The birthday girl (who was turning 18) didn't know about the cake because it was for her surprise party. My friend Annie asked for a purple book with Alika's name in gold, along with a quill and an ink bottle. I painted the board to look like wood because I thought it would suit the cake better.

Had to do the feather twice since, according to my husband, it didn't look like a feather the first time I made it. I guess that's what happens when you try to make a feather from memory ;)

Vanilla cake with vanilla bean buttercream. Is anyone else reminded of Harry Potter when they look at this?