I was asked to make a few cakes for a sweet table at a fundraising event in October. Since I work in the field of education, I have a lighter load now, and work like to get the planning done now.

What style cake would be appropriate? Which galleries would be good places to start?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

What is the theme of the event, if any? Can you design something in that line?
If not, then go with general things like a floral; maybe circles &/or dots; something for children (if they will be attending).
As for flavors, you are getting into fall so go with spice; butter pecan; maybe maple things like that.

If there's not a specific theme to the event, I'd take this as an opportunity to try out some new techniques. Nothing too complicated so that if it doesn't come out quite right, it still looks good.

The dinner is for an organization that helps families of children with special needs.
I would love an opportunity to play around making gumpaste flowers, but what types of arrangements would be appropriate?

any you can make roses; or lily. Tulips..... don't know what you think you can do and end up w/something that looks like the real thing
Take a 5 petal cutter and stamp out several. Keep them covered w/plastic wrap. On foam thin the edges of one flower at a time and dry in a cup (egg carton or similar).
If you have a nesting cutter set cut one of each size to stack up several in different colors.
daisies are easy if you have a cutter. Again just dry in a tight cup or flower former.
Maybe one of these will give you some inspiration.
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1378604
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1351610
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1350876
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1333484
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1332900

Thanks for the ideas! Your cakes are really nice!

I think I need to fill up the top area more, since I don't know what I would write- "Donate lots"!

You're tiered cake with the flowers down the side is beautiful- I'm scared to even attempt something like that!

I've made chocolate clay roses, and have watched Edna's youtube videos of gumpaste roses. I figured I'll try to make some of those and then go from there. Maybe I could make a cascading rose spray. Your fantasy flower looks pretty- is that what you described to me in your post?

Here are some cakes with flowers on them that were done for auctions. Hopefully they'll help you get your creative juices flowing

http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=458683

http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=28287

http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1397028

http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=942183

http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=74528


You don't have to look in a particular gallery to start your search. I find the best thing to do is go into the galleries tab and then click on search (right under the galleries tab). In there type what you are looking for. I just typed in auction as a keyword to see what others have used. There are a lot more. HTH!

Those are great ideas!
Thanks for the searching tip.

Another idea would be to find out if there are specific children that are being helped right now and if so what are their specific interests? What are their ages? dreams? I would look at the children's birthday cakes gallery.

Nobody has to write Happy birthday, but this gallery has lots of different cakes. YOu could do flower cakes and they are always pretty, but I would think that if you did a cake centered on children's interests and likes that it would be a winner also. If you are doing several cakes you could do some of both--flowers and children's interests. Are any of these children in special olympics? This might be another area that would be helpful especially if any of the children have been in them and won anything. If it were me I would make it all about the children and their interests. People who are going to be there donating money are going to appreciate the fact that it is about children and helping meet their needs so they will donate. Are people going to buy the cakes or are they going to use them to serve as refreshements? Another idea would be to just put the child's name on them to match interests with the child. Just take plenty of pictures and put them on here for us to see. Good luck and have fun.