Cake Byte: CakeSpy at Crafty Wonderland in Portland December 13

Oh, hi Portland. Now, I know you already love sweet stuff: after all, you are the home of such amazing bakeries as Saint Cupcake, Ken's Artisan Bakery, Crema, Voodoo Donuts, Honore, and Pearl Bakery--just to name a few.

But this weekend, a veritable storm of sweetness is going to descend on your fair city from up north--yup, CakeSpy is coming to town!

Mr. Spy and myself will be showing at Crafty Wonderland's Super Colossal Holiday Sale this Sunday, December 13!

Here are the details:

Super Colossal Holiday Sale!
December 13th from 11am-7pm
at the Oregon Convention Center
777 NE MLK Jr. Blvd, Exhibit Hall D
All Ages * Free Admission * Goodie Bags for the first 200 people!

For more information and directions, visit craftywonderland.com !

Hope to see you there! Oh, and any Portland bakery suggestions are welcome, too!

Sweet December: The Holiday Cupcake Roster at Trophy Cupcakes

Not that you need a reason to go to Trophy Cupcakes this month, but you know what? Here are four reasons. You know what that means? No excuses.

#1: CakeSpy Art Show. Buy original artwork all December long at the Wallingford location of Trophy Cupcakes! The paintings are selling like hotcakes so be sure to go soon for a sweet holiday gift for your sweetie!

#2: Bourbon Eggnog Cupcakes: One of the December flavors which seems to sell out every day. This bodes well.

#3: Chocolate Candy Cane Cupcakes: Another of the December flavors, comprised of rich chocolate cake and a gorgeously buttery-pepperminty buttercream, all topped with crushed candy canes for the perfect balance of decadent, sweet, and crunchy.

#4: Gingerbread Cupcakes: The final of the three December flavors, this spicy gingerbread cupcake is perfectly balanced by a slightly tangy, bright orange zest buttercream.

Bonus reason: The Candied Yam Cupcake! This Thanksgiving has proven so popular that Trophy is offering it Wednesdays and Fridays all December long.

You know what this all means: get yourself to Trophy Cupcakes! For locations and more information, visit trophycupcakes.com.

Cake Byte: Jane and Michael Stern in Seattle in January!

Jane and Michael Stern talk a lot about foods like hot dogs, mac and cheese, burgers, and savory things.

But from time to time, they also break out an exquisite gem of a sweet find--which are reported on their site, roadfood.com. And generally the sweets they love are of the intensely decadent, no holds barred variety (yesss!).

And now they're coming to Seattle!

They will be speaking on January 12, 7:30 pm at Benaroya Hall, Seattle; Tickets are $25-50, $10 for students/under 25; available at lectures.org or at 206.621.2230. There will also be a community dinner the evening before (it's pricey, but hey, if you're a super fan, why not?); for more info, click here.

Cake Byte: Preview of the Trophy Cupcakes Show!

Dudes and Dudettes. I am, like, so excited about my upcoming artist reception at the Wallingford Trophy Cupcakes tomorrow evening!

It is going to be an action-packed day for me: I will be selling artwork all day at the awesome Urban Craft Uprising (P.S. check out the interview I did on their blog!), then rushing over to Trophy at 6 p.m. for some delicious cupcakes and the artist reception!

Note: Don't worry if you can't make it to the reception. I'd be happy to see you, of course, but the artwork will be up all month, through January 2! Plenty of time to pick up a holiday present for a loved one (or for yourself. You totally deserve it.).

I've been painting my little fingers weary, and wanted to give a preview of what will be on show at Trophy from among the nearly 80 new works, many depicting Seattle scenes, such as...

Cuppie enjoying a delicious burger at Lunchbox Laboratory;

Cuppie shopping local at the Ballard Farmer's Market;

Cuppie making some mischief at a produce stand at Pike Place;

Cuppies hanging out at cute Belltown cafe Le Pichet;

and so, so many more! Hope to see you this weekend! For the Wallingford Trophy Cupcakes location and more information about their cupcakes, visit their site!

Cake Byte: New Crafty Cuppie Rubber Stamps by Taylored Expressions!

Are you a crafty little cupcake? Or...do you perhaps know a crafty little cupcake who deserves a sweet surprise in their Christmas stocking this year? Well, search no longer for the perfect present, because here it is: the sweetest new set of rubber stamps by Taylored Expressions featuring CakeSpy art!

