Ok, it's time to take the plunge. I can only get better if I know my weaknesses.

On the way to the venue, the stand wobbled a bit and smooshed the top tier corner and the bottom tier corner.  I did a quick repair on site.  There are certainly a few things I will do differently next time.  This was a bit out of my comfort zone design wise, but overall I was happy with the outcome.  Lots of tips for next time!

Help me be better.  I welcome the constructive critique!

http://cakecentral.com/g/i/2930178/a/3307661/this-dessert-buffet-was-created-for-a-charleston-bridal-association-networking-event-the-cake-is-frosted-with-buttercream-and-decorated-with-fondant-elements-the-cupcakes-are-red-velvet-with-cream-cheese-and-there-are-chocolate-bourbon-pecan/

Hi guys,

I hope everyone is having a great week! I would like if you could critque this cake. This was my first time using modeling chocolate and creating a figure cake.

<a href="http://cakecentral.com/g/i/2941336/a/3314000/this-was-my-first-time-using-modeling-chocolate-i-really-love-how-this-cake-turn-out-the-top-part-of-the-cake-is-made-with-50-50-modeling-chocolate-and-fondant-the-bottom-part-is-a-yellow-cake-with-walnut-flavored-buttercream-covered-in-fondant/#order=1&albumId=3314000&nextId=2941337&prevId=false&imageId=2941336&imageESOId=7567231&fullUrl=%2Fg%2Fi%2F2941336%2Fa%2F3314000%2Fthis-was-my-first-time-using-modeling-chocolate-i-really-love-how-this-cake-turn-out-the-top-part-of-the-cake-is-made-with-50-50-modeling-chocolate-and-fondant-the-bottom-part-is-a-yellow-cake-with-walnut-flavored-buttercream-covered-in-fondant%2F%2F&fullSrc=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn001.cakecentral.com%2Fa%2Fa9%2F900x900px-LL-a943de14_DollCake-1.jpeg&thumbSrc=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn001.cakecentral.com%2Fa%2Fa9%2F50x50px-ZC-a943de14_DollCake-1.jpeg&description=This+was+my+first+time+using+modeling+chocolate.+I+really+love+how+this+cake+turn+out.+The+top+part+of+the+cake+is+made+with+50%2F50+modeling+chocolate+and+fondant.++The+bottom+part+is+a+yellow+cake+with+walnut+flavored+buttercream%2C+covered+in+fondant.&original=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn001.cakecentral.com%2Fa%2Fa9%2Fa943de14_DollCake-1.jpeg&setName=&urlSlug=this-was-my-first-time-using-modeling-chocolate-i-really-love-how-this-cake-turn-out-the-top-part-of-the-cake-is-made-with-50-50-modeling-chocolate-and-fondant-the-bottom-part-is-a-yellow-cake-with-walnut-flavored-buttercream-covered-in-fondant"><img src="http://cakecentral.com/image/id/7567231/width/400/flags/LL"></a>

Thank you.

Jimmy

So happy to see so many great critiques!  Any new ones for today?

I'd like to join.

Have a go at this one:

http://cakecentral.com/g/i/2280622/a/2281622/new-house-new-to-us-new-friends-old-family-and-my-birthday-i-love-chocolate-but-not-everyone-does-so-i-made-two-cakes-this-one-was-a-single-layer-chocolate-cake-torted-and-filled-with-peanutbutter-buttercream-and-covered-in-fondant/#order=2&albumId=2281622&nextId=2280627&prevId=2280622&imageId=2280625&imageESOId=148134&fullUrl=%2Fg%2Fi%2F2280625%2Fa%2F2281622%2Fhexagon%2F&fullSrc=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn001.cakecentral.com%2Fc%2Fcd%2F900x900px-LL-cdf8c856_gallery8044201330719739.jpeg&thumbSrc=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn001.cakecentral.com%2Fc%2Fcd%2F50x50px-ZC-cdf8c856_gallery8044201330719739.jpeg&description=&original=http%3A%2F%2Fcakecentral.com%2Fimage%2Fid%2F148134&urlSlug=hexagon&setName=Hexagon

OK, here goes. Looking at this cake now, I am almost embarrassed. Right off hand, I hate the way the turrets turned out. They look like silly ears, not an actual tower that could contain stairs and be part of a building. It didn't come together quite the way I pictured it in my mind. But the girls did have fun playing princess with it before it was eaten.

