About

About Me

My grumpy cat
I'm Laura.  By day, I work as a software engineer here in the lovely, grey city of Seattle.  Although I've always enjoyed baking, I've only recently begun exploring it in earnest.  I have never gone to culinary school or even taken a baking class, so everything I know was either taught to me by my family and friends, learned in books, or (most likely) discovered on the Internet.

Although my job prevents me from baking as much as I would like (which would be all the time), I do spend many wet weekends in the kitchen on new baking projects.

When it is not raining (which does happen sometimes), I enjoy hiking, camping, and attempting to take my grumpy cat on walks.

About This Blog

On this blog, I will document things I learn, successful projects, and less-than-successful projects.  My posts will not be perfect works of culinary art, and I will try and point out where my recipes and techniques could use improvement.  The name "Building Buttercream" is a reflection of the work-in-progress tone of this blog.

All of the little cartoons in my posts are created by me.  I enjoy playing around in Gimp (open source Photoshop) and I like using them to pictorially narrate my posts.

I'm not a great photographer, but I'm constantly struggling to improve.  I take all of the pictures for this blog (occasionally with help from my mother, who is much better at it than I am).  I recently purchased my first DSLR (a Nikon D3100) to replace my 10-year-old point-and-shoot.

Finally, because I am a little bit nerdy, it is likely that nerdiness will creep into my posts.  I apologize in advance!







Contact

I would love to hear any questions or comments that you have.  Visit the contact page to email me!





9 comments:

  1. Hello. I discovered your blog today when I was looking for a green tea cake recipe and your blog showed up on google results! I am a big fan already and admirer. You have talent! Can you tell me what is the stand mixer you use? Have you tried different brands? thank you!

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    1. Thanks! Until recently, I was using a Cuisinart HSM-70 stand mixer (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017W2706/?tag=buildibutter-20). It was ok - it can handle a meringue buttercream, but I wouldn't use it for something like macarons (I just used my hand mixer for those). I recently decided to upgrade to a KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VUY4PG/?tag=buildibutter-20). So far, I love it. It's a lot pricier, but I'm hoping it will last for 10 years.

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  2. Hi! I just discovered your blog today. I can't wait to try some of your recipes. I , too , have a blog. You might like to check out some of my recipes. Bon Appetit!
    disheswithdeb.tumblr.com

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  3. Hi! I'm working on a round-up of ombre cake recipes for The Huffington Post Taste and found your recipe. I'd love to mention it in my story. Please contact me if you're interested. Thanks!

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    1. Hi Julie - That sounds like an awesome round-up. I'd love to hear more about it - feel free to email me at lauraf3@gmail.com.

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  4. I'm surprised to hear that you think you're struggling to improve your photography...I think it all looks really really good! Off to explore more of your beautiful recipes!

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    1. Thanks! I do think I'm getting better, bit by bit. I'm certainly learning a lot!

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  5. AnonymousJuly 15, 2013

    Hi, just found your blog today! I'm studying computer engineering but have recently grown fond of making desserts, especially macarons. I'm very happy to come across someone else in a similar field and I would just like to let you know that you have given me hope and inspired me to continue in this culinary path along with the engineering life (I was afraid of losing my place if I were to concentrate too much on baking and cooking).

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  6. hi, laura. i stumble upon your blog when i was searching for some wedding cake designs. i got hooked bec we have a lot in common. i also am an experimental, self taught baker, and i am just starting to bake with zeal.. but im trying to make pastries to sell to some friends bec im a stay at home mom...i was asked to make a wedding cake for a friend for next year, and im trying to prepare myself for it starting now bec as newbie as i am, i would definitely want to make her a really great tasting and great looking wedding cake.. i hope to find more posts from you. as for now, i learned a lot from your post on a wedding cake you made for your friends.

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