Hello there!  Are you stressed out?  Is the current news report about all the things going on around the world stressing you?  According to a report published by the NY Times in April, 2019, Americans are among the most stressed out people in the world.  I don’t see a report on people outside the U.S., but I’m sure that stress does not stay just in the U.S..  Well, I want to help relieve some of the stress in your life, if only for a few minutes while you read this blog.

So, I’m going to focus on only positive things for today…… I want to start with the ISAC Spring Open House that was held last Saturday with a small but very fun crowd.  After many weeks of rain and overcast clouds, the Open House went off without a hitch.  Each student, cake decorator and friends were greeted with a warm, bright and sunny day and some bright and fun decorations at the door.

ISAC featured two demonstration times each lasting over two hours.  Chef Nicholas did a very fun, interesting and inspiring demonstration.  His demo showcased new products in the Nicholas Lodge line and silicone molds by Katy Sue Designs. 

Everyone who attended received a free cookie cutter, compliments of our friends at Ann Clark Cookie Cutters.  Here is the link to the Ann Clark Website. 

A break in the demonstrations provided time for everyone to enjoy refreshments and some “retail therapy” in the ISAC retail gallery. 

Now, if you were not able to attend the Spring Open House, here is some GREAT NEWS!!  Chef Nicholas has completed a video on the projects that he did AT the open house and put it on his YouTube channel!  WOW!  Now you can pretend that you are sitting in the ISAC classroom and Chef is teaching you all about how to make these fabulous projects while never leaving the comfort of your home.  Go to Chef Nicholas' YouTube Channel for the SPRING OPEN HOUSE VIDEO.

Well, it’s On The Road Again….. for Chef Nicholas.  Do you remember that song Willie Nelson sings about being “On The Road Again….. Just can’t wait to get on the road again….”?  That song reminds me to move the “Nick Stick” to a new location that he is traveling to this week.  Chef Nicholas will be in South Shields, working with Flower Pro for the next 9 days.  He is going to be working on designing and developing new products and creating the YouTube videos that will go with the new products.  Chef also says "I am developing something totally new too".....I’m so excited about this because I can’t wait to see what he is going to come up with next!  If I can get a sneak peak at the new stuff, I’ll be sure to pass it on to you!

After the 9 days, Chef will be returning to Atlanta where he will be in the ISAC studio for the Spring Open House on March 14.  This is a wonderful chance to see the new ISAC showroom and classroom and to get some new ideas for Spring!

 A few weeks ago, I told you about the Sunflower and Daisy Flower Pro molds from Chef Nicholas and Katy Sue Designs that help make your sugar flower creations easier and more fun.  I hope you have these molds as part of your cake decorating supplies by now!

I also hinted about a new mold was coming out and it’s finally here!  This mold creates the most beautiful large and small size Antlers.  This new mold is definitely not a flower but is so much more versatile than a flower.  Just take a look at these fabulous creations.

The team at Katy Sue Designs and the many fans of Chef Nicholas have created some beautiful designs that I want to share with you.  Here are a few cake designs.

These cakes are amazing!! 

Now, I have to admit, when I first saw this mold, I started thinking of all the different cake designs I could make with this mold.  But then I thought…. this mold can be used to create so much more than just cake!  How about cookies or cupcakes?  How about a centerpiece for your table-top or pretty wreath to use during a Holiday celebration?  The team at Katy Sue Designs and everyone out there stepped outside the ‘cake box’ and came up with so many other ideas.  Just take a look.

This is definitely something no one should be without.  These molds are amazing.  Now is the best time to get yours!  

Click on the mold photograph to go straight to the website to place your order.  The Antler molds come in 2 different sizes, but can be used in the same way.  ISAC has plenty of these molds in stock, but you better hurry and order yours before they run out.  

Be sure to post photographs of your designs to the Katy Sue Designs Cake Decorating or Nicholas Lodge Facebook page so we can enjoy your work.  Chef Nicholas has also created a tutorial for the Antlers mold. Here is the link to the YouTube videos for all the great tutorials created by Chef Nicholas, including the Antler molds.  The NIcholas Lodge Antler Mold YouTube Tutorials.  There are 2 parts to this tutorial.

I never thought about the antler molds being on anything other than a cake, but the wonderful cake decorators and designers that work with these molds have really taken this to the next level. 

Who would have thought about this idea?  How cute is this?!

The Antler molds can be used for any holiday decoration or a rural Country theme cake or cookie.  The possibilities were endless.   Order yours today!

Stay Sweet and Keep Learning!

SAVE THE DATE!  Don't forget about the upcoming ISAC Grand Holiday Open House.  The event is scheduled for November 16 from 9:00am – 12:30pm OR 12:00-3:30pm; or you can attend November 17 from 9:00am – 12:30pm.  Each day will have the same demonstrations, so you can choose one of these days and times to attend and not miss a thing!

Registration is $15.00 for the event.  You will receive a $5.00 credit on any purchase you make during the event.  Got to www.nicholaslodge.com/classes to sign up today!

Last week Chef Nicholas winning the Cake Hero Award had to be celebrated. But there was more to celebrate last week- brand new Nicholas Lodge products by Katy Sue Designs were released! First is a new product in the Nicholas Lodge Collection by Katy Sue Designs- the Blackberry and Oak Leaves mold, and second the Flower Pro Poinsettia mold and veiner! The timing is obviously perfect to make some golden autumn oak leaves, and with Thanksgiving one week away, Poinsettias and the Christmas season are a blink away! 

A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED CHEF NICHOLAS LODGE AND KATY SUE DESIGNS'

FLOWER PRO LAUNCH!

Last week was the launch of the Flower Pro line of molds and veiners, designed and created by Chef Nicholas Lodge and Katy Sue Designs. The product line contains 6 brand new products, and they were flying off the shelves like hot cakes! The product first launched in the UK, and Chef Nicholas was on HOCHANDA, and sold out of all of the products allotted for the viewers of the show! It was so exciting! People were (justifiably) very worried they would be unable to secure their own new Flower Pro products! Luckily, when the products were launched one week ago, here in the USA, there were plenty of items to go around!