Should I Redo This Cake?

Decorating By JoanneK Updated 18 Sep 2006 , 8:30pm by darandon

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JoanneK Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 5:04am
post #1 of 33

Well tonight I made a cake that I thought was going to be very easy. It's for a little boys 1st birthday party tomorrow. I could not get it to upload here but it's in my photos.

His daddy said he loved airplanes so I found this cake and gave it a go.

I have a neck injury that at times makes my hands shake really bad and sadly tonight was one of those nights.

I think this cake is really bad looking! I was going to get paid by the little boys grandma to make this cake. (Grandma is my sisters good friend) It would have been my first paid cake.

So I was thinking since it came out so bad I should redo the cake or I could give this one but not charge a penny.

What would you do? Redo it or give it for free?

Thanks
Joanne

32 replies
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jscakes Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 5:14am
post #2 of 33

No way! I think the cake looks perfect and you've done a wonderful job...again!!!

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KatieTaylor77 Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 5:16am
post #3 of 33

Are you kidding me? I'm impressed . . . your cake looks incredible!!! I'm sure the family would love it . . . especially considering how hard physically it was for you . . . I wish I could create such a beautiful cake!

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ourboomer Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 5:17am
post #4 of 33

In less you showed us the great side and are hiding the bad side, I think it looks great. I would pay you for the cake. Congratulations.

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tiffy76620 Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 5:18am
post #5 of 33

That cake is CUTE!!!! nothing wrong with it. If I ordered a plane cake for my son's BD, I would be estatic to get this. We are our own WORST critic. The cake is PERFECT!!!! Do not redo!!!

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mommacat5 Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 5:23am
post #6 of 33

I saw this after I saw the cake,like i said in my comment...no need to redo it and yes you should still charge for it. If you don't think it's good enough maybe take a few dollars off but we are our own worst critics.What we think is awful those who can't do it are amazed! thumbs_up.gif

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CakeDiva73 Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 5:24am
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I hope someday I can screw up a cake and have it look that good!! icon_smile.gif

It is so darn cute!

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cakesbyjess Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 5:26am
post #8 of 33

I think you should absolutely charge every penny that you were planning on charging. That cake is absolutely wonderful!!! I don't see any flaws!!! Great job!!! icon_smile.gif

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german Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 5:33am
post #9 of 33

I think you have done a wonderful job. We are our worst critics at times and it should be that way because that's how we get better. Despite all the obsticalls you had to overcome you deserve to get paid for your hard work. Don't short change yourself. thumbs_up.gif

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JoanneK Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 6:19am
post #10 of 33

You guys are so sweet! I guess I will go take another look at it in the morning and see if I still think it is super bad.

You know I always have this great cake in my head and then I make one but it never turns out like I pictured it.

The only thing I did like about the cake was I did a Hidden Mickey Mouse in one of the clouds. The little boys family loves going to Disneyland so I thought it would be fun to do.

I love this board as everyone always makes me feel better after I am about it tears. But of course I really think everyone is just being nice. I'm sure you can all really see the poor job I've done.

I will ask my sister in the morning. She always tells me what she really thinks of my cakes. I don't think I've done but one or two that she thought was nice. Some think its mean of her but I don't. I know she will be honest and tell me the truth when others may not.

But thanks again everyone for being so nice. You guys are great.

Joanne

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practiceandpatience Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 1:54pm
post #11 of 33

OMG!! THAT CAKE IS WONDERFUL!

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cakefairy18 Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 1:59pm
post #12 of 33

give it to them and CHARGE hunny!!!!!!!!

great cake!

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JoanneK Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 2:02pm
post #13 of 33

I can not believe how nice you guys are! Thank you so much. I hardly slept all last night as I was so worried about this darn cake. I've decided to go ahead and give it to them and only charge what it cost me to make. I figure a 1 year old will love anything.

I'm going to also make a cupcake bouquet to bring. I will make it a airplane theme too. Between the two of them I hope the parents will be happy.

Thanks again everyone!

Joanne

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southerncake Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 2:06pm
post #14 of 33

I am so critical of myself too!!

This cake is fabulous! I think it is great -- and I agree with the others - charge them every penny!!!

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subaru Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 2:09pm
post #15 of 33

Looks Great to me!!!

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LilBlackSheep Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 2:20pm
post #16 of 33

(clap, clap, clap)

A job well done. I wouldn't redo it.

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lonestarstamper Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 2:51pm
post #17 of 33

Oh my goodness! That cake looks great and I'm not "just being nice". If I don't like something I see on this board, I just don't post. You should be paid the full price for the cake. I'll bet they will be amazed with your work. Let us know how it turns out. I think the hidden Mickey is a really neat idea. I'll have to borrow that one for my god daughter's cakes. They love Disney and will think that is cool!

Good luck!
Yvette

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Mac Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 3:01pm
post #18 of 33

That cake is awesome. My DH loves airplanes and I showed him this cake and he just got this stupid-looking grin on his face and nudged me.

Hint--Hint--I want that cake!

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4Gifts4Lisa Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 3:21pm
post #19 of 33

For the love of Pete...what are you smokin'? The cake is GORGEOUS!!! icon_biggrin.gif It looks awesome!

