Who first introduced you to the delicate craft of cake decorating?
My mother had a friend that decorated cakes. At about my 12th birthday she made me a beauty-pageant cake that had five dolls on it, including a boy doll dressed in a black icing tuxedo.
When did you start taking classes?
After my second child entered first grade, I had time to devote to myself. I took lessons in cake decorating at JCPenney and found that I loved it and had some talent for it.
What classes do you teach?
I start with the basic classes: icing a cake properly, lettering, roses and flower placement, borders, and pattern transfer. I also teach a tiered- or wedding-cake class, fondant and rolled icing, gingerbread houses, butter-cream flowers, cookie decorating, molded sugar eggs or ornaments, and working with fresh flowers on cakes. I also teach privately with classes tailored to the student.
Jeepers. And you also travel the nation attending cake-decorating conventions?
Yes. During one class I heard other students talking about going to the ICES (International Cake Exploration Societé) convention. I had to go, too. That was in 1988 and I have missed only one since then.
Are there any local events sugar enthusiasts can attend?
The Washington State Sugar Artists puts on a cake show every year. This spring it will be in Ellensburg.
Ms. Bloomquist teaches her cake-decorating classes at a variety of local community colleges. E-mail her at the address above for specifics.
Interview by Cienna Madrid
