After reading the forum topic, "Wilton Contest - I Don't Think It's Fair", I experienced several emotions and just ended up being confused and saddened by the whole thing. But mostly, I was so very thankful to stephanie214, the Moderator! She chose to lock that thread! Kudos to you stephanie214 for being so thoughtful and considerate! For all those special friends I have made here at CC, who stood by me and sent lovely supportive private messages, thumbs up to you! ( You know who you are!! Thanks a million!!)

I would like to apologize to those that feel slighted and I can understand how frustrating it is to work so hard and not get recognized. This is the first time in my life where I believe I can actually achieve something that I am proud of. I feel I have spent my life jumping through hoops, walking the line, following orders, towing the line and it has finally paid off.

If you will note the photo's I have posted on this site, I have always credited the person that has inspired me in some way, shape or form. I feel that "you give credit where credit is due". So, when it comes to the one Debbie Brown inspired cake, (the Enchanted Tree), I have noted it under the pics I have submitted here at CC. But I didn't stop there: When I entered into the Wilton Cake Decorating Contest, I noted that exact fact in my bio information. So, I am not trying to pull a fast one over on Wilton. They were informed of how I created that cake and even why I did it!

The Castle Cake was inspired by my friend Tuggy, here at CC!! (Also noted on several occassions!!) I completely did my own thing - but at the same time, seeing her castle gave me many ideas. Tuggy has continued to be supportive throughout all of this matter and I will continue to aspire to be like Tuggy, one fine day!!

Now, I have a few questions for you to ponder:

Isn't one of the reasons we come to this site is to get inspiration?

Do you look for that Special Something that triggers an idea or a new technique, tool or product we can utilize?

How many times have you PM'd someone at CC to get directions, recipes, patterns?

What about support? Have you ever found a more supportive group of people?

If I had been inspired to recreate a cake out of the Wilton Annual Cake Decorating Book, would people be questioning that cake if it made it to the semi-finals?

Friends - We need to be supportive of one another. I am also extremely excited and happy for boween and Jess9333. And I would like it if at least one of us from CC would win. I spend so much time on this site that it has become such a comfort. Kind of like a "home away from home." Let's all try to be open-minded and kind to one another.


Thanks for listening! Have a wonderful weekend!


Deborah

I would say, don't worry about what they say. The judges made their decision. I'm sure the Wilton Judges knew what they were doing, and they chose you. That's all that matters. They can gripe , moan and groan as much as they want, it's not gonna change. I don't think it was unfair.. and from one Californian to another ..... alright !!! I hope you win !!! Good luck.. you deserve to be there.
so CONGRATULATIONS...

oh BTW, you forgot to put this ... LOL

Well said, CakesUnleashed! You are a class act & I think your work is stunning! Congrats to you and other CCer's in the contest!

Deborah

You keep on keeping on, don't worry about the comments, yes...they hurt but they make you a stronger person.

I can sypathize with both of you, it's frustrating to work really really hard to get to a place where your work gets recognized.

Then to have someone shoot you down...

I always say...when you point your finger at someone.....take a look...coz 3 of those fingers are pointing right back at you.

just acept the post in the spirit it was written...somone venting their frustrations...

Look what happened to PUPPY LOVE CONFECTIONS..I think that was her name...they accused her of posting SOMEONE ELSES cakes!!

{{HUGS}} for both of you!

and KUDOS to both of you for entering a contest!

Congratulations to you...and good luck! You are talented and I can only speak for myself when I say that I admire your work and wish you well. Your cakes are executed perfectly and you deserve to have both of your cakes as contenders. Ignore the ill-wishers. Their jealousy is not a pretty thing.

Good luck to you!!!

Angie

You should definitely feel flattered...congratulations!! And its a shame that you even had to defend yourself.

I am surprised by all the jealousy about this contest. I hate to say it, but sometimes us women get jealous of other women WAY to easy; instead of being happy for the other one. Congrats to the talented women on this site and to the finalists. Shame on you if you cannot be happy for someone elses hard work. Let inspire each other!!

As I said in the other post, you have got real talent. No matter what created the inspiration, it was your talent that created those beautiful cakes. Congratulations to you.

I totally agree with ge978.

Congratulations and good luck.

Deborah,

I am sorry that the posts here were hurtful to you. I saw your beautiful cakes and I also saw that you gave credit where it was due. Please enjoy your wonderful accomplishments and the recognition you are rightfully receiving now. Dismiss the sideshow... as hard as it might be to do. They are jealous - plain and simple. I don't know you or them but I saw the posts and I am sorry that you had to go thru it!

