Who or What Inspires You? Win an Ace of Cakes Book! / Dec 13, 2009
We hope you’re all staying warm! If it’s like Virginia where you live, you’re building a fire in the fireplace and pulling out the hot chocolate and marshmallows. Those of you in New England probably sniff at our mere 20-degree overnight lows, and we’ll give you that win. This time. 
We are absolutely delighted to share with you the launch of the new Ace of Cakes book, to which we contributed photographs we took of their fabulous cakes! Several months ago, Willie Goldman, co-author, brother of famed baker Duff Goldman, and executive producer of the show, wrote to inquire about use of our images in the book after we had documented Kathleen & Kyle’s wedding at the Mellon Auditorium (both wedding and groom’s cakes were made by the bakery). We were, of course, happy to help out and the book recently hit the stands, immediately sold out, and is now on its third printing.
We thoroughly enjoy watching Ace of Cakes, the TV show, because of the creativity exhibited by the cake decorators and also because it’s the rare reality TV show that features people actually being nice to each other. We love the crew there and couldn’t be happier for their success.
So here is where you come in. Even if we don’t do it professionally, we’re all artists in our own way, and being creative is simply a part of being human. As photographers, we find inspiration in a myriad of places. So in honor of the wonderful staff at Charm City Cakes and how they inspire us each and every week, we would like to know: Who or what inspires you? We have two copies of the Ace of Cakes book we would like to give to two random, lucky commenters, who can keep the book for themselves, give it to the person who inspires them, or to a loved one who is a fan of the show. Whatever you like.
How do you win? Simply comment (use the link above) to write briefly about who/what inspires you! Be sure to include your email address (only we’ll see it, and we promise no spam!) so that we can contact you for your address if you win. Don’t delay though, as we’re going to choose two winners at random Thursday morning EST and ship out the books that day. We’ll announce the winner on the blog Friday morning! We would love to hear your thoughts, and of course spread the word to your friends who might also be interested in participating and winning a free copy of the book! And even if you don’t win, you can always purchase it at your local bookseller. It’s a fun read and we encourage you all to get it! And a special thanks, of course, goes out to Willie and Duff, for asking us to contribute to their book.
A few sample pages (more of our images in the book…look for them when you get it).
Here are some images used in the book from Kathleen & Kyle’s wedding.
A special thanks to our friend and former associate, Eric Kelley for the fabulous overhead shots!
So let us know who or what inspires you and you just might win a copy of this fabulous book. We can’t wait to hear your inspirational stories!
I’m pretty easy to inspire, to be honest. I’m very much of a “little things matter” type of girl… but if I had to choose just one inspiration, I wouldn’t hesitate to go with my great aunt, who passed away last year at 102 years young. She had a stubborn spunk, a fire in her heart, and passion for life and faith like I’ve never seen before – and I think about her everyday. The memories and wisdom of Auntie keep me inspired no matter what life throws at me.
I am inspired by other bloggers. I have always been interested in wedding design, but after getting active in the wedding blog world, my eyes have been opened to so much. I find inspiration daily from the ideas shared by others through their blogs. It’s helpful to have hundreds of p.o.v.s to help craft my own design sensibility. Im thankful that we live in an age where you can access so much talent in seconds. Keep blogging everyone! Each of you inspire me daily.
Gorgeous cake and congrats on being featured! I’m inspired by patterns – the symmetry, shapes, etc. Alencon lace is a favorite fabric and how lovely to have that on other pieces of decor!
People truly living in the moment is what inspires me the most.
Congrats on making the book…the photos look amazing!
I’m inspired by people who live out loud – without care for social norms or politics. Give me a rad tattoo on the face or a nudist in a public place and what others might call strange, I call inspiration!
I’m inspired by the walking around in the city, riding the subway. I’ll see people or items that inspire me to create something. I’m often inspired by interesting packaging as well.
I’m inspired by my grandparents. They are two of the hardest-working and entrepreneurial people I have ever known. They provide the standard by which I define success.
I’m inspired by my fellow femaile rock climbers. They prove to me over and over again that there is no limit to our strength. However, they are also an inspiration in their personal lives. At the crag, they prove to be tough competition, but still know how to comfort eachother after a tough day with a stout beer.
Congratulations you guys! I’m a huge fan of Duff’s and completely agree – it’s so refreshing to see a show where the folks are nice! What inspires me? Oh dear – what doesn’t!! I’m inspired by God, nature, music, photography, food – you name it! I do notice that I am more easily inspired when I take time to refocus and rest in the beauty of simplicity – little moments of quiet joy can spark the most enormous flames of creativity for me
I’m inspired by my mom… She got me interested in creating and crafting as a child, and that spark has continued to grow throughout the years. Now every time I do a project, I ask myself “What would Mom think?” and I’m inspired to put the very best into it.
