Peer Review Cake Club!

Decorating By FromScratchSF Updated 2 Aug 2014 , 3:14pm by gscout73

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Smckinney07 Posted 6 Dec 2013 , 2:35am
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AShannon, it turned out great! It looks better then the original!

Now we need to see how your new cabinets turned out :)

By the way, I told my fiancé I simply had to have one of your stands for Christmas

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BatterUpCake Posted 6 Dec 2013 , 2:41am
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Thank you!!!The shelves he built are installed but the trim isn't done. When he wanted to do them I had family in town. I enjoyed making that cake so much....

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Smckinney07 Posted 6 Dec 2013 , 3:17am
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AI remember when you first starting talking about this cake, I'm so glad you got to make it! I tried talking my ten-year-old daughter into this cake for her last birthday, dragons are the last thing she's interested in lol.

I'd love to see how they turned out when he's finished

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BatterUpCake Posted 6 Dec 2013 , 3:20am
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Oh my goodness. My granddaughter is 3.Se is sooo into dragons and dinosaurs...the scarier the better! Yet she still wants to wear girly stuff and get her nails painted and be a princess. I hope she is still into them next birthday so I can do this cake again.

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KarenK55 Posted 6 Dec 2013 , 5:29pm
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BatterUpCake you dragon cake came out awesome.  So cool I want one...love the burst of flames or sparklers ?  How do the techno flames work?:-)

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JWinslow Posted 6 Dec 2013 , 6:24pm
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Quote:

Originally Posted by KarenK55 
 

BatterUpCake you dragon cake came out awesome.  So cool I want one...love the burst of flames or sparklers ?  How do the techno flames work?:-)


I believe this is the tutorial she used - :smile:

 

http://cakefixation.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-to-make-fire-breathing-dragon-cake.html
 

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KarenK55 Posted 6 Dec 2013 , 6:38pm
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Thank you JWinslow.

 

On another note just finished a birthday cake for one of my dearest friends.  She loves red & black and flowers, so I decided to do a poppy in modeling chocolate along with the stem and border.  I made MMF over a 2 layer chocolate cake.  I probably could of done a little more, but I figured he who hesitates gets lost.... or something along those lines, so I stopped.  Any advice or critiquing is very much appreciated.

 

http://cakecentral.com/g/i/3150659/a/3431581/chocolate-cake-with-mmf-modeling-chocolate-flower-border/#order=2&albumId=3431581&nextId=false&prevId=3150658&imageId=3150659&imageESOId=9550206&fullUrl=%2Fg%2Fi%2F3150659%2Fa%2F3431581%2Fchocolate-cake-with-mmf-amp-modeling-chocolate-flower-amp-border%2F%2F&fullSrc=http%3A%2F%2Fcakecentral.com%2Fimage%2Fid%2F9550206%2Fwidth%2F900%2Fheight%2F900%2Fflags%2FLL&thumbSrc=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn001.cakecentral.com%2F8%2F89%2F50x50px-ZC-89b49f09_1117131245.jpeg&description=Chocolate+cake+with+MMF+%26amp%3B+modeling+chocolate+flower+%26amp%3B+border&original=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn001.cakecentral.com%2F8%2F89%2F89b49f09_1117131245.jpeg&setName=&urlSlug=chocolate-cake-with-mmf-amp-modeling-chocolate-flower-amp-border

 

I hope I did that right....the URL looks awfully long...

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milkmaid42 Posted 6 Dec 2013 , 8:55pm
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I just realized, as I was whipping through all my notifications, that I had been keeping all my comments to myself, in the interest of getting off the computer so I could head into the kitchen to get some more Christmas baking done. (Boy, my English  teacher would be hanging her head at how little she taught me, seeing that last sentence!) At any rate, I'm going to take a minute and tell you that I absolutely LOVE your dragon. You may, indeed, have a little girly princess but this is just about the sweetest, feminine little dragon I've ever seen. (And that is no oxymoron.) The workmanship is flawless, the colors delightful, and the special effects are stunning.

