Here we go again. I made a cake and I am not very happy about it.

Okay, so this cake is a gift for a girl turning 12. Originally, I wanted to use soft pink, black and white. When I asked the mom what colors she likes, she said purple. I don't want to use purple but since it was her birthday, I wanted to make sure she likes the cake. I then changed my plan since I just want to use purple as an accent color.

I felt like the cake looks messy. I wanted to give it a wintery/dusty effect but it just looks like I had some problem with the luster dust on the purple accents. Does it look like I had problems (because I did it on purpose to give it that dusty effect)? Also, I had to put that purple ribbon border in between tiers to cover the seams because I can NEVER make my seams look clean. I also purposely made the borders unevenly folded but I feel like people would think I also had problems with it.

Does it looke like I had problems? Any tips, suggestions and advice? I think this cake is horrible.

Here is the link of the picture: http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1408745

It is the last picture in my photos (purple one).

No. Stop it. Lol...I know, I know, it's your cake, and you know the little ins and outs of it's creation. It is truly lovely. I'll go back and scrutinize it for you. I'll be back.....

Ok. Your top bow is crooked, and the dust on the ribbon looks like cornstarch. Really, I'm stretching here.


And who can get perfectly naked bottom borders with fondant? It's very difficult! I couldn't on the last one I uploaded, and I still left them naked, because it just doesn't bother me that much.

That's the thing I wanted to avoid. I didn't want it to looks like cornstarch... I purposely made it look that way. See, it looks so horrible..... this is one tacky looking cake.

Yes, but this is a picture. Pictures can either hide or amplify things we do or don't want, because of a flash, or shadows, or all kinds of things. So the flash didn't hit your dust the right way. I'm sure in person, it's shiny and beautiful. Put it to bed. It's wonderful.

It's very nice. That brush embroidery must have been a ton of work. My hands are hurting just looking at it.

I'll share my trick for a neat bottom edge...before you put the fondant on, set your cake on top of an inverted cake pan a couple inches smaller than your tier. Then when you put the fondant on, it will hang past the cake and any folds or mess that are going to form will form down there, where you will cut them off. Once you're satisfied with the smoothness of the cake, cut around the bottom with kitchen shears. Do it just below the cake board because it will probably shrink up just a tiny bit when it's cut.

If the cake is bigger than the turntable then you don't need to set it on something, it will already work.

Thanks Jamie.... I just feel depressed about this because this is so disappointing.

I think the cake is beautiful. I love how perfectly the tiers are stacked and the embroidery is beautiful. I'd be proud if it was a cake I had done.

Thanks Texas_rose. I will be doing that next time.

i think its a beautiful cake and quite an inspiration!

so i looked at the cake before reading the things that you said were wrong. I think it looks fantastic! I really like th design and the wavy ribbon border very neat and may steal.. the only things i "may" see wrong with it is the top bow its leaning mildly to the right and the color, but i assume it is the camera. very great job and you should be very proud!

I think your ribbon borders are really cool. Different than the standard smooth ribbon around the base of each tier. I really like it because it's different.

I know you aren't happy with it.....I know that whenever I do a cake, I see nothing but mistakes while everyone is going oooooo, ahhhhhh, wow.... I'm thinking ugggggghhhhhh.

It really is a beautiful cake.

I touched up the color a little bit for you...but when I tried to post the picture as an attachment it wouldn't work LOL maybe I am too tired, I'll try sending it to you in a PM.

Oh, now it worked. You have to click on it to see it right though, it looks weird shrunk down as an attachment.

Oooooo, Texas, how do you do that? Photoshop??

Your cake is beautiful, an excellent work.

Judi, thanks for the photoshopped picture. I was actually trying to avoid that shade of purple. I was just forced to use purple because I hated purple =]

I don't see anything wrong with your cake. Your embroidery is incredible!

Your cake is gorgeous. Don't be so hard on yourself, I bet the girl will absolutely love it.

I think the cake is amazing, I love the brush embroidery and would love you to share any tips you have on achieving this effect. I also think the ribbons look great and I know the frustration of the camera picking it up wrong when you use lustre dust. Stop worrying and bask in the glory your cakes are superb!

We are our own worst critics! I think they cake looks fabulous! I like different! I like the borders! Be proud of your cake its awesome!
Deliver it and I am sure the 12 year old will love it!

.......See, it looks so horrible..... this is one tacky looking cake..........
........trying to avoid that shade of purple. I was just forced to use purple because I hated purple =]..............


**********STEP AWAY FROM THE CAKE!***************

The *only!* reason you think this is tacky and horrible is because you were 'forced' to use a color you hate and just can't see past it.

Your creation is *super* beautiful! Well done, neat, pretty, elegant and what ever other words you can think of *EXCEPT* horrible, awful, or ugly!!!

Are you kidding??? Your cake looks amazing. There is nothing and i mean NOTHING that looks sloppy. If you were not the artist, you would see this cake for what it really is - spectacular!

The cake is beautiful. I, too, am not a fan of purple and hate when I ahve to use it on cakes - I never like them!

I have only been decorating for a few years. Prior to me doing cakes, we always bought our cakes from the same person. At the time, I thought her cakes were the cutest thing EVER! Now when I look at pictures of them from past birthday parties, I see every flaw and can't believe how messy she decorates! My point is, they see the cake as a whole picture, and don't pick out each little flower, etc.....I guarantee you they will love it!

I for one LOVE purple! It's my favorite color for just about everything. I think your cake is absolutely stunning! After reading the description I was expecting to see a mess. When I clicked on the link I thought it was the wrong cake! It's beautiful! I wish you could see it the way we do!

Your cake is beautiful. Don't be so hard on yourself (i know that isn't easy!) But, honestly, your cake is amazinng!! I am sure the birthday girl AND all the guests thought so, too!

Your cake is beautiful. Don't be so hard on yourself (i know that isn't easy!) But, honestly, your cake is amazinng!! I am sure the birthday girl AND all the guests thought so, too!

I love the cake! And how sopisticated for a 12 yr old! It's beautiful! I'm so new to this, how do you do brush on embroidery? Don't worry if you don't want to answer, I will just look it up on second thought. Cheer up! Your cake and the details look wonderful....