I wanted to share a little bit about myself so you can get to know the lady behind all the buttercream. My name is Whitney and my love for baked goods started decades ago, side by side with my momma in the kitchen. She had a real knack for making whatever she baked taste so special (she would say it was the love she put in – total mom thing to say). From Christmas cookies to lemon squares and apple crisp, I was glued to her side, mixing up the dough and sneaking the occasional spoonful.

After completely nerding out and attempting to bake every recipe in her Jean Parè baking books, I stumbled upon a little show called Ace of Cakes and I was instantly captivated, to say the least. I wondered if I could make art out of cakes like that and was determined to at least try. I headed to my local craft store, bought myself some tools, and started teaching myself the art of cake decorating via TV shows and YouTube.

My first cakes were mediocre at best but I was obsessed regardless, and kept at it until I started surprising myself. I’d make cakes every chance I could – the neighbor’s 50th birthday, a coworker’s baby shower, a wedding cake for a complete stranger, you name it. And you know what? People started asking me to make cakes on the regular. I decided to get my domestic kitchen licensed, whip up a few business cards, slap together a website, and called it Sparrow Cakes. Those were the years I worked a day job full-time and came home to get creative with cakes till midnight. Wake up, repeat.

Although those years completely burned me out, they taught me SO MUCH about baking, cake decorating, and the science of edible art. I had my fair share of aggravating cake fails and delightful successes. I experienced the agony of staying up till 3:00am decorating, the anxiety that comes with transporting cakes that took hours to create, and the joys of delivering them to happy clients at grand events. Through it all, I’ve continued to be fascinated by baking and how creative it can be, which is what led me to launch Sugar & Sparrow. It’s for you to learn, get inspired, and hopefully share a few laughs with me along the way.

In addition to my love for all things baking, here are 10 things about me that you might not know, in no particular order:

1. I’m a born and raised Portlander (Oregon), and I could easily see myself living here for the rest of my life.
2. I’ve been a singer for as long as I can remember. Started in the gospel choir as a kid, joined a ska band at one point (teenage angst), led worship for many years, and am currently putting the final touches on a synth-punk record with The Bell Jar. 
3. My favorite dessert is Baked Alaska, but I’ve never attempted to make it (bucket list).
4. I want to read every Stephen King book on his list of novels. I’m currently seven novels in – The Shining, Carrie, The Mist, IT, Cujo, Bag of Bones, and The Long Walk. Only 88 to go! 
5. When I was eight I won a rock paper scissors competition at a summer camp.
6. My husband is my best friend and he also happens to be a professional graphic designer. When we collaborate on cakes, magic happens (mostly because he knows how to take my chaotic idea and turn it into something more visually perfect). He’s an inspiration to me and can make me laugh like no other. A win win.
7. We just bought our first house and we’re working really hard to remodel it all ourselves. We’ve had a lot of fun and I’m amazed at what we’ve been able to do (thanks to YouTube and Home Depot).
8. My favorite colors to look at are turmeric, seafoam green, and raspberry. My favorite color to wear? Black.
9. Running is my brain’s happy place. My mind is pretty wild, always busy with ideas and thoughts, and running is the one scenario where I can clear my head. In addition to my neighborhood jaunts, I’ve run a couple half marathons and a Hood To Coast relay and I’d love to do more races at some point.
10. I’ve played HQ trivia everyday, sometimes twice a day, for the past six months. I’ve only won two times (in the amount of exactly $2.05) but someday I’m convinced I’ll win a fortune.

Well enough about me, already. I want to get to know YOU! Feel free to tell me a little about yourself and your baking journey in the comments below!

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