Remember 2 things -

1. A cake does not have to be "perfect" to inspire or delight

2. Pictures hide lots of flaws!

I know there are sooo many things on my cakes that are not seen in the photos that I hope to be able to correct if I ever make the same thing twice. Even the pros have difficulties - did you see Duff with the Dragon of rice krispies? Or notice when he did the King Kong cake, he KNEW the large sheet cake was going to crack during transportation, so he PLANNED on putting a river over the crack once he arrived.

I think the best cake decorators know how to turns the flaws and mistakes into "special touches"

Laura

Yes I agree with you 100%.. that's why I do not post as many pics anymore. I feel that my skills are not that good. I also feel that my cake decorating skills should be on another level, by now. June 21st will make a year. I see growth oh ever i wish I could see alot more...

Well dang, boy, I dunno what to do! (sigh) I uploaded some pics of some cakes about 2 hours ago and so far have only one comment on one of the cakes. What am I doing wrong???? Am I on everyone's iggy list? I don't know. Are they just not up to snuff for c.c.?? Maybe I'll just quit posting and save myself some heartache. I dunno, kinda bummed about it. But, o well. Think I'll go sit in the corner n eat worms or something.

I think your cakes are great, chaptlos don't worry about posting.

I just looked at your cakes, and not sure what you are talking about. Your gumpaste lilies are stunning...and your cakes are beautiful. However, with that said, I totally understand what you mean. There is an amazing and abundant supply of super-talent on this forum......and sometimes my jaw drops when I see the cakes. Nonetheless, everyone has his/her own cake path...and at different points on it. Those who are advanced had to begin somewhere (no one starts out that amazing). Those who are just starting will join the ranks. No one is judging (or at least shouldn't) when you post your photos...we are all proud of our work and are posting for affirmation.

Elle, were you talking about my pics? I don't have any gumpaste lilies on there hun. Sorry. Ok my bad you were commenting on someone elses cakes. Sheesh when will I learn to just shut up. Going back to my corner the worms are lonely.

chaptlps, I took a look at bobwondebuns stuff...don't feel bad...your cakes are gorgeous as well....love the horse painting. My absolute favorite! However, I know chapt, exactly what you mean. I have posted cakes in the past week, and really no one every comments on them. I just posted a wedding cake, and not one comment. I always try to say something nice at the photos I get a chance to look at....and feel bad when I see people who have viewed but don't post anything. I do appreciate when people give feedback.

Sorry elle, just feelin sorry for myself I guess. I'm just really bummed I guess. Sometimes I figure it this way, if it's not even good enough for a comment what the heck am I doing here? I maybe should go back to building houses or painting murals n such. But then I'm a 44 yo lady who no one is gonna take serious anyway. Gawd I am in a funk.
Hmmm, the silence is speaking volumes.....loudly!!!!!
Thank you elle and Ali for your kind words.

If anyone hasn't posted pics because they feel like their work isn't good. Just take a look at the photos I have posted. Are they pretty? Heck no. I worked hard on them, they taste amazing. One example; The tea pot & tea cups I posted. I think they look like the icing just jumped on there. My Aunt(who I made them for) LOVED them so much she cried. A few days later she called me to tell me that her husband finally convinced her to cut the cake. They loved how it tasted, how moist it was even after it had been made about three days before they cut it. I make a decorated cake about once maybe three times a year. I bake all the time. Post your pictures.

I totally understand, chapt.......I get bummed out a little too.

I do feel inspired by others I do want to be as good as very talented members here, I do dream of having a famous bakery and make big money but we gotta start somewhere even Colette Peters didn't make a perfect first cake, we are just not there yet. I am proud of my first cake too my little Wilton Course I rainbow cake.

okay guys! This is sounding like a pity party! Everyone has GREAT cakes posted here. If you want more comments or views on your cakes though, my suggestion is to NOT post them on a weekend. There are a lot of cakes posted so I dont think they get viewed as much. I think you should keep posting your cakes, but if it gets you down so much then maybe you should take a break from posting.

