baskets atop cupcakes are available too...


My little chickies

Eggs In Nest

Traditional Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting