Thursday 30 July 2009

You Wanted Some News!!!

From September the 4th 2009, we will cease trading at our shop at 22 High Street, Forres.
I am not leaving Forres or closing down; I am joining forces with MacLean’s Highland Bakery, I will still be making my cakes to my recipe but for the MacLean’s Bakery.
All of the wedding and celebration cake orders on our books will be transferred over to the bakery on the Greshop Industrial Estate, as of September 7th 2009.
You may be asking yourself why?
Well as many of you know, I have grown my business here at Varis Pipe Dreams from scratch and it has been very successful. We are now the largest supplier of Sugarcraft in Scotland and I have produced thousands of cakes.
It has got to the point where I am turning down business everyday and that in itself is not good for business. I really do not enjoy saying no to some of my very valued customers. I am very passionate about my work and want to build on the success I have had so far. I can no longer do this on my own and so I am very happy and excited to be joining the team at MacLean’s.
I really do believe that this will be the best thing for both me, and MacLean’s Highland Bakery. We are going to be “The Number One place in Scotland, for any wedding or celebration cake”
We will still be selling all the sugarcraft supplies, sundries and consumeables from our shop at Maclean's Highland Bakery on the Greshop Industrial Estate. Indeed we have some amazing plans to grow the sugarcraft business even further here too.
So, exciting times ahead, I will keep you informed of even more changes to come in the very near future.

Wednesday 29 July 2009

Must Keep You All Up To Date

Hello everyone,

Sorry it has been an age since I was last on the blog. It was pointed out to me this week by the lovely Rosie.
Well I dont have much to tell you all as yet but watch this space as in the very near future there will be plenty to tell you.!!

Thats got you thinking Rosie!!!!

Speak very soon

Kev

Thursday 25 June 2009

SHOP CLOSING ON 8th-9th-10th July

Please be aware that our shop will be closed on July 8th-9th and 10th.
We will be open as normal on 11th of July.

I do hope it does not cause anyone too much inconvenience.

A few Spaces Left

I believe there are a couple of spaces available for Alyson Lilleyman's course.
See below for details.

Tuesday 9 June 2009

Edable Art Colours

We still have a few Edable Art colours for sale in the shop.
Lustres, Glitters and Block colours.
£1.50 each instead of £2.55 or 5 for £6.00

Thats right we are making way for the better in our opinion, Rainbow Colour Range.

Friday 22 May 2009

Cold Porcelain Workshop with Alyson Lilleyman


If you have an interest in flower making then this course with Alyson is a must, she is a great teacher and has demonstrated for various guilds here in the UK and Internationally. She teaches at the world renowned Squires Kitchen in Farnham, and is responsible for my first outing with cold porcelain. If you are into cake decorating, then you will love this form of floral art & remember once you have learned the techniques you can do exactly the same in sugar!!

You will not believe what can be achieved in a short 2 day workshop. The course details are below but you can contact Alyson on 01343 870276 to book a place and see her work at http://www.perfect-petals.co.uk/


Saturday 27th to Sunday 28th June 2009 from 0930hrs to 1700hrs


Summer Floral Workshop - Summer Bridal Bouquet


A 2-day workshop which gathers late spring and early summer flowers to create a bridal bouquet picked from the garden! Colouring techniques of dusting and painting will be included to bring life to lilies, clematis, and apple blossom.
Do not be afraid if you have little or no experience, we all started somewhere and who knows what hidden talents you may have!
Venue: Laichmoray Hotel, Elginhttp://www.laichmorayhotel.co.uk/

Wednesday 13 May 2009

Give him a break (Not Cake Related)

I am so fed up with hearing about the abuse and waste of public funds by our elected Members of Parliament at Westminster. I realise that some members of the house have indeed knowingly agreed to put items through on expenses, when any normal and rational thinking individual would think twice.
I think every individual has an inherent sense of what is wrong and right, and even if we do get a little blurred vision at times ,our gut feeling usually kicks in and helps us make the right choice.
I don't believe for one minute that you could forget you have paid off your mortgage for example Mr Morley, and therefore should no longer be claiming from the public purse for it. Indeed if you are so affluent as to be in the fortunate situation where you could forget such things then you should not be claiming in the first place.
Why the Rant..........
Well I have just seen the news at 10 on BBC 1 and Reporting Scotland and they are complaining now about Angus Robertson, my MP at Westminster.
Angus is one of the most hard working MPs in Westminster and indeed has been voted as such by other members of the house. I understand he sits on more committees than any other member too. He spends a great deal of time at Westminster and hence needs a London flat, and his expenses are being questioned when he has been in my opinion quite modest with his claims.
I recently moved home and now live in a little cottage in the countryside here in Moray, it cost me a great deal more than Angus claimed for his London set up!! And I already had everything I needed (or so I thought) moving from a Ardgye House.
I think the man should be given credit for being able to furnish his flat for the sum he did.
He is a brilliant hard working MP, both here in Moray and at Westminster for the people of Moray and Scotland. An asset to his party and his constituents.
Give him a break.........He is one of the good guys!!