Nature inspires me. I live near the Great Smoky Mountains and the scenery is gourgeous and distinct with each new season. Even is the dead of winter, the views are astonishing.
My mother is my inspiration.She is actually my Aunt.She is my dad’s sister.My biological mother left me after I was born in 1976.My Aunt and her husband took me in and cared for me like their very own with out any help from my real parents.I was passed around from my father who then gave me to his parents but they were both battling Cancer so they thought it was best that my Aunt cared for me.They never had kids of their own.They stuck by me through thick and thin even when they should of washed their hands of me when i started to rebel as a teen.They taught me respect and instilled manners in me that i cherish and are apart of me today.They showered me with love,kept a roof over my head,clothed me and instilled biblical values in me.I am so blessed to of been raised with both a mother and a father in the same home.She even stood by me when i became a teen mother.She promised my Grandmother on her dying bed that she would raise me and keep me safe.Cancer took my grandmother when i was about 2.I got married at 17 and years later continued my search for my real mother which my Aunt supported me the whole way without a jealous streak in her bones.I found my mom in 98 and we both had a chance to connect with my biological mother.Years later after a painful divorce all i ever wanted in my life was to have a life like my Aunt.Her and my dad have been married for 30 yrs.For better and for worst and in sickness in health.When i got out the military and times were hard i had just had a baby and she took my 2 oldest boys in and kept them for 3 yrs until she got sick.Never not once asking for any help whatsoevr.She just turned 71 on the 11th and she lives in CA and i still reside in WA.My parents were not in good health to make it to my bootcamp graduation in 02 which was very importnt to me since my dad that raised me is a retired chief.I finally have a real good man in my life and we plan to get married here in WA July 17th and now my mom is having serious issues with her kidneys and most likely will not be able to be present to my wedding.I keep hoping and praying and wishing she will be there.My mother will forever be my inspiration because in my book she is the best mother and Grandmother in the world.I hope my marriage last as long as hers.When my mother gets real sick she refuses to complain.She just keeps it in and keeps on pushing.She is strong..loving..God fearing..compassionate..beautiful..wise..i can go on for days.I love her with all my heart and she is my inspiration to keep on in this world full of it;s ups and downs and obstacles.She has showed me that you only have one life and to live your life to the fullest since we all know tomorrow is not promised to anybody.Any female can give birth to a child but it takes a real woman to raise one.My mom is now a proud Grandma to 4 kids!yay!i love her so much and i hope she lives until past 100!She will forver be my INSPIRATION!
I’m inspired by the great Walt Disney. He failed many times before he actually succeeded in his animation. He was a visionary and a dreamer who created the “Happiest Place on Earth”. When I graduate I hope to be a wedding and event planner because of him, his dream, and his vision. And I hope that when I plan events or plan weddings, I bring the kind of smile to their face that I get every time I watch a Disney classic or set foot on the Disney property in Florida.
I’ve always been inspired by the architecture of a place. Our wedding colors and details are actually all being drawn from the interior of the church where our ceremony is being held!
I am inspired by my amazing husband. He’s an extraordinary artist by career, and his endless creativity and imagination helps me in my own creations of my own art pieces. Also, he helps me see things outside of box and always challenges me to see the beauty in the most ordinary of places.
I am inspired by love. Love for family, friends, and of course my wonderful husband. Usually it is my love for others that inspires my creativity to craft something wonderful for them. My inspiration truly comes from the heart.
I am inspired by my husband. He knows how to take the simplest idea and turn it into something great. I take his “something great” and turn it into something beautiful.
As a wedding planner in Gatlinburg, Tn, I am inspired by every bride that enters my shop! A bride has a spirit that can light up a room. A bride is embracing what she feels to be the most exciting relationship she will ever commit to. A bride is beginning a new journey, and choosing to do so with my help. I am inspired by a brides love, optimism, and willingness to start a new chapter in life.
I am insirped by the little things…whether its a swatch of fabric, a funky vase, something under the breath of my husband, or inspiring blogs!
I am inspired by my grandmother. She is an incredible woman who is the rock of our family. Even though she has been through so much tragedy this year, she is still putting her family first and moving forward in life.
As a veteran cake decorator…I am inspired by the art and talent of other cake decorators and the things I can learn from them. I love the Ace of Cakes team. Jeoff is my hero. He does the things I like to do. All the little details are what makes the client happy and when the client is happy, I am too.