Please keep doing your wonderful cakes!
Stephanie

F L A T T E R E D

Hey, I told ya.......I was jealous too......I thought "hey that's NOT fair......she got two cakes in the semi finals".....but then I found out it was you and well.......you know the rest.......I've been a fan of yours for a while now!! I WISH I was that good!!! Anyhow.....you deserve to have your cakes there and so does everyone else who made it......the rules stated you could enter as many cakes etc. in each category as you wanted and I'm sure you're not the only one to upload more than one thing.....(The Lord knows I uploaded a few lol) and none of mine made it.....so you should be nothing more than proud of that accomplishment alone and I will see to it (as much as I can lol like I have any power) that at least one of you CC gals wins that top prize.

whoah whoah whoah......wait a minute........where's the castle cake???? Did wilton take it off??????/// Where did it go???? I just went to vote again and it's not there@!!!!

Wow...it is gone!! What happened to the castle?

I'm not sure where it is, but it was on there earlier today....I know this because I voted for it!

ok, so I know it's not just my pc then!! That's odd!!

Hey that means they didn't count my vote!!! My vote doesn't matter??? Do you think someone complained to Wilton? OR do you think maybe it was a clerical mistake that someone had two entries in the finals and when they caught it, they removed one?? I think they definitely owe it to Debbie to explain why it was removed!!! And anyway - I would have removed the tree stump one b/c I like the castle one!!! I think it's more unique! That really upsets me though - did they throw out all of my votes then??? hmmmm

I voted for it earlier today. What happened to it?

Me too....I just went to vote and the castle cake is nowhere to be found! If they removed it, I wonder what factored into their decision as to which one would come down.....

And I just have to say - HOW IN THE NAME OF GOD DID THAT WOMAN MAKE THE ORNAMENT CUPCAKES??? I have never seen anything look that real in my life....... there is no email or contact link so how do we get a hold of her so we can bribe her to share her secrets??

I hope you're flattered. I, personally, didnt' see anything "nasty" in that thread.

You did a great cake. Congratulations!!

You know what else I was amazed by? The mini bakery - that was too cool!!! But I DO love those ornaments!!!! hmmm wonder if that person is lurking around here somewhere..... I think they are awesome!

Oh and yeah - I went and voted again - SO THERE Wilton! I guess you can vote as many times as you want - that seems strange doesn't it? Like not one vote per e-mail or one vote per computer..... or how are they keeping track of the votes??? hmm seems a litlte weird to me.

I hope a CC'er wins! And you SHOULD be flattered - b/c obviously you have work that is so good people are jealous of it!!! No one's jealous of crappy cakes!

Thank you for all the nice comments. Although, I must say that it was not my intention when posting the thread. I just wanted you to know my side of the story.

I also want to express the fact that had it not been for EVERYONE on this site, none of us would be what we are today. We take bits and pieces with us each and every day and apply it in our cake decorating techniques - and it shows! I have seen such an incredible rising of quality cake creations.

Let's continue to encourage one another to better ourselves and not cut those down that actually do something with what they have learned.

By the way, those of you that were disgrunted with my having two cakes in the Wilton Semi-Finals can rest easy now...I have had the Castle Cake Removed.

Someone needs to find out why Wilton removed the castle cake. It was there earlier.Where'd it go?

Tell me seriously that you did not remove the castle because of a few jealous people!! I understand your thought behind it, but you earned your spots in that competition! Wow, I hope those people who complained feel soooo much better now.

CakesUnleashed your entries were amazing, I think you should be flattered and also a lil' disgusted with the treatment you've gotten but... not hurt.... let no one steal your joy...

I just read that other thread, and I am shocked and disgusted that people on here would attack you like that. Your cakes are wonderful, and you are extremely talented!

PLEASE don't let it get to you (although I know that's easier said than done)!

Congrats on making it to the finals!

You asked them to remove it????? Why???? Wilton judged two of your cakes to be the best entered in that category. You were within the rules. Why take your cake out??

Oh Deborah....You should have never removed the castle! It was so well deserved. I am truely sorry that some people have made you feel that you didn't deserve to be reconized in what you accomplished. I love all your work as I have posted in the past. You are one of my inspirations and I hope you can take this as some kind of reconition for yourself. Your truely talented girl!!! Keep inspiring us

Oh Debs,

I´m really sorry what happend here. But much more I´m sadden to see what THEY have done to you! You know that I really love your castle cake and now to learn that all this made you remove one of YOUR cakes, is "really don´t know what to say".

Many hugs and keep your head up high, cause you´r such a great person !

And I don't think the OP from the other thread should get slammed. She was asking a question/opinion, like we all do here, and obviously didn't know it was a CC'er...... if you read the other thread, she didn't post again after it was revealed who made the cakes in question. Is she supposed to kiss up now that she realizes who she was talking about? No.

It could have happened to anyone talking about so-and-so's cake.... If the rules were unclear or misunderstood then that person has the right to question it. Maybe she had a really cool cake she was going to enter but didn't because it was a "duplicated style" and she thought that it was forbidden.....wouldn't that upset you?

Let it go....... enjoy your win (hopefully)........... and be proud of the work you have done.

And then email Wilton and asked them where the he$$ your castle cake went!!!