Floury Hands

The last cake I made was back in October for my son's birthday. Although I don't regret closing my cake studio, as I've discovered a fulfilling office job that I truly enjoy with amazing colleagues and exciting challenges, there is a part of me that misses the creative aspect. Since moving to our new house, I've been channeling my creativity into improving our home and tending to our garden. However, yesterday I finally decided to indulge in my passion for art and created a painting. Drawing upon techniques from my cake decorating days, I found immense joy in the process. The only thing I wish is that I had chosen a larger canvas to work with. This marks my debut into the realm of 3D painting, and I've completely fallen in love with it. I hope you'll share in my enthusiasm. If anyone is interested in purchasing it, please feel free to message me.

As for the future, who knows what it holds? It could involve cakes, paintings, or perhaps even something entirely different. Nothing is set in stone. Follow my page to witness my journey unfold and discover what lies ahead.

Oh boy, has it been a long time... I know, I really disappeared and probably most of my followers along with me.
I'm not gonna lie, I have been through some really tough times, but I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I reevaluated a lot of things in my life, my views and goals have changed a lot.
I don't want to go into detail and I want to let go of the past, so let's just focus on the NOW and be grateful for a minute.
I am extremely grateful for my amazing family! I love you all EXTREMELY!!!
So here is to my family and especially my firstborn who just turned 5 and had an awesome Halloween/birthday/jumping party at .
What are you grateful for?
🎃👻🕷️

What if I told you that that wasn't it?!
What if I told you that I am back?!
What if I told you that everything I worked for did not disappear and this was really just the beginning?!
And what if I told you that being back does not mean Floury Hands is back?!

It's a lot of what ifs, I know. Changes are coming and cakes are coming.

Does that sound good? Then keep following me! ❤
More info later... 😉

Good morning! As I promised, I am not disappearing, here are some chocolate chip cookies I was experimenting with.

Would you like some? Come and pick them up today or tomorrow!
€1/cookie, because it's !
PM for details.

I am using up some ingredients, so will be baking from home in the next few weeks.

It seems that this part of my life is full of changes. Changes in family, changes in job, changes of plans.
It is with a very heavy heart that I let you all know that Floury Hands is closing.
Some of you probably saw that I suddenly had to look for a new place for my cake studio. Unfortunately I did not find the perfect place, but this is just one of the reasons why I am stopping.
Many things together forced me to make this difficult decision. It seems that this is just simply not the right time for me. I could try and hold onto it and juggle my family and the cakes and my health to make it work, but the stress wouldn't be worth it. I would lose the love I have, I could lose the feeling of being blessed and I could burn out in no time by trying to have it all.
That's why I decided to close Floury Hands in it's current form for the time being. There will be no more weddings, no more cake orders.
I won't stop baking completely, but there won't be any more bookings possible.
Please keep following my page if you would like, because there will be occasional sweets to order, maybe some recipes and maybe even some (online) courses in the future.

And now I would like to say a huge huge thank you to my family and to all my followers, who supported me through all the ups and downs, who kept reading my stories or just looked at my photos, who commented nice words under my posts and to all who have ever ordered from me. ❤
It has been an amazing adventure and experience, I grew so much because of you, I built it all up because of you! And stopping now does not mean that it is all gone or that it has been for nothing. It means that I need a break and I need to walk a different path now for a while, but once I am ready, Floury Hands will be back. I don't know when, where and I don't know in what form, but I will be back.

And last but not least special thanks to the amazing brides and grooms, who had to adjust to this situation and who showed their support. I know that it was not easy for you to have to find another baker for your special day during these uncertain times. 🙏

Stay tuned! A door has closed, but another one will open! ❤

How was 2021 for you? Was it what you expected? Did you go the way you wanted it to go? What will 2022 bring to you?
These are the questions I keep asking myself. This year definitely had some surprises. Very good and very bad too. When you are welcoming a new family member, but you are also losing a very important one, you can kind of feel confused. This is my word for the year. Confusing. And I really don't mean to bring anyone down. Everyone have their problems and I know that. But as I mentioned before, this is where I pour my heart out. And sorry if this post is a bit more negative... Read more on the blog. https://www.flouryhands.nl/post/stepping-into-2022 (or link in bio)

Hands up if you'd like to buy a box of delicious fudgy brownies.
6 brownies for €16! Limited stock!

