Oh My! Can someone please remind me to breathe and pull me down off the ceiling!! The most unbelievably, amazing thing has happened.... Cirencester Cupcakes has been selected as 1 of 3 finalists in the Cotswold Life Food and Drink Awards 2010 Food Product of the Year!

My letter arrived on Friday and I think it is just starting to sink in. The Food and Drink Awards are a huge thing in the food industry in the Cotswolds, with local producers and produce being honoured. I've always followed them in wonderment and awe at those who won, and also those who are selected as finalists. The nominations are made by the readers of Cotswold Life, and the finalists are selected by a judging panel.

Last year, I was lucky enough to be able to go along to the Awards, and I think I might of even joked that I would love to be considered for 2010... I didn't once even dream that I would actually be going as a finalist!

So I've already booked my hair appointment, and found a dress, but first off I have to impress the judges over the next couple of weeks, and bake 270 custom cupcakes for the Awards Goodie Bags. I'm just so excited, but I'll have to wait until July 5th to find out who wins!
Thank you so much to everyone who nominated me!
Lou x

I'm so excited and proud to tell you all about the new fabulous cupcakes that are now in the Cirencester Cupcakes shop! As you would expect they are beautiful and scrummy, but this time they're not of the edible variety.

I've met lots of lovely people through Twitter and have made some fabulous new friends as well, and this is how I met the wonderfully talented Anna of Funky Diva Designs. I'd been reading Anna's tweets for a while, and we'd been talking about meeting up for a coffee; however Anna's birthday came around and I decided to drop a special delivery of cupcakes off to her as a 'just because...'. My cupcakes inspired Anna to create a fabulous cupcake tote bag and I absolutely loved it! So when it came to thinking about things I'd love to stock in the shop, I thought that Anna's bags would be perfect!

A big part of the ethos of the shop and my baking is the supporting of local produce and producers, and I wanted to expand this into the other items available as well as my baking. All of Anna's bags are designed and handmade by Anna herself, and made in her workshop. They are beautiful and functional, and Anna uses a variety of contemporary fabrics. We've being plotting for the last couple of weeks, and this week Anna put the final touches to the first set of cupcake inspired lovelies and they have taken their special place in the shop.

There are 3 different types of bag available - a purse, make pouch and a shopping tote. Anna and I are really pleased with them, and they have been a big hit with my visitors, so if you are in the Cirencester area, why not drop into Swan Yard and grab some cupcakes - one to eat, and one to take your cupcake home in!
Lou x

One of the best things about the shop is that I get to meet some lovely people, who are thinking about cupcakes for lots of difference occasions other than birthday and weddings. I was delighted when a lady who had been lucky to sample Ella's cupcakes in December, asked if I could make some special cupcakes to take to friend's they were visiting by the seaside over the Easter holidays.

At first I was thinking about starfish and blue buttercream for the sea, but I then thought about the holiday's I used to have by the sea, and what says English seaside more than a bucket and spade!

Being in the shop, meant that people who were popping in to buy a cupcake or two, or just make enquiries, could see what I was doing; the feedback and comments I had were fantastic! I absolutely adored making these cupcakes, and my lady told me I had 'surpassed myself with these, this time!' Soo happy!!

Hope that the cupcakes enjoyed their visit to the seaside
Lou x

... but no better excuse than the opening of my first cupcakery and shop! I can't believe it has finally happened, I'm open, I'm baking and people are flocking to the shop; absolutely amazing!!!

I opened the doors a couple of days earlier than the official launch day, so I could get used to a new kitchen set up, understand how my day's might pan out and just settle in. So from Wednesday 31st March, Cirencester Cupcakes was in business! I'd chosen the week before Easter to open as I knew Easter was going to be busy, and it meant we could hopefully have some lovely bank holiday weather too. Alas, it rained!!

The official opening was on Saturday 3rd April. I couldn't have asked for a more fantastic day, well except for some sun, but it was amazing. Three and a half hours after opening I had completely sold out, and had to start baking for the evening's do. So many fabulous people come to help me celebrate, all my family and friends who have supported me and Cirencester Cupcakes since the redundancy in November, and my fantastic Swan Yard neighbours who have made me feel most welcome and like I've been there for years. I was incredibly delighted that Cotswold Life were coming along to feature the opening in their society pages too. My Brother made a little bit of a speech to say how proud he, Mum and everyone was of me... cue the tears! Then as he and my Sister-in-Law getting married was the catalyst for the business starting, the performed a little ribbon ceremony for me... cue the tears again. You get the picture now, there were lots of tears.. LOL!

Cirencester Cupcakes is open in Swan Yard, Cirencester between 10.00am and 5.00pm, Tuesday to Saturday or telephone 01285 644 994.

So just for you all, here are a few words and photos of the evening courtesy of Cotswold Life.

Louise Land of Cirencester Cupcakes threw open the doors to her new store at Swan Yard in Cirencester.
During an emotional ceremony Louise was joined by close family and friends including her brother Adam who made a speech and performed the ribbon cutting. Supporting local produce and producers is at the heart of Cirencester cupcakes, Louise endeavours to use local, quality ingredients where possible, as well as sourcing and using fair-trade products and always using fresh free-range eggs.
Cirencester Cupcakes use only the finest natural ingredients and there are no additives, preservatives. Fruit means real proper fruit, sourced locally from local farmers and farmer’s markets.

