I am just starting out. I have baked all of my life and dabbled in cake decorating. I am finally taking decorating classes as well as pastry and baking classes. This is my fourth cake ever that I covered in fondant. and I used pastillage for the hydrants and flames (first time ever) And I airbrushed the flames, hydrants and the bottom (which isn't cake, only the hat is) I was actually pretty happy with the end product... and the birthday was thrilled. Slowly but surely. Someday soon I want to be good enough to make a living at this. P.S. The hose is hand shaped fondant and the water is royal icing... and I hand painted details on the hat and hose and hydrants