Pick up tonight/Monday/Tuesday in Leiden!
Flavours are:
- dark chocolate brownies
- dark chocolate brownies with pecan nuts
- dark chocolate brownies with pecan nuts and salted caramel

Thank you so much Koen for the wonderful experience and opportunity to feature in your amazing series of expat stories. A bit of cheerfulness in these tough times. 🥰

Is anyone interested in this tasting box? 3 flavours (+1) and a cupcake for €10. Only 1 left. Just a little treat for such a rainy day.
Pick up today or tomorrow in Leiden.

Dear Engaged Couples,

Now is the time to order your tasting box! Pick up on the 27th of November. Then we can schedule an online appointment for November or December to talk about your dream cake!
https://www.flouryhands.nl/product-page/cake-tasting-box
Let me know if you have any questions.

Lots of love,
Erika

Cake tasting box - 13/11 | Floury Hands Includes 3 flavours of your choice (3 slices of cakes) and also includes the online appointment afterwards. Pick up only on the 13th of November between 11am and 2pm at the studio. - Please, mention in the notes what flavours you would like. -See flavours at www.flouryhands.nl/info

I had another chance to participate on a styled shoot with a cake. I really wanted to make something which is me, but also fits the location and the design. The styled shoot was organized by two talented photographers, Jacky and Dyonne
This particular photo was taken by Dyonne and I love how she captured the mood of the cake. The cake was inspired by my most beloved cake designer, whose talent always inspires me and I really look up to her! Marina, I hope you don't mind me tagging you. ❤
I used many different techniques on this cake and it made me so happy creating it. It was a real challenge, because I made it at home in my tiny kitchen while taking care of my 3 month old boy. It was hard, but it was also very accomodating and I am grateful I managed, because I finally could step out of being a mum for short time and I got to focus on my feelings. As I mentioned it before, cake decorating is definitely a meditative activity for me. And also a great way for some self care. Do what you love, right? ❤

Yesterday my oldest boy turned 4. I can't believe it. People always say “they grow up so fast”, but it’s not until you experience it for yourself that you realise how true it is. Yesterday was his last day at daycare and we'll miss it so much! He had some really great times there! From next week he is going to school and he'll have new friends and he will learn so many new things. I am actually a bit anxious for him, because he will have to go through all those years and he has to experience all the ups and downs that come along with it. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed school, but I wouldn't want to experience it again in a million years. 😄

Anyways, when I was a new mum, I had this idea that I will NEVER get my kid into ‘Cars’ and also some other things such as ‘Paw Patrol’. Yet here I am, making a Cars cake for my boy, buying him Cars wrapping paper and toys... 😄 I guess most of the principles you have as a starting mum disappear fairly swiftly when you realise that reality is so different from expectation. And after all you just want your kids to be happy... (And for yourself to have 5 minutes when you do not have to juggle 5 things at once to keep them entertained)... 😄
Did you have any principles which you then gave up after having kids?

I promised to share a lot of lovely cakes while I am on my maternity leave, but I ended up barely posting anything. So sorry about that. Things got a little more hectic than expected, with an energetic toddler and an always-hungry newborn.
But things will change again big time for us as my older son is going to school. He had his first tryout day today and I am super proud of him. It's weird how fast they develop from babies into kids and even though he'll always be my baby, I am pushed to face what everyone keeps telling me: they do grow up so fast. During the sleep deprived hours and the loud crying fits my husband had a really good point: let's try to enjoy this bit as much as we can, because this is our last baby (probably) and this is the last time we’ll experience this stage. The cheeky smiles, the funny faces, the long hugs. Together with the bad (the hard) parts, there is always good. They make our lives full and they give us a lot.