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oceanspitfire Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 3:27pm
post #20 of 33

Im not in any way in the same league so this may seem like useless feedback but I see nothing wrong with that cake from a customers' stand point. I would expect to pay full for that cake. Just from looking at it. As was said there may be something we can't see that you're thinking of. I'm curious what parts you think are flawed?
I'm really sorry to hear about the neck injury. It can get really frustrating and tiresome sitting for long periods, or standing, and trying to focus.

I really agree about the philosophy that we need to stay critical to keep learning and improving our craft. But it is also imperative to be able to give yourself kudos where kudos are due. I see that a lot on this site. An enormous amount of talent and I see a lot of self doubt- Now I'm not saying I'm impervious to those emotions, it takes a bit of practice sometimes (I edit professionally,. so trust me it's tough not to critique everything I see in life LOL) to be able to shut that off.
But you have to have confidence in what you do. Or you wont make any money. You need to charge the full price for that cake. Unless the baking part itself was flawed or there was some structural issue, in which case I could see your concern about redo-ing.

When you get a vision in your head (speaking from experience- mostly non cake related), it hardly ever turns out exactly in the end- as art is a moving thing and also doenst conform to rules. Things take shape as you go. I mean you can have a plan to stick to. But that's about it. Now you get right back down to the kitchen and look at that and go WOW at me. That looks great. And I did a great job. (Especially with the injury, I'm getting a sore neck just thinkin about spending hours on that in your condition lol).

You know, if the lines are squiggly /not straight, or the writing is a bit messy, or something is tilted or whatever, those are obviously things you see and figure everyone else will see too. If it's a 'flaw' that you see as part of the creative process, like I wanted the nose of the plane to be bigger, or the blue isnt blue enough or I didnt do enough clouds. That's all subjective, and people dont know how long the nose was supposed to be or the clouds or what shade of blue you were intending to use in your vision. So KNOCK IT OFF and give yourself a hug for job well done, damnit! LOL

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MessiET Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 3:32pm
post #21 of 33

The cake is beautiful! You did a wonderful job thumbs_up.gif

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oceanspitfire Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 3:34pm
post #22 of 33
Quote:
Originally Posted by 4Gifts4Lisa

For the love of Pete...what are you smokin'? The cake is GORGEOUS!!! icon_biggrin.gif It looks awesome!




LOL @ for the love of Pete

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ladyvader01 Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 5:23pm
post #23 of 33

I think it looks GREAT!!!

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jscakes Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 5:38pm
post #24 of 33

Okay, how about an update as to how they LOVED the cake!

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frankandcathy Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 6:28pm
post #25 of 33

Um....this cake is fabulous! I'd hate to see what a "good" cake looks like. You'd probably put us all to shame!

It really is true that you are your own worst critic. The family and boy are going to love this cake!

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JoanneK Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 7:12pm
post #26 of 33

Oceanspitfire, First I have to say I love your Nemo Cake! I laugh everytime I see it.

Thank you so much for the pep talk. I looked at the cake and saw only wiggly lines and the icing is not smooth enough and the shape looks funny to me. But I guess you are right. No one knows what the picture in my head looks like. They may think I meant to do it just as it is.

If anyone notices the lines are not straight I will tell them the plane is flying so fast that they just look that way but once it lands it really is straight. LOL

You guys are the best. I must say I am suprised at all the great remarks I got here.

I am not sure who said it but I agree with the remark that if someone doesn't like something they just dont' reply. No need to pretend something is good when it isn't.

So thanks again everyone!

Joanne

P.S The cake has not yet been delivered but once it is I will tell you how the reaction was.

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Bettycrockermommy Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 7:20pm
post #27 of 33

That is a wonderful cake!! I think that you did a fantastic job! I love the clouds all around the plane. Very cute!! I'm sorry that you haven't been feeling well and I hope that you start to feel better soon! thumbs_up.gif

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spottydog Posted 16 Sep 2006 , 7:24pm
post #28 of 33

The cake looks AWESOME! I am sure they will LOVE it! Well Done!!!!

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JoanneK Posted 17 Sep 2006 , 7:21pm
post #29 of 33

I wasn't sure how many the plane cake would made so I made a cupcake bouquet to go along with it. I put planes on the cupcakes and sprayed the icing to try to make it look like the sky and clouds. There is a paper airplane that is pulling a banner that says Holden is turning one!

Everyone love it. I guess you guys were right all along. They went on and on about how cute it was and the little boy got all excited when he saw it.

So it's over. Finally. I was so worried about this.

Joanne

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LNW Posted 18 Sep 2006 , 8:01pm
post #30 of 33

It is such a lovely cake. Ive noticed the more I put into a cake the less Im happy with it in the end. Something simple that I threw together in no time is worthy of bragging rights and something I spent days constructing doesnt even go into my portfolio lol. Once again Ocean said exactly what I was thinking. You were way too hard on yourself about this one, its amazing, really. I have an airplane cake in my photos that I stressed over for days and absolutely hated when I finally delivered it. It wasnt until loooooong afterwards I was able to look at it and see how great it really was. You should be very proud of your hard work.

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