Pretty in Pink -Lola

This new Chapeau de Gateau cake topper was named for a lovely young girl named Lola who is particularly fond of pink. The playful, almost cheeky design is not unlike the bearer of the name. Maybe she should have this topper for her 5th birthday!

Burst sign

It was an interesting request, a door sign for a popular flower shop called Burst. The co-owner Dale has been very complimentary of the Chapeau de Gateau line and hoped to add some of that look and commissioned ribbon sign. I think the result achieved the request for handmade and couture feel.

C'est Joli Wedding Brooch

My chic french friend Geraldine, recently asked if I could design a brooch for her friend who was getting married and this was the result. I used beautiful stitched satin, delicate gold trimmed lace, and a gold cord that has a filament inside and gives great movement. It is a favorite. The bride apparently wore it on her jacket.

Double Bow Demo

http://www.houseandhome.com/video/index.php?giftwrapping&s=3&v=137

If life was like a box of chocolates...

My friend Barb was visiting Chatsworth house in Derbyshire recently and took this picture of ribbon chocolates. I think it is absolutely brillant!!!

It’s All Tied Up! & on Video Too!

As previously mentioned, I was delighted to work with (Canadian) House and Home magazine for their Holiday Gift Wrap Story. Not only can you see the photos of the gorgeous ideas in the November 2008 issue, but now you can see me do a demonstration on video. Watch as I tie the classic double bow using gorgeous ribbon from Mokuba. And if you haven’t been to Mokuba, now’s your chance to catch a glimpse of the inside. So watch me tie up this story: http://www.houseandhome.com/video/index.php?giftwrapping&s=3&v=137

Best of Bruxelles

Finally here are some more photos of my trip to Bruxelles last week. I was lucky to revisit many of my favorite neighborhoods and friends. It is always inspirational to faire lèche-vitrines (window shopping) and admire the beautiful Art Nouveau architecture .

A stunning necklace made of paper disks and felt pompoms.

The Grand Place where most building date mainly from the late 17th century.

The city of beer and of waffles!!

Mokuba Christmas Gift Wrapping Story

It's that time of year again and have I got great gift wrapping ideas for the upcoming holidays... they all include ribbon! There are numerous varieties to choose from in the aisles at Mokuba & I enjoyed the design challenge, focusing on the options that work with this year's seasonal colour palette of gift wrap. It was really fun tying and bowing the looks for this story. You can see what I did & get inspired by picking up the latest issue of Canadian House and Home magazine (November 2008, page 116). Try your hand at a classic double bow and with a bit of practice, your gift will surely impress!!!

Front page Style Me Pretty!

It was such a huge thrill to get a phone call from Michelle, telling me that Chapeau de Gateau was going to be on THE front page of Style Me Pretty!! Thanks so much to Abby and her team for featuring my recent work, and getting the word out about my newly launched shop on Etsy! As a Toronto member of her Little Black Book of vendors, I'm very proud to be included with such a talented group of people. It's great to check in and see the Real Weddings and stunning inspiration boards. I really appreciate the support. A grand merci!

Martha comment!

Fortunately Chapeau de Gateau has been profiled on several wedding blogs, but I found this recent one very charming, as it refers to my cake toppers as having a "Martha-chic" feel to them! What a compliment-thanks! I really like to design cake toppers that have a fun fresh graphic look to them. And without a doubt, Martha Stewart Wedding magazine is a constant source of inspiration.

Now I await to hear Martha's opinion!!

J'adore Laduree!

Chapeau de Gateau went on a inspiration trip this week! Well truthfully it was one action packed day in Paris. And merci to mon Cheri, I was able to tag along on one of his trips!! It was a stunningly beautiful warm fall day, perfect walking weather, and I visited some of my favorite haunts, the most special being the patisserie Laduree. I visited their location on Rue Royal which is the original tea shop and purchased their famous Macaroons. I'd have to say the salted caramel is now my new favorite. The elegant store is full of character and exquisite pastries. Pastries called Religieuses are pictures above. I love their colour palette and ultimately their chic pretty delicious creations. Look for some Laduree inspired Chapeau de Gateau cake toppers.