This set is doubly perfect for crafty types, because not only can you make cards and projects with the stamps--but they depict Cuppie doing all sorts of creative things!

This set retails for $21.95 and comes nicely packaged with a beautiful color index sheet; you can purchase it here. You can also find great project ideas on the Taylored Expressions blog and stay in touch with Taylored Expressions via Twitter!

Sweet News: CakeSpy Featured in the Saveur Gift Guide!

Every foodie knows Saveur, one of the best food sites and magazines out there! (Oh, and by the way, if you haven't picked up the december issue, please do: they have a great holiday dessert article!).

And so considering how rad Saveur is, how sweet is this: CakeSpy artwork is featured in the Saveur Gift Guide! Here's the blurb:

In addition to her baking and blogging capabilities, the founder of Cakespy, Jessie Oleson, is also a talented illustrator, and has created an entire line of original artwork featuring characters such as Cuppie, Toastie, Pie Slice, and Doughnut. These framed and whimsical watercolors add a bit of sweet kitsch to any kitchen. $25-$45 each.

Of course, CakeSpy is in good company: also featured are Bake It Pretty, Spice House, Compartes Chocolatier, Truly Toffee, and so many more!

For the full list, click here.

Cake Byte: Cuppie At the Milwaukee Art Museum!

Cuppie has made it to the big time: he's officially been acknowledged by the Milwaukee Art Museum!

OK, granted, it's a very tiny image, but hey: we've got to start somewhere, right? Next stop, solo show at MoMA!

Cuppie was used as a promotional image for the Milwaukee Art Museum's MAM After Dark: A Very Red Velvet Holiday event, which is also brought to you by the lovely and amazing Sandy Ploy of Iron Cupcake. For more information on the Andy Warhol-meets-cupcakes event, visit their site!

Sweet December: Cupcake Royale's Holiday Cupcake Roster

So what if it's not technically December yet? Cupcake Royale has their holiday flavors out already in full force!

Here's what you'll find there this month:

Figgy Pudding: A rich and fudgy chocolate chunk fig cake topped with a light and fluffy, old-fashioned brandied chocolate buttercream. Puts a whole new spin on "bring us some figgy pudding"!

Eggnog: Featuring real eggnog buttercream from local dairy farmers, swirled on top of a vanilla butter cake. Topped with holiday sprinkles and freshly ground nutmeg.

Candy Cane: A wintry peppermint buttercream swirled top either vanilla or chocolate cake, topped with a sweet starlight mint.

and of course, they decorate their Red Velvet Cupcakes (it's a new recipe!) with a sweet holiday sparkle at this time of year.

Available all autumn long at the four Cupcake Royale locations; for directions and contact info, visit www.cupcakeroyale.com. Of course, you can keep up to date with their goings-on at legalizefrostitution.blogspot.com.

Cake Byte: Cyber Monday Sale at CakeSpyShop.com!

Do you need some sweet treats for the holidays? How about some holiday cards, or perhaps a sweet cupcake ornament? It's all available--plus so much more--on CakeSpyShop.com! And through Monday, November 30, you can get some sweet savings! Use code CSHOL when checking out and you'll get 20% off everything!

Now that's a totally sweet deal! Season's Sweetings!

Cake Byte: CakeSpy Artwork at Trophy Cupcakes Starting December 5!

Breaking Cake News! CakeSpy is having another art show at Trophy Cupcakes! The first one this summer was such a success that they have asked for more cupcake art to get them through the holiday season!

Please note that if you read the update about the show a week or so ago, the artist reception has changed. It will now take place at the following time:

Saturday, December 5, from 6-8 p.m.
at Trophy Cupcakes in Wallingford, 1815 N. 45th Street in the Wallingford Center
There will be plenty of awesome artwork and of course a limited supply of free cupcakes!

There will be over 80 new paintings featuring cupcakes (and even some other foods!) in all sorts of sweet (and sometimes bittersweet) situations, and many illustrations including Seattle landmarks.

Of course if you can't make the reception, the artwork will be up all month long in Wallingford, through January 2, so you can pick up sweet gifts for your friends, neighbors, family and maybe even your sweet self all December long!

Hope to see you there!