Well, I wanted there to be fireworks when you cut into it... but I'm still just a beginner, so maybe by next 4th of July... :) It was really important to me to have all 13 stripes, but boy did it get anoying during the process. Took this over to a friends cookout and at first I think they were all dissapointed because they expected a nicely decorated cake.. Once cut, they coudn't stop oooing & ahhing. I was happy with the result, but learned what to do differently IFFFFF I ever do it again.