I was very excited when an email dropped in my inbox asking if I could make Mickey Mouse themed cupcakes for a lady's 30th birthday. The lucky lady in question was due to be flying out to Disneyland, Florida to celebrate her 30th birthday, but due to the volcanic ash cloud which had closed UK airspace, her family weren't sure if they'd get off the ground. I felt so sad for her, as I spend my 30th at Disneyland, and I loved every second of it, and hoped that they'd be able to take off. In the meantime, her sister-in-law asked if I could make some special cupcakes for her as a surprise. How could I say no?!

We went for the classic Mickey Mouse ear's silhouette as the birthday Girl is a graphic designer and we thought that clean and classic would be best. I also made Mickey's shoes, shorts and gloves. The decorations were made to match Mickey's red, yellow, white and black, as well as the buttercream.

I loved making them! Thanks Claire for asking me, it was an absolute pleasure.
Lou x

So many people have been asking when I'll be running cupcake decorating workshops, and I can finally shout out that they're now here! The shop is up and running and we have the space so I've scheduled some dates over the next couple of months, in between the shop, weddings and lots of other events! So then...

Do you want to indulge in the wonderful world of cupcakes, learn how to create your own beautiful designs, and have a great fun, look no further!

Workshops will be held on Tuesday evenings (6.30-9.30pm) and Sunday mornings (11.00am - 2.00pm). After the 3 hour workshop your fabulous cupcakes will be boxed for you to take home to devour all by yourself, or to share the cupcake love with your family and friends. You'll also take away a goodie bag with hints, tips, recipes, sprinkles & glitter, so you can recreate your own cupcakes at home!

Workshops will cover different cupcake icing techniques, including buttercream icing, glace icing and sugar fondant icing and as much glitter, flowers, stars, hearts, confetti, strands, baubles and anything else edible, you can imagine! Each person gets 6 'naked' cupcakes to decorate, take home and enjoy. You do not need to bring anything with you, We supply everything you would need and we even do the washing up!!

If you have any dietary requirements, such as gluten-free, wheat-free or dairy-free, I can organise for your cupcakes to be baked to suit.

Places can be booked individually or as a groups, and are perfect for friends to get together, mother's and daughters, or even for chaps to show us how to 'man-up' cupcakes! If there is a number of you who would like to come along as either a hen party or birthday, please get in touch as we can organise for a workshop especially for you!

Cost per workshop is £40 including all cupcakes and materials. To book a space, please drop me an email cakes@cirencestercupcakes.co.uk or call 01285 644 994.

Scheduled dates so far are:

• Tuesday, 27th April 2010
• Sunday, 2nd May 2010
• Tuesday, 25th May 2010
• Sunday, 13 June 2010
• Tuesday, 27th July 2010
• More dates to be organised, so watch this space and keep an eye on the Cirencester Cupcakes website

Some of the fabulous creations my Hen Party Decorating Workshop made last month!

One of the best parts of this job is meeting fabulous and wonderful people, especially my bridal couples! This year's first wedding was at Cripps Barn, near Bibury and was for the lovely Lindsay and Dale. From the moment I met them for their design consultation, I knew I couldn't have met a more enthusiastic and in love couple, and I was so excited about baking and desigining their wedding cupcakes.

Lindsay and Dale decided to go for cupcakes for their wedding and serve them as their dessert, but also Dale and several of their guests were gluten, wheat and dairy free, and cupcakes meant that they would be able to have their own cake, rather than go without if we'd have opted for a traditional wedding cake. Their theme was green and white, and we choose very simple white handmade white butterfly and flower blossom decorations.

I was so pleased with the end result, and have had so many amazing comments from the bride and groom, and their guests. The day after the wedding I was attending a wedding fayre at the Cotswold Water Park, and unbeknown to me the bride and groom were at the hotel too. They even came up to the fayre and told people how fabulous their day and cakes had been. I am so so happy that they absolutely loved their cakes, and am so proud to have played a small part in their very special day.

Congratulations Lindsay and Dale, and I wish you all the happiness in the world.

Lou xx

I've been meaning to blog Dan's special birthday cupcakes for a while, but with the shop fitting things have been a bit chaotic! So apologies for being late... These fabulous cupcakes were made for a lovely lady called Tasha, who we are supporting the Swindon Sands Masquerade Ball with, for her gadget loving husband's birthday. We decided to take the film 'Pirates of the Silicon Valley' as our theme, about Apple founder Steve Jobs. It meant that we could mix pirates with Apple, pretty funky!

Happy Belated Birthday Dan!

Cheers Lou

Last week an email popped into my inbox saying 'not sure if you remember us but you made cupcakes for our new baby girl Daisy'. I definitely remembered Daisy's cupcakes as they were some of the first I made when the business started, and Kerrie and Dean sent me the most lovely email to say thank you too. I was really happy to hear from them again.

It was Dean's birthday and Kerrie wondered if I was able to make fire-engine cupcakes as a surprise. Last week was manic with Mother's Day cupcakes, but there was no way I could turn down the chance to make some fabulous cupcakes for them again.

Kerrie and her sister came to collect them and they loved them. I hope Dean enjoyed his surprise!

Happy Birthday Dean
Lou x

with a little 'HouseGift'!

I just had to also include some handmade big red roses too! I really hope that Laurence and the family enjoyed them.