Okay Everybody, Answer This Question!
Decorating By patton78 Updated 20 May 2018 , 9:24pm by CalaMom
Just a couple questions about your hints - how much caramel flavoring are you using and do you just use a toothpick tip of violet in your buttercream to turn it white?
I would have to say the FBCT is the best tip so far for me. But I love reading all the tips and advice! I have a little binder that is just waiting to be filled from all of the things I have copy and pasted into a Word doc. 
I too would love to know more about this caramel coffee mate flavoring! Do tell how much to add to cakes/bc.
I have so many things I have learned off here than in my Wilton classes I am currently taking. (Not saying I didn't love my classes or anything, because I do!)
1. Viva paper towels rock!
2. FBCT's are great!
3. Use the flower nail as a heating core in the middle of my larger cakes in addition to using the cake wraps to help keep the cake more level and cooked evenly.
4. Reduce the heat in the oven to also help keep it cooked evenly.
5. MMF
6. Flavor combinations and how to use coffee creamer to flavor cakes and icing
7. Cake balls
8. Cupcake cakes - how to make them (never heard of them before CC)
9. Using crumbled up cake and toasting it to make 'sand'.
10. All of the great help and support from everyone here on CC. I've learned things that my instructor didn't even know.
I would say MMF, making roses on a stick, gumpaste booties, bows, FBCT
ummm cupcake cakes.... I've learned so much from you all. Thanks!
What is FBTD and what in the sam hill do you do with a Viva Papertowel??
I'm still baffled and totally surprised by the fact that violet coloring cancels out yellow and makes it white. I haven't tried it but I know others have and apparently it works. Still hard to believe.
This one has to "take the cake" for me.
Not just for cake either:
Gray hair can sometimes look yellow. Use a product that has a violet base which neutralizes the yellow color and makes the yellow appear white.
Just ask any hairdresser lol...
I don't know how to pick even just a few! I cruise CC for tips for every cake I make! I have bought tools based on reviews of other CC members and taken back other tools based on reviews too. I love the tutorials and getting inspiration from such an amazing group of decoraters. Also when attempting something challenging and/or new the support is just incredible! I had never heard of a lot before coming to CC but I have to say the fbct is a great time saver and the tutorials for making characters like Aine2's that is just amazing to me. (I hope I spelt her screen name correctly, her cakes blow me away) I think the best thing I have learned is that there are so many amazing decorater's here that are so willing to share their expertise that the sky's the limit.
There are sooo many things I have learned. These are just a few off the top of my head....
--coordinating your cakeboard with wrapping paper or scrapbook paper to your cake
--Viva towels - I'm somewhat of a perfectionist and it use to take me FOREVER to get a cake smooth. Now it only takes seconds.
--freezing cakes - saves me soo much time and I'm less stressful
--MMF
--Americolor
--endless cake ideas
--just knowing that there is an endless help and encouragement within a click away
Thank you all!
I still want to make a cupcake cake soon - it looks easy enough with the tutorial!
by the way--- what are cake balls? lol
This was such a good thread it when on forever great info hope it helps
Heres the link
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-11673-cake.html+balls+wild
I have to agree with using yourcake scraps and the caramel/vanilla coffeemate. I didn't know about the flower nail either, I'll have to try that! Thanks for sharing rezzycakes!!!!!
Thanks for starting this thread, Patton78
K'ly ^,,^Thanks in advance to EVERYONE!!! I know we are going to get ALOT of new ideas.
What have I missed about caramel/vanilla coffeemate? It sounds good. Anything with caramel sounds good!
My two favorites things that I have learned is that you can use Hearshey's Kisses for rose centers and the Viva method.
But most importantly that there are people out there that aren't afraid to share their knowledge, their recipes, their mistakes and their praises with others. It's wonderlful!
OMG, I forgot about the Hershey's Kiss trick!!! I luvz that one. It is so much easier for me
What I do when adding coffemate (powder) is start with about 1/3 cup and go from there. I will taste test it in a sanitary way, of course. Little Ramekins work wonderfully for sampling K'ly ^,,^
mmf
freezing cakes
pressing down on cakes to level
and.....
turning cake out of pans much earlier wow that has changed everything!!!
and honestly something new everyday either inspiration a good tip helpful people and or just a pat on the back and encouragment too !!
I don't know why I never thought of the violet thing... in the dental industry we always used violet stain to modify a to yellow crowm duhh shoulda made the connection!!
MMF!!!!
What is FBTD and what in the sam hill do you do with a Viva Papertowel??
Do you mean FBCT? That's frozen buttercream transfer, and there is a great tutorial on it under the articles section.
As for the Viva papertowel, you can use it in conjunction with a crusting buttercream icing to get a totally smooth cake surface. Ice the cake, let it crust, cover with the Viva, and rub lightly without actually moving the towel. Lift it off, and the surface should be smooth underneath. It's the only way I can get an even remotely smooth buttercream surface! LOL. I think there is also an article on this one as well..
thanks mvigil, those links were great. i am actually decorating a cake tonight and was looking around for some ideas. too bad i didn't look a little earlier! thanks again!
thanks mvigil, those links were great. i am actually decorating a cake tonight and was looking around for some ideas. too bad i didn't look a little earlier! thanks again!
You are so welcomed be carefull this site is very addicting !!! 
Another great one I haven't seen mentioned is the red Kool-aid for red
coloring.
Makes it really red, and adds an extra taste. 
you all please help me out here:
how does violet color cancel out yellow? 
How much violet do you use, say per 3 cups of icing?
I am amazed that this actually works 
OOOOH OOOHH My turn My Turn!!!!
1. Using a microwave to clean my tips has changed my life 
Place tips in a microwave safe bowl. COVER with water, add a few drops of dish liquid. and microwave for 30 sec. or so. They will be very hot and Clean!! Yes I know they are metal and it is a microwave (Trust me and CC of course) Just make sure and Cover with water.
(by the way the microwave is really easy to wipe up after too! )
2. Using a empty Pringles can to help fill bags. I always seem to need an extra hand. Place bag in can and fold the top of the bag over the outer edge. It will stay open and gives you two free hands!
Of course all the things that were mentioned before- Trying to think of new things........
I can't believe all the things I have learned just from this thread. This is awesome! Thank you all. I really enjoy looking at everyone's pictures for inspiration.
Wow...there are SO MANY good tips it is hard to say....but I think the flower nail trick is my favorite. I really don't like the core but I have 3 or 4 flower nails that get their work out now.
The best is that everyone is SO willing to share their talents with morons like me who have no imagination and little skill to boot. Thank you ! to all you talented people out there from those of us who would be nothing without your help!
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