What If I Flop?

Decorating By Lazy_Susan Updated 16 Dec 2005 , 5:23pm by HeatherMari

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Lazy_Susan Posted 16 Dec 2005 , 2:24pm
post #1 of 17

I've read how so many people on here find cake decorating so relaxing. I want to decorate and am actually very artistic. However, I'm terrified of failure. What if I can't do it or they look ugly? I'm gaining so much knowledge from everyone here at CC but can I really make as beautiful a cake as everyone else? Maybe it's just that I am inexperienced? Were y'all scared too or is it just me? I would like to make my first cake this weekend but I don't know how to do anything. Is it really difficult? Sorry about all the questions... I just feel like my head is full of so much information that I can't get out. I have the want and the desire. I just don't know if I have the skill.

Susan

16 replies
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flayvurdfun Posted 16 Dec 2005 , 2:33pm
post #2 of 17

all of that is something we all go through.....I started leaving that kind of worrying to someone else, and I now ask myself what if I dont try, or what if I hadnt done it for these people who would have, and what would they have gotten...
seriously, there are other things to worry about in life, and if people have asked you to do something then they must have confidence in you.... I am so sure you will be successful...how and why do I think that? Well I think because you are worried about it your best will be done and done great....

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Lazy_Susan Posted 16 Dec 2005 , 2:35pm
post #3 of 17

Thank you so much. That was really sweet! icon_smile.gif

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Doug Posted 16 Dec 2005 , 2:36pm
post #4 of 17

fear of failure is normal....it provides the adrenaline to excel.

flops are par for the course...it's how you learn to do better next time (not to mention you can eat the flops)

practice makes proficient (NOT perfect....perfection only exists in heaven, and I'm not ready to pay the entrance requirement yet....tooo much chocolate left to try! icon_rolleyes.gif )

start simply, take it slowly, build your skills one at a time...just like all of us had to do and STILL do.

relax and have fun.

edited: grammar/spelling strike again! (now if only cake mistakes were this easy to edit)

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SUELA Posted 16 Dec 2005 , 2:37pm
post #5 of 17

Just take it one cake at a time....we all started somewhere, and with each cake your skills grow. Everyone is always in constantly learning as new tools or ideas surface.

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Kitagrl Posted 16 Dec 2005 , 2:42pm
post #6 of 17

...and always try things you didn't think you could do. I often surprise myself with something I was sure I couldn't do, but if you take things one step at a time, you can do it.

Don't worry about icing the cake smooth until you get it baked. Don't worry about decorating the cake until you get it iced. Just take it a step at a time and it will come! It might not be perfect at first, but I find that once I try something and it doesn't come out right, it is MUCH easier the second time.

And remember, icing covers a multitude of sins. icon_biggrin.gif Its the best glue, the best coverup, and the best "I-meant-that-flower-to-be-right-there-covering-up-that-crumb-in-the-icing". icon_lol.gif

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Lazy_Susan Posted 16 Dec 2005 , 2:47pm
post #7 of 17

I think it is the icing and decorating part that scares me most. I don't know what all those tip thingies do or how to use them. Thanks for all the words of encouragement. I will give it my best shot. I will go to the store when I wake up, buy my supplies and attempt to make the best cake I can! And if it is a flop.... I'll eat it! lol

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Kitagrl Posted 16 Dec 2005 , 2:49pm
post #8 of 17

The Wilton yearbooks have a great step by step flowers instructions in the center of the book, I still look something up there occasionally.

Try taking a Wilton class at ACMoore