Since the Tiny Kitchen is in a state of Big Disarray, and not ready for a full blog, I decided I’d post some pics of back when I was Elevenses Bakery. I was reminded of it by Deb Brunson, who is in culinary school and last week (or this? I can’t remember, and I haven’t had time to keep up with my fellow bloggers) was focusing on cakes and frostings.
When I got my tonsils out a few years ago, they gave me Percocet for the pain, which was lucky for me as they forgot to mention they’d be taking out my adenoids as well. I woke up feeling like I’d gone a few rounds with Mike Tyson (although my ears were fine and unbitten), and although the pain took the focus off my throat, I needed that Percocet.
And in my lovely Percocet haze, I came up with Elevenses Bakery. (Click on the link for more info on Elevenses!) The concept, the branding, everything. The only thing I didn’t have was a commercial kitchen, and let me tell you, the Tiny Kitchen was not up to the challenge. Plus, having a dog and a cat put a serious wrench in the food safety laws that we have here in California. “Two dozen red velvets, madam? Yes, of course. Now, would you like dog or cat fur on those? No extra charge!”
Trying to keep the cat from walking over the cooling cupcakes was tough, but not as tough as trying to frost cupcakes in the California heat with no air conditioning next to a 350 degree oven. So when I finally had a nervous breakdown one morning when I had driven to three different storage places in town to try to find one utensil I needed, and then sent The Husband to look again, he suggested it was time to hang up my apron. I cried some more then agreed.
So, here are some of the creations I made while proud owner and proprietor of Elevenses Bakery. It wasn’t supposed to be all cupcakes—I wanted to make fun treats for kids’ parties, like goodie bags with alphabet cookies that spelled out the child’s name. Yes, I’m a spelling geek, I admit it freely. That idea must have been the Percocet, because I don’t even have kids. Unless you count the cat and dog, which I do. (I hasten to add that I do NOT throw them birthday parties.)
Some of these designs are from Hello, Cupcake and others were pulled from my own imagination. Let me know which one you like the best!
Yo quiero Taco Bell? Will the chihuahua ever live that commercial down?
"Chocolate" lab, geddit? Har har.
For another friend's daughter's birthday. The party was at a petting zoo, and the kids loved these!
A work colleague was going on an Alaskan cruise.
What is the collective noun for sharks?
Mini-sunflower cupcakes!
These were (sadly) for a wake for a photographer. I was told she would have loved them.
I made these for my friend's daughter's birthday. She wanted rabbits jumping out of magician's hats. I thought they turned out quite cute!
These "pupcakes" are also from Hello, Cupcake
Kitties! These are from the Hello, Cupcake book.
I thought the "tie-dye" came out quite well on these!
This was a special one made for The Husband.
These were for a friend's birthday—she's a die-hard Red Sox fan--you can just see the logo I made in red candy on the back cupcake. The "hot dogs" are made from caramels, red hots and yellow frosting "mustard".
Sunflowers, both regular and pink.
tinykitchenstories 
I think I need the sunflower cupcakes – and the hot dogs – despite myself they are durn adorable!
The sunflowers are super easy to make, and there’s no meat at all in those hot dogs, so feel free to like them! You can even think of them as tofurkey dogs… 🙂
This looks like unfinished business to me! Maybe you’ll revive the dream someday. I love the sunflowers too.
Thank you! I do love baking, so perhaps you’re right. I appreciate the support!
And anything with sunflowers just cheers me right up, so I agree with you both.
Your Hello Cupcakes are great! My teenage daughter (she didn’t let me help her) ended up throwing the book against the wall. She could not get hers to look like the pictures…
Yikes! Although I can sympathize. There were ones that did not turn out well. She can have a look at the first sunflowers I did, which look like extras from some alien movie. They do take A LOT of patience! Thanks for the comment–it’s nice to know I wasn’t the only frustrated one! 😉
Ok. We will try again.
If patience is not one of your daughter’s virtues, I’d give her a big frosting tip and pastry bag and suggest she just does a beautiful swirl on top! I was always wondering if all the time and effort was worth it when most people said “Oh, they’re just to pretty to eat!” Eat them, damn you! 😉
Dear Muffim Tin Mom, Please stop writing, or at least idinunclg pictures, of cupcakes. Really. It makes me want to bake and eat every.single.time. Thanks for nothing!:)
Fabulous! So fun to learn a little bit more about you – I bet you had a blast with these!
I did, most of the time! But sometimes it got a little too much and hysterics ensued. But I look back on these pics and am pretty impressed—did I *really* make those? 😉
What gorgeous cupcakes! I remember when you had that business but never did see any of your creations. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks, Jos! I can’t believe you never saw them! I appreciate the compliment. 🙂
I LOVE the ginger kitten. I don’t think I could eat it though.
You talents are never ending… damn you!
You are so sweet! *blushes*
Once I made them and put all the work in, there was no way I could eat them, but got upset if others didn’t. Not sure why…!
Gah these are so cute!! I love the kitties!
Thank you! They did turn out nice. 🙂
Awesome cupcakes! I particularly like the ‘shiver’ of sharks! 😀
Awesome! Thanks for finding the collective noun. Those fascinate me.
I bet I could make some real cute hen cupcakes if I put my mind to i! 🙂
No problemo 🙂 there’s so many strange collectives, they’re pretty awesome. I’d love to see you do hen cupcakes, you’d do a great job! 🙂
I think they would be super cute, just like your illustration, which is adorable.
Aw, thank you! 🙂 Your cupcakes would be super super cute! ^_^
Yummmmmmy!!!!!!!
Thank you so much! 🙂
I honestly think you must be the most adorable person on the planet! And these cupcakes just confirm my suspicion. There is absolutely no way to pick a favorite here. The cameras turned out so well (sad) and the red sox with peanuts are cute; the precious kitties and pups, the monkey for The Husband, rabbits in hats… you are so talented, TKS. And it was so fun to read about Elevenses Bakery. I think you are still bringing a little sunshine into lots of lives…
What a wonderful comment, thank you! The Pupcakes were too cute and fun to do, but the rabbits were my pride and joy, since I figured the construction out myself. Can’t wait to see your blogs when you get in to pastry school! Yay!
Heehee… I’m hoping it will be a ‘yay’ 😉
Love your cupcakes! They looked so creative!~ =)
Thank you so much! Posting the pics did make me quite nostalgic for all that inventiveness. Someone commented that Elevenses seemed like “unfinished business”–maybe they’re right!?
The sunflower, butterflies and hot dog cupcakes are awesome! I’m yet to start practicing my decorating skills. Do you have Youtube tutorials? If not please consider it 🙂
Wow, thanks so much! I’ll have to look into that–it’s been so long since I’ve done them…but now I have a new kitchen, so that might be the perfect excuse! 🙂
Keep me posted!
Absolutely!