 

OK, my cranberry/pumpkin/nut bread is calling me to get it out of the oven. 

 

Beautiful cake!

 

Jan

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-K8memphis Posted 6 Dec 2013 , 9:01pm
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Quote:

Originally Posted by milkmaid42 
 

I just realized, as I was whipping through all my notifications, that I had been keeping all my comments to myself, in the interest of getting off the computer so I could head into the kitchen to get some more Christmas baking done. (Boy, my English  teacher would be hanging her head at how little she taught me, seeing that last sentence!) At any rate, I'm going to take a minute and tell you that I absolutely LOVE your dragon. You may, indeed, have a little girly princess but this is just about the sweetest, feminine little dragon I've ever seen. (And that is no oxymoron.) The workmanship is flawless, the colors delightful, and the special effects are stunning.

 

OK, my cranberry/pumpkin/nut bread is calling me to get it out of the oven. 

 

Beautiful cake!

 

Jan

 

 

yes what she said -- a wonderful creation

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BatterUpCake Posted 6 Dec 2013 , 9:23pm
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Quote:

Originally Posted by JWinslow 
 


I believe this is the tutorial she used - :smile:

 

http://cakefixation.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-to-make-fire-breathing-dragon-cake.html
 

Yes I should have gave credit again. It has been so long since I started the thread I should have done it again...Just google cake sparklers...They are about the length of cigars and as big around as a skinny cigar. ANd they are cheap too!

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Dr_Hfuhruhurr Posted 6 Dec 2013 , 10:28pm
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I'm very interested in joining this group. I have a small batch of cakes in my gallery already, but is it more in the spirit of things to post links to new cakes as we make them?

 

I'm just a hobbyist, so I need all the help I can get!

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milkmaid42 Posted 6 Dec 2013 , 11:22pm
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All you have to do is jump in. The cakes may have been made at any time. They don't have to be recently made. Just post a link to the one in your gallery and we comment on it there.

 

Hobbyist, or professional--it makes no difference. We can all benefit from critical evaluation done in an honest manner.

 

Welcome!

 

Jan

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mjbabycakes189 Posted 8 Dec 2013 , 6:28am
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AHere's my latest cake- a baby shower cake for the daddy to be! The brief I was given was "a batman sperm cake".. definitely the strangest request I've had thus far! But a welcomed change from baby bump cakes hehe

http://cakecentral.com/g/i/3151354/a/3431970/this-is-a-baby-shower-cake-made-for-the-daddy-to-be-the-brief-i-was-given-was-a-batman-sperm-cake-this-is-the-end-result/

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BatterUpCake Posted 10 Dec 2013 , 4:46pm
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I have been practicing roses. From left to right is the order they were made in. I would love them to be critiqued honestly and if so inclined give me tips on hoe to make the edges not rough/frayed?

http://cakecentral.com/g/i/3152333/a/3432581/birthday-cakes/

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Carrie789 Posted 10 Dec 2013 , 5:22pm
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Quote:

Originally Posted by BatterUpCake 
 

I have been practicing roses. From left to right is the order they were made in. I would love them to be critiqued honestly and if so inclined give me tips on hoe to make the edges not rough/frayed?

http://cakecentral.com/g/i/3152333/a/3432581/birthday-cakes/


They look good. My only suggestion would be to loosen up the center petals a bit. As for rough edges--are you using a metal ball tool? I just bought metal ones after using plastic ones for years. The difference is amazing. They slide so much better.

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BatterUpCake Posted 10 Dec 2013 , 5:33pm
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Thanks...I'll order a set!

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BatterUpCake Posted 13 Dec 2013 , 10:17pm
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Here's today's cake...taking it to my baking and pastry class tomorrow to share. Appreciate feedback

 

http://cakecentral.com/g/i/3153422/made-this-to-share-with-my-class-tomorrow-fondant-is-still-wet/sort/display_order/

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ebonyandivorie Posted 14 Dec 2013 , 2:57am
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AI'm in too!!