<a href="http://cakecentral.com/g/i/2139120/emma-couldnt-decide-which-disney-princess-was-her-favorite-so-all-were-invited-to-the-party-at-the-pink-castle-since-this-is-a-friendly-castle-there-is-no-drawbridge-over-the-piping-gel-moat-rather-a-welcome-bridge-the-cake-is-wasc-with/u/700117/flat/1/"><img src="http://cakecentral.com/image/id/268998/width/400/flags/LL"></a>

Ok, here goes two more...I really appreciated all the feedback on my wedding and groom's cake. I have some new techniques to try out next time and I can't wait to get my camera back for some better photos.

The first is a Quinceanera cake which I had to make the hexagon from a template I made, since I didn't own the pans. Not to mention that this was sort of a last minute order and I was in Germany at the time. So I can't just run out and grab what I need from the local cake supply store. I cut out the hexagon from a 16" round. I have included 4 pictures in the set to ensure a full view of the cake.  http://cakecentral.com/g/a/3319202/quinceanera/

The second is my first 3D cake. A dog for a 5 year old girl's birthday party. The eyes didn't come out like I wanted them, so they are a bit wonky and I didn't cut the cake boards small enough to get a clean fondant line. But overall I was happy with it. Lessons learned all around! There are 7 pictures in the set for different views for a thorough critique, since the pictures are not the best ones. http://cakecentral.com/g/a/3319192/3d-dog-with-bone/

Hopefully you all will give me even more lessons and techniques to work on. Thanks in advance for the feedback!

Wow, this thread can easily become addictive. (As if CC weren't already.) I was asked to do an Ariel cake but after all the warnings about doing copyrighted characters, I've stopped. So she settled for a generic red haired mermaid. I have issues about her placement, for it looks like she's defying the laws of nature! And I had a little difficulty with the "sand". I was most happy with the palm tree and the chocolate shells. I'd appreciate whatever feedback you can give me.

Thanks,

Jan

<a href="http://cakecentral.com/g/i/2356390/turning-5-is-a-fun-event-when-your-birthday-theme-is-mermaids-particularly-ariel-when-told-ariel-was-a-copyrighted-figure-she-accepted-a-generic-red-haired-mermaid-instead-mermaid-is-made-of-gumpaste-with-chocolate-clay-hair-palm-is/u/700117/flat/1/"><img src="http://cakecentral.com/image/id/77388/width/400/flags/LL"></a>

http://cdn001.cakecentral.com/b/b4/900x900px-LL-b4cbfc5b_DSCN2633.jpeg

I love making  Christmas cakes.  In this one the color from the presents leaked into the gel, but that did not matter as it would happen with presents in real water.  I would appreciate it if any one knows how to stop this from happening.  I should not have taken the picture on the grass as it doesn't look like a Desert Island.  Ant help with design elements would be great as I am just starting out creating on my own.

I am still smiling,  no, laughing out loud over your Christmas cake! What a cute idea and I love the choppy water effect, the sharks, the sunburn, and especially the palm trees! It causes me to make up the story to go with it and believe me, it is a hoot! I don't know what to tell you about the colors bleeding, unless maybe you could seal the packages with edible lacquer first? I know it is difficult to clean up with just water when I use it so perhaps it would prevent the colors from bleeding. Just a thought. All in all, I love this cake and like you said, they would bleed in real water any way. Way to go for realism!

I have just discovered that the link I posted did not take you to the normal place where the comments can be left at the bottom.  Can anyone explain to me how this is done, please?

Go to your Christmas photos and click on the photo you want to upload. Under the pic is a button that says "embed". When you click on it, choose the bottom choice, website... then paste that into your post.

<a href="http://cakecentral.com/g/i/2874176/christmas/u/899429/flat/1

Let's see if I go it right with this one.  Thanks milkmaid.

I know the edge of this cake is a bit rolled.  It is fruitcake with just one layer of fondant.  I think I probably need something sturdy like almond icing to get a really sharp edge.  Thanks guys, look forward to reading your feedback.

