ayarel

I'm going to try and upload a few deviations every night for the next couple of nights to try and catch up my gallery.  I've done quite a bit lately, but just haven't taken the time to upload.  I've started with the newest first and am making my way backwards until I'm caught up.  I was going to do a lot this past weekend, but I came down with a stomach bug Saturday night, and I'm just now really getting over it.
Good news; I think I'm done with my legal troubles for now.  We wrapped up much of it today, so unless there's anything my attorney needs us to do, we're just paying bills now.  Woo!  I'm hoping to keep up with repairing at least one tooth a month until I'm done.  We also need to start saving for a new washing machine before this one craps out on us.  It probably won't be long before the damn motor gives out, and I'm not hip on spending $7-$10 each trip to the laundromat.... with a two-year-old in tow, at that.
I'm trying to make more jewelry a little at a time too, but it's kinda back-burner at the moment.  I've actually got a commission to complete this week, so that's a definite, but beyond that, I'm not sure.  It's really hard to cook, clean, budget, and watch a child while trying to art!!!

Adjusting and surviving; that pretty much sums up life for me right now.  I've started on my long list of dental work that needs done.  We've reevaluated our budget and have made some choices, some sacrifices.  The legal stuff is going... okay... but it's still not over.  
I'm in the middle of wedding season at work.  I just made five wedding cakes this past weekend, and have another eight or more by the end of the month.  Basically, one of the decorators at a sister store (who I suppose was their main guy) decided to step down to a baker and transfer to another location.  But he didn't bother to contact any of his clients about the move, or who would be doing their wedding cakes!  He's kinda in the "I don't give a damn" mindset.  So I've already picked up two more orders, and may have more before the end of the month; maybe due before the end of the month!
I'm also starting to dabble in polymer clay again.  I'm seeing if I can put together a few jewelry items to sell at cons in an attempt to bring in some more income.  Even $50 helps; that's two cases of Pull-Ups, three prescription refills, or even a week of food.  Lord knows I have plenty of clay/jewelry supplies; I just need to use them.
Once things slow down a bit, perhaps after mid-June, I'll do a huge update on dA on recent cakes.

Over the last month my life has changed quite a bit, and will continue to change for the next month or so.  I have a lot of legal stuff to deal with now, and I'm... disappointed in myself and my husband to not have prevented all of this.  Several other issues have sprung up at the same time, and I'm fighting off depression again.
I will continue to post photos of my work; that much will not change.
Please keep me in your thoughts; I could use all the encouragement I can get right now.

I've been very busy now that I'm the most experienced cake decorator at work, so I'm lucky to update my Facebook status... much less dA.  
I'm going to try to update some stuff tonight.  I need to pull a ton of photos off my phone to my computer anyway.

New stuff soon!

I have thoroughly enjoyed being a cake decorator again.  I have already made a few challenging cakes (which I hope to post soon), and have brought smiles to many customers.    I have yet to do some work with fondant, but I'm sure that's coming up shortly.  On top of all that, as of January 1st I will be the "lead" decorator, as the other full-time decorator is moving out of state.  I'm happy for her, happy for my challenging coming up, but sad as she's become a good friend to me in the little time we've worked together.
This past week was my birthday, but I came down with a stomach bug same day.  For 48 hours I couldn't keep anything more than a cracker down.  But we did go out to eat yesterday, and we saw The Hobbit and Wreck It Ralph.  
I've also been invited to the HyVee Cake Designer Challenge this spring.  Each store can send a decorator, and I will be it.  I'll have 3 hours to ice and decorate (ALONE, might I add):  12 three-inch cookies, 24 cupcakes, a 1/4 sheet cake, a 1/2 sheet cake, and a 3-tiered cake.  All items are REAL cake except for the 3-tier, which the store must provide (Styrofoam or real).  Here's my dilemma:  They all have to be decorated with the same theme.  I can't do any copyrighted designs or characters, and "under the sea", "sweets shop", "fairies", and "ladybug picnic" were themes from last year's winners.  Holiday themes don't tend to do so well, as so many cake supply companies send out so many ideas to stores every year.  I have until February or March to pick a theme, but as for now I'm stumped.  I can use fondant, but I'm not so great at it yet AND buttercreme will be provided at the competition.
If anyone has a theme suggestion, let me know!