Decorating Pet Peeves!

Decorating By cakemommy Updated 6 Jan 2007 , 1:09am by katy625

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cakemommy Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 6:57am
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What are some pet peeves some of ya'll have about decorating? About any particular design you have to do for a cake or any specific technique!


I have a pet peeve about writing on a cake (because I suck at it!) hence why I now love my edible imaging system. I also have a pet peeve about cornelli lace having too many right angles or straight lines or has large gaps. AAARRRGGGHHHHH! I despise that!!!! Don't call it cornelli lace if it isn't done right!!!!!

Oh, I also could do without the icing the entire cake and smoothing process. I wish I could just have it come out of the oven ready to decorate. YEAH RIGHT!!!!!!


Amy icon_confused.gif

93 replies
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tyty Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 7:09am
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icon_lol.gif You are funny. I can go for ready to decorate also.

My pet peeve is the buttercream transfer, I have got to try the FBCT. When I was in class I thought to myself, I'm not going to do that anyway. I found out that's what everyone wanted for their children and grand children. I do not like making all those little stars, even with the multi star tip.

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playingwithsugar Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 7:09am
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Junior newbie know-it-alls who never decorated cakes until two months ago, then post bad advice here on the forums, just to hear themselves not think before they speak, and never have a picture of their work for all the smoke they are blowing about how busy they are.

Theresa icon_smile.gif

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JoanneK Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 7:15am
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Not to much bugs me except when NON cake decorators (My sister) tries to tell me how to make something look better or puts down the cake after it is decorated. Like they could do better.

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cakemommy Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 7:21am
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Oh yeah, that's really annoying. "I'd like to see you try and pull this off huh?!?!?!?!" .....talking to the person.


You're the pro, you know what you're doing!!!!! thumbs_up.gifthumbs_up.gifthumbs_up.gif Okay, just perused your pics and OH YEAH, YOU TOTALLY KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING! HELLO!!!!! You could totally teach me how to do that purse cake!!!!!!!


Amy

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jacqrose Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 7:26am
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Like Joanne- Not too much bugs me but I have to agree with tmigra. I have come across a few members that contradict themselves by saying that decorating is a hobby but then post in the bussiness forum like they own a business. Oh and it turned out after I PM'd one about a technique that this person talked about in a forum (i wanted to ask for help) I found out that the member was just a teenager and didnt know what they were talking about. People like myself come here for help and support when we are getting started or having trouble...the last thing we need is to me mislead by someone that didnt have theexperience to comment themselves. That is my pet peeve.

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dandelion Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 7:42am
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my pet peeve would be cleaning up the mess i make! after standing there decorating for 4+hours it is not fun to face a counter littered with bowls half full of icing and a sink full of cake pans. i really need to learn to wash as i go icon_redface.gif

jacqrose: please don't assume that if someone is "just a teenager" they won't know what they're talking about when it comes to cake. i've been decorating over a year now. picked up a lot of great tips here on cc. and on occasion i will pitch in a tip or two of my own that have worked for me. btw i'm 15 thumbs_up.gif

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cakemommy Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 7:53am
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WOW dandelion, you have done quite a bit for being 15! Very cool! Where do you find the time?



BTW, I as well can not stand the dirty dishes spiel!!! Oh AND taking the couplers out of my bags whether they are the Wilton bags or the throw away!!!!! RETCH!!!!


Amy

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jacqrose Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 8:10am
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dandelion- I wasnt saying that the teens that post on here dont know what they are talking about. I guess I wasnt clear enough. This particular situation was a poster mentioning a technique that i wanted to try out. I sent that person a PM and I got a message back that this individual didnt know the technique that they were talking about in a forum, that they had only been decorating for 2 months and was 13...not to mention they post in the business forum like they own a business.
MY kudos to you for your success in decorating icon_biggrin.gif . You seem to work hard at something you enjoy. I think its great that you share on topics and techniques that work for you. the difference is that you did the trial and error and can share what worked for you. this person didnt. If I offended you I appologize. It was not intended to offend anyone.

