Stupid broken comma button

Learned how to do "summer flowers" and got a lot of practice making roses roses and more roses.

I'm really proud of how the "Dragontails" cake came out. I'm not great with the airbrush but I think I did a pretty good job on this one. I don't really know what Dragontails is but she's cute. Kind of looks like she has to pee. Hope Vanna Vegas liked it!

After work Jamie and I hit up the biggest party in town; the premiere party of 1969 GAP jeans! There was music in the air (provided by a boy; his voice; and his casio) and delish snacks on a table. Free cheese! Free fruit! Free candy! AND free cupcakes! Not to mention free water!

The premiere jeans on the other hand... not so free. And not as great as advertised. Not accurate sizes. Too big in the hips and legs to be true size 25. I was very disappointed. The sizes keep getting bigger and bigger. Children's clothes are what petite clothing used to be. It's a sad reflection of the nation's obesity enabling. Somehow sizes are growing with people rather than people outgrowing sizes.

Didn't I see you crying?

Had a pretty successful day of cake decorating. I accomplished both of these cakes with practically no assistance from Kelly. I can't claim that I had no assistance at all, but progress is being made. I'm learning. It's amazing. I wasn't sure if I was still able! Spray painting that beach scene was a scary experience. Every experience with the spray painting is a frightening one, but I had a blank canvas and I had to recreate this scene so I was feeling some pressure not to fuck up! No way to cover that up! What a stressful business. haha

Summer, my bitch lover

I can't believe August is more than half way over. I don't understand how spring, winter, and fall feel like they last and last, but summer flies by in an instant. Time needs to knock off this flying when you're having fun, bullshit. It's fucked up. But today my mother and I tried to take advantage of the weather and went down to my aunt's pool. Despite the family drama and all the children, we had a nice day. Don't go away, summer! Don't leave me!

Let's duet

Another right of passage; my mother finally went to an Army of Me show. Well, sort of. It wasn't a full band show, but it's a good start for her. Especially with her Philadelphia phobia. But she'll have to get right over that if I'm accepted to art school. Anyway, it was a splendid show. Somehow Vince knew that my mom's favorite song was "Perfect" and he dedicated it to her. I don't know how he could have known! It was... ... ...PERFECT! Totally no pun intended. No way. I never do such obvious puns. PFFT!

My 1st Elmo

Before going down to Delaware and being apart of the best night ever, I made my first Elmo. This is a real right of passage in cake decorating. I suppose there's not many professions where making an Elmo is considered a right of passage. Muppeteering. Toy making. I can't think of anything else. Is there anything else?

Congratulations is the bane of my existence

Another frustrating and long day of cake making. I was just having one of those days where I felt like I couldn't do anything right. I got so mad at one of the cakes I did that I didn't even take a photo of it. I just put it in the box and said so long! It was a graduate cake. Should have been really easy. It was a scanned photo with a cap and diploma drawn on. No biggie. But then I had to write "Congratulations Will". "Congratulations" is the bane of my existence! You might be thinking that I spelled it wrong, but I did not. I was careful with that! Such a long damn word, I couldn't fit it! And it was on a chocolate cake with chocolate icing so scraping it off was a much larger ordeal. I salvaged it, but I was so frustrated after the third time that my heart was pounding and then Kelly said, "You scrap that off one more time, and you're gonna have to start the cake over." So, on the next cake I had to do, the Rooster one pictured, I wrote "Congratulations Luis" very carefully and smaller. And what did Kelly say? "I would have written that bigger, but... oh well." UGH. I'm glad today is over. But I did hand draw those seahorses (most stuff is projected on and traced). That should get me some points.

It's a boy, but it's not my boy

Doesn't look like I did much, but I did. On Wednesdays it's just Kristin and I, so we start out the day doing what they call "confetti cakes". They're just standard birthday cakes that you can buy and put a quick message on and get it right away. They always have to be in stock and available so we make sure we're up on those and then we start. So when that was all done, I did this one and then I started another that will be in my next post...

...depending on when you read this blog.

ps. I made this for Kendra Wilkinson. Nia is her real name. I hope she likes it!

