I think we should start a Newbie section to the forum. There is so many wonderful designers and decorators that I feel I'm not in the right place. Yes, I have learned tons of info, but still feel a little shy. I would like to see more non-pros photos. I don't mean to open a can of worms, I hope you all understand where I'm coming from. Yes, you do learn from the best!!!Does anyone understand me??? Thanks for letting me vent, I'm a newbie. 
Maybe this one 
Peggy, try not to feel shy...just speak up or read up on EVERYTHING you can in here. It is a little intimidating at first. I don't think I posted for two months when I found this site. There are so many different levels of decorators here, that's what's comforting to me...when you have a problem, others have had it too and when you try something new, you can read up in the "disasters" and make sure it doesn't happen to you!!
I think CC has done very well to make this work and wouldn't want to "discriminate" if you are a different level of decorator. I'm completely in awe of the "in designers" (HAHA I had to say it!!!) and only hope that someday I can do that kind of work!
Put yourself at ease and know that even the very best started out somewhere! OH, make yourself feel really good and read the entire 30 some pages of the "post your worst cake" thread!!! 
Peeg,
I, too, am a Newbie and know exactly how you feel. Check out the gallery of First Time Cakes. I like the idea of a Newbie section to the forum - so much of what is discussed is over my head. And I spend a lot of time searching and filtering through past forums for information that applies to the type of decorating I'm doing. Thanks for raising a good point!
Aaaaaah, don't be shy! In this pond all the fish are swimming together because we all get along so well. Yeah, every now and then someone gets their fins pinned but it is not the common and certainly not just newbies this happens too.
Come on and start posting and welcome to CC!!
Peeg,
I, too, am a Newbie and know exactly how you feel. Check out the gallery of First Time Cakes. I like the idea of a Newbie section to the forum - so much of what is discussed is over my head. And I spend a lot of time searching and filtering through past forums for information that applies to the type of decorating I'm doing. Thanks for raising a good point!
Breaking off in "groups" is often times a main reason for problems to arise. Groups support each other and you should look at CC as one big group. I too was a newbie just a few months ago~~~first ever decorated cake and first ever everything as far as Cake Central goes. I just started posting and was always treated politely and graciously for the most part. If you will go to the "first time cakes" album in the galleries section you will see thousands of newbie photos and they are ALL from members who started out just like you.
Now come on and don't be intimidated..............if you are intimidated to the point of not posting or feeling like you don't fit in here, then truly, you are intimidating your own self.
Welcome to CC!! 
Well, I agree to a point, I wish more novice decorators would post pics...I feel really really silly posting my pics and I think I was on here over a year before I posted a single one. I don't have opportunity to bake and decorate like I need to to improve my skills and it seems like I have to re-learn the technique each time I make one. I am really intimidated by the skill level here but I don't mind posting because usually it's just opinions. Pictures are another matter. I also have seen some pretty mean comments on here and I know when we put up our photos we are subjecting ourselves to them...as long as people remember we are all different levels of skills here it would be ok. But when I see someone who took up decorating 5 months ago and looks awesome I get very depressed! I think there must be a degree of artistic talent needed, which I have none of, but I am passionate and enjoy the hobby anyway. My cakes will never compare to 98 percent here but as long as people don't make me want to quit entirely I don't mind coming back.
Hi Peeg and absijails,
Welcome to CC,
If you want to see some non-pro pictures just take a gander at my photos.
I have been doing cakes for years and they were mostly sheet cakes and stuff like that, every once in a whle I would have a wedding cake turn out (in my opinion) pretty good. Then I stumbled onto CC. 
Where had I been. my old school cakes were 
.
So then I got really inspired and had to do an Oz themed cake so I painted the sides to look like the gingham on her dress, did a yellow brick road thingy and I carved the famous red shoes and coverd them in red sugar. The mom loved it. I even got inspired to try a scratch cake, strawberry with strawberry mousse filling. the comment I got back on the cake part was "I was expecting it to be pink when we cut into it" 
( the last one was because it cost way more to produce that cake than the 83cents the box of strawberry cake would have cost at Wal-mart)! By the way, I haven't posted it yet because I can't find the picture!
Then the same mom ordered another cake in August. So I studied the cakes closely on here, and then I made the Ladybug cake, It has been viewed over 400 times, The parents raved the guest thought I had come from some Food network show and I used a box cake mix, they said it was the most wonderful cake they had ever eaten! So now I am thinking maybe there is hope for me in my later years of decorating, I have been set free I am now on CC!
What does all this mean? This place will inspire you and you will learn more on here in a short time than if you decorate for 26 years like I have. 
Welcome to CC
Jibbies
GEE!! Thank you all for the nice inspiring responses!!! I have posted photos and totally freaked into thinking they won't be good enough Maybe I am my own worst critic I do read every thing on CC, that I can.The posts and conversations,ideas and the whole forum have helped me alot. Is there a suggestion that I go for somemore lessons? I don't know, maybe I am in a decorating depression. I WILL NOT GIVE UP!!! Thanks to all and to CC, Peggy
Peeg~ Your cakes are beautiful! There is no "good enough" here.... believe me, my cakes are nothing special but i post them anyway because i am proud of them! I have learned SO much here, and my cakes are nothing close to anything i see posted on here, but i use that for inspiration to keep practicing!
