I am doing my first wedding cake for this weekend. And it is for my son, his wife knows it is my first and I really think she will be happy no matter what. My dear sister in law came in from out of town for the wedding and was over this morning while I was finishing up putting the fondant on the cake and proceeded to point out every imperfection in the cake. Granted it's not perfect but I thought it looked pretty good for only my second time working with fondant. Help!! I don't know whether to kill her or just laugh her off. Of course she has never decorated a cake in her life and proceeded to tell me how to do it. And then had the nerve to say, well I would never do a wedding cake. Pooh she has never done a cake in her life. I am so depressed now. She did a good job of bringing me down. I think that was her intention all along and I promised myself that I wouldn't let her and now I have.

I do have a question the fondant on my larger layer 14 inch has tiny little cracks in it almost like it is tearing. They are not visible to anyone who doesn't have their nose stuck into the cake (like SIL). But I was wondering what caused that? I used Satin Ice, the smaller layer didn't do that. Should I have kneaded it longer, I did the small one? Plus how do you get a crease out of the fondant once you already have it on the cake. It is on the top and the next layer will cover it but I was worried if it happened on the side what would I do.

I know this is long but thanks for listening to me.

Don't pay any attention to SIL, she probably is just jealous that you get to have an important role in the wedding. Next time she sticks her face near the cake, push her closer-sorry just kidding.

There isn't really any way to remove a crease.

The tiny cracks could be from drying. Did you use cornstarch to roll it out?. If it is really cracking, you can fix some of them by rubbing a miniscule amount of shortening on the surface of the fondant.

No I didn't I used a little shortening to roll it out. I tried to use confectioners sugar but it kept sticking to my roll out mat. So I just used a little shortening. Thanks for the encouragement. The cracks really can't be seen unless you have got you nose in it. I feel like letting her get a much closer look at it with her nose in it. But I know she can't help the way she is. She has always been like that and I know it.

Thanks.

I'd laugh her off, either she's trying to upset you or she's trying to sound like she knows everything. My MIL does that with my cakes and stuff, she likes to tell me how to do it better and if she knows I'm working on something she wants to see pics or tells me how I should do it.
I'm sorry I can't help you with the fondant cracking, just remember that if you look closely at even the really fancy cakes they have little flaws too.
I'm sure you'll do great.

Just wondering - Does EVERY family have a SIL like this??? I have one JUST LIKE THAT too! I am very new to decorating and just made the fishing cake (in my photos) for my son's birthday. I wanted to do it for him because he is MY son and it would be special for me and him. Well, you guessed it...my SIL was quick to make remarks and had the nerve to even LAUGH! I was almost seething inside, though I tried to hold my tongue (very hard for me to do, unfortunately). I finally just had a comeback like "Well, I think it turned out just fine, even if it doesn't suit everyone and isn't exactly perfect." She didn't say anything else after that and was strangely quiet the rest of the day (which was not my intention) but maybe it made her realize how her tongue got out of control and cut like a knife. So...my point in sharing my story, leepat, is KEEP YOUR CHIN UP! We are doing more than they are, making memories with our family, and trying to better ourselves at the same time. **Oh!! Did I mention that my SIL is the type that when she finds out you are pursuing a new craft or hobby she almost immediately dives in just to prove she can do it better - and "without anyone showing her how!?" GRRRR....I can certainly sympathize with ANYONE with family or friend like this.

Take heart. We at CC are behind you 100%!!!! Keep on making cake!!

*edited for misspelled word...guess I got carried away with my angry fit there! LOL!*

Relax, enjoy your son's wedding.

They know what you can do. If they wanted perfection, as opposed to a cake made with love, they would have paid a professional.

Generations from now, when the photos are looked at, people will say,"his Mom made that cake". And that gives it much more meaning. It always means more when someone special to the bride and groom make the cake than anyone else.

Besides, isn't that was SIL's are meant for anyway? Pointing out imperfections?

Seem's like that's what we hear around this site anyway.

