Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to attend the Wilton Mom ReTreat held at the Wilton Headquarters in Bolingbrook, IL. We stayed at the Aloft, a fabulous, upbeat hotel. Here are some photos of my cute, loft inspired room.
Who can resist the hotel bathroom photos?
During the ReTreat, we enjoyed complimentary breakfast at the hotel, lunches catered by Panera and Potbelly Sandwich Shop, and dinners at Francesca’s at The Promenade and Rosebud where tired me accidentally ordered a whole chicken. Luckily, this was a local event, so I saved the leftovers for Greg! I hate wasting food!
At the Wilton Headquarters, I was able to get my hands on new Wilton products as well as products I haven’t worked with before. Our first day at the Wilton offices, we were able to work with the decorators and product managers who developed Punch. Cut. Decorate!, a new Wilton product line that went public April 15th.
Punch. Cut. Decorate! features Sugar Sheets Edible Decorating Paper, punches and cutting tools that make it easy to create cake decorations much like scrapbooking! This new line of decorating tools are suitable for extry level or professional cake decorators. The Sugar Sheets are flexible enough to modify in shapes, but you must keep them covered and work with them fast, as they start to dry out. My cake is an example of the elegance that can be achieve using the Sugar Sheets and cutting tools. It’s a little messy, since it was my first try.
In May, Wilton’s new Sugar Sheets and Punch. Cut. Decorate! product line will be available for purchase. Wilton will sell single sheets for $4 in 21 different styles, patterns, colors, fonts, and numbers along with 25 cutting and punching tools.
On our second day at the Wilton offices, I participated in a tiered cake decorating activity. Using fondant and cutting tools and punches, we were able to rock this cake! It actually came out better than I expected *giggle*.
I made the little flowers on the 3rd tier :).
We also had a chance to decorate cookies using the Color Flow technique.
My Color Flow attempt. I don’t outline very well, do I?
Had I not had these one-on-one workshops, I’d be totally afraid to even attempt using Color Flow, fondant, and the Punch. Cut. Decorate! line! I now realize how easy it is for an ordinary mom like me to decorate better than some bakeries. As a mom with the deep desire to be remembered by the memories I create in the kitchen, I am excited more than words can express to have had the opportunity to work closely with with Wilton during this ReTreat!
Jenn of MommaDandDaBoyz, Caryn of Rockin’ Mama, Me,
Jennifer of MomSpotted, Emilie of Baby Loving Mama, Tanya of Mommy Goggles
I’m inspired and even so courageous as to attempt this insanely cute Dinosaur Cake for Jayden’s 3rd birthday!
Are you an avid baker? What are some of your favorites things to bake? What baking/decorating techniques are you dying to learn?
1stopmom
Friday 22nd of April 2011
I like to bake but I only have a pan or two. Once I get my kitchen a little more organized.You guys did a really good job. I have to admit I am a little scared to try what you guys have done so far. I think some type of beginner's kit is what I need.
Some Lucky Dog
Thursday 21st of April 2011
Love this! I can't wait for the next cake decorating opportunity! I hope they'll be selling these at Walmart!
Sheena
Thursday 21st of April 2011
Oh, they will. More on Walmart & Wilton soon... :)
Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommy
Thursday 21st of April 2011
I'm just starting to get to know Wilton. I lived in Bolingbrook until I was 9. I go on Realtor.com and Zillow occasionally to look at my old address. I haven't been back to the suburbs since we moved. #nostalgic
Sheena
Thursday 21st of April 2011
I didn't know you were from Bolingbrook! Small world!
Jen Lawrence
Wednesday 20th of April 2011
That's amazing! I decided I wanted to start taking some cake decorating classes at Micheal's. I really want to play with fondant. I've seen amazing cakes with butter cream icing and embellished with fondant. I can't wait for the set to become available, I'm so going to use it for all my events. Bye, Bye Bakery orders... Hello Custom Cakes!
Sheena
Thursday 21st of April 2011
You can find the sets at Wilton.com and in stores in May. Fondant is much like Play-Doh meets Laffy Taffy. It's super easy to use. As for butter cream icing... I shall see when I get there.
Uh oh, Jael Custom Cakes!
Barbara Strickland
Wednesday 20th of April 2011
i am so excited to see this. Is it available in the stores locally now. cant wait to try it. WOW is all I can say whole new exciting way to decorate, I will be a professional in no time thanks to Wilton.
Sheena
Thursday 21st of April 2011
Barb, Punch. Cut. Decorate! will be in stores in May. I did see some of the products for sale on Wilton.com.