Oh, the addiction that is Craftsy...
I love Craftsy. If you're not familiar with them, truly it is a wonderful platform for online learning at amazing prices with 24/7/forever access to the classes you purchased. Watch them as you want: all at once gobbling them right up (my style) or as you have the time or attentions span (like my friend Nico... Oh look! A squirrel!). ;) You also have the ability to ask questions for the instructor or of other students and you get responses! It's fabulous! A PDF set of instructios, recipes, templates, resources, conversion charts is included with the class which become yours to use recreating the class project or one of your own.Ok. I'll stop gushing over Craftsy. For now at least!
Clean and Simple Birthday Cakes
with Jessica Harris (Click to see her class!)
First of all, I purchased Jessica's first class (Clean and Simple Cake Design) a while ago and found her techniques soooooo clever and helpful, so I was completely delighted to take part in another class. Her method of teaching is wonderfully clear and easy to follow. The tools she uses are typical in any hobbyists kitchen or very easily found at local craft or hobby stores.
One of my favorite parts of her techniques are the simple methods she uses for things like spacing and placement. She'll help you get it placed just right! Cakers are notoriously picky about things being straight or lined up properly... We nit-pick every last little flaw to the point where we're terrified that some small imperfection has completely sabotaged the entire cake. AmIright?!?!? Phew! *wipes brow* Glad I'm not the only one :)
Oh! Do you have a love/hate relationship with Tap-Its? I do. She's got some great tips and new tricks to help us all learn to love them.Still not convinced about Tap-Its? I getcha. She's got a couple other great techniques for lettering on cakes. I can't wait to try them :) I'm not going to give it away, really you'll need to see her cleverness in action!
There are lots of these little tips throughout the class but this one (above) is my favorite. Can you guess why?!?!?!? I'm so stoked that Jessica used my easy ombre technique in her class!!! I can't handle it :) Happy dancing going on over here right now. When it finally came to this part of the class I threw my hands in the air victory style and accidentally also threw the pen that was in my hand. My husband had to duck, and has more reason to think I'm nutter butters.
There's another surprise bit of awesomeness in this class. The Bonus Lesson! It's the cherry on top at the end. Jessica takes you through some simple computer designing to help alter and better visualize changes you might want to make to this cake. It's like getting EXTRA dessert! And who doesn't want extra dessert?!? I do. Which is why my jeans are tight again... I digress. If you have a different color scheme or theme say with your invites or dessert table, use the provided templates and customize them to match your party.
Ok... I'm not going to belabor the point about loving this class. I'm a more organic shapes and natural styles type of caker, but this beautifully geometric, straight, crazy clean lines and curves class makes me want to stripe something with fondant. She takes the mystery and intimidation out of getting it right the first time.
Best of all, Jessica is just so sweet and enjoyable to watch. Some teachers can seem like they are just droning on; not Jessica. She sweet and funny, helpful, and it's like taking a class with your bestie! Assuming your bestie is a crazy great cake designer. In this instance we'll make that assumption.
I hope you indulge and enjoy Clean and Simple Birthday Cakes with Jessica Harris on Craftsy. If you take the class share your thoughts here and with Jessica on her Facebook page and the Jessicakes Blog.
Happy caking! :)
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