Shop Open!

I've officially posted a few cake toppers and my ribbon place card holders on Etsy!! This is a new venture for me, and I'm excited to see how all of this will work. My pal Stefanie at Heartbeat, is a computer genius in my books!! Many thanks!!! She was very helpful in the set-up and designed the eye catching header. She told me that eventually I'll get the hang of things...

Mokuba Toronto Fall Window Display

As a part time employee at the fabulous Mokuba ribbon store in Toronto, one of the perks is contributing to the window displays. They are usually well admired and always a fun design challenge. I admit window display would be one of my secret career passions as well. These are the mock ups for the new display that should be up in a couple of weeks.

My co-worker Matilda Carlsson, who is a Swedish illustrator by trade, created all of the elegant silhouettes. Now I'm starting to design their looks with numerous ribbons featuring some current colour trends. The problem is how to narrow down the choices!

Queen of Cake and Chapeau de Gateau

I'm delighted to have the opportunity to show my Chapeau de Gateau creations at the Dufflet store on Queen Street. There you will find the sample above, keeping in the Dufflet colour theme! - along a book of images of recent CDG designs. All toppers are named for easy reference for brides to consider as the keepsake on their delicious wedding cakes. Dufflet cakes and pastries are a celebrated institute on the Toronto scene.

Marketing Ideas

I'm sending out this eblast to my contact list to inform them of the other ribbon related products that Chapeau de Gateau creates. My ribbon brooch accessories are under the name C'est Joli, and the look I'm after is fresh, pretty and chic (of course!). They are found at a lovely bridal shop called White Toronto.
Andrea the owner has used them on flower girls slashes and found they really added that finishing touch.

A Happy Bride To Be

I was very pleased to receive this lovely message from my last client. Let's hope every bride feels this excited!!

Hi Alison
Steven brought it home late last night.
It is just gorgeous - exactly what I wanted! :)
Thank you so much and I just can't wait to use it for our cupcake tower - it will look absolutely stunning
I may contact you again before the wedding for some of my other needs - I may get brooches for my bridesmaids.
Thanks a million,

Packaging Ideas

This is the package my clients received that contained their Chapeau de Gateau topper. I found an appropriate size box and liked the idea of wrapping the topper in tulle. Very bridal. May need more refinements along the way. The cake topper has the names of the bride and groom and date of their wedding on the bottom like the example above.

Matthew Mead Productions

I was very excited that I could contribute to Matthew Mead Style gorgeous new website format. My orange topper was in the style section for Summer 2008. He's already onto Fall 2008! I really love his wonderful layouts and he has an amazing colour sense. Check in for wonderful styling and entertaining ideas.

First time pros

You'd think that they had done it before, but no, after 12 years Leigh and Aldo celebrated with family and friends and tied the knot. It was a stylish late afternoon ceremony and dinner reception. U2's 'Beautiful Day' blasted out after vows were shared as an omen for their future together. Thanks to Camilla Pucholt Photography for the great cake images. I hope Leigh and Aldo will bring out their CDG topper for their first anniversary!

Leigh and Aldo's Wedding Day

It's Leigh and Aldo's wedding today! Leigh is a co-partner of the couture stationary company MiMa Design. I'm delighted to attend their wedding and create a CDG topper for their beautiful cake. I dropped it off yesterday at the cake shop, She Takes The Cake, and I think it will look lovely. More pictures later from the event.

Luncheon Centerpieces

This was my first centerpiece commission for a luncheon that took place in May. My client was not having a cake, but wanted something with that Chapeau de Gateau flair. I think we really succeeded. Her florist Trevor did an excellent job complementing the hatbox bases.

Thanks to Frank for his fabulous shots and sharing some suggestions for growing a new business. You can check out his other work at: Micheal Francis Photography

Full On Fushia

I'm very pleased to have a full shot of the collaboration with Papillon cakes as well. The layering of the gold and fushia is so rich. This is one statement cake!

Fabulous Fushia

Thanks to Diana at Papillon Cakes for the great photo of my topper. It is such a striking combination.