After being so busy with work and the holiday, I finally have the time to "exercise" what I have learned back in Cake Love 2012, making sugar peony from the fabulous Jacqueline Butler of Petalsweet Cakes. I even made my own gumpaste this time! I used Nicholas Lodge's recipe. I tweaked the recipe to my liking, which using a little less tylose. By reducing the tylose, it allow me to work a little longer which benefits novice like me, as the gumpaste doesn't dry up too fast. I made the pistils earlier, and made some extras. Thank God for the extras as my curious two years old thought those pretty colored pistils are drum sticks. I managed to save 2 sets, and the rests, all the pretty pointy tips were all chipped *sad face*
I made not one, but two peonies! I was playing with the size and colors. One I left with no colors (first photo), and the second one, I dusted with some greens (second photo). I really like the gumpaste as I can roll it very thin, almost paper-thin. You can see from the second photo, the petals were almost see through as it was sun-kissed by the morning light!
Although I am quite happy with them, by no means they are perfect, I still have to make sure do tweak a few things as I make them later. I got positive feedback from the Facebook page by friends, families, and cake friends. The one that made my day was from Jacqueline Butler herself:
"..Your peonies are FABULOUS! Meticulously crafted and beautifully made...you are a perfect student! Congratulations...they are really gorgeous! Jacqueline xx"
Thank you for your guidance Jacqueline! You're a fabulous teacher, incredibly generous, patience, and kind in sharing your wealth of knowledge! I am so privileged to have known you!
