GRACE, the 204th redhead photographed for The Redhead Project in March 2016

What was that implement you brought to the first shoot with the gear- was it an old fashioned / antique hand mixer? Were you into baking then?

Tim and I bought this old fashioned crank mixer when we lived in Belfast Northern Ireland, so it has some sentimental value, but I also love to bake. I was starting to get more into baking at that point, though I think I’ve only used that hand crank mixer once.

Where do you get your inspiration for the cakes and designs? 

on Instagram @lifeissweetni, @thepurplecupcake and the crazy piping @bonvivantcakes does on cakes

I’m sure seeing the joy of cakes - eating, decorating - through your young kids’ eyes is especially profound.  Does Lucy have a favorite cake you’ve made? Elliot is only 1, right? Did he get a special one-year-old BD cake made by you? If so what was it?

I love making small smash cakes for kids. They’re easy to bake up and quick to decorate and I love seeing the kids love them.

I love people loving the cakes. Lucy got an Elsa cake for her 3rd birthday where Elsa’s dress was the cake and the top was a Barbie Elsa.  Elliot had a simple chocolate cake fir his first but I can’t wait to make a cake that he asks for.

What was the first cake you ever made? Decorated?

Oh man I can’t even remember. I would often bring some cupcakes I was testing out to different friends and it’s just grown from there.

What do you love about cake baking and decorating?  Do you mostly do floral designs / piping?

Yes I only work in buttercream. I hate how fondant makes my hands feel haha. It’s therapeutic to me. I love smoothing out a cake and seeing what was in my head come to life through decorating. 

What are your favorite or most popular flavor combinations?  Was there a memorable flop? Unexpected hit? 

I love funfetti with my Swiss meringue buttercream. Making my wedding cake was stressful because it wasn’t coming out how i envisioned and i had to pivot, but i love how that one came out better than what i had originally wanted to make. I made Irish car bomb cupcakes - prohibition bakery style - one St.Paddy’s Day and they tasted soooo good. But they had so many parts, so Ihaven’t attempted them again.

Any creation(s) or a technique(s) you want to try / master but haven’t yet? What are they?

I try to follow the trends. The frilly cake is in right now and I wish I could confidently pipe one!