I'm Done!!! I Can't Do This!
Decorating By katy625 Updated 27 Jan 2007 , 7:06pm by JackSkellington11
Im really in tears as I type this. So I was gonna do a castle cake for Eva's first b-day. Well, I got the towers done and they look great! BUT THERES NO CAKE!!! I was going to cover two dummies in fondant and the middle tier was going to be the real cake covered in fondant. So, I figured that since no one is going to eat the fondant Im not going to make 7 batches! So I bought the Wilton fondant. BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD!!!!!!! I WILL NEVER EVER EVER EVER BUY THAT CRAP AGAIN!!!!!!!!!! For one we couldn't get the fondant big enough to cover the bottom cake without ripping or just something going wrong. It smelled and tasted so chemical is was discusting! THEN the actual cake FELL APART!!!!!!!!!! I tried to fix it then cover it but it just looked ridiculous. So I just fell apart. I gave up. There was nothing I could do. It was really late. DH went and bought a STORE BOUGHT CAKE! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!!!!!! OH AND ALSO, who ever wrote that Chocolate Whipped Ganache recipe.......It doesn't set up in the freezer after a few hours. The outside freezes and the inside was liquid. It probably takes more than over night in the fridge too. So that sucked!!!!! I wound up making chocolate BC. Then the cake just went in the trash. EVERYTHING IN THE TRASH!! I am totally in a state of depression right now and today is her b-day. I did these cakes for Christmas and they came out GREAT!!!!!!!! Everyone here is waiting to see this cake and everyone coming to the party is too. 
I would take that box of fondant back to the store and ask for my money back, then write Witon and let them know how bad it was, especially the chemical smell! You would think that after all the complaintes (one being me) they would improve on this product. Guess they figure no one will eat it anyway, but what a waste of money on the decorator's part! Sorry you had such a bad time with this.
deb
Oh, Katy, that's horrible. Sorry that you had so many problems with this cake. But don't worry....the birthday party will be a big success anyway. And everyone who knows your cakes will really appreciate them even more after the store bought cake. But honestly, the birthday girl won't care a bit. Try to rest a bit and relax. Then enjoy the day for it is!
Your next cake will be wonderful. (Because you won't buy the fondant!)
Hugs and happy thoughts
Lorri
First of all, I'm sorry this happened to you! 
But you absolutely MUST make yourself understand, this event and cake are so much bigger in your head than they really and truly are...
When other people tell you "they're coming to see the cake," or they "really want to see the cake," --what they TRULY mean is, "I want to see YOU, but seeing your cake is a nice little bonus!"
The party is about your daughter, your family and friends. And about everyone mentioned spending time together to celebrate a wonderful little girl and her special parents raising her so well. It is NOT about cake, or the artistry thereof, even though I'm sure your cake would have been an amazing centerpiece! 
I'm so sorry this happened. But seriously though--it's not a wrecked auto, burned house, broken plumbing or power outage. Think of all the awful things that COULD be going wrong in your life--then realize, "It's just cake!"
I'm sure your day will get better. And next year--this will be a memory! 
--Knox--
I'm sorry to hear about the terrible time you had. Haven't we all those moments we want to give up! I made a wedding cake once that I was just mortified with and thought why do I do this to myself! But every time something bad happens we sure learn something new. I'm sure your daughter will love the party no matter what! I'm sure she knows how much love and care you put into the whole party. As far the fondant I have to agree with you. They really need to improve thier product. If only they knew how simple, inexpensive and yummy the Marshmallow fondant is! Anyway, I don't blame you for not wanting to make 7 batches though!! Not at all. I'll bet everyone will have a great time at the party!
Don't be sad, I think is a cake decorators murphi's law or something, we do everything great for others, but when is for us, something happens. For my son's bar-mitzva, the day before the event the electricity in my kitchen just went down, NO LIGHT, NO OVEN!! everybody was expecting the great sweets table, with lots of cakes and pettifours!! maybe is that same pressure that for your self it must be better than everything you have ever done...
Rolled fondant it's easy, but it takes practice. make your own one, allways make extra. Cover the cake in buttercream, as you usualy would, the cover with a THIN layer of fondant, the cake will taste like butter cream covered, a thin layer wont make the cake too sweet, why do care so much if people remove it?
keep trying it you'll get good at it, you'll see...
I'm sorry this happened, but I'm sure your daughter will love the party no matter what. And you can just tell everyone that you were stressing so bad over getting the party right, that the cake ended up being a disaster. No Biggie. I kinda know how you feel though because last year for my daughter's birthday party, I had plans to do a nice 3 tier strawberry shortcake cake for her party, and everything in the world went wrong that week and I had to throw together a 1/4 sheet cake and was literally decorating it 15 minutes before we had to be at the bowling alley for her party and I thought It looked terrible! I piped some buttercream strawberries on it, stuck a little strawberry shortcake on top and that's it! But everyone said they liked it. I agree with the others though because to us, it's a BIG DEAL, but to them it's just a little something. Hope the party goes well!
