Hi,

It's my very-good-friend's 40th bday next weekend and I've been commissioned to take care of the cake. She wants something sophisticated, with flowers, and it can't look like a wedding cake. So, I've been looking around for ideas, and I decided on something like this gorgeous creation:

http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1836704

However - her husband just emailed me to offer some 'input' and sent me some pictures he wants incorporated, and some 'descriptive words' about his wife:

-happy
-loyal
-passionate
-compassionate
-intelligent
-integrity
-warm

How would I incorporate the words? I was considering making a plate of cookies with these words piped onto them, but it's more work and I'm nervous about getting everything done since it's going to be a crazy week for me.

How would I incorporate pictures? It's going to cost me $15 to print up a page at my local cake shop, so I'm considering not doing it since this is a free cake and it will really increase my costs. Thoughts?

Wow....seems like a tall order.

The cake you picture is pretty, but I wouldn't call it sophisticated, more whimsical.

I am not sure how you are going to be able to incorporate all of that into a cake. I'd try to get him to narrow his thoughts down to one "theme"...say...a certain picture of her that you could have sitting next to the cake in a nice frame, and then do the cake to compliment it with matching flowers, etc.

I like the idea about the picture.

So you think it's not sophisticated enough? Any suggestions for sophisticated cakes?

If you want to incorporate the words I would think about using the colors requested for the base color, then instead of the scrollwork write the words in a pretty font sporadically around the cake. You could make it sophisticated by adding a glittery border and some elegant flowers. And then on top a picture of her and a elegant 40. If you want to get away from the wedding cake look go with a square cake, most people associated stacked round cakes with weddings.

Good luck. HTH

I guess I'll have to face my piping fears on this one! Or, I could use my tappits (I have a sophisticated font). I'm crappy at piping.

What about putting the words on the cake board, surrounding the cake?

Unlimited: yes they are cursive and scrolly and I think I'll use them!

3Gcakes: the letters on my SATC cake are tappits and I love them. Easy peasy!

I just thought of something. Since there are 7 words you could do one on each side of the cake, with her name on the top middle. Use your fancy tappits and add some jewels or scrolls around the words to tie them all in, and add to the sophistication. This would make it less busy. You could glitter it up and make it really nice. They have those ready made jewel scrolls at Michael's, just peal and stick. Then when it is time to cut the cake you just peal them off.

Why is that I can think of so many ideas for other, but have a hard time with my own cakes!!!! UUGGG!!!!

wow cakesrock! that's an awesome cake! I will post pics when it's done

I don't think an edible picture on a cake looks very sophisticated. Besides, who really wants to cut through and then eat the birthday girl's head? I like the idea of the words on the board, too. Either that or white on white on the cake in script.

http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1704485
http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1161612
http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=18879

i think all of these would be a great example for you to follow! i've always loved cakes with writing on them =D if you do go this route, though, maybe ask for a few more words the husband would like to incorporate

Oh dear, if it were me, I'd tell him to put those lovely words in a card to her, and carry on with your original cake... it is, after all, a cake

Sorry I think it just bugged me as a few weeks ago I had someone who wanted an elegant looking cake and then said, but I want it to have a sports theme (man on bike, man swimming, man running) and I want penguins and all sorts of other stuff.... wtf!!!

Anyway there's my mini rant. Good luck x

Good luck

What if you wrote (piped/tappited whatever) on the stripes on the bottem of the cake? Maybe a bit tricky to read but ..........