Rant Over, next time cakes I promise lol

Sunday 3 May 2009

Happy 50th Chris

Chris is a follower of this blog and along with his lovely wife is a very good customer of mine.
Happy 50th Chris, life with Rosie has obviously kept you looking younger than your cards will be saying!!

Saturday 2 May 2009

Some more of this weeks cakes











Mr and Mrs Kemp



Funky Cake 1


Book a course with Lorraine


I took myself down to West Calder some time last year and spent a brilliant couple of days with the "world renowned" Lorraine Mckay.

She is a cracker of a person and a brilliant teacher.

I think when it comes to modelling every ones work is different. They are like your signature models, so individual in style that you can tell who made them. I can look at a model and know that it is one of Lorraine's one of Debbie Browns and know its one of hers.

my models are not a patch on either of these two ladies but I am getting better and it is thanks to Lorraine. She has asked for a recent picture of one of mine so here it is, hope you like it.

Sugarveiling




I promised I would put some information up for those of you who hadn't seen the article I did in Cake magazine.


Guess what, yep that's right I have scanned it in to the computer and you can have a look for yourself..he he.


How easy was that after all.


Any questions regarding Sugarveil please do just get in touch.







Monday 27 April 2009

Where does the time go?

When I first started this blog I was so full of good intentions.
I was going to sign on to the blog at least once a day and share thoughts and ideas with other Like minded people. People who were as into cake decorating as I was and the page was going to be a way of letting my friends in the sugarcraft field know what was going on, what new products were out etc etc.
I just signed on to the computer and found my last post to be the one wishing you all a happy Easter. So although I am full of good intentions, I am not keeping the blog up to date!
Having said that the blog is something that I enjoy doing in my forever dwindling moments of spare time, I don't want this to change.
So please bare with me and remember that my blog is never going to be seen by me as a chore and as such may be without any new content from time to time.
I just don't get the time but there is light at the end of the tunnel as I have a brilliant young confectioner that works with me and in time I will be able to spend a little more time on the blog and all the other office paperwork etc, as I hand more of the day to day stuff over to her.
I hope she reads this!!!


I will be back in touch soon and thanks for keeping an eye on the blog for me all of you that follow it.

Sunday 12 April 2009

Happy Easter


Hello everyone,


Just wanted to say to you all reading this. Have a safe and happy Easter.

Don't eat too much chocolate and if you do make sure it was bought from us...he...he....

Seriously have a good one!


Wednesday 8 April 2009

Have You Attended One Of Our Sugarcraft Courses?

If so you may be interested in putting your name forward for the Next course on from the beginners course. We at present intend to start the course in September-October and only expect to be doing evening courses. This may change "due to demand". Dates are still to be confirmed but I will let you know as soon as I can. Please note that it will be first come first served and we will be limiting places.
I will publish more information as I have it.

Tuesday 7 April 2009

How busy have we been?


Very very busy indeed. Easter is but a stones throw away and I have been up to my eyes in chocolate! heaven to some I know. I have to say though I will be glad to get back to some normality, Oh that's right the wedding season kicks off this weekend too, with a vengeance.

I love this job , seriously I do. No matter how busy we get or how many cakes we have to work on and whatever deadlines we have to make I do feel blessed that I get to do something I love so much for work. Not many people can say that in this day and age.

On another note, we now have the great little edible stars and hearts from Rainbow Dust in stock. Get them on line at our shop.

If I don't get speak to you all soon, Please have a happy and safe Easter Holiday.

Wednesday 18 March 2009

Will put the Sugarveil "how to" up soon "Promise"

Hi all, I have been asked a lot about Sugarveil of late and I have promised a few people that I would put up the" HOW TO" that I did for Cakecraft magazine.
I will do it soon I promise but a little tied up with other things at present. Thank you all for your comments re the blog, its good that you read it.
Be back in touch soon with Sugarveil news.