Shot out of a cannon!

Was a little restless, so I decided to make use of a warm, sunny day and go back in time; to 1950s Millville. Visited the General Store to get some yummy candy. Then took a stroll down to their brand new jungle gym. If you ever wondered why that shoot in the Wheaton Village Playground looks like it's from the Holocaust, well, news flash, it was! I also learned that cumin is a very good spice and that feeling like flying on swings doesn't mean that you should try it. Then I saw magic flying fish and the oldest woman in the world. Despite having such a good time in 1950, I'm back in 2-0-0-9. It's ok, but I might go back for another Skybar.

Double True

Had a much needed lazy day.
Slept in.
Went to the grocery store.
Ate sushi.
Watched TV.
And enjoyed a thunderstorm.

No Chronicles of Narina, though.
FAIL.

I'm puked.

Went to the open house at the Art Institute. It started at 9am so I had to get up at 6:30 so my mother and I could leave before 8 to arrive on time. We arrived early which was good because the place was packed. We got through check in surprisingly quickly and made it to the welcome speech just in time. We didn't stay too terribly long and we opted out of doing things we felt were redundant. Despite that, the open house did clarify some things. I liked the emphasis on applied arts rather than an emphasis on academics with applied methods coming in the last semester of study as is more traditional. And I was relieved to talk to my admissions person about my application. But other than that, I don't have too much to say about things thus far. Figuring the two times I was rejected from Hampshire College in the past makes it hard for me to imagine actually being accepted let alone actually attending. I'm hesitant to get too excited or think too much about it. Not to say I haven't been worrying about many aspects. Ah well. Only time will tell...

Carpel tunnel from a cake

When I began my day, I realized the toll the day before had taken on my hand. My thumb muscles on my right hand are so sore. Squeezing the icing bags all day long makes my whole hand feel arthritic. Which leads to me feeling just that more frustrated when I have to re-do sections. Especially when I'm re-doing something because I was following the instructions of someone and then told to change it by Kathi (my boss; not the same Cathi as the birthday cake featured haha). It's hard to keep everything straight in my head without trying to sort through the contradictions. Be that as it may, it's alright; I do enjoy it despite the frustrations. After all, every job has those. But I hope I'm not going to get carpal tunnel from cake decorating. Think of the irony..


p.s. Doesn't my "13" look like School House Rock lettering? I didn't do that on purpose and that child probably hasn't hear of School House Rock, but I had to laugh.

What kind of cakery is this?

Busy day at the candy shop. I started the Princess cake on Wednesday, but due to airbrush malfunctions, I wasn't able to finish. Sometimes when you're using the airbrush, it splurts out some water and Ariel looked like she got shot in the face when it splurted while I was coloring her hair. This made my life a lot more difficult in that I had to then fill in their faces with flesh colored icing to cover up the gun wound. Took a long ass time, but it was worth it. I turned out looking pretty good, I think. I got to learn how to make roses which was useful later on in the day when I made the Roses birthday cake. And for the twin's birthday cake, I got to try my hand at using the scanner. I think everyone should request scanned cakes. They're cheaper and hella easy!

I didn't even get an invitation

Did this little number today at work. It's probably more official than the other one I posted because I did this completely by myself. Other than asking questions of a co-worker, no one else put any icing on this baby but me! I think it turned out pretty cute. I like it a lot more than the other cake, but I suppose it's a taste thing (FOOD PUNZ!).

Happy Birthday, Andy-roo!

Today is my brother, Andrew's, birthday. This photo has nothing to do with that, but I only saw him in the very early morning so I didn't have my camera. And he wouldn't pose cutely behind the rocking chair. I bet he would have when he was 26.

You don't have ten dollars

Sometimes I'm known to write out a to-do list for myself and I make it my mission to complete it. Sometimes I'm successful, sometimes I am not. Today I was successful. Would have been a really good day if my whole body wasn't aching. Ah well. Gotta earn those dollas!

