Varis Pipe Dreams "Cakes to Dream On"

NEC was a huge success

2010-11-09T13:02:00.002Z

Cake 2010 at the NEC was a huge success. Sugarveil just flew out and now we are just going through all the internet orders.
Thank you if you came to say hello, it was appreciated, as was all the words of encouragement.
I would love to have a small design team who would be willing to work with Sugarveil. The idea I have is that I supply the Sugarveil and the teamm see what they can come up with. If anyone is interested then please do let me know, I am looking for a maximum of 6 talented people and once I will supply all you need to make the dummy cake of your choice, if the design is suitable of course.
if you are interested then please do get in touch.

Speak soon!!!!!!!!!!

My boys

2010-10-09T13:21:00.006+01:00

I forgot to tell you all about the new boys, here they are aged 11 months and 5 months.

International Cake Show

2010-10-09T11:15:00.003+01:00

The International Cake Show is drawing near.
We will be there at the show selling the Sugarveil and Cricut Cake products.
So Do come and see us if you ae at the show.

Wish us luck, its the first big show we have done!!

Cricut Cake

2010-05-26T16:17:00.002+01:00

The time is now drawing near , Cricut Cake will soon be hear!!!
I have added the Cricut Cake products to the on line shop at www.varispipedreams.com and we are now taking pre orders in advance of the official UK launch.
We have been told by Kars (The official EU Importer) that we should have stock soon after June 6th.
I will let you all know when it is indeed with us.

Keep life sweet!!

Kevin

My New Baby

2010-05-13T23:31:00.003+01:00

You know how I have been going on and on in class over the years about how I want to go camping and see more of Scotland, Gods own country. Well you know how I just couldn't get my head arround the tent thing. The essential part of camping. Well I have come up with this...

I will let you know when it is converted..

Still No Cricut Cake News

2010-05-12T16:36:00.003+01:00

Hi all, we still have not had the UK price confirmed or indeed had a firm date for delivery of the New Cricut Cake.
I will keep you posted, and to all those whom have emailed. I have your details on file and will indeed get back to you as soon as I have more information.

A Great New Link, and a Great Weekend

2010-05-01T10:53:00.003+01:00

Hi all,

I hope you have some fabulous plans for a great weekend! As its mayday weekend, maybe you wont be stuck in the kitchen producing cakes. I am going to see my god daughter in Oliver tonight and then I intend to be travelling down to Kilmarnock on Sunday to view a camper van.

I have a hankering to take off on the open road for my Sunday and Monday days off. I think we live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world and I never seem to get to see it. I especially want to see more of our west coast. keep your fingers crossed for me!
on another note have a look at this blog spot http://www.cuttingedgecakeart.com/blog.php
They have spent a lot of time trialling the new Cricut Cake and give some pretty good unbiased reporting on it. See what you think.

Will you be at the NEC

2010-04-24T15:37:00.002+01:00

Since I put the post up about attending the NEC I have had numerous comments and emails from various people.
Will you be attending the NEC this year? and if so how do you feel about the three day event.
Good or bad I would love to hear.

Speak soon

Kevin

NEC This Year

2010-04-20T23:45:00.002+01:00

We will be having a stand at the NEC this year in November for the International Cake Show.
I cant wait it is going to be great, as well as selling Sugarveil and demonstrating it we will be using, demonstrating and selling the new Cricut Cake. Prices for the new machine still have to be confirmed but it looks great, see for yourself www.cricut.com/cricutcake
Hope to see you there and if you need any more information then please do just get in touch!

Good night for now

Kevin

Alan Dunn Workshops

2010-02-20T09:43:00.003Z

Yes that's right. Alan Dunn!!
I am pleased to announce that Alan has agreed to do two workshops for us here at Varis Pipe dreams. The venue will be Maclean's Highland Bakery,16 West Road, Forres, which as you know is now the new home for Varis Pipe Dreams.
The date for the two workshops is Saturday August 7th and Sunday August 8th.
Please book your place early as the last time we had Alan it was so succesful we eneded up with a waiting list and quite a few disappointed people not being able to attend.
As soon as the price has been fixed we will let you know but we envisage the price to be approximately £55 per workshop.
Alan will also be signing copies of his latest book, indeed his 13th!

I for one cant wait.

2010-02-06T14:07:00.002Z

It has been a long time since my last post, I have been very busy with the new shop!
Setting it up, running classes, creating the chocolate laboratry etc etc etc.
Gosh I sound like Yul Bryner in the film The King and I, apparently!! I would not remember it myself of course, being so young.
Right so whats New.....................

Well we have almost finnished a classroom for our weekend workshops which we hope to start in the Summer. I will keep you posted. Our sugarcraft courses will be starting again on Feb 24th and 25th.
Sugarveil will all soon be back in stock and there will be new lacemats too!
If you havent tried it yet, just let me know, you may want to join the sugarveil course.

Well I will be on again soon with more news but for now........all keep well and see you soon.

You Wanted Some News!!!

2009-07-30T16:43:00.000+01:00

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.

Must Keep You All Up To Date

2009-07-29T17:34:00.002+01:00

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

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

2009-06-25T00:36:00.003+01:00

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

2009-06-25T00:33:00.001+01:00

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

Edable Art Colours

2009-06-09T23:59:00.003+01:00

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.

Cold Porcelain Workshop with Alyson Lilleyman

2009-05-22T19:53:00.003+01:00

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/

Give him a break (Not Cake Related)

2009-05-13T23:13:00.003+01:00

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

Happy 50th Chris

2009-05-03T21:05:00.002+01:00

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!!

Some more of this weeks cakes

2009-05-02T17:54:00.004+01:00

Mr and Mrs Kemp

2009-05-02T17:51:00.000+01:00

Funky Cake 1

2009-05-02T17:49:00.000+01:00

Book a course with Lorraine

2009-05-02T17:41:00.002+01:00

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

2009-05-02T17:12:00.005+01:00

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.

Where does the time go?

2009-04-27T18:19:00.002+01:00

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.

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T10:56:00.003+01:00

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!

Have You Attended One Of Our Sugarcraft Courses?

2009-04-08T12:35:00.002+01:00

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.

How busy have we been?

2009-04-07T22:29:00.002+01:00

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.

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

2009-03-18T00:51:00.002Z

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.

Here is the One I did Earlier

2009-03-14T17:23:00.002Z

Talking of CupCakes

2009-03-14T00:24:00.005Z

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.

Laser Cut CupCake Cases In Stock

2009-03-12T17:52:00.003Z

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.

Something about these cakes that I really liked

2009-03-11T23:35:00.002Z

FPC Sugarcraft

2009-03-11T23:05:00.002Z

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.

I Just love Sundays

2009-03-08T14:07:00.003Z

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!

2009-03-07T14:58:00.007Z

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.

Shall we meet

2009-03-06T21:08:00.002Z

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!

2009-03-06T10:33:00.000Z

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.

2009-03-06T01:27:00.000Z

Here are some of my favouite cakes, all very different.

2009-03-06T00:31:00.000Z

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.

2009-03-06T00:24:00.000Z

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