I am inspired by one of my best friends – MC. She creates the most creative gifts…frames, shadow boxes, pottery, etc. and is SO generous.
being in nature is truly inspiring, and building things with your hands!
I live in Austin, which is a wonderful city full of artists, musicians, and a very eclectic community. Combine that with the Texas hill country and you can’t help but be inspired. Just taking a walk down South Congress (which is full of boutiques, the state capitol and even trailers that sell cupcakes) is my favorite way to be inspired.
I personally never understood the connection… my wife on the other hand, this would make her day…. she LOVES the connection with cooking and the creation and is a devoted fan….. if I win, she’ll be a happy camper
I’m inspired in my cake decorating by surfing Google Images, photos in magazines and food bloggers who post amazing photos of their creations!
I am inspired by my mother. She just turned 50 and recently taught my how to run a marathon. We were a little slow but it was her strength that got me through all the hard training.
I am inspired by my brother who is following after his dreams to be a DJ. He has been traveling all around the US with a well known christian music artist and is playing in many different venues. He has sacrificed a lot to get to where he is now and I am so proud of him. He inspires me to follow after my dreams.
First of all, I love Duff and Charm City Cakes and him and his staff have been a huge inspiration for my upcoming wedding.
But my biggest inspiration in life is just the people around me. My friend’s wild personalities, the beautiful way the kids in my life look at the world, the smiles I see on people’s faces, especially around the holidays. They inspires me to live my life with meaning and drive. They inspire me to give and love. They inspire my smiles and laughs. They’ve brought me so much inspiration and happy moments. They’ve even inspired me to write this comment which will hopefully lead to another happy moment
My life, my work, even my personality would all lack something if it weren’t for the wonderful people in my life 
Oh, I would love this book–I’ve just started getting into cake decorating, and this book would provide inspiration. I am inspired daily by the people with whom I surround myself.
I’m inspired by the people in my life. I am so lucky to have a small but intimate group of friends, a loving and talented fiance and a close family.
I’m inspired by shapes. I like to take shapes, and make them into new shapes. It helps me stay creative, and it is a great way to relieve stress.
Without a doubt it is my sister who inspires me. She contracted an airborne virus at 8 months old, and at the time no one knew what it was. Her doctors told my parents to throw her in a wheelchair becuase she would never walk. 19 years later she does walk. Yes, she doesn’t walk like you or I, but she can walk with the help of crutches. She serves an an inspiration to me because she doesn’t know the meaning of the word “impossible.” It just doesn’t exist in her vocabulary. I think that everyone can take a page out of her book and learn to do the unthinkable.
I’m inspired by the beauty in seemingly banal, everyday moments. Often they are overlooked by our fast-paced lived. Being able to capture them and enjoy the visual aesthetics and emotions of them is therapeutic.
My boyfriend inspires me. He is so talented in a variety of ways and his dedication inspires me to do what I love doing, even if I don’t think I’m that great. He encourages me so much and truly believes in me. It is such an inspiration to be the best that I can be.
First off, Congrats on the book! Looks and sounds like you outdid yourselves again!
My inspiration may sound dumb to you, but I don’t care because it is mine! If it was meant to inspire you then it wouldn’t be mine! I tend to find myself inspired by one of the best things in life…. a smile. A smile generates from many places. Whether it be a kid that met a new friend, a couple on a blind date, a politician that didn’t tell a lie today, a cancer patient that had a good day, or if it were me smiling because your smile is contagious, they inspire me. Every smile has a story behind it, and it is those smiles that lead me to stories that I wish to photograph. When all the world has nothing left to it, smile because you get to create a new world. Thank you for the opportunity to write about my inspiration. It may sound weird, but hearing my inspiration aloud makes me inspired!
I am inspired by photography. It’s truly the greatest art form- capturing a perfect single moment in time or emotion for eternity.
I’m inspired by so many wonderful wedding industry vendors in the DC area. I also love browsing interior design blogs and books. Seeing inventive color combinations and mixtures of unique textures always inspire me.
I’m inspired by the folks I work with every day–the young guys in the military, who are incredibly selfless with their time, their spirit, and themselves. And yes, they LOVE any sort of baked goods, even if it’s not as pretty as those by Ace of Cakes!
I get inspired by seeing beautiful cakes. When I see a beautiful cake it makes me want to go down to my kitchen and make one right away. That always keeps me wanting to try my very best at doing what I love most.
Making cakes.
[...] love for Duff and his fabulous crew has been well documented in FAB Finds and for a fun giveaway we did a little while back (they also created Kathleen & Kyle’s amazing cakes, whose [...]