Bunny Foo Foo

Woke up to the sounds of thunder and rain and thus did nothing until it was time to go to work; finally made a floor set at Aero. 11 hours later, I left. With no break from work or the disturbing banter of younger girls I was happy to be leaving. But not happy to step in a big puddle. Or to hit every possible red light on my journey home. Despite it all, I was pleasantly surprised to see a little bunny perched in my driveway when I pulled in. And so close! I didn't get a great photo, but that bunny sat there for a while. So cute. Made my night!

Hula Lua Loo

I am officially an official cake decorator. Here is the fruits (PUNS!) of my very first assignment. If you're thinking it looks a little goofy, it's alright because this is just what the customers asked for. They picked it. I just made it. But I didn't do the writing. No way I could write that pretty on there like that. I need a lot of practice for that shizz. But yay! I'm learning stuff!

Humpday Surprise!

What a splendid Wednesday. My mother came back from Texas, there was a sweet thunderstorm, and I got promoted! No longer am I Cookie's little candy bitch. In record time, I've moved up in the world (but down in the building) and am officially now a cake decorator! This is not only good for me creatively, but it's awesome for my sanity! I won't have to deal with customers OR hear about Cookie's adventures in the bathroom! Hump Day Hurray!

Just coffee, not sex.

Keeping with the theme of the weekend, I went with Jimmy to his father's surprise birthday party. When my family goes out of town, I just hang out with all of my friends' family. I'm like the girl you can introduce to your mother. Date for hire. Well, not for hire. I'm not an escort. Don't get any funny ideas. Clearly I'm no hooker or else I could not retain the title of being the girl you can take home to mom!

In other news, Jimmy is a giraffe.

How many did you eat?

Alissa Terry of the Millville Terry's was married today. I bore witness; along with God and friends and family. Every time I go to a Catholic wedding I say that it's the last one I'm ever going to (unless I marry a Catholic....). They're very long, there's lots of sitting and standing, and a little creepy. I wasn't raised Catholic so some of the practices are a little alien to me. I mean no disrespect to anyone that practices, but communion creeps me out. Ceremony aside, a good time was had by all. Food was good, cake was yummy, and Nathan and I are probably going to be on the next season of Dancing with the Stars. Holler!

You look like you don't give a damn

After a frustrating day listening to Cookie (co-worker) talk about things I never wanted to hear for far too long, I rushed my unwell self to Pitman to play at the Bus Stop Cafe for Uptown Pitman's 4th Friday shin-dig. It was an enjoyable set despite how sick I felt, Jamie's broken back, and Steve's complete absence. And then I ended the night with some delicious tempura. Guess where I got it from...

Hello humans

This doesn't look boring or mundane!

...but it was. ;)

The Beatles are more popular than...

John Lennon circa August 1966

This is something I started last Wednesday and worked on off and on throughout the week. Finished it up. I should take a photo of them when I start them because they look awful. But keeping at it does pay off. And I think this came out better than all of the other portraits I've done. My mom has been working on one of Hugh Laurie and after close inspection of her work, it gave me a few ideas of things to try to help with my shading. I can't wait til she finishes that. It's beyond amazing. She's so talented and completely under estimates herself constantly. My work pales in comparison to my mother's. No doubt all of my talent I got from her.

This photo has nothing to do with this paragraph

I suppose it's worth noting, I got a job. Just a little part-time thing at the Lollipop Tree (which is a custom cake and candy shop here in town). I had originally applied to be a cake decorator, but they gave the position to someone with cake decorating experience. Understandable. I only had cake eating experience. But then a few weeks later, they called me out of the blue and asked if I was interested in doing something else. Due to family illness, they need someone to help out with the candy making and other Lollipop Tree duties. So, I'm just coming in a few days a week for a few hours and doing that. It's not bad. We'll see how it goes. Oh lolli lolli

The terrible two's

My one and only nephew, Samuel, had his 2nd birthday party today. I haven't seen him in months, unfortunately, and he's so big now! I hate saying that cause it's such a cliche thing to say, but it's totally mind blowing how fast they grow and change in such a short amount of time. I know I'm bias, but he's adorable. I could take pictures of him all day. I might not be able to video record him, though. He screams like a little girl. Just like his daddy used to!

Do you all not like me anymore?