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missy77510 Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 9:40am
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I would have to say I hate cleaning also and the couplers. Another thing I can't stand is when people are standing over your shoulder watching every move you make. I guess because I have just started making cakes it makes me nervous.... Maybe I'll get used to it LOL

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cambo Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 9:53am
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tmriga....you're hilarious! I'm LMAO! I would have to say my pet peeve it not so much anything to do w/ the decorating aspect, but the clean up! THOSE DAMN TIPS! And, I don't have a dishwasher!

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peg818 Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 9:54am
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I would have to agree the mess is probably the biggest problem with decorating. That and i need a space that i can just keep my stuff out where i can see and find it.

As far as accual decorating peeves it would have to be character pans, they are time consuming and a waist of money IMHO. They have thier purpose just not in my house.

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playingwithsugar Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 9:58am
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Tips and couplers! Tips and couplers!

Didn't anyone ever teach you gals that they can be dropped in boiling water with Dawn dish liquid? It gets them cleaner than those stupid tip brushes ever will! Of course, you still have to brush it, but the very hot water will melt all that fat away (I wish the shower in my bathroom worked as well!).

Ahem -- consider yourself taught.

Hugs!!
Theresa icon_smile.gif

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cambo Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 10:13am
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OH, heck yeah....been dropping them in boiling soapy water for umpteen years.....and even shake them in a mason jar which does remove most of the grime, BUT, you're right, each one still has to be "handled"! UGH! I hate those things!

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playingwithsugar Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 10:16am
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Amy --

Yeah, they are yucky, no matter how you do them, but it is so much easier using the boiling water. I let them sit to cool down, the fat floats to the top, and I drain it off before I start washing them.

Theresa icon_smile.gif

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cambo Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 10:23am
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tmriga....yeah, that's all we can do, and it is the best way, I just wish they were SELF CLEANING!

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playingwithsugar Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 10:26am
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You would think that in this age of disposables, they would invent disposable couplers. Oh, well, maybe in my next life.

Theresa icon_smile.gif

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Zmama Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 1:36pm
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Oh yeah - lots of good ones listed already!

No, teens are not a problem, IF they know what they speak of, just like anyone else regardless of age/sex/color/creed/etc.

Those (SIL2B - almost 30) who don't know what is going on, never taken a class OR held a decorating tip, trying to do the cakes for family to show you up? Yeah, that bugs me. Then she thought she'd try for a decorating job at Walmart. Yeah, didn't work out so well for her.

MIL2B - this one's too funny, but bugs me. She'll bring a bakery cake when I am going to make a cake, then make everyone have a piece of both. No one wants seconds after this, so she takes the rest of MY cake home, and leaves the bday person with the store cake! Umm, could ya not just ask for a cake for yourself???

Couplers - not needed, really. If you cut your bags less, the tips fit right in snugly without a coupler. Using "icing bullets" wrapped in saran wrap,you can change out colors. Want to change tips? Pop those out when you change the icing bag. Really, you CAN make do with one bag, using the bag as a coupler, IF you plan it out right. I prefer to just wash couplers, but have done this in a pinch when down to my last disposable bag.

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SweetResults Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 1:52pm
post #19 of 94

Tips and Couplers - right into my utility basket and into my dishwasher!!! Makes my DH CRAZY!!! Sometimes I clean them out with a toothpick first, sometimes not - if I have to run them through the wash twice I'd still rather do that than hand wash! If I leave them soaking in a glass long enough and leave my bags out long enough DH will get aggrevated and wash them for me icon_lol.gif I have tried the bullet method, love it, keep forgetting to use it icon_rolleyes.gif I'll get there.

Another peeve - Tips down the DISPOSAL!! Hate to hear that crunching noise!

My biggest peeve of all? MIXING FROSTING COLORS!!! I think I really have to get an airbrush and figure out if I can use it right. I HATE mixing colors.

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SweetResults Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 1:53pm
post #20 of 94

Oh WAIT! I Have two more:

Making MMF

Forgetting to order fondant on time to have shipped on time since I can't buy anything decent in the stores locally and then having to make MMF!

