Well, this cake didn't turn out as I had hoped, but it's not my fault! See, I'm not a cake decorator, or even a baker, I'm just a henna artist! But my client wanted me to decorate her cake with henna inspired designs.

About two weeks before the date, I had a nightmare that I showed up to decorate the cake and it was already decorated. And believe it or not, this practically happened! The pastry chef had baked the cake and covered it with a yummy ganache, but she also put some chocolate borders, and also a chocolate "ribbon" with gold brocade designs on it! That "ribbon" was right where I was planning to do the designs, so it totally ruined my vision. And also, the pastry chef had told me that she would supply the icing supplies for me, which she did, but the smallest tip she had was a #3 so I couldn't even do the intricate designs I had planned.

At first I was so disappointed and upset I was going to post this in the Disasters forum. But today I got a lovely email from the bride, and she loved the cake. Anyway, I guess the moral of the story is too many cooks spoil the broth. In the future, I'll be crystal clear that the pastry chef is not to do ANYTHING to the cake without my approval. Also, because she delivered and assembled the cake, a flower was put on top of the cake which covered up the mandala I did. Anyway, just venting a little, sorry for that, but I hope you enjoy my first attempt at a cake!

The pink was royal icing and was my first time ever working with it, so forgive me if it's a little rough. after it set a little, i painted some dots with luster dust. I think in the future I might like to use a buttercream, i think it would have a nicer texture and taste. So, despite the disappointments, I'd love the opportunity to do another henna inspired cake and hopefully improve my skills a little! the technique is almost the same as henna, but the consistency is different, henna is a lot softer and stretchier, if that makes sense!?

Really beautiful work, you could have fooled me. looks like a "decorator" did it! I think you need to add "confectionary artist" to that resume!

I think it's gorgeous!!! The pink just pops so well. Beautiful cake.

Very very pretty! You did an awesome job...I'd have never thought of that! What a unique idea!

looks like you need to take up cake decorating. your piping is impecable! i went to morocco twice and india once when i was younger and had henna done. cool memory.

the cake turned out beautiful.

This cake is absolutely beautiful!!!!

When I was reading the post, I thought I was going to see a cake that was in need of some 'creative' repairs.

This cake is absolutely awesome, makes me want to learn henna designs.

YOU ROCK!!!!!

Absolutely gorgeous! You might consider decorating cakes more often with a talent like that! Very impressive work! Congratulations!

A gift, ( cake decorating) that u didnt know u had.. very outstanding!!!!!!!

awwww, you guys are so sweet! thank you so much for the warm reception. once i got past the initial shock of having so little space to work with, i really did have a great time decorating the cake. i would love to do it again! cakes are great because they don't wiggle and talk on their cell phone while you're working on them (brides do!). thanks for your kind words on my piping, i was feeling insecure about posting this here, but i feel a lot better now!

Helloooooow girl! what is wrong with you?? You are a professional!!! Welcome to the CC family!!!!!

Your piping is excellent - it's something I just can't do and your skill in it is making me very envious! Great work!

emmascakes, i just applied what i do from henna designing, but the "secret" is to hold the tip slightly away from the cake, and "drape" the lines down, like laying down a string. and always keep moving if you are squeezing because this can help to stretch the frosting out which seems to even out an discrepancies in the squeezing pressure. I don't know if this technique is what the pros do, but hope it helps...

Simply Gorgeous!!

If you don't want to get into cake decorating, you can always put out a little note that you do henna designs on cakes, as long as the cakes come to you already assembled, and iced. Then you can just work your magic. You can find a ton of icing recipes here to use for your piping, and can probably even match the colors they want, if you ever wanted to go that route.

I would love to be able to specialize in just one area, and have people come to me for that.. hehe (I don't specialize in anything, and just do this as a hobby, but if I could!!)

I can't believe they put the flowers on such beautiful work!

Absolutely stunning work. I think the sheet cake is my favorite, and you did an amazing job on the tiered cake for the little bit of space they left you, and the tip they gave you to use.



Holly

Hard to believe that this is your first time using royal icing
What an extraordinary talent you have!!
Congratulations, and welcome to the CC family - you are obviously going to be a VERY valuable member
(Oh, and did I mention I have a birthday coming up?? )

OMG, your cake is just gorgeous!! Congrats on such a beautiful cake!!

What a great talent you have. Fabulous designs, the cakes turned out really well. Hope you get to do more. Well done.

That is beaUtiful!

I might have to check out some henna designs for some cake ideas Those are so pretty! You are great at the piping already. Thanks for sharing your pics

Your cakes are absolutely gorgeous...wow!

Oh, hennalounge ! What BEAUTIFUL work ! Have you ever heard of SugarVeil ? I can just imagine your work using that medium !!

http://www.sugarveil.com/

check out the "gallery" and the bridal gown..... right up your alley !

Your work is AMAZING!!!!

grammj is right, sugarveil is right up your alley!!!

I also can't believe that they would cover up that gorgeous work with flowers, I think it looks beautiful just with the henna work on there.

Stunning! I don't know what else to say....

Looks like I'll be looking for some henna designs online!

Beautiful work. Your cake is fabulous! Words are not enough to describe it! I love the pink. It just pops!

You did a very beautiful job on your henna design. The pink really contrasts well with the chocolate of the cake. You should be proud of the good work you did.

Fabulous and original!!! I love, love it!!!! The colours, design and your execution are so wonderful!! congrats on such a great cake!!!

Wow, that is really amazing!! I cant believe that was your fist attempt at piping on a cake....I have been at this for a while and my piping is not even close to that good!

Great, great, great, job....you have been given an awesome gift!

Wow! You really DO need to get into cake decorating! And like someone else said...having a specialty is a great thing! People would come to you for just that and you could charge soo much to do it cause you might be the only one around!

The cake was gorgeous! I know you didn't like the fact that the cake was already decorated but, I think it looked very nice with the gold ribbon. IT was a nice compliment to the pink.
BEAUTIFUL WORK! I am soo jealous! LOL

OMG! That cake is amazing. I can see why the bride was happy with it.

gorgeous work - you should definitely try sugar veil.. and then let us marvel your works of art!

Congrats!! The cake is amazing!