Hi all!

Just checking in before I disappear again. I have been trying to wean myself off this thread (not permanently!) because the house is getting into a state and I need to work on some fake cake things! I really miss everyone though so I'm spending a few minutes before attacking the kitchen (got a new vac and steam mop yay).

Chasingmytail, I've only ever attended two weddings in my 10years here in the UK. I didn't get cake in either of them, got drunk at the first (as you do- I can barely remember what happened after dinner!!!) and the second we had to leave before the cake was cut as it was getting late for little one. I think the couple should give any cake they don't serve at the reception to their family and friends because, yes, it is such a waste of cake and money other wise. 

I think for your barrel cake there is no choice but to serve the cake in two halves, and some of the slices will have bare tops because they're from the bottom part of the barrel. I don't think people will be that aware really that their cake has a bare top- they'll probably just be glad they get cake lol.

Kathy, your daughter's shoe is fabulous! She is very talented! 

Tiddy those are fab flowers! I'll need to make some too- need to practice and decorate cakes with it. I need to work on making a spray- does anyone have any tips on how to do it? Or is it all just common sense?  Also someone (sorry can't remember who!) posted on here a while back about splitting floral tape- why do we need to do that? Is it to make it last?

Hi Jean and thanks for the nice words.  The shoes are going to be her "thing" - even though I supply all the chocolate, colours, boxes, implements......the list is endless! Lol.  Re wiring sprays - it's been years since I was taught this and fashions may have changed.  However, I was always taught to start with something tiny - like a blossom and then whilst holding it try a selection of sizes of your main flower and start by laying one and then taping it - I always go to the left side first.  Then I use fillers and in the old days ribbon sprays but you don't see so much of that now - start taping.  I don't have splitters.  I just use scissors but I always split my tape.  I think it does help it to last but it also stops it being too thick because as the spray gets bigger, so does the tape.  I had no idea that somebody sold splitters.  I don't think I will be buying any though.  HTH.

Kathy

Thanks Kathy! definitely helps. I remember someone posted a 'tutorial' on how to make your own tape splitter using gumpaste and a spare blade! 

The last spray I did was a big bouquet of tumbling hearts and wired gems.  So, not even flowers.  It got so unwieldy - I had to wire a second spray and wire it into the first just to get the depth.  I was so worried about the weight of it.  Splitting the tape allows you to play a bit more with the shape I think.  When you come to the end, then you need to revert to full size tape as that will give you a smarter finish.

Dayscakes your daughter's shoe is beautiful. 

ADayscakes, beautiful shoe.

Chasingmytail, she does me fab cakes doesn't she?

AMake I mean.

Thanks Nanny and Roxy:  I think she has embraced this and is making her own little niche.  She has worked out other designs for these sorts of shoes.  However - note to self....don't use candymelts for chocolate work like this!  Nightmare - the stuff dries so quickly.  She had to do two remelts.  We need to work out the best way to colour white chocolate - that means lots of tasting or should I say...testing!  Lol.

I'm looking at a southern magnolia rather large (see RHS pic) to go on the side of this wedding cake.  I have never made a flower before and before I spend more money!!!! I see there are a few people on the net that make these. I dont want to get ultra stressed even considering this It would be in silver.  I have a diamonte ribbon and thought this would go nice.  The other alternative would be feathers and a simple brooch.  What are your thoughts for a person who is busy and condiering the amount of materials and tools I would need.  Would you consider someone making you the flower? 

idk how to gauge the money & time for you exactly--i'm just saying the magnolia is one of the most forgiving  flowers--you about can't make it wrong--they are all different like snowflakes--i mean you got the petals and the whatever it's called in the middle and however it comes out  is ok--every tree is different too--they are pretty cool--as varied as each one of us--though alike too --

you could make that flower with gum paste and household utensils like big serving spoons or scoops-- but you got a bit of a learning curve w/gum paste, wires & petal making but--you could do it easy

chasingmytail, if you are just making the one flower you could google how to make it without cutters- there seem to be plenty of tutorials online. You could cut the petals freehand. I'm not a bit fan of feathers on a cake! 