I agree with Doug! Each and every person here brings different talents to the table, that'swhat makes this community work. When I first began decorating this past december, I was getting ready to stop working because of a back disablity. I was depressed because I really didn't have anything to do once I got home; I had to get rid of my two horses who used to occupy my free time. So, I guess you could say CC saved me from what could have been a really dark period in my life. I cheated when I started. I skipped buttercream and piping altogether and went straight to fondant, lol. Sometimes I wish I could pipe some of the fancy designs I see on here, but I knoe that someday I will, it'll just take practice. Now I'm facing having lost 95% use of my right hand(woke up this way yesterday morning); thanks to the support that I know is available here at CC, not once did I think about having to quit decorating. I have always been right handed, but i know with a lot of time and effort I'll be able to figure out ways to do things with my left hand. LOL, I'm typingthis with my left hand, and one finger on my right hand. It's the only finger I can makepoint straight down at the keyboard. We are all artists, and each cake or cookie we make is a unique, one of a kind piece of art. Sorry, didn't mean to ramble on so long.

I am so sorry heavensgait, you will be in my prayers! You have such a good attitude, I admire that.

Merissa....you are very sweet....thank-you for your comment on the wedding cake. I guess I sounded like I was havin' a pity party (well, I'll admit it a little anyway . Sorry to have come off that way.....I really appreciate the feedback when given.

i find something wrong with every cake i make. i even ask the recipient if they like it, if it's okay, blah blah blah. i feel like i want to be picasso but only have a box of crayons.

i guess practice makes (almost) perfect and it's a lot of fun practicing.

ps, everyone's work here is truly stunning, and those of you who are embarassed/don't think they are good enough/etc. to post your photos, i think you should so we can see how beautiful they all are!

ok yer right I am having a pity party. Sheesh can't a girl just bawl in her icing once in a while?

bobwonderbuns:
I think your cakes are great!!! I especially like your calla lilies!! I also enjoy your helpful hints/suggestions in the forums.

I began cake decorating last April and did not find CC until August. I've enjoyed all the knowledge from people here and help from time to time on projects - THANKS SHIRLEYW!! for one.

I think you should find your "edge" in cake decorating and perfect it. Learn all you can on here, in books, etc. and apply your inherent skills and talent to it. As you try different aspects of cake decorating, I think you'll find something you'll excel in - buttercream; modeling figurines; fondant; etc. Once you find your nitch, keep perfecting your other talents also. Just an opinion.

You know, the one thing I love about this site is the caring and comraderie from everyone. I was really hesitant to post any of my pictures since I am just learning all the various techniques and haven't figured out how to make a lot of things work, but everyone has been so kind and supportive it makes me want to learn and practice more. I appreciate the feedback and look forward making that "amazng cake" someday! Bobwonderbuns your cakes are so beautiful! You have nothing to feel inferior about! I look forward to more amazing and beautiful from you in the future!!!!!

ladij you have made my day. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!! (xxxoooxxxooo's)

I think this topic is so sweet because even the most experienced decorators have doubts about their work. I always find something wrong with every cake or cookie I make. I think I've only made 6 cakes that I ever liked. Been decorating for 32 years and feel like I don't know a thing. So much to learn. I'm often inspired by the less experienced decorators. Sometimes it the theme, sometimes the color. You guys are great!

I have a lot of work to do to just reach inferior. Sometimes all the beautiful work and creative designs are totally inspiring and sometimes they are soooo beautiful and so beyond anything I can attain I think I should go back to my needlework. I'm currently in an overwhelmed mode and avoiding any decorating.

I am always amazed at how unselfish cc members are with suggestions and techniques. Thanks soooo much to all of you.

ty Merissa. Sorry if I came off as a petulent child there for a bit. I do love decorating. I get to see peeps faces light up when I deliver a cake. Or when they come to pick it up. I think of cake decorating as "interactive art" both for the decorator and the consumer.

I just have to say that I have rarely run across a person here on cc that would ever make someone feel inferior. So I think there is just no reason why anyone should feel that way, whether you are a newbie or a professional.

Well the thoughts I'm coming away with (and really appreciate) are:

A) Nobody starts off super advanced, and

B) We all have different talents and we're all at different levels in those talents.

I know that makes me feel one heck of a lot better!