Cake inspiration interview – ‘Dancing in the Rain’ by Lindy Smith

I know that everyone loves to hear the stories and inspiration behind the cake designs I create. My latest book ‘One Tier Party Cakes’ gives you a little bit of an insight into the twelve unique designs it contains, however, I thought you might like to hear a little more…

Cake inspiration interview

Below you can watch me chatting with my good friend Jill about our photography trip to Venice and learn how and what inspired me to create my ‘dancing in the rain cake.’ But first here is a short photographic summary.

Did you know St Marks floods? We certainly didn’t but it created the most wonderful reflections and photo opportunities.

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The umbrellas of Burano

Burano is a magical island a short waterbus hop from St Marks Square, a place we visited on a beautiful sunny day. It happened to be the day after a heavy rainstorm, hence the numerous umbrellas placed out to dry. Umbrella photography became somewhat of a theme, but the one below was the most colourful one we found.

Dancing across St Mark’s Square

Sometimes when you have a camera in your hand the most unexpected happens. These are my two friends, Jill and Elaine, dancing across St Marks’s Square to join me…I’m amazed I managed to take any photos I was laughing so much!

‘Dancing in the Rain’ – The cake

So what did I create from all the inspiration I found in Venice. A cake to celebrate friendship, achievement in the face of adversity and shared experiences. After all ‘Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass it’s about learning to dance in the rain’

Cake inspiration to design

The first seed of an idea for this cake was the wonderfully colourful umbrellas hanging up to dry in Burano. But how to use them on a cake? Figures standing under umbrellas felt a little dowdy. Not many of you would have a reason to make a large umbrella cake. But dancing in the rain…I guess most of us at some point or other have done this and felt exhilarated! So this cake is all about celebrating life, the seasons and friendship. The figures, as you will discover below in the interview itself, are not staged, they are my two good friends Jill and Elaine dancing towards me across Saint Marks square, Venice as the sun was setting. I’ve placed them back in the storm on the day we arrived and given them the colourful umbrellas we saw to dance with.

My inspiration interview with Jill

My two friends are both delighted to be immortalised on this cake – who wouldn’t be! In the video below Jill and I talk about our trip to Venice and the inspiration I used for the cake. I’ve also included more photographs that I took during that trip to help you see how they played a part in the overall design.

What readers are saying…

I’ve received some lovely reviews… perhaps one might persuade you to treat yourself, if you are undecided, to a copy of my latest book…

‘Inspirational – I absolutely love my new book by Lindy. I found the book very inspirational 🥰 I love the way she explained the way her ideas for cakes come about from patterns and objects she sees that inspire her. Fantastic book.’

Amanda B, UK

Joyous, colourful, creative. Lindy’s talent, passion and purpose is demonstrated in this delightful, informative new cake decorating book. Excellent instructions and motivation to start icing and decorating. Thank you, Lindy!

Diane (Victoria Australia )

I was very pleased with Lindy’s new book, as I have with all books I have of hers. This as with the others is filled with exciting colour schemes, textures and ideas. It is well laid out and encourages you to experiment and enhance your own imagination. I would thoroughly recommend this book to others whether a beginner or more experiences in cake decoration.

Kathryn R , UK

Do you have a copy of my latest book?

What are you waiting for?

I’m hoping you feel inspired

Sweet wishes

Lindy Smith

‘Bringing world-class sugarcraft into your kitchen’