Cherry Blossom Bird Cake

Well I think it's gorgeous. Love the black bird/branch cutout - so clean

I thought your cake was beautiful! (I saw it in person) Your cutout was so clean and perfect.

I'm no expert but I can't see anything wrong with this. Lack of originality?? looks pretty original to me :) and I like the flowers to be thicker, the ribbon wouldn't have looked good any wider. It's 1st place where I'm sitting. I hope someday to have just a touch of your talent. Simply elegant.

So pretty! Love the colors.

Wow! Tough judges! I think it's absolutely beautiful! Well done :)

This cake is amazing! How did you do the cutout work... By hand after you covered it? You should have one 1st this is just beautiful!

This cake is amazing! How did you do the cutout work... By hand after you covered it? You should have one 1st this is just beautiful!

Your cake was beautiful and one of my favorites at the show.

I also love your cake and second everyone's comments, great work! Yes, would you mind sharing how you did the cut out work?

I love it!

It's a beatiful cake and I love the combination of colors too. Would you mind please telling us how you did the cutout of the bird?? It looks so perfect and clean!!PRETTY PLEASE??

Congratulations!!! I entered the STITR show as well and your cake definitely caught my eye! It was so clean and neat. The judges were pretty specific and I think they tried to give everyone something to improve on for next year is all.

Absolutely gorgeus!!!

Your cake is gorgeous! I appreciate you sharing the judges feedback. It gives us something to strive for. Personally, this is one of the most original designs I've ever seen. Congrats on your 1st place win.

The cut out is really quite unique. I love it!

Thank you for the nice comments everyone!! For the bird cut-out, I covered the cake in chocolate fondant, and let it dry a day. Then I covered in the the blue fondant. I pin-pricked the bird and then cut it out with an exacto knife. I cleaned up the edges with a rubber point and crisco. It took a long time!! I wrote on my technique sheet that I was inspired by a cake on bayshore dot com (#512 if anyone is interested). I think they took this to mean that I copied it exactly, when it's nothing like ...

I agree with many other who have commented; tough judges!!! I think the cake looks absolutely perfect! Your cutout is so clean and the concept and the colours are lovely :)

I guess beauty is in the "eye of the beholder" but I actually think the slightly thicker blossoms suit this cake and it draws attention to them. I love the pearly look of their centres too. I think the balance is just right. It is beautiful :)