Saturday 14 March 2009

Here is the One I did Earlier


Talking of CupCakes


Talking about cupcakes you may also like to know that I also have these amazing cupcake stands in store for kids parties. They are available in both Pink and Blue and I used one today for a little girls party cake. They are so easy to assemble and look great decorated with pink icing and frosting with pink sparkles.
You cant go wrong with these and they really are great value too!
I will take a picture of the one I completed before it gets collected and put it on tomorrow for you all to see.

Thursday 12 March 2009

Laser Cut CupCake Cases In Stock


Thought that I should let you all know that we now have the Bakers Boutique cupcake cases in stock and I hope that we are the cheapest on the net at £9.30 per pack. Let me know if we are not and by all means take a look at the shop.

Wednesday 11 March 2009

Something about these cakes that I really liked




FPC Sugarcraft

Several years ago I purchased a few new moulds on ebay. Two out of the five I purchased were from FPC sugarcraft. Immediately you could tell the better quality ones were those from FPC.

Well it is some four years later now and I am pleased to say that I am still happy with and using some of the moulds. Yes that's right the FPC ones, the others found there way to the bin a long time ago.

FPC have gone from strength to strength and now have a large selection of moulds available at great value for money prices. There is more on the way too!

We have quite a large selection of these great little gems available through Varis Pipe Dreams at 22 high Street, Forres or indeed Online at our shop.
Have a look, you will not be disappointed.

Sunday 8 March 2009

I Just love Sundays

Nothing to do with cakes at all.
When I was younger I used to sit and talk with my mum and watch her do the ironing on a Sunday lunch time. We would, my twin and I, help with the evening meal preparation and listen to mums "stereogram", god how old am I. For those younger people reading this it was like a sideboard with music coming out of it. State of the art and Hi Fidelity at the time.
Anyway not much has changed, I still love Sundays.
However, today I have Paul Weller playing from the I pod station instead of Nat King Cole. I am doing the ironing, washing, cooking, and baking while everyone else watches......
Mum must have loved it!
If I am lucky I will be finished before dark and then I can get to go and play with my beloved scooter.
See my life isnt just cake!

Saturday 7 March 2009



It is so good to see people joining and following the blog. one of whom I see is lorraine Mckay.


If anyone reading this wants to know how to make great looking sugar models, be it Bride and Groom, Teddy bears, children whatever. You have to check out her site at Extra Icing It is a must and do have a go at the tutorials. They have been a great knowledge base for me and I was also was lucky enough to attend one of Lorraine's workshops. It really was a great experience, I would recommend them to anyone.




On another note completely, I have just done a large order with Bakers boutique for there laser cut cup cake cases and hope to have them for sale in the online shop soon. I want to be the place to get them so I will keep prices very keen. Keep an eye out for them.


Friday 6 March 2009

Shall we meet

I have had a colleague from the British Sugarcraft Guild suggest a few of us like minded people in the North East of Scotland get together for a blether and a bite to eat. What do you all think, after all we have a fair few members of the BSG in North East Scotland and Skye now.
If enough people show interest then I will sort something out. If you are up for it then contact me though the shop, or indicate here on the blog.
Watch this space!
Friday March 6Th

We have now added two great ranges of new veiners and moulds offered for sale in the Forres shop and on line of course. We have Aldaval veiners and FPC moulds available in many different styles and designs.
We are now also stocking Airbrush kits from Iwata and airbrush cake colours at great prices.










Here are some of my favouite cakes, all very different.
Hello my name is Kevin Todd and I own and run Varis Pipe Dreams, in the beautiful town of Forres in North East Scotland.
Varis Pipe Dreams is the largest supplier of sugarcraft tools, sundries and equipment in Scotland.
We also produce some stunning cake designs from our shop in the high street in Forres, on top of this we make our own chocolates.
I am so excited about setting up this blog as it is something I have been meaning to do for such a long time.
The hope is it will give me space to offer help, advice and assistance to those in the sugarcraft world that may need it.
I am not, I realise the font of all knowledge but if I can help I will. And if I cant then I hope to be able to point you into the right direction.
Recently I have been asked a lot about Sugarveil, a new product from the USA that we use in many of our cake designs. I hope to use the blog to show people how to use it effectively.

This beautiful bride is cutting one of our delicious and decadent Crocenbouche.