Hi

Some background. I've been doing cake for clients now for about 8 months. It all started with my kids birthday cakes and just sort of took off from there. I bought a printer to do edible images and that is what I have been doing mainly because that is what clients have been requesting. I used to get really excited about doing the cakes but lately I've been getting bored and wanting to do something new and different but the opportunities are just not coming my way.
Yesterday was just one of those days where I thought I should just give up and not do this anymore 'cause it is starting to stress me out.
I printed the picture (barney) and to me he looked a little on the burgandy side. I asked DH and he said it looked okay and that I sould use purple borders to get more purple in. When the cake was done I was still not happy but DH said it looked fine. Then I asked my 4 yr old daughter what she thought and she said that the cake looked pretty but Barney is not that colour. That's when I felt really bad and redid the picture by lightening it a bit and then redid the cake. I was really frustrated with myself because first off I should have known better than to use the first picture and secondly I get this feeling that I am taking this 'skill' for granted and not putting more into my cakes like I used to.

Last week I also had grief from two cakes that were covered with whipped fresh cream. I have done this many times and the cakes turn out great but this time I had two orders for the same day and same time and the fresh cream would just not whip to stiff peak stage. I usaually use a stabiliser and everything turns out fine but this time I have no clue what could have went wrong. It all worked out in the end but I just did not a really good feeling about these cakes because it stressed me out so much.

Today I feel like I need to just give all of this up but then I just think of the people who loved their cakes and came back with good feedback and some of the kids who would get really excited from seeing their favourite character on the cake. Maybe I just need to take a breeak for a week or two where I don't do any cakes.

Have any of you ever felt this way?
What did you do?

Sorry , I just realised how long this is.

Yes I do know how you feel... I have been doing several cakes the past week and disaster after disaster... I had a stroke over a year ago and my hand control isnt as good now.. I know its not my fault but I like yourself am my WORST Critic! Maybe you just need a break from the norm! Start practicing in some thing else like MMF... I made my first batch the other night.. It is interesting to work with... You might like it... The recipe is easy and molds nicely... Dont give up on yourself ... Try something new you might just get that spark of decorating back in your life.... Good luck with your journey!

Hi Shamani. Sounds like taking a break might very well be a good idea for you. Another thing that might be good, just make a cake for fun, just do it the way you want it, or do something that you haven't done before, or something that you think somebody special to you might really enjoy, and make it a gift to them.
Janice

I would either take a little break or go ahead and get what I need to try out a couple of new techniques. Have you tried fondant bows or gumpaste flowers, color flow? I've been doing cake for 12 years now and I always seem to come across some new method I haven't tried! And most things don't require you to go crazy spending money on them - maybe a couple of new books is all you need.

Don't lose heart though, and as for Barney - just don't do him!!!

I agree a break is great! I think we have all felt this way. I would take a break and design a really cool cake that I would get excited about. Maybe they aren't picking things because they don't know about other things, ya know? Show them what you got and have a little fun. I do think you probably need a break, it can get stressful and you don't want to burn out. HUGS