Cake club! This is voer the top, but there is a way to do over the top! I think this would have been more successful if you didn't have the black pearls or quilting. It takes your eye away from all the details you spent so much time on! So a blank canvas or even using a pattern that wasn't linear would have ties this together a little more. But your sunglasses are great, crown is well done, and so is that umbrella. In fact, it might be my favorite detail!

*over

You know, I so hated the way it turned out that I didn't even notice how much better it would have been with a blank canvas. But you are so right. The umbrella was a PIA, but I was happy with it.

O.M.G. I hope you charged an arm and a leg for this.You took the time to detail pretty much all of the elements, so this cake likely took half way to forever unless you're a lot faster than I am. The main thing I would have liked to see is a focal point rather then everything screaming for equal attention. It ends up being sort of a hot mess, but a very nicely done hot mess (and it sounds like that's what they were aiming for). I think cake ruffles died a slow but merciful death several decades ago, but this one actually seems appropriate. Thank you for not using plastic!

Cake club comment: Wow, you did such a nice job on all the details. You all know I like a busy cake :) but I think it would be better without the dark pearls and I think it may have looked less chaotic if the flowers had all been uniform and placed onthe cake with more of a pattern in mind. The main thing is that a 4 year old was thrilled with her birthday cake, right? I'm dying for an excuse to make a gumpaste tiara.

Yes it's over the top but it was what this little girl wanted and I bet she loved every bit of it. It might be a good time to remember that what we like and know works may not be the same as what the client wants. Little people love over the top.

Thank you all for the comments. Yes, I learned a lot from this cake and I agree that there are better ways to go "over the top" without compromising the child's wishes. Thanks.

Cake Club: (taken from my comment on the forum post...didn't realize we were to comment on the photo page only so you've probably already read this, but just in case) Well you asked for it! :D First of all, you know it's too cluttered. It might have helped not to have the quilted background with the dots--a plain pink would have served as a neutral background and highlighted all your elements and decor better. At the very least the removal of the dots would have helped--or if you had put tiny flowers in their place and not made any more to add to the cake, and leave the butterflies off...or put one on the crown if you wanted.
I think I would have clustered some of the items together instead of spreading them all out (or remove some). Your tiers look a little squatty...taller ones would have helped with the clutter. Nothing I'm saying is probably anything you haven't thought of too! ;)
Now for the good news...I think you did a great job. Your decor is awesome and you nailed the 'Fancy Nancy' theme! The most important thing is that the little girl probably loved it and couldn't have cared less about it being too busy--and you learned from the experience. No need for embarrassment! Great job!

Cake Club: I see where you were going with this. I find the background a bit distracting and it takes away from all the lovely details you worked on. It's a bit cluttered for me - maybe if the details weren't so spread out. I am not a fan of the lace but I see why you used it. So glad the client was thrilled. This cake reminds of my daughter's room when she was 7 - :)

I can certainly see where I could have, (and will-if I ever have to do another- ) improve. Your comments all make such sense to me now. The clutter is what I was really disturbed by and couldn't quite put my finger on. As to the lace, I'm not generally a fan of lacy cake boards, particularly those big ruffly things by Wilton. I've only used this for Fancy Nancy, and the cosmetic little girl's make-up cake where I wanted to simulate a feminine vanity. In both cases, I think I would have lost the effect without. Anyway, thanks for the critique. This thread is great as a learning experience. I gain so much from your experience and different points of view.