Hi.

I'm making my mum a 50th birthday cake in the next couple of weeks. I had decided on a 7" round. 

Bought my fondant that I need (Renshaw Jade Green, Amethyst Purple & Fuchsia Pink) I was hoping to cover it in Jade Green (which I still am going to no matter what.) Also bought a 6.5cm high 5&0. I had big ideas for this cake and now I'm stressed because I just don't know what to do with it. Tonight I printed off a page of Jade Green paper, tried to re-arrange my stuff on the paper, the paper being the cake. The 50 looks huge. Do I do a 8" round cake or make a smaller 50? I've attached some pictures with what I've done tonight. I'm happy with the colours but when it comes to designing, I'm just absolutely rubbish! I've got other stuff than whats in the pictures and I', happy to buy something else but I jus't don't know what. Does anyone have any ideas how I could arrange this without it looking like a complete mess?

P.S, Can you tell I'm a hobby baker! LOL

AIf you want to stick w the sizes you have, try putting the 50 on toothpicks or lollipop sticks and sticking them into the cake. It would free up surface area in the cake for your decorations.

I like the first design with the butterflies maybe just make the 50 smaller

AJust keep it simple and clean. I can't tell how big those are from the picture, but the colors are pretty. We're you wanting to use this to sit on top of the cake flat?

I like the first pic and don't think the 50 is too big.....maybe too thick

ACan you attach sticks to the back of the numbers with some fondant?

AIf they're that solid, you could probably attach them to the cake with melted chocolate.

AI think your sizes are ok, just keep playing around with it until you like it. Do you have a pink butterfly? Try the 50 in the center, take all the flowers off & add the decorations little at a time. Try a butterfly in the left upper corner of the 5 (like it landed on the 5) and go from there!

You are just nervous because it is really important to you. No matter which way you do it she will love it.

Don't worry...There's plenty of time if it's not for a couple of weeks or so.

If you really don't want to have the 50 standing up  (I love numbers or other decoration details standing up as it 'lifts' the cake) 

http://cakecentral.com/g/i/3057004/a/3378076/this-was-supposed-to-be-an-order-for-a-3-tier-cake-and-25-matching-cookies-unfortunately-however-the-customer-cancelled-due-to-a-family-bereavement-she-knew-that-she-wouldnt-be-getting-her-deposit-back-but-asked-if-that-could-go-towards-a-small/

http://cakecentral.com/g/i/2957722/a/3322913/monster-high-birthday-cake/

http://cakecentral.com/g/i/1707390/a/1708390/6-rich-fruit-cake-covered-with-marzipan-and-sugarpaste-on-top-of-a-9-polystyrene-styrofoam-dummy-also-covered-with-sugarpaste-butterfly-made-using-the-stephen-benison-fantasy-lace-butterfly-set-numbers-made-with-modelling-paste-which-i/

then would you consider re-doing them so they're thinner??

http://cakecentral.com/g/i/2328929/a/2329929/simple-18th-birthday-cake-customer-requested-golf-weights-dumbbells-a-big-18-and-to-take-into-account-the-colour-scheme-of-black-and-silver/

Hi Relznik,

I didn't do the 50. I bought it. I can do it thinner, but it would be half size at 3.3cm tall. I don't really have an issue with them standing up, Its just I'll have more cake to fill.

Thanks for the images though :)

Another design.. Excuse the nail polish, couldn't find anything else to stand it up with....

I still like the big 50

A

Bottom design with the bigger 50. I'd put a cluster of 3-4 flowers down in front, one near the numbers, and 1-2 other clusters around the cake. One Butterfly on the front cluster. Maybe another flower and butterfly grouping at the bottom edge of the cake?

Just some thoughts.

I'd cluster the flowers in odd size clusters to make it more natural and I personally like the bigger numbers with less decorations.

I would use the bigger 50 in the first photos... 

I would also get a few of the wooden coffee stirrers (like you get in Costa, etc) and attach them to the back of the numbers, allowing about 2 inches at the bottom to insert into the cake.

My 'glue' of choice for this type of thing is royal icing. 

Turn the numbers over so the back is facing up, pipe some royal icing onto the stick and put into place.  As there's no rush, just leave overnight to set.  You will then be able to stand them up on the cake. 

Not sure about the 5, but for the 0 put one each side (if you put it in the middle, you'll see the stick through the hole!!)

But, as a previous poster has said...  whatever you make, it's done with love and your mum will be thrilled with it!!!

AI like the bigger 50 as well

AYou must remember that you are your own worst critic! I love the colors, no matter what you end up doing she will love! Don't be so hard on yourself ;)

You have several options now, just play around with them and see what you like best, but try not to over think it too much (easy to say right). I like the butterflies scattered a bit and odd numbers of clusters for the flowers. Just don't overwhelm the cake and you'll be great.

PS if you end up making standing numbers, make an additional set (if you go thinner) just in case a number breaks. Make sure you show us the final pic

AHi! I also like the big 50 in the center but try clusters of flowers and butterflies around the outside. Two pink roses with one purple one closer to the center. Another cluster with one pink flower and a purple butterfly placed so that it looks like it landed on the flower... Then a couple more roses, and continue that way all the way around. Gives it a nice full look and makes the cake more playful than just uniform all the way around. I also liked the idea of placing a butterfly landing on the 5 if you have the space :) She will love it no matter what you decide.

Thank you everyone. My blossom flower cutters came today so feeling a bit more optimistic that if the roses are too much they will look good! :)))