I did it! I made my first cake!! I am proud of it, but not fully happy with it.
And things sure did fall apart. (this is a LONG story sorry)

First I baked a 10 in. cake forgot the flower nail so the cake took forever to cook in the center. Next I baked the 14 in. cake I remember the flower nails (I put in two) the cake still took forever to bake. (I even had the oven at 325).
Next I cooled the cakes. The 10 in. looked great. I torte the cake everything went smoothly.
The 14 in. was a pain in the butt to tort. I dont think I will ever bake a 14 in. again! It is just too big. I would rather cook more cakes.
Next I tried to level the cake You will see in the pictures I didnt do a very good job at that!!! (My father in law suggested I level my oven!!)

I made three different types of icing. Classic Buttercream ( ½ crisco and ½ butter), Cali4dawns recipe, and Snow White Buttercream.
I used the classic buttercream to fill the cakes with, I used cali4dawns to ice the entire cake, and I used the snow white to make the flowers with.
Not sure if I like the snow white I made beautiful hibiscus flowers using the lily nail ( I know, I should have used royal) I let them dry 24 hours. They looked great. Right before placing on the cake I set out on the counter (got busy with the girls forgot about them). The started to melt and fell apart!!!!! Stupid flowers.

The cake was made with Duncan Hines Moist White Cake mix. Each mix I added a box of vanilla pudding and an extra egg.

Most of you read the post:
Please help with icing the cake!!!!!
So you all know what happened there!!! Crumbs everywhere!!!!!!!!!
What ended up working I put the crumb coat on tried to do another coat and my icing batch go ruined because crumbs got into it. I was so tired and frustrated I put the iced cake into the refrigerator. Woke up the next morning and iced the cake. It worked!!! It iced fine getting it smooth was the hard part.

Since all the flowers feel apart ( I wanted to have them cascading down two sides of the cake mixed in with drop flowers (the swirl flowers and star flowers )) I just put the drop flowers all over. I didnt like it, but it worked fine.

In the end of everything everyone said my cake looked great. (some thought that another family member who runs a cake shop baked it that made me feel really GREAT!!)
And it was the best tasting cake I have ever had. (Not to brag) It was so moist.
I am glad it is over and I cake wait to do another!!

Thank you to cake central and it's members for all the advice and help along the way!!!!
I can't get the picture of the cake to attach. It is too big. I will keep trying.

Picture of cake is in my photos. I didn't want to put it there...

Very good! I also made my first decorated cake last night. I was very pleased with the my white frosting. I got it to look very smooth and even. Then my dh decided to cook a frozen pizza. Hot kitchen plus 1/2 butter buttercream equals melting frosting. Oh, well. I *think* the shell border would've come out okay if the frosting hadn't been melthing.

I still have to try making the flowers, but first I'm going to try the mmf.

Happy Baking!

not heat and buttercream do not mix!! In the car ride I thought mine was melting even with the air full blast!!
Can't wait to see your pictures bubblez of your cake!!

I Think your cake looks great! We are all learning, and when you do your next cake things will go alot easier. Practice - Practice- Makes perfect!!

I think your cake came out very nice! I like the colors. Good job!

You should be very proud of your cake! It's just beautiful and I love all the colors! Sorry you had trouble with it. I agree with you on the Duncan Hines. That's what I use, and they always come out moist and delicious. Congrats!

Thanks for all the wonderful comments!!!

It was fun to make.
When it was all finished and delievered. My husband said, "thank goodness it is all over!!"
I laughed because he doesn't realize that for my wilton course I have three more cakes to make. And I plan on making more after that! I just hope someone at the party likes what I did and gives me a call!!

It is a very cute cake. I like your little drop flowers too, they are cute. Your icing is very smooth too. You're going to be at the top of your class (:

You did a great job...I love all the different color flowers.
traci

Very nice job for you first cake...stick with it, looks like you are doing great!