I think I've really messed up on this one . My daughter started her new kindergarten last week and on Monday one of the others mothers ask if I could do a cake for the teacher for tomorrow - sure, I say! It is to be a present from the kids who are leaving the class to go into the 3rd grade. She was very specific about the design - she wanted the cake to include Jip & Janneke (famous Dutch children's literature characters that the kindergarten class is named after), and serve about 24. I went with a 12in hexagon (just because I wanted to use these pans at last!). Cake came out fine (scratch), filled and crumb coated no problems. Now, although many of you guys are used to sweltering heat and humidity - here in Holland we're not! Anyhoo My buttercream was just melting off the cake no matter how much I put it in the fridge! I decorated it last night and when I checked on it this morning, the top border had slid down the sides of the cake ! I scrape that off and fix it with (thankfully!), some buttercream I had left over. By this time I'm running late for work, so I just put it back in the fridge and run out the door. When I get back, I notice that I'd scraped some frosting of the sides of the cake and you could see the cake in places ! So I mix up some more natural coloured buttercream, but when I patch up the bare spots this is whiter than what was on there already AAAAARRRRRGGGHHHH!!!! So I colour some more pink and do scrolls on the sides to try to cover up the obvious difference

Here's the result (oh, the hand-painted fondant plaque I did I love!), I'm very scared now that the mother who ordered it will think it wasn't worth her money (even though I gave her a 15 euro discount!). I just wanted this to be perfect for the teacher and (of course!), to get me some future business. Am I being way to perfectionist about this or did I mess up?

Stupid pic won't attach, here's the link:

http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=coppermine&file=displayimage&meta=allby&uname=bonjovibabe&cat=0&pos=0

I think the cake is wonderful! Do NOT worry one second about it!! It looks perfect!

It looks wonderful.

If she doesn't love that cake, she is crazy!!! You did a fantastic job. I love the plaque, it is darling.

Cindy

Are you KIDDING? That cake is absolutely fabulous. She will LOVE it! And the hex-shaped cake board, even! I love it.

the cake looks fabulous and the plaque is perfect...great job

I agree, the cake is beautiful! No one will notice any mistakes. We are always too critical of our own work, especially when we run into problems. The mark of a good cake decorator is covering up your mistakes! You're a great one!!

I think it looks fine. And you did make that hand-painted plaque which I think is awesome. Did you put meringue powder in your buttercream? Sometimes that helps stabalize it - I don't know why it wouldn't hold up - are you sure you put all the ingredients in? I've been guilty of forgetting something and not realizing it till it was a little late...... just rushing too much I guess. How does it taste?? If it tastes good, and the plaque looks good, then it's perfect!!

You did a great job. I can sympathize with you about the heat. I'm in Kaiserslautern Germany and it's extremely hot here, too. I know it gets hotter than this in some parts of the states but WE DON'T HAVE AIR CONDITION. The last couple of cakes I did, I think I may have lost five pounds running up and down the stairs every 30 minuts putting them in the fridge to firm up before going on to the next decorating step. It was exhausting and no doubt the heat caused me to prespire (LOL). I've decided to give up on my all-butter buttercreams until it cools down. I hope it does soon, cause I do love IMBC. Your cake is gorgeous. You should be very proud.

The cake looks great! That plaque is adorable!!!! I am sure that even if she did notice any mistakes (which she won't), the over all appearance of the cake will make up for it.

Thanks girls! She'll be here in 25mins, I'll let you know!

It looks great! I cant believe you are even worrying about it! Fantastic job.

Stop your fretting! It looks great and you can't even tell it gave you such headaches. We are our own worst critics!!

Stop your fretting! It looks great and you can't even tell it gave you such headaches. We are our own worst critics!!

Your cake looks great. I was expecting to see some mistakes but I did NOT! She will LOVE IT!!

I think you did a great job

Wellllllll, what's the update?! Did she love it as much as I did???????

The cake looks fabulous!

Oh! I had fallen in love with that cake before I ever read this post. It is so cute, and it looks like you made no mistakes. Take a deep breath and enjoy the beauty you created.

i think it's just beautiful. the kids will love it, such a 'big kid' kind of cake

Looks great! Especially like the heart-shaped chips - too cute!!!!

Well, I think the mom who ordered it liked it (hard to tell - she really didn't say much, just looked at it, said "ja, mooi" (yes, nice), took it and handed me the cash ). BUT - I've just picked my daughter up from school (she's only just started and only stays until the lunch break), and she says that the teacher hasn't even been given the cake yet, so I guess I won't find out if she liked it until tomorrow !

I agree with the rest, it's wonderful. If you don't get future business from her, she's just crazy! I think it looks fantastic...even more so knowing that it was a last minute cake!

I love it! Don't worry!

I wouldn't worry. I think it looks GREAT!! Did the teacher like it?