I'm a newbie too! I just started decorating this past June when I took a Wilton course with a friend for a summer project. Now it's become almost an obsession. I've made so many cakes, but like many newbs I've only posted my best pics cause I'm shy about my 'novice' cakes I've been lurking on the forums for a little bit but only recently started to speak up more. Everyone has been friendly and made me feel welcome
I'm a newbie as well, and this site has opened my eyes to decorating cakes in a whole new way. Previous to this site, I only did cakes that were from Wilton Shaped pans. Now I have a whole new outlook on cake decorating....thanks to the awesome cake decorators right here on CC. Read the forums and look, look, look at the galleries-and your eyes will be opened at all the possibilities of decorating. Just this summer I have tried MMF and FBCT, both things I had never even heard of until stumbling upon Cake Central. I still have pictures that I don't put on because they are ho hum, but I have put ones on I would never have done if I it weren't for the inspiration I've found on this site. I have seen lots of posts with repetitive questions asked by newbies like us, and EVERYONE is so gracious. I have even found myself being able to answer questions here and there just from having explored the site of much. Don't be embarrassed or feel intimidated because in not that long the newbies of "today" will be the "experienced ones!" Good luck and welcome to CC
I find it very funny that the cakes that the customers are most impressed with don't get as many favorites here ... and the one's I think "Well, I'll just post this one" --- Lots of faves!!! And there was this one cake that I was almost embarassed to post and it got several nice comment and several "faves" ... 
SOO, what I am saying is because there are so many "levels" of decorators here, there are also so many different things people are looking for!
Like Jibbies said, you learn more from the forums than from any other place, and the "amazing" cakes on here will encourage and inspire you to keep pushing yourself!!!
I looked at YOUR cakes ... they are very nice and well done!! There was nothing there to be embarrassed about!
I have just finished looking at several of ya'lls cakes too and good grief I don't know what you are worried about! Your cakes are all very good work and certainly worthy of being posted here at Cake Central!
CeeTee........I would have left comments for you but you do not have that feature turned on. In order for comments to be left on your photos you need to look at the left hand column of this page, click on "my forum info" which is your profile page, then turn on the feature that allows people to leave you feedback.
I would like to comment on a couple of your cakes so please let us know when you get this done.
Glad to see everyone warming up and joining in! Please please please never feel shy and never hesitate to upload your photos! They are all worthy of being seen!
OH MY GOODNESS!!! Never in a million years did I think I would get so much positive feed back from you all. It sure had opened up my eyes along with my ego. I sallute (sp) all the newbies and praise all the long standing members of CC.I will be asking more and more ? and will do more posting. There is so much feeling and graciousness, from all member!!! It's overwelming.. I still wish I could really be good, one of these days!!!Sensational.... 
Peggy
CeeTee........I would have left comments for you but you do not have that feature turned on. In order for comments to be left on your photos you need to look at the left hand column of this page, click on "my forum info" which is your profile page, then turn on the feature that allows people to leave you feedback.
I would like to comment on a couple of your cakes so please let us know when you get this done.
Thanks for the heads up! I honestly had no idea comments were disabled! I had a lot of stuff disabled it seems But it's all fixed now, thanks Teekakes!
I consider myself a newbie too . . . but I have to say I don't feel I am treated differently because of it . . . I have asked several questions when I have posted comments on others photos that I am impressed/intrigued with . . . and everyone always graciously answers my questions (either on the photo comments or by personal message) . . . I don't feel like I should hide in the background . . . I get the feeling that this community truly enjoys sharing their secrets/knowledge and passion . . . I LOVE the welcoming spirit that exists on this site and I encourage you jump in anytime, anywhere . . . I'd be willing to bet that you will be encouraged and enlightened at every turn . . .
im still fairly new to this site. been on for about 5 months but the things i have learned are immeasurable. there is a wealth of knowledge out there just read everything you can. and no question is a stupid one. we all have to start somewhere. Dont be afraid to ask anything that is why i love this place so much everyone is very nice and helpful.
Hello, Peggy. I am in no way a pro. I've been making cakes for years for friends and coworkers, but am by no means a pro. And was a lurker for so long because I was a bit intimidated. You have nothing to fear, my dear.
This site is so inspirational. You see the wonderful cakes made by the pros, see a style or technique and will find yourself thinking, "If they can do that, with a little practice I should be able to do that." And they are all so willing to share what works and does't work, and what tools and recipes to use. I love this site.
Best thing to do is to dive in with both feet. If I make something that looks bad, I post it - not for ridicule (not that I get any) but for the chance to look back and see improvements in my work.
Nice people here - post your pics and ask your questions - you will learn sooo much.
Most of us are not "pros", we can just turn out a great looking / tasting cake a lot of the time. I've only been decorating for a year and a half, and I don't do them very often. However, even the best didn't start off that way. We were ALL newbies and beginners at one time. Some pick up the knack for it quicker than others so remember that no matter what level of skill you have, you are one of us and we are all here to help in any way we can.
Amy
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