This cake was full of personal touches. Even the binary code has a meaning. 😊🤩 I loved coming up with the concept and bringing it to life. Wish I took more close-up photos though... 🥰

Lately I've been obsessed with brownies. Why, you ask? Because I can make them in between feedings and cryings, and because they don't require many tools. And most importantly because they are super delicious.
From November you can order your brownie box once a month (dates will be visible in the webshop). The box will include 6 brownies of your choice. Some flavours include peanut butter with banana, pecan nuts with caramel and redcurrant. But you can also go with the original chocolate brownies of course. They all are delicious.
>> Get your first brownie box with 50% off! Follow Floury Hands on Facebook and Instagram to get updates on our promotions!

Unicorns and mermaids and gold and all... 🥰

Hello! I'm still here! While my hands are full with nappies and washing, I started a separate Instagram account for wedding cakes only. Please follow my page and if you share it, I'd be honoured. 🥰
Will try to post a few more of the cakes I made before my maternity leave ends, I just need to transfer them from my camera and I haven’t managed to squeeze the time in just yet. 🥴🥰☺
www.instagram.com/bruidstaart.fh

🥰

‘Ik ben verliefd op bloemen’ - Hortipoint Een verjaardagstaart decoreren met hondjes? Dat doet Erika Bourne met liefde in haar Leidse Floury Hands Sugar Arts Studio. Maar nog liever maakt ze samen met bloemiste Petri Rijsdijk bruidstaarten met verse bloemen. ‘Zij helpt mij met arrangeren. Haar bloemen zijn altijd speciaal.’

Floury Hands updated their info in the about section.

Floury Hands updated their address.

Made this cake a few months ago and I was totally in love with it. 😍 Do you like it?

Super proud of this article with my latest, beautiful wedding cake. And Otis was still in my belly at the time. 😊🥰
Thank you Petri for recognising me and my achievements and for recommending me for this article and thank you for having this lovely interview with me. I am so proud and feel super honoured. 🙏
After the interview I actually called my husband crying that I am so happy with what I have achieved from scratch and I realised I was too busy to stop and look at it and to see where I started. I am so grateful for all the support I've gotten from my family, my friends and my amazing customers and followers!!! Thank you everyone! I cannot wait to get back to creating more amazing cakes! ❤

What a week has it been! My baby boy is already a week old and it's been an emotional rollercoaster for all of us. Maybe some families adjust to a new family member easily, but I don't feel that's the case with us. All four of us have our ups and downs and we all are trying to get into this new rhythm of life, but it is quite challenging. My kraam week is over, so today our lovely kraamzorg lady, Marieken won't come anymore. She helped us a lot not just with taking care of our baby but also taking care of us and our souls. I guess this is the reason why I am writing this post, it's my outlet, and you all are my therapists. 😊🥰
Otis, our newborn is absolutely amazing and he is doing so well! He is eating and sleeping a lot, except at nights when he is just trying to be in my arms for hours. ☺🥰 Hopefully soon his rhythm will be more consistent too.
Last week I also received some photos of one of my favourite wedding cakes and I am so pleased to see them. beautifully captured this gorgeous cake, which was the wedding cake of Milou and Troy on my last working week. I am absolutely in love with this cake! And just a bit of a secret reveal: this cake (together with me) will be featured in a magazin soon. I'll definitely show you. 🤩

Making a drip cake is always a bit of a gamble. It's not just about the right ratio, but the way it turns out also depends on the temperature of the cake and the chocolate ganache. I love how perfect the drip is on this cake. 😍 What do you think?
And some update about me: baby is still in the belly, we all are looking forward to meet him finally. ❤ My due date is the 30th of July, but my first boy came 2 weeks earlier, so it really can happen any minute. What do you think when will he arrive? 😊