My Moment with Martha and Darcy

OK, OK, I know, I admit it--- I am WAY too excited about getting to be on the Martha Stewart show. May I just say, I've always wished I could to do something with Martha.

Martha Stewart, Kate Sullivan and Darcy Miller. Photo by David Russell /The Martha Stewart Show
In 1996 I got an assignment from the the New York Times Magazine, to do a cake-portrait of Martha Stewart for a special "Heroine Worship" issue. My first thought was, "Great! I'll do a really nice cake, Martha will see it, love it, and the rest will be history."

Little did I know, that the article would be entitled---wait for it----Public Enemy No. 1, and it would be about people who love to hate Martha. Who knew?! (So much for the love connection.)

Inspiration for puppy cupcake designs, super adorable doggy (favor) bags designed by Darcy Miller.
OK, so fast forward to now : ) Just before Christmas this year, I got a call from Martha Stewart Weddings' Editorial Director, Darcy Miller to make cupcakes for her daughter Pippa's puppy themed birthday party---which might be featured later in a show.
Darcy has been nothing short of amazing in her unwavering enthusiasm and warmth from the moment we met.
Here a little behind-the-scenes: A final pup-cake-pop head-count before we leave the house.

A quick run through on the set with our segment producer, Courtney and the crew. ✩ This show really does operate like a well-oiled machine.

Getting things ready on set with Chef Anthony.

...on to hair and make-up!

Martha on the set before the audience arrives. She really lights up around Darcy's kids.

The cupcake recipe

preparing for the pet segment of the show.

Most of these photos were taken on an iphone by my very very above-and-beyond supportive friend ❤ Patti, who stayed up all night with me to finish the 200 cake-pops for everyone in the studio audience, and then helped pack and get everything to the studio. *Click here to see a great clip of a wonderfully '80's style Martha Stewart, presenting a Patti Paige wedding cake in 1987, when barely anyone even knew what a custom cake design was yet.



Joey Kola from Martha Stewart Show, decked out in puppy ears.

...and then a puppy party of our own, back home with some friends.

and the rest, at least at our house...is history.