When I've got the materials, I will be trying to make my own cutters out of food grade aluminum (or whatever metal they use). I saw a tutorial on youtube on how to make it. I think the lady was Australian. My problem is I haven't found the metal yet- B&Q don't have any so I guess I'll try travis and perkins or some other diy place. I think if I can manage to make these diy cutters it will make some fantastic savings. The only thing is taking the time to make each and every cutter by hand!

there are online tutorials using soda cans for the aluminum--i just bought the aluminum that comes in the 'cut your own cookie cutter' kit-- i love to make cookie cutters

That is a really good idea I will have to look into that myself. Oh the possibilities  

Hello!  Just to introduce myself - my name is Victoria.  I started cake decorating last summer.  I tried to post this a few pages back but it took a while before it got moderated.

APpquote name="Victoria M" url="/t/622656/a-thread-for-all-uk-bakers/6450#post_7515388"]Hello!  Just to introduce myself - my name is Victoria and I'm new to the forum.  I started cake decorating last summer. [/quote] Hi Victoria, apologies for not welcoming you the other day, we must've been typing at the same time and I didn't see your post til I just logged onto catch up. Anyway welcome to the thread :-)

Just popping to say hello to everyone, hope you're all well, lovely shoe Kathy! I'm itching to make my daughters cake now, I might start baking tomorrow.

No I didn't know my cake was in the favourites but I'm chuffed all the same! :-D

Hi Maisie hope things are well with you and the kids, what cake did you decide on for your daughter's birthday?

AHi all.... Just popping into say hi!!!:-D

Kathy, those shoes are gorgeous.:-)

Chasingmytail, I like the idea of magnolia and they are so much easier to make. There's a fab video on YouTube by Savannah custom cakes. On that she says to use magnolia cutters but I am pretty sure I make those from rose cutters. I'd rather make it myself as if you are getting some one else to make, you have to pay for P&P and I think you are paying more than the price of set of cutters.

Evening everybody! 

I must have missed the post by a new member to the thread- Victoria M? Hello Victoria! Welcome to the mad bunch :)

Hi Maisie, Good to hear from you. I would be interested to know what you plan for your daughter's cake too! 

AEvening all! Just popped on as I have 5 mins....been baking all day and last minute have decided to add a tier...as you do! Blinking migraine approaching fast now so down tools time :(

AI'm thinking peppa and George pigs in mud. I don't know if I'll be able to make the pigs look like the characters so if I can't it'll just be pigs in mud. I'be wanted to make one for a while but every time I plan to something prevents me.

I'm off to bed now g'nite all.

AHey Maisie, how you doing? Whose is Victoria guys, she's welcome obviously, will be nice to chat to her!

ADoing well nanny, thank you. :-)

Victoria introduced herself the other day (the last day I posted). I didn't see her post cos we must've been typing at the same time and then maybe you all saw mine and missed hers cos you were worried about me. I noticed when I logged on earlier and went back to my last post to catch up on everything I've missed.

I really am off to bed now, g'nite.

AOh yes your right.

Sorry for missing you Victoria, welcome to this talented bunch we have here, anything you want to know they will be able to tell you.

Chasingmytail, those cakes really are gorgeous arent they, love love the right side cake. You thinking of doing that flower then? Bashini can help you she's good at flowers.

Morning cakey friends!  Hi Maisie - sorry I missed you.  Glad you are OK.  I would love to see a Peppa pig in mud!  And welcome Victoria M - sorry I missed your post.  This is a "high speed" thread and no mistake.  I had to scroll back for pages and pages to find you!  Whereabouts are you based?  We are strewn far and wide but - and it has to be said - there's a lot of talent in Wales!

AMorning!

Hi Maisie, so pleased to hear from you :) Hope the pigs in mud cake goes well!

Tiddy how are you getting on with your cake? Hope the headache has gone!

Hi everyone else :)

Quick question to those more experienced with ganache - can you flavour it? I do a very zingy lemon cake and would love to do a lemon ganache but no idea how or even if you can?

I'm on more flowers today, got my ranunculus done yesterday and am pretty pleased as I'm still quite new to them! Daisy centres & sweetpeas next...!

AMorning oh great ones!

Ooooo, now that caught my attention Mel, lemon ganache, hmmmm, sounds amazing if it can be done, think you should experiment and bake a cake and send each of us a piece via post, good idea?

ATiddy, everything OK with the cake?