I am sorry this happen to you. I think every one of us have had at least one disaster (probably more). If a ruined cake is the worst that happened to you count your blessings and enjoy your beautiful little girl. Life is too short to let a little fondant get the best of you and affect your child's birthday because Mommy is upset.
If it's any consolation I know exactly how you feel. Something very similar happened to me in June with my daughter's eighth birthday party. I wound up calling my mother-in-law up and asking her to bring the cake from a bakery on her way over! I'm still a bit annoyed to this day, but realize that these things happen and in the scope of things she remembers the party, her friends and the ponies more than anything else, including the cake. There were other birthdays where I made the cake, and God willing, there will be many more in the future, too.
Try not to dwell on it too much and just enjoy the day and be happy that you, your daughter and family are celebrating an important event together. I wish with my whole heart that my mother had lived to see my other daughter's first birthday in September.
Similar thing happened to me with my son's birthday cake. (It's the bowling cake in my photo gallery.) After I finished the "masterpiece", I went to take a shower. When I walked back into the kitchen, the cake had collapsed and was hanging off the edge of the counter. My husband had to rush to the grocery store bakery and buy a cake for me to fix up with the deocrations that I managed to salvage.
I was the ONLY one that was disappointed. The party went on and my son and his friends had a great time.
We sometimes put too much pressure on ourselves and lose our focus. Learn from it and move on. Don't give up!!
For me, cake decorating has become more of an art release. I find it very hard to make a cake on command, although I do it. My best work is done when it isn't actually the person's birthday but I know my cake will make them smile on a no occassion day. That's when I get the most satisfaction. I haven't had a big cake disaster yet, thankfully.
I am sorry to hear that happened to you. Maybe you can make it up to her (if you felt you needed to) on a no occassion day and surprise her and friends so they can see you can make the cake you wanted to. I did that for my son. I realized his cakes had been lack of trying attempts because I had to clean the house and organize the parties as well so I make him cakes he'll enjoy when he doesn't expect it and he feels special because it's just for him.
It happens to me pretty much everytime I make a cake. I have a picture in my head (or one from this site) of what I want my cake to look like and it NEVER turns out the way I envisioned it to!
I've burned cakes, dropped them, had a dog eat part of one, set one outside to cool faster and SOMETHING ate part of it, an earthqauke size VAULT in a couple, many that get the BULGE from overfilling, DH sent one flying off the car seat when delivering it, and I pretty much NEVER have them ready on time!
So please don't give up , there's always next time to look forward to! 
It seems like when I make a cake for fun, it comes out so nice and pretty, no air bubble in the icing, my roses are perfect. But when it comes to a paid cake, air bubble out the****, roses are horrible, cake falls a part...it just the way it is..here is a big group hug
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUG))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
I am so sorry this happened to you.
The very first cake I every tried to make was to be for my daugthers 3rd birthday. And it was nothing so elaborate as a castle cake. Just a strawberry shortcake character pan.
The first cake stuck to the pan. The second cake came out perfect but my husband moved it and the dog got to it and ate it. (this was the morning of the party) Had to quickly bake another cake and try to finish decorating it before the party.
Halfway done the cake looked like Strawberry Shortcake from H E double Hockey Sticks.
I went and cried and cried and was ready to give up. But I finally decided I would finish that darn cake even if it did look like crap and if it did we would just eat the evidence. (it didn't look all that bad)
I guess my moral of the story is:
Don't let that darn cake beat you! So you made some mistakes and learned some hard lessons. You won't do them again right? (buy wilton fondant again ever??)
Keep on truckin', don't give up.
Hugs all around. I had a cake due the day b4 I was decorating it. I parked my car in the garage and when I started to make the icing I realized I needed shortening. I grabbed my keys and took my dog out into the yard so she can do her business. It was raining and as I walked to the garage I realized I left the garage keys in my car. I went back inside the house and the spare garage opener didn't work. I was frustrated so I yelled at the dog to get inside the house and she wouldn't listen. Then I called my boyfriend to help calm me down and he told me to call a locksmith. They couldn't give me a price on how much they'd charge so my boyfriend left work early to help get the door open. Meanwhile, a friend drove me to the store; I got my shortening and rushed home to make icing while my boyfriend gave up and kicked the garage door down. I tried to place my FBCT onto the cake and it got all screwed up. After all that work the Transfer was horrible and I just SMASHED the cake. I slammed my hand right thru it and after a few tears I started another cake. My geisha cake.
OMG!!! I was just going to write a new topic on MY CASTLE CAKE DISASTER!!! This thread caught my eye, so I read it first.
All of you really know how to give support. There are even laughs!
Katy, my disaster wasn't as dramatic as yours. But it's a challenge to me, now. And as others have said, it could've been worse. At least this wasn't for a paying customer. (I've had my few disasters which have lost me customers.)
Marie
Katy,
Take a deep breath... ~hugs first of all~
I think we have all had a bad experience with our cooking and where we hold ourselves to such high expectations we literally cripple ourselves. Yes your guests/daughter were expecting this cake but they also know that you are human and things beyond your control happen. You can't make a beautiful cake if you have technical difficulties beyond your control (the wilton crap) or the cake falling. I have as of yet to meet one person who has never admitted to such a dilemma. Just know that your family and child will understand because they love you and they know you are capable, you don't have to prove that (not that you were trying to). I think that if it was between a store cake and you tearing yourself down because of issues beyond your control they would opt for a store cake and a happy Mommy.
