Gave It A Try - Didn't Turn Out That Great

Decorating By sgirvan Updated 26 Feb 2005 , 6:01am by tcturtleshell

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sgirvan Posted 24 Feb 2005 , 12:06am
post #1 of 14

I had some spare time this afternoon so I thought that I would give making a 3D buttercream cat face a try. It didn't turn out that great but gave me an idea of things to do. I am going to keep trying different things and hopefully will get better with more practice icon_biggrin.gif

13 replies
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tcturtleshell Posted 24 Feb 2005 , 4:46am
post #2 of 14

You will! Just keep practicing! I'm having troubles w/ the shell border that goes one way then the other. My mind is blank for the life of me I can't think of what it's called! I had trouble doing the rope border on the first few tries. Now I do it really quick & it looks good! Practice makes perfect!

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sweeterbug1977 Posted 24 Feb 2005 , 4:50am
post #3 of 14

tcturtleshell,

I believe that the technique that you are referring to is called the reversed shell. I have found that the more I practice a technique, the easier it becomes to me; not only does the technique look better, it takes me less time to accomplish the look that I am wanting as well when I practice it.

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tcturtleshell Posted 24 Feb 2005 , 6:11am
post #4 of 14

That's it! The reverse shell! I was brain dead for awhile there! I practiced yesterday on a cake pan... (because I don't like practicing on the practice boards there too flat) I didn't have a cake made but had icing. I always have icing left over from icing cakes so I keep it for practicing. So I practiced. The reverse is hard for me & I don't know why! I can do it but it's ugly. Sewsweet2 does it on most of her cakes & it's beautiful! I will get it one day! icon_biggrin.gif What techniques do you have a hard time on? Oh, my goodness it's 12:30 here... I better head to bed!! I get so involved in reading posts that I just let the time slip by! icon_cry.gif Good evening!

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tcturtleshell Posted 24 Feb 2005 , 6:19am
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I just said I was going to bed then I looked at a new post....... icon_biggrin.gif it started over again!!!! I think I just made my 100 post..... how funny!!! thumbs_up.gif I wasn't even trying!!! usaribbon.gif Wonder if a get a gift now??? icon_cool.gif

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jscakes Posted 24 Feb 2005 , 6:20am
post #6 of 14

tcturtleshell- I was having trouble with the reverse shell border also, but after trial and error, I ended up by not stopping at the end of the "s", but rather lifting the tip just barely and start in the opposite direction for the reverse pattern. Seemed to turn out more even that way for me. (now if only I can follow the line...) Just a suggestion. Oh, on the rope border...I just suck at that one! No matter how much I practice at it, and I know there has to be a way for me to catch on but I haven't found it yet!

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tcturtleshell Posted 25 Feb 2005 , 3:13am
post #7 of 14

jscakes~ The rope is supposed to be a "s" well I just make a half "s" & it looks the same! I was messing up on the tucking part & the end of the s was too curved up. I finally started making a 1/2 s & now it looks pretty good! I hold the tip like I'm doing a zigzag. I will try doing the shell again tomorrow. I'm making my daughters friends bday cake. Thanks~

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jscakes Posted 25 Feb 2005 , 3:29am
post #8 of 14

tcturtleshell- On the reverse shell, make the beginning of what I call "s" a real deep and tight curve to it...how do I explain.. icon_eek.gif .hmmm..oh, I got it, like making cursive capital Ls without the long arm at the beginning, one right after the other. Does that make sense? Yeah, my ropes are half "s's" alright! tapedshut.gif So you just make half of the s, will have to practice with that one and hope I don't need it in the near future. Thanks for your advice, I appreciate it very much.

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tcturtleshell Posted 26 Feb 2005 , 4:00am
post #9 of 14

No, thank you for your advice icon_biggrin.gif

I just finished making my daughter's best friends bday cake. It turned out so pretty!! thumbs_up.gif If I could only figure out my digital camera I could post all my pics!!!! I'm getting very mad at myself for not being able to figure it out!! icon_cry.gif I usually figure things out pretty good thumbsdown.gif

I have a stupid question....

I've been making 9" & under size cakes (/2 layers) & also 1 layer sheet cakes (all sizes). Well now that I'm doing weddings I'm making 10" & up... the wedding cake will be 12",14",16". The problem I'm having is turning over a cake that size & that heavy onto the bottom layer cake... I can't figure out how to do it w/out it flopping onto the bottom cake!!! icon_mad.gif Then I can't get it even onto the other cake!! Is there a secret??? I usually turn the 9" & under into my hand & then lay it on top but I had that disaster when I did it w/ a 10" cake (on the disaster board, LOL). So could you please tell me an easier way to turn my cakes over to stack them?? Thank YOU!!!!!!!
~Tina~ icon_smile.gif

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jscakes Posted 26 Feb 2005 , 5:20am
post #10 of 14

tcturtleshell; yes, I did read your disaster story about the larger cake and I had to chuckle! Putting the top layer onto the bottom layer: I put the top layer onto a size larger cake board first, gently push the cake off the board as you pull the board out from under it, all the while being right over the top of the bottom layer. Be careful if it has set very long on the board as you might have to flip it onto something else first then back on the board if it has become stuck. You may have to adjust the top a bit once you have it placed, but not too much. I've also used my cooling rack for the really large cakes (12x18 sheet size) but I usually end up dropping the end closest to the filling and making gouge marks on it. (I have problems with strength in one arm) Now, start playing with your camera so we can see the pictures! There should be some detailed directions on here someplace that gives step-by-step instructions. Let us know how it goes.

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tcturtleshell Posted 26 Feb 2005 , 5:42am
post #11 of 14

Thank you thank you! thumbs_up.gif I thought that's how I should do it but didn't want to try & mess up! I will try to figure my camera out tomorrow!!! I promise!! I think the problem might be w/ the adaptor. Going to a store where they can help me figure it out! I hope everyone won't be so disappointed when they see my cakes! icon_biggrin.gif I'm going to take a look at your cake now. Talk to you later~ Thanks~ icon_lol.gif

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tcturtleshell Posted 26 Feb 2005 , 5:46am
post #12 of 14

jscakes,
I was getting you & sgarvin mixed up... when I said I'm going to look at your cake now... Sorry!

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jscakes Posted 26 Feb 2005 , 5:51am
post #13 of 14

'ats okay! I just re-read what I put in at the end...I meant detailed instructions on placing the cake on the bottom layer, not your camera!!! My brain is fried tonight, is that a good excuse? icon_smile.gif

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tcturtleshell Posted 26 Feb 2005 , 6:01am
post #14 of 14

We're up too late that's the problem!! LOL!!

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