Cotton Patch Bakery delivers sweet things based on traditional recipes but with considerable creative flair - such as 15-layer cakes in seven different flavors of icing, from chocolate and caramel to Orange Dream Sickle - well beyond its home base in Portal. In the process, the bakery, confectioner and handcrafted-gift shop generates income and an appreciative audience for owner Stephanie Cartee and a network of relatives and friends. The adventure began more than five years ago.