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mcaulir Posted 15 Dec 2013 , 9:45am
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http://cakecentral.com/g/i/3153974/a/3433650/

 

I wrote a novel in the description, but am basically after a bit of design critique.

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Dr_Hfuhruhurr Posted 15 Dec 2013 , 9:14pm
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http://cakecentral.com/g/i/3154227/a/3433783/christmas-nativity-cake/

 

My first submission to this group--any comments/critique greatly appreciated!

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LizzieAylett Posted 15 Dec 2013 , 9:42pm
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Hi, please could you critique my latest offering?  I'm still working on getting a good bottom edge...  Thanks so much!

 

http://cakecentral.com/g/i/3154251/a/3433796/a-gluten-free-chocolate-cake-with-a-sugarpaste-unicorn-on-top-and-hand-painted-bunting/sort/display_order/

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musicmommy1 Posted 16 Dec 2013 , 6:32am
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Hi Everyone!

 

Let me start off by saying, I am NOT a professional baker. I primarily bake for my family and love giving myself a challenge with my kids' birthday cakes. I am in awe of the cakes I see here (this site is my addiction) and would love to get better. That being said, I would be grateful for some feedback on my daughters 4th birthday cake. It was Lalaloopsy themed, 4 tiered and covered in buttercream. All figures were fondant and gumpaste. I loved the way my figurines came out but the construction of the hot air balloon nearly killed me! The green whatever-you-want-to-call-thems around the bottom of the balloon basket are there to cover up the fact that my balloon was sinking into the cake. I'm actually lucky it stood throughout the whole party! The basket is sitting on a cake board, which is supported by dowels inserted in the second tier. The balloon portion is also sitting on a cake board and the ropes are 4 dowels that I glued to said cake board. And that was it. Not sturdy- at all!!! Ok- would love to hear your thoughts :)

 

http://cakecentral.com/g/i/3063601/i-made-this-lalaloopsy-cake-for-my-daughters-4th-birthday-party-it-is-4-tiers-of-cake-and-covered-in-american-buttercream-the-hot-air-balloon-is-covered-in-fondant-all-figurines-were-made-with-gumpaste-i-was-so-inspired-by-two-cakes-posted-on-this/u/845661/flat/1/

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810whitechoc Posted 16 Dec 2013 , 9:33am
post #563 of 768

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicmommy1 
 

Hi Everyone!

 

Let me start off by saying, I am NOT a professional baker. I primarily bake for my family and love giving myself a challenge with my kids' birthday cakes. I am in awe of the cakes I see here (this site is my addiction) and would love to get better. That being said, I would be grateful for some feedback on my daughters 4th birthday cake. It was Lalaloopsy themed, 4 tiered and covered in buttercream. All figures were fondant and gumpaste. I loved the way my figurines came out but the construction of the hot air balloon nearly killed me! The green whatever-you-want-to-call-thems around the bottom of the balloon basket are there to cover up the fact that my balloon was sinking into the cake. I'm actually lucky it stood throughout the whole party! The basket is sitting on a cake board, which is supported by dowels inserted in the second tier. The balloon portion is also sitting on a cake board and the ropes are 4 dowels that I glued to said cake board. And that was it. Not sturdy- at all!!! Ok- would love to hear your thoughts :)

 

http://cakecentral.com/g/i/3063601/i-made-this-lalaloopsy-cake-for-my-daughters-4th-birthday-party-it-is-4-tiers-of-cake-and-covered-in-american-buttercream-the-hot-air-balloon-is-covered-in-fondant-all-figurines-were-made-with-gumpaste-i-was-so-inspired-by-two-cakes-posted-on-this/u/845661/flat/1/


You are aware that your construction needs work so I won't say anything about that, but your figures are great, really well done.  Can I suggest a couple of other simple things that will help with your overall presentation.  A proper board always gives a finished look.  Making the sides of your cake straight is also something I would work on.  There are a number of different tutorials out there that show you what to do, straight sides and top will give your cakes a much more professional look. Your design is very cute, I'm sure your daughter must have loved it.