<a href="http://cakecentral.com/g/i/2871944/sos-save-our-santa/u/89

This is the proper link to the cake I posted before.I love making  Christmas cakes.  In this one the color from the presents leaked into the gel, but that did not matter as it would happen with presents in real water.  I would appreciate it if any one knows how to stop this from happening.  I should not have taken the picture on the grass as it doesn't look like a Desert Island.  Ant help with design elements would be great as I am just starting out creating on my own.
 

I'd love to get some constructive criticism on this cake I just completed: http://cakecentral.com/g/a/3319946/new-baby-cake/

It's a new baby cake I made for the birth of my nephew. There are a lot of details I'm not very happy with, most of which I mention in the caption on the second photo but I'd love to hear any suggestions anyone else may have or if there are some other flaws I missed.

It's been a while since I've seen any activity in the Peer Review Cake Club post!  I don't want it to be forgotten about, so I'm going to submit my latest cake for review (while closing my eyes & holding my breath...) 

I really like the cake, but of course I focus on the flaws (after staring at it for hours while decorating)... and I can't rely on friends and family for constructive feedback because they just say every cake "is great".  But, I've been at this part-time for 3 years now and I want to be able to bring my cakes/work to the next level.  When I look at all of the beautiful cakes I admire, and then my own... mine just aren't the same quality, but I can't quite figure out why... I know my corners aren't very as sharp as I'd like, but when I really try, I end up making it worse!

This cake is also the first time I've worked with isomalt... and had to figure out how to make the shoe on top myself, because I could not find a tutorial anywhere!  So...  here is my Cinderella Sweet 16 Cake for review!

http://cakecentral.com/g/i/2954903/a/3321334/i-was-going-for-a-more-grown-up-and-elegant-vision-of-a-cinderella-cake-i-didnt-want-it-to-look-like-a-disney-princess-cinderella-cake-i-wanted-it-to-be-fitting-of-a-young-lady-turning-16-her-party-was-cinderellas-ball-theme-and-the-cake/

Thank you all for posting a cake!  Sorry I've been slammed this past week otherwise I'd be reminding people to post and review.  But now that I'm here, hey everyone!  Don't forget to review your fellow cakers!

I do have an observation - although everyone is encouraged to post a cake, I think it might be a little intimidating when darn-near flawless cakes are posted for critique.  I'm not saying to NOT do that, but I am saying, if you are newer, please don't hesitate to ask for feedback on your cake if you are intimidated!  It's because of the people on CC that I was able to improve.

To show you how much, here's my very 1st fondant cake from 2010:

Oh yeah, baby.  Look at those corners.  That bulging.  The stylish and well placed "flower".  The border.  NAILED IT!  LOL.  No critique needed, I just want people to put myself out there so that people feel comfy posting.  We ALL started somewhere!

I am realizing more and more that I am not a good cake designer. I can decorate, but coming up with original ideas and spacing, flow, etc., is not my strong point. Perhaps cake layout comes with time, we will see as I do more. Here is one of my "original" designs. I wasn't happy with the way it came out, but I'm not sure how to make it have that airy whimsical look and still have it look cohesive. Thoughts?

This is one I'd want to do over in all the spare time I don't have. 

http://cakecentral.com/g/i/2950294/a/3318695/a-birthday-cake-for-my-sister-not-really-happy-with-the-way-this-came-out-but-she-loved-it-she-is-such-a-free-spirit-type-she-wanted-a-monochromatic-butterfly-cake-the-cake-looked-better-on-my-sketch-than-it-did-on-the-cake-chocolate-cake-with/

Thanks in advance for your time!

Alright, I'll be brave. But seriously, how you people ask for feedback on cakes that look like they belong in a museum is beyond me

Final cake for Wilton Course 3 (gumpaste flowers)

First covered fondant cake ever

Never used a quilting mat

First fondant border

I can already pick out what I would do differently and add since I only had limited time, but I'd like to see what you pros would do!

http://cakecentral.com/g/i/2957871/default/sort/display_order/

PS - please ignore the gross background :)

OK, I've taken a deep breath and here goes: This is the cake I am most embarrassed about. (FromScratchSF, it makes your first fondant one look professional!) It has taught me not to let the child design the cake, but rather use my own judgement. I got so caught up in making all the elements she so loved from the book that it was terribly overdone.

So, have at it. I am braced. I'm sure you can find things that even I haven't noticed.