Got home sometimes after 2am with a bad headache. This is the best card I could whip up under those conditions! It doesn't really matter. It was for a 2 year old after all. I knew he'd barely look at it. But Jesse and Andrew liked it so I didn't regret making it.

I'm going to hit you so hard you'll be blind

Despite a very sore back and very hot, sticky weather, I gave Gizmo a bath followed by a walk down the Maurice River Path. At least, I think that's what it's called. Be that as it may, it was a pretty exciting walk. I got bit by a mosquito, we saw a man on a bike, we had a laugh at the spelling disabilities of Millville graffiti artists, and nearly stepped on a big snake. It wouldn't have been as scary of an experience if I had realized it was a snake rather than thinking it was a snake. In my mind, this stick suddenly moved and slithered away very quickly. It was freaky. Of course, Gizmo failed his terrier breed by being completely oblivious and looking up at me with a face full of, "what is your problem?" Can't wait for our next walk! Never know what will happen!

We didn't say lose weight

Been keeping myself busy the past few days taking care of things around the house. Gave myself a little creativity break. But Jamie and I did step out today and visit the new foot bridge over the Maurice River. I just made up that term "foot bridge" since I'm trying to say it's a bridge for people to walk over, not automobiles or trains. So, yeah, foot bridge. It's a pretty nice little bridge. It's also a safe haven for the most spiders I've ever seen. So, even if people aren't loving it, spiders are. And, guess what, we didn't kill a single one!

Don't look now, but I think we're up in a tree!

Baby Mine

On Wednesday I talked about this piece I was working on for my cousin's wife, Loraine, for her baby shower. Well, the shower was today so I can display this now. I also learned today that the nursery theme is lady bugs. As you can imagine, they're having a girl. I didn't know that til today either so I'm glad that Dumbo at least has big pink ears. It was a hit at the shower, though. It was the only gift that got passed around for everyone to look at, which was nice, but also kind of embarrassing for me. Ah well. I'm glad it was well received.

What kind of buddhism is this?

Played at "The Spot" in Woodbury. I think I should start playing more acoustic solo gigs to make some dough on the side. They're easier to arrange and to play; I can play whatever I like. I can change my mind half way through and no one is put out. I can play songs I like and not worry about anyone else's opinion. I hadn't done a show on my own in a long time and I forgot the advantages. It was pretty nice. The angel food cake I had after my set was even better, though!!

Raw sugar

I suppose this is my official announcement: I eat sushi. It's left the safety of tasting and trying with my mother and become something I can do on my own with my friends! It's pretty exciting! Look how excited Jamie is!

Note: Sushi must meet certain Jenell standards. There must be rice around the exterior. There must be cooked things on the inside. There must be sweet and sour sauce; must not be soy sauce. And sushi must be reasonable bite size. Thank you, carry on.

A little bundle of trouble

What's a baby?

My cousin, John, and his wife, Lorraine, are having a baby... soon. The baby shower is Sunday and my mom asked me to draw something for them. The above is not what I'm giving to them; I can't post that yet for obvious reasons. To be honest, this originally was going to be for them, but I wasn't satisfied with it. When I was half way through this, I thought of something else I wanted to do, but I completed this first. I probably shouldn't have bothered with this one and just done the other cause my hand is so fucked. Ah well. At least it gave me something to post!

ps. today at 12:34:56 it was 123456789. yaaay

We're having no fun at all

Went to WORLD CAFE LIVE in PHILADELPHIA to see VINCE of ARMY OF ME. I had a delightful turkey wrap while Reni Lane (opener) measured her microphone cord and sang atop tables and chairs. This is when I missed John the most! Then Vince took the stage and, opposed to Reni, was very happy with how quiet everyone was. After many songs and many stories, he departed the stage and juggled his many female followers. After a near fist fight with a Dove model, it was time to lock up. Outside I was appointed keyboard guard, wherein I had to fight off many aspiring pianists, 12 monkeys, and jamboree of ninjas. You know, believe it or not, I'm working hard at making this night sound more interesting. Not that it wasn't a great show. It's just hard to enjoy life without John. LE. SIGH.

ps. It was my half birthday too. Geez.