Hi, 

Im going to be making a cake for a teacher who is celebrating their 25th anniversary in teaching.  Im really new to this so just a bit worried, ok very worried, about what to do that is fairly simple but effective.  I was thinking along the lines of just doing something non teaching related and putting a few flowers on the top in the shape of a 25, or should I try to make small books, pencils, erasers - that sort of thing and place them on the top. Ive never done anything like this and am really worrying my beginner skills wont cut the mustard and it'll be a disaster.  If anyone can give me a bit of advice that would be so helpful.

Thank you so much

Lizzie 

AHi I would do some pencils, rubbers, books etc from fondant icing as they can be made in advance especially if its to celebrate 25 years teaching iv not been doing cakes that long but fondant is easy to work with and if they don't look right then at least you will still have time to think of something else

Thank you, that's a good idea. 

Rosy red apples always look cute for teacher themed cakes, how about making lots of little red apples from fondant, use a leaf cutter for the leaves. They could easily be placed on the cake in the shape of a number 25 with a plaque on the front with the teacher's name on it?

Lovely idea AmeliesKitchen!! I think I may borrow it in the future, hope you don't mind!!! :)

I've seen a few pics where the cake has the chalkboard effect.  I would do that on the side and you could write something like Happy 25th Anniversary or Celebrating 25 yrs.  Then add pencils, books and apples on top.  I would imagine its just a charcoal grey fondant.

The pencils are easy to do, just roll fondant.  To make sure your fondant logs are even use the fondant smoother, rolling back and forth, do the same in a different color for the eraser, bring black to a point for the lead, cut small strips to wrap around between pencil and eraser for the metal part and brush with silver petal dust.  They will look great.

HTH