It should give everyone a good feeling about their first cakes.

<a href="http://cakecentral.com/g/i/2081755/for-those-unfamiliar-with-the-fancy-nancy-of-childrens-books-she-is-a-little-girl-for-whom-nothing-can-be-too-fancy-gaudy-blng-ly-or-yes-even-garish-hence-this-over-the-top-cake-i-took-several-elements-from-the-book-and-made-them-out-of-gum/u/700117/flat/1/"><img src="http://cakecentral.com/image/id/320358/width/400/flags/LL"></a>

Jan

Perfection, seriously.............Wish my fondant was that smooth.  I would have made a few green or white even, leaves and tucked them between the flowers.  You did great cake buddy.

This was in response to tdovewings question.

I'll be brave and post my first and only two fondant cakes. I like the first one much better than the secon one (drum). For the drum it was very hot and humid so the fondant was turning into a disaster and I didn't know what to do since I didn't know much!

Here's my very first fondant cake (owl)

http://cakecentral.com/g/i/2949392/my-first-fondant-cake/u/909183/flat/1/#order=4&albumId=8&nextId=2951639&prevId=2949160&imageId=2949392&imageESOId=7717071&fullUrl=%2Fg%2Fi%2F2949392%2Fmy-first-fondant-cake%2Fflat%2F1%2Fu%2F909183%2Fu%2F909183%2Fflat%2F1&fullSrc=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn001.cakecentral.com%2F3%2F31%2F900x900px-LL-31f17d44_900x900px-LL-c5104fff_531592_3197455983794_1183905817_n.jpeg&thumbSrc=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn001.cakecentral.com%2F3%2F31%2F50x50px-ZC-31f17d44_900x900px-LL-c5104fff_531592_3197455983794_1183905817_n.jpeg&description=My+first+fondant+cake&original=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn001.cakecentral.com%2F3%2F31%2F31f17d44_900x900px-LL-c5104fff_531592_3197455983794_1183905817_n.jpeg&setName=&urlSlug=my-first-fondant-cake

And here's my second one (drum)

http://cakecentral.com/g/i/2951639/second-time-working-with-fondant/u/909183/flat/1/#order=3&albumId=8&nextId=2951640&prevId=2949392&imageId=2951639&imageESOId=7760807&fullUrl=%2Fg%2Fi%2F2951639%2Fsecond-time-working-with-fondant%2Fflat%2F1%2Fu%2F909183%2Fu%2F909183%2Fflat%2F1&fullSrc=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn001.cakecentral.com%2F8%2F8f%2F900x900px-LL-8fc2190d_551053_3270969101576_578326068_n.jpeg&thumbSrc=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn001.cakecentral.com%2F8%2F8f%2F50x50px-ZC-8fc2190d_551053_3270969101576_578326068_n.jpeg&description=second+time+working+with+fondant%0D%0A&original=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn001.cakecentral.com%2F8%2F8f%2F8fc2190d_551053_3270969101576_578326068_n.jpeg&setName=&urlSlug=second-time-working-with-fondant

Yay!  SO glad people are posting more stuff!  I hope you are all getting the feedback you were hoping for!

And as a reminder, please do not leave your feedback or critique here in this thread, please leave those comments on the individual's photo.

Here's my latest cake up for review. I took the advice given by the members of the club, and started covering the board. :)

http://cakecentral.com/g/i/2958559/a/3323394/jungle-theme-baby-shower-cake/

Hi everyone! 

Im putting my baby up for critique.. :( Of course she's beautiful to me but I'd like some feedback to improve my skills. I won't make excuses for why its not prefect but I will say this, it's been 9 years since I've made a wedding cake for someone... Enough said. Lol Any tips, tricks, video and tools you want to share will be greatly appreciated. 

http://cakecentral.com/g/i/2945872/image-jpg/

Thanks again, 

DeeDee

Would love to put my 2c worth.in....

Count me in.  I was a member back then and if I remember right, those that could see your cakes for critiquing were the members of the group.  But I also remember that more often than not the comments were simply statements like "Nice Job, Looks good, Beautiful, etc."  Please don't get me wrong, everyone including myself loves to hear these words especially from your peers.  I would love to have constructive criticism that will push me to do better.  IMHO.  Thanks for bringing up this group again.