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lapazlady Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 1:54pm
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The mess that has to be cleaned up and yes, those pesky tips, too. Oh, and did I forget to mention I really don't like the smell of Buttercream? But, the mess in the kitchen is #1.

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DianeLM Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 2:04pm
post #22 of 94
Quote:
Originally Posted by cambo

OH, heck yeah....been dropping them in boiling soapy water for umpteen years.....and even shake them in a mason jar which does remove most of the grime, BUT, you're right, each one still has to be "handled"! UGH! I hate those things!



Ack! STOP USING THE MASON JAR!!! I used to do the same thing. Then, while cleaning the jar, my hand went right through the bottom! All that shaking apparently cracked the jar. Had to get 3 stitches. Now, I shake them in one of those Glad screw-top plastic containers.

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sugarlaced Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 2:05pm
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Don't really mind cleaning the mess (I'm a clean as I go person). But what I hate most is cutting & covering the boards!!!! Also, coloring the icing.

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SweetResults Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 2:09pm
post #24 of 94

Oh Sugerlaced - you are sooo right!!! Cutting and covering totally tops cleaning tips!

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Rambo Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 2:10pm
post #25 of 94
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zmama



MIL2B - this one's too funny, but bugs me. She'll bring a bakery cake when I am going to make a cake, then make everyone have a piece of both. No one wants seconds after this, so she takes the rest of MY cake home, and leaves the bday person with the store cake! Umm, could ya not just ask for a cake for yourself???




I think I'd have to say something along the lines of "I baked that cake especially for (insert name) you better ask if you can take it." OR make up an extra little one and say "you seem to enjoy taking my cakes home I thought you might like one of your own."

Now my pet peeve....DH comes into kitchen takes spatula with large scoop of frosting and proceeds to smear it on a crumbly cake scrap then put it back in the frosting bowl, crumbs and all. icon_mad.gificon_mad.gif I've learned to toss the scraps right away or hide the bowl of frosting.

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frstech Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 2:25pm
post #26 of 94

Ok, apparently I have been under a rock, what is the "BULLETT METHOD" with the tips??


Pet peeve: not enough knowledge after 11 years to decorate like a bunch of you, not enough time to learn yet..maybe one day.

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mkolmar Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 3:10pm
post #27 of 94

mine is I don't have hardly anytime to practice decorating. Seems no matter how hard I try and whatever method I'm using I just can't get my buttercream smooth enough. Oh, parts of it will be really smooth and perfect and other small patches won't be so when I try to fix the bad spots I ruin my smooth ones right along with it. Like I said I need way more time to practice (hard to do with screaming kids at your feet)

I'm scared of fondant! I need to get over my fear so I can at least attempt these cakes.

My family like to come over early and then hover over me while I finish decorating my cake for every one of my kids b-day parties! I feel like I'm the small animal the giant eagle is waiting to attack and swoop up so I start to rush.

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shelbur10 Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 3:36pm
post #28 of 94
Quote:
Originally Posted by mkolmar


My family like to come over early and then hover over me while I finish decorating my cake for every one of my kids b-day parties! I feel like I'm the small animal the giant eagle is waiting to attack and swoop up so I start to rush.




LOL!!! When I'm decorating, the only words I speak to anyone are, "OUT OF MY KITCHEN!" icon_lol.gif

Got to say my biggest pet peeve is coloring the frosting. And cleaning the 'sugar cloud' off all my appliances after I have mixed too big a batch

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Firstlady Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 3:44pm
post #29 of 94

tips down the disposal

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cambo Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 4:05pm
post #30 of 94

Ack! STOP USING THE MASON JAR!!! I used to do the same thing. Then, while cleaning the jar, my hand went right through the bottom! All that shaking apparently cracked the jar. Had to get 3 stitches. Now, I shake them in one of those Glad screw-top plastic containers.


DianeLM.....OH I love my mason jar! BUT, it's not just any mason jar....it's non-breakable, molded fiberglass and has a 4" mouth....and is only 6.5" tall! Long story about stumbling upon it.....I have a family member who sells canned salsa to grocery store chains in the south and this is what she uses! I LOVE IT and no risk of injury! I tell ya, one day I WILL get a dishwasher!

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