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Cgoch Posted 16 Dec 2013 , 11:02am
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AMusicmommy I noticed you said your balloon was on a board and your cake was dowled but the ballon was sinking. Did your dowles run the entire length of the cake? If your dowles were inserted in the top running all the way to the bottom of the bottom teir I can not understand why it would have sank. Was the top of the balloon cake as well? Your figures are very cute. I like the little stitching details.

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musicmommy1 Posted 16 Dec 2013 , 2:19pm
post #565 of 768

Thank you for your feedback!! 810whitechoc- My daughter flipped when she saw it! And I definitely agree. A covered cake board would really help. I've always had a fear of covering anything in fondant, even cake. But I try to do something new with every cake I make so I think next time it will be a covered board. And yes, I need to work on getting my cakes straight. It's a point of frustration for me bcs my results vary from cake to cake. But I will keep at it. 

 

Quote:

Did your dowles run the entire length of the cake? If your dowles were inserted in the top running all the way to the bottom of the bottom teir I can not understand why it would have sank. 

 

Cgoch. The actual "balloon" was also made of cake- it was quite heavy and about 8 inches tall. It rested precariously on a cake board, which I cut and doubled up. I then glued 4 dowels (and just the basic craft store cake dowels) to the bottom of the board and those dowels were covered in white and red fondant (to create the "ropes") and then inserted into the third tier only, and reached down to its supporting cake board. So basically, that top balloon was balancing on 4 pegs and a piece of cardboard. LOL Just curious, how would you have done it? I know there was a much better way :)

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KarenK55 Posted 16 Dec 2013 , 3:27pm
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Hi,  My practicing continues.   My niece who played the part of the Snow Queen in the Nutcracker, which her dance company performs every year for a Christmas performance, plus being her birthday, our family has an after party for her.  So I made the cake to celebrate her being Snow Queen in the performance of the Nutcracker and birthday celebration.  I made a spice cake with BC.  The trees & presents were out of white chocolate.  I covered the trees with pearl dust and then a silver sugar flakes although the picture does not do it justice.  The ballerina was MMF, but in order for me to have it stand up I did a white chocolate back.   I did the snowflakes also out of white chocolate, but I should have used a round tip maybe a # 2 or #3 and not the #4 that I used -a little too thick.

 

                              http://cakecentral.com/g/a/3434010/birthday-holiday-celebration/

 

 

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year everyone.

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ebonyandivorie Posted 18 Dec 2013 , 1:04am
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AOk I know you're suppose to post a picture. My dilemma is writing text out on cakes. I have a beautiful handwriting on paper but it comes out horrible on cakes. I do have a pic of this problem attached. My question is how does everyone else write so neat? [IMG]http://cakecentral.com/content/type/61/id/3155198/width/200/height/400[/IMG]

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Cgoch Posted 18 Dec 2013 , 1:42am
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AEbonyandivorie I am not a neat writer on or off paper, I slant horribly, but I find if I'm using crusting bc or fondant I can lay a paper with my writing on it over my cake and trace it on. If I can't use paper and it's bc sometimes I'll use a tooth pick

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luvmykids2bits Posted 18 Dec 2013 , 3:11pm
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Practice, practice, practice.  I also kept at it until I found a "font" that worked for me - I can print with icing very neatly, but can't write cursive for anything.

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Unlimited Posted 18 Dec 2013 , 3:49pm
post #570 of 768

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebonyandivorie 

My question is how does everyone else write so neat? 

I'd suggest using soupy thin icing, practice, and watching others write (it certainly helped me).  I'm not very articulate at describing how to do it, but here's how I do it (click on the link below to view my video).

Quote by @%username% on %date%

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