“This is what I want Mummy”, she declared one morning. A green paper with her wonky writing was shoved in my face. On it, was the criteria required for birthday party cake. It had to have flowers, birds, trees and a fairy on top. Nothing else but chocolate was to be considered for flavour. Cupcakes were essential and could she please have popcorn too. Biscuit decorating was to be one of the ‘activities’ (seriously, how many did she think I was going to do besides just this one?) and balloons must be pink and purple.
Lil Lassie is six and knows what she wants. After the initial feeling of being bulldozed, I appreciated her clarity of vision greatly. It gave me direction and I knew what had to get done.
And this is how it turned out. Loads of pics folks, loads!
The cake was a three layered chocolate sponge with chocolate buttercream. The cupcakes come from the Love Bakery book by Samantha Blears and are the only cupcakes that I unashamedly declare love for. The wee chocolate balls are leftover cake mixed with frosting and coated in melted chocolate to make cake balls. The wee fairy cake topper comes from this step-by-step, fabulous tutorial from The Cake Journal. The mini meringues are from Peggy Porschen’s Boutique Baking book and is foolproof! Kids went bonkers for these. On a separate table, I laid down some bites for the mums; Spinach Quiche and some chocolate drops.
These drops are the easiest things to do should you have some spare melted chocolate needing used up. I mixed in a bit of orange extract into the chocolate and poured teaspoons of the chocolate onto baking paper. Sprinkle over whatever decorations you want. Leave somewhere cool to set. That’s it.
If there ever was a time I am grateful for my modest cookbook collection; it’s at times like this. I know exactly where the recipes I want are, I don’t have to rummage a great deal and I don’t have to think of anything but following the directions of those that went before me. I may have spent a lot of late nights making fondant decorations, popcorn boxes and paper pom poms but when I saw Lil Lassie’s face, heard her gasp when she saw the room, those hours vanished! She had a great time with her friends, danced like no one was watching her and ate more sugar than is wise. And we all joined her. Happy Birthday, my little lassie.
Oh Carrie! Its wonderful! Can I hire you for Lucca’s birthday?? Im SERIOUS!!!!! Well done, I bet she was just over the moon!! xx
Haha! But of course, I’d love it! She was very happy, bless her.
ps im googling those popcorn boxes already!
Loads of templates out there….
Wow, now that isn’t really enough is it? Absolutely amaz ‘cake’ balls. Would you like to adopt me and do my birthdays? Please, please, please.
Lil Lassie is a very lucky lady to have such a talented mama; cake baker supremo, decorating/styling goddess, photographer extraordinaire.
You did good Mrs Smith.
Aww thanks Hazzer (*choke*), she’s a good girl
And heck yeah I’d love to get your party going 
Beautiful! I know she had a blast and will treasure these memories forever!
She did hun, and I blooming well hope she remembers at least some of it!! haah!
I wish I had Lil Lassie’s clarity of thought!! Life would have turned out different!!
You have done such a beautiful job Carrie!! Super duper impressed!!
PS– what do you think of Peggy Porschen;s book.. am a big fan of her work.. I have wanted to buy the book.. but am wondering if it demands a high skill level??
She certainly has that Sarvani! Very clear ideas about EVERYTHING! I feel rather dumb sometimes ahahah!! Thanks for the compliments.
Peggy Porschen’s book is absolutely wonderful. Cracking recipes and loads of ideas, but as you guessed, they are more for the experienced cake decorator, but not out of reach at all. You do have to build to it, though some of the designs are easier than others. There’s a range of techniques covered from frosting, piping with buttercream and royal icing to fondant and gumpaste work. If you’d like to get some books to build confidence, go for Annie Rigg, Zoe Clark and move up to Fiona Cairns, Peggy Porschen etc.
Amazon lets you look through some of the books so that will give you an idea of what level the book is at. Start simple and before you know it you’ll be making figurines!
Well done!
😊😊 you both shoul feel very proud! Beautiful, aloof it. Happy birthday, little girl!
HAha, am assuming you meant, ” all of it”…in that case thank you very much!