Ignore her , better yet wear headphones w/ loud music while you are working on your cake and she's just there as a spectator.. Pretend you didn't hear a word she's saying..kind of sing along with the music..

Besides she does not count on this cake process since she is very clueless.

I'm sure it will be beautiful! As for the cracks - maybe because it was so large and took so long to roll out it might have dried a bit and formed a skin. As for SIL - when she said she'd never do a wedding cake you should have told her not to try to do yours then!

Can't wait to see your pictures!

Debbie

Shoot, I am so glad that I don't really deal with my in-laws (I only have 3 SIL's that I really like out of the 7 anyway).... My sister is like your SIL, though. She was always very opinionated, but if I did something she always had to try to do it better. I don't get along with her in this day and age (we haven't even talked in three years), but I am the first to admit that once she decided to out do me in anything, she did a bang up job of it!

Don't let SIL get you down. Tell her you'd be happy to show her what to do and let her help you. That's probably what she wants anyway.

I totally agree with lakecountrymommy. It will always be special to you son and daughter in law. My husbands gma made our cake and it means the world to me that it was made with love. I'm sure your son will feel the same way. Don't let you SIL get to you. sometimes its best to just be up front....saying something like, " i don't understand why you feel you must point out all things wrong, but if you can't say something nice, dont say anything at all." be proud of your work!!

I'm sorry to hear that you SIL is being a jerk.

As for the cracks, some people fill them in with Royal Icing or a little buttercream of the same color, or they use some shortening to patch up the smaller ones. HTH.

Is my SIL moved to your town or what? I have two SIL (on my husband side) and one is always putting me down, the other one likes me when it makes her look good. They're always everwhere but home, their kids are almost left alone, or doing 56 activities just so they don't bother them, and so they're not raised properly and don't know how to be polite and grateful (sp?)... Hubby told me to let them be, that I married him not them, and that's it. So now, if my sil told me what yours told you, I would've laughed at her, and challenge her to do better by handing her my tools and fondant... what fun I would've had!!

big hugs

Thanks everybody I new I could count on you to cheer me up. I will post the pics next week.

I guess every family has one. My aunt told me 'boy that top tier sure is crooked' in front of eveyone. I just smiled and said 'yes it is but it sure tastes good.' There's always someone that tries to take the wind out of your sails.

I do have a BIL that is very supportive of even my disasters. He's great, my family on the other hand is another story. My future SIL is really sweet, but it's when you turn your back the comments fly. I think every family has one ( or more than one if your my family!) Just smile and think of some snappy comeback just in case. I'm sure your son and DIL will love the cake because it comes from the heart. Remember to post a pic to show all of us your beautiful work. Don't let her get you down, she just sound jelous in a way.

I, personally, can't wait to see the pics of this cake!
I'm sure it is going to turn out beautiful.
Don't SIL get you down. JoAnnB is right, she probably is jealous that you are playing such an important part in this event. Hopefully she won't be so resentful that she would punish herself by not tasting it!

With the cracks on the fondant - if it's white you can rub icing sugar (US - confectioner's sugar) gently over the craks and the sugar fills them which helps - however most fondant cakes so have tiny cracks in, I woudn't worry. At the actual wedding you'll have the last laugh as EVERYONE will be saying how gorgeous the cake is and if she mentions any of her nasty little comments EVERYONE will think she's a cow

Be proud that you are doing something special for a special couple on a very special day. They'll treasure it forever.
As far as your SIL, she's probably jelous. Keep your cheen up and ignore her. I've noticed that when jelousy is an issue, people will either be very quiet and not say anything at all, or say something to try to make you feel bad.

Emi

Even the "professionals" don't make perfect cakes; they have learned how to "hide" their mistakes. I'm sure your cake will be lovely! A lady I know who is 50 years old showed me her wedding cake that her mom made; she was 19 when she got married (later divorced), and she still beams when she shows off that cake photo! The sentiment covers any perceived imperfections. I'm sure they'll be happy with your cake!

ooooooooh my goodness, I am SOOOOOO thankful that I don't have a SIL like yours! Mine is more mellow and just easy going. ...my MIL is another story!

