Not my proudest moment...

The Cake From Hell!!!

Okay. It has been a week and I think I am ready to talk about this. For the first time since I started decorating, I had a cake totally kick my butt from beginning to end. This should have been a fun experience. It was my first time doing a topsy turvy style cake. I purchased funky new pans and I was really looking forward to using them. When I began the process of dragging out all my materials, I swore I heard a bag of sugar mocking me. Maybe it was the fondant? Hmmm no? Maybe it was my Kitchen Aid Mixer? NOOOOO not you mixer! I am not quite sure if it was the humidity, the size, the kookiness of the way the topsy turvy cakes sit, or the new fondant brand I used. Everything and I mean everything was a battle. The end result was not my best work and I was so disappointed. I wanted so badly for this cake to be right and, well...it just wasn't. Throughout the day the AC was cranked to 74, but no matter what I did, the fondant kept sticking. I had to cover the middle (black) layer 3 times and still wasn't happy with it. Same thing happened on the top layer. It pulled and tore and I was filling the kitchen with expletives! (I am sorry family, I truly am.) I patched and fiddled and patched some more. The more I messed with it, the harder it fought.

This pic was taken shortly after delivery

The delivery had me driving 2MPH down a dirt road. Every little jostle brought one more tear. I was happy when it made it in one piece. But I just couldn't stand to look at it. I really just wanted to karate chop it right down the center and then ceremoniously rip the heart out of this cake, hold the handful of cake and buttercream in the air, and then with an evil laugh devour it. 
Shortly after I came home, the customer called and said it was failing at the bottom. She sent pics and my heart sank. One last dig cake, one last dig! Really?

Slip sliding away...GRRRRR!

This cake really had me questioning my abilities. I had reserved myself to taking down my site and quitting the decorating thing all together. But then the "rational" me said "Hell NO! Don't let that cake get the best of you! Get up girl! GET UP!"  So here I am blogging about the cake that bested me. I did learn a lot from this cake. 1. Summer humidity sucks. 2. Stop talking to your mixer. People might think your crazy. 3. "Fondarific" Fondant is NOT so terrific. 4.Dirt road deliveries blow. 4.Something about topsy turvy cakes goes against everything I am. I may not be doing anymore of these. Mama like straight lines and cakes that don't look like they are destined to fail. 

Anyone wanna buy a cheap set of Topsy Turvy pans? LOL

Till next time...

50 Years...

Yes. I am guilty. It has been over a year since I have touched my blog. Mostly due to changes in my personal life, new home, daughter graduating high school, new job. Life sometimes gets in the way. But this week's cake gave me new drive to get motivated again. I really had no choice but to stay focused. This order was to date, the largest order I have taken. Initially, I was a bit hesitant to take this one on, but I figured it was just like any other cake I have done, just bigger. During the same week that I started my new job, I managed to complete this 50th wedding anniversary cake. 50 years! Wow. I can't even imagine. Here is the final result...

Gold Ribboned Yum!

The feature cake is 12" stacked with 10" and 8". The two satellite cakes are 10". (Serving approx. 150)  I wish I would have weighed the feature cake. It was so heavy, my turntable bogged under the weight. I had to have my husband come with me on the delivery just to carry it into the hall. (Note to self: invest in a rolling cart)

Set up at the event.

So glad that we made it to the event without incident. I don't think I took a breath until we left. I sincerely apologize to the people behind the Xterra doing 35 MPH on Russell Rd. Jim joked that that I needed a "Cake on Board" sticker for the back of my car. I am thinking this one really taxed the limit of my kitchen. I feel confident with my skill level, but I can say that the shear size of this one was a challenge. It's all behind me now and I am really glad I did it. I feel good about how the final product turned out. Next challenge please... :)