A dream come true! Your labour of love will never be forgotten and one day, I’m sure (your little lass) will be putting equal love into (your celebrations) to come… Although quite a while till she does that yet
Ha…I shall definitely take pleasure at such a time!
Wow! You went all out and made the day for your young lass. Well done.
Yup, I am crazy haha!!
I love the way you can create a whole world, not just a fabulous party tea !
I love everything! You’re such a crafty mom
I wish I was at that party 
Yes, definitely crafty
I love this! You’re amazing. Gorgeous, gorgeous. Makes me think of when my own were small and designed things – and leaves you with coming up with it – well executed, mum!
Thank ye! I am rather happy with it! And more importantly, so was she
I adore your posts!
haha! Glad to hear it!
Your little One is beautiful so is that birthday cake. I tried my hand at gum paste last year for my 2year olds birthday and hopefully I won’t fall out this year too. You have inspired me with this beautiful post. Your blog is beautiful, it’s words and its recipes.
You are very kind, thank you, am glad you like what you see/read. I’ve just had a nosy at your blog and you have a new follower..:) I like what I see there!
Thank you.
You are so taleneted! What a beautiful party. I bet your little girl was over the moon…what a fantastic Mum you are!
Carrie you so need to get into the party planning business! This is amazing! Happy Birthday to your wee lass
Love it – beautiful – love that cake:) Thanks for sharing – Happy Sunday!
What a beautiful cake. I’m sure she was ecstatic.
Hi Carrie, You are truly amazing – what a wonderful cake and everything looked absolutely amazing. Wish we had been there to enjoy the party, but enjoyed Christmas with you all even though my boy wonder took poorly!!! Many congratulations – We truly have a beautiful grand-daughter.
Och!! Thank you! She is and had a great day
Wish you could have stayed longer.
Oh my oh my Carrie! Can you adopt me as your little girl or can I kidnap you for a couple of days when I have my own little babies?
I love Peggy Porschen’s cakes, she’s a total cake goddess and now so are you! I conquered the meringue mountain in December and have not looked back ever since. They are so easy to make and piping them out is so therapeutic. You’re one talented lady! 
Peggy Porschen’s work is the epitome of prettiness! I love these wee meringues and glad to hear you’ve conquered your fear of them! Next stop is a huge, billowing pavlova. It such an ego booster hhaha! And thanks for the lovely compliments Rushi
Wow, wow, wow! What an amazing…..everything!
Whoaa!! Super duper !! what a customized birthday party lil lasie had! I am floored by the brightness of the photos. Everything looks amazing. I am eyeing the spinach quiche with open greed, Carrie. Will have to make them soon:)
Same quiche from Smitten kitchen that I posted a while ago Shalini..also, the exposure setting can be your best friend on the camera!
Such beautiful, beautiful shots Carrie….I especially love the one of Hannah staring in awe at the table! You’re such a lovely mama!
Yes, she sure is. Period.
What a beautiful party–I found myself mentally checking off the items on your Lil Lassie’s list and you had it all.
I can’t think of any six year old who wouldn’t have been delighted to walk into this room–great job!
HA! You are as diligent as my daughter Jean! If you knew her, you’d know that she wouldn’t let me live it down if I forgot anything, which is why I greatly appreciated said list. She was very happy
Carrie, I discovered your blog a few months ago and I think it’s absolutely stunning. Full of warmth, gorgeous words, breathtaking photos and just a huge inspiration all around. Congrats on such a beautiful site.
*Blush*, thank you Deepa for your very kind words. I’m glad you like it enough to have a nosy and post
I’ve been to yours and see you’ve just started. Be warned, it’s addictive, but that’s what makes it fun too! All the best!
Love your blog, love your photographs and your writing.
Thank you Kate!! Much appreciated
Carrie this looks straight out of a fairytale!! Absolutely gorgeous. I love the little popcorn tubs. And the tulle skirt. That is one massive fea(s)t you pulled off!!!
Oh that tulle skirt – I love it more that she does I think! The popcorn boxes- oh the cursing!! I did them myself (templates are all over the the web) as the ones here were extortionate! She had a great day
Thanks Meenakshi!