When I read your post, it reminded me of my BROTHER! I was visiting my parents and making some fondant pearls. I think he had a fight with his girlfriend because he came home and started off by criticizing my pearls! I ended up getting so mad that I wanted to grab a handful and THROW them at him...but I didn't because even though they weren't perfectly round, it took a lot of time making them the way they were--and I wasn't going to waste them on him!

I don't know about jealousy or being a jerk.

Could it have been that she was sincerely trying to help you make the perfect cake for your son?

Wanted to thank everyone again for the encouragement. You definitely calmed my nerves, and yes the cake turned out just fine. Except for a minor dent in the 14 inch layer at the bottom, which worked out perfect as the back of the cake. LOL!!! The black ribbon around the bottom almost covered it. The bride and groom loved both cakes, I made the brides cake which was fondant with gumpaste calla lillies, black ribbon w/pearls. Wish I was a better photographer or had a better camera. The grooms cake was chocolate with chocolate buttercream icing in a basket weave topped with chocolate dipped strawberries. I needed more strawberries for the bottom but all in all not bad for a first wedding cake and grooms cake. And yes I did get a compliment out of the dear old SIL. I could tell it was killing her to say it but my husband just about dragged it out of her. LOL. Again I want to thank you . And I hope I can attach these pics so you can see them.

THe cakes turned out amazing. I detect a bit of jealousy from SIL.
ANd the The proof is in the pictures!

BTW, I talked with the Satin Ice Rep just last week about the little cracks in the icing. I ran into the same problem with my first wedding cake. He told me the reason is that it needs to be kneaded more and to use very little powdered sugar when rolling out.

He said that the nature of Satin Ice fondant is the more it is kneaded, the more elastic it becomes and recommended using the dough hook on the Kitchen Aid to knead it first.

I can't wait to try it! I know the last couple of cakes I have made, I did not have the problems with the tiny cracks. But I not only kneaded the fondant longer(by hand, yikes), but I let it set, covered in plastic wrap for at least an hour before rolling out. It becomes more manageable then.

Leept, your cakes turned out beautifully! Congratulations to you and your son.

great job on the cakes! I'm so glad she commented on how lovely it is, even if it was your hubbys idea. Let her eat crow, you proved you could do it and the best part is your DIL and son loved it!

Leepat, your brides cake is really beautiful- can I ask how you attached the callas and did you make them yourself? I am going to do something similar in October and could use some hints. Thanks!

Amber

The calla lillie sprays were in 3 pieces. The topper was wired together like a small bouquet. I cut the wires very short wrapped them in saran wrap and just stuck it into the cake. The spray coming down from the top layer was done about the same way it was wired together the end wrapped in saran and stuck into the top layer, a few strategically placed leave and lillies cover this well. As added support I took some wood skewers and stuck into the side of the cake to support the lillie spray, (I made them and the leaves out of gumpaste and they were a little heavy so they needed extra support ). And then I placed the third spray just under the second and stuck it into the 2nd layer, and added wood skewers for added support. Remember to wrap your wires with plastic wrap for health reasons. I was afraid the lillies would fall or pull out of the cake because of their weight but they didn't. I think the skewers holding them up helped. This may not have been the proper way to do this but it was the only way I could come up with because of their weight. I think that it also helped that the cake was fondant covered. I am by far not an expert, this was my first wedding cake but if I can help in any other way let me know.

Thank you so much! I am also concerned about the weight of my sprays and I think your skewer idea might just do the trick. My bride does not want fondant so I think the extra support will help. I will definitely be doing a practice run before the real wedding so I will let you know how it goes!

Amber

Family can be fun sometimes. Luckily my SILs aren't so bad. My brothers and BILs choose good wifes. Sometimes though even the best of people can do awful things. Your cakes are beautiful. Your son and DIL I'm sure appreciate all the hard work you put into those cakes and they are the ones that really matter. Be proud of your accomplishments and don't worry about your SIL. Some people are just negative people and they have a hard time finding postive things about anything.

Great Job!!!