Baby’s Birthday
My little baby niece turned one a little while back, and her parents threw a gorgeous ladybird-themed party to celebrate.
With Baby M as the world's cutest ladybird.
Her mum bought the leotard and tutu ensemble from etsy.
There was so much tulle, and having only recently learned to walk, she kept tipping over.
I swear seeing her tottering around like a little fuzzball was hands-down the most adorable thing I've ever seen.
There was bunting.
And spotted lanterns.
And garden-picked flowers in vintage milk glass.
And of course, a ladybird birthday cake.
Don't let that pretty picture fool you.
I almost had a nervous breakdown over that cake. No seriously, heart palpitations, nerves strung out like piano wire, waterworks… the lot.
That picture was taken after some heavy duty reconstruction. The whole thing collapsed under its own weight into a bulbous puddle of red and white.
It was my first time baking red velvet cake. First time molding fondant. Too-many-times-so-I-should-have-learned-by-now use of an American recipe for the frosting.
So in short, an unmitigated disaster.
Things I've learned:
- First and foremost, don't even bother baking in 98% humidity. Frosting and fondant just can't survive it.
- Google fondant molding before attempting to make toadstools. Liquid food dye is a serious no-no.
- Never, ever put fondant icing in the fridge.
- Don't try and save sloppy cream cheese frosting by adding more icing sugar. And more icing sugar. And more icing sugar. And more icing sugar…
- Finally get some American measuring cups/spoons off ebay, dammit!
- Keep Xanax on hand when attempting birthday cakes in future.
I am completely thrilled with the miniature bunting though. It was a lot of fun to make.
After the rainbow birthday cake and this one, thank god my middle niece wants a plain chocolate cake with chocolate frosting this year.
I'm thinking White Wings 
xx Kiki
I love your cake posts. It looks really yummy though!
Jess – Thank you! Even though my cake posts only seem to catalogue my disasters
If I hadn’t tried to save the frosting, I’m sure it would have been very yummy.
Your niece is 100% adorable in her little lady bird cossie! I love the cake too. I hope it tasted ok
l’envers – Thank you
I wish I could say it tasted ok, but I ruined the frosting with waaay too much icing sugar. I never learn…
What an adorable lil ladybird!! I hope to have a girl one day so ladybirds can be the theme of her bedroom. I love them to bits. I love the fabric flags and flowers too. Beautiful setting.
Well the cake came together in the end, I’m sure it tasted delish too
PS here’s a cake horror story for ya, we were setting up my friends wedding reception. We picked the cake up from the brides house that morning and drove it out to the vineyards – 15 mins later I head a shriek from my friend holding the cake.. ‘the effing icing is cracking!!!’ we screamed.. the weight was just too much. The beautiful 3 tiered wedding cake turned into 2. We were devastated. The bride said she didn’t notice, god love ‘a. So I understand your xanax moment all too well.
Reezy – Oh, I hope you have a little ladybird of your own one day too
Funny how we put so much emotional energy into cakes, isn’t it? Your friend was so lovely to say she didn’t notice. Hopefully you were still able to serve the cracked cake. Xanax moment indeed!
Oh my gosh your niece is the most adorable little girl I’ve ever seen! Glad to hear the cake turned out okay, what a nightmare! xx
aelie – Thank you… I know I’m particularly biased, but she’s a cute one
Oh, so cute! We’re going to our niece’s first birthday party on Sunday. She is just too adorable for words!
Julia – Happy birthday to your niece
One year olds are just tiny packages of extreme cuteness!
Oh my goodness! Despite collapsing, the cake still looks like an absolute triumph! Well done you. And your niece is such a little cutie – what a great idea for a first birthday!
Kitty – I should have taken a before picture – it was quite funny actually!
Thankyou … it was a very pretty party.