Once again, give yourself a hug for even wanting to give of your talents to your family and know that there will be another opportunity for you to do it in the very near future. Heck you can throw yourself a "I made a castle cake" party and invite everyone to visit or do one with your daughter afterwards and use the photo for your thank you notes.
Don't give up and don't give in to despair, I saw your pictures and they are really great. If you give up we will lose a great decorator and if it is something you enjoy you will do yourself an injustice and you just don't deserve that.
I will be thinking of you and waiting of news of your next cake. Just have a moment and brush yourself off, the next cake will be brillant, I know it will.
(sorry, I am a bit wordy tonite - but I mean every one of them. )
Wow you guys are great! Hearing all of your cake disaster stories makes me feel like I am not alone!
My first paid cake was a complete disaster. I didn't allow myself enough time to make the cake so I rushed it and it came out horrible. The client was so nice though. She said she loved it and her daughter (whom the cake was for) loved it. I thought she was just being nice and I would never hear from her again, but the next year (next birthday) she called me up and wanted another cake! I couldn't believe it. So I guess you guys are right. We put way too much pressure on ourselves sometimes.
I've had times when I felt like just giving up too, I will take breaks (months) and then I am ready to go again. But each time I feel like I am getting better.
I was making a cake for my son one night, its in my photos, its the red monster truck, it seemed like everything was going wrong, I couldn't get it to look like the picture in the wilton book, the donut wheel were supposed to be covered in chocolate but it kept melting off in my fingers trying to put the wheel on the truck, and the popsicle sticks to hold them on the truck keep falling down, by the time I finished that night I was crying because it just wasn't going right at all.
But the next day at the party, everyone loved the cake especially my son and that is what's important.
You live and learn, don't give up, you will get better! Hugs!!! 
I think we have all had a bad experience with our cooking and where we hold ourselves to such high expectations we literally cripple ourselves. [/quote]
I remember for my son's bar-mitzba each time I gave someone the invitation, the aswer back was " I can't wait to see the cake" the more I heard that, the less I could think of something good to do. When the party finaly came close I was totally crippled, didn't know what to do or were to start, at the end I ended up felling I came short from everybody's expectacions, because all there presure didn't let my creativity flow
I don't know if you noticed from the responses but most were about moms that didn't feel there cakes measured up. I also did a castle cake with my DD for her B-Day. I had 3 other cakes that week. And I was stressed. I had this beautiful cake in my head. My DD wanted to help with her cake NOT THE PROBLEM. It was my expetations that were. She totally loved her cake. Flawed and damaged Hey after all she had a spooky haunted castle. All the kids loved it . It was her day and she loved it. What else could I ask for TIME WITH MY DD creating HER CAKE PRICELESS So give yourself a HUGE break AND A HUGE HUG
Im sorry for what happened with your castle cake. We all have bad days when nothing will go right. Last year was my sons 5th birthday and it was his first year at school, so I planned a big party, I also had alot of work on and i was stressed, I was at breaking point, and was making myself ill, I just kept thinking I need to do this, all the mums would be there and that meant the chance for more work. His pirate mad so i made him this wonderful wow cake,I finished it the night before the party & I was so pleased with myself. All the other cakes I was making came out great too. Then on the morning of the party I was rushed in to hospital, it wasnt stress that I was feeling my liver was shuting down. He had his party but i never got to see his face when he saw his cake, I never got to take a photo of it and I never knew what anyone thought about it, I never even got to see him open his presents. I spent 3 weeks in hospital druged and out of it. Now I know that my little boy would have rather I bought a shop made cake then have missed his party and his birthday. Sometimes we just cant win. So go to the party and have fun!!!! She will.
That's the sadest story of them all!!! is true, at the end It's not about the cake, but about the moment when they blow the candles, I'm sorry, may you be there for many more birthdays and many more cakes for your family
This is the biggest reason I don't EVER make a cake at the last minute.... I bake the cakes early and freeze them...... all that work is out of the way before I even start decorating them....... then I try to have it done a day or so ahead of time....... If something goes HORRIBLY wrong, I have time to start over....... I feel sooo sorry for you, but as everyone else has said, All will work out..... it is being with those you love and love you that is important.....
Wow, after reading all this I guess I am going to change my approach to cakes. One day I went to make a cake and the electricity went out. Fortunately I had the morning of the next day to do it so everything was ok. I should know better since I live in a one horse town and if you sneeze too forceful the electricity goes out (lol).
On another thread I was reading that people that work a full time schedule cook their cakes on Mondays and freeze them. While the cakes are cooking they make all the frostings they will need. Then they are all set when their weekend orders need to be filled. I'm sure that relieves a lot of the pressure and makes for a more creative atmosphere at decorating time.
I think I will try to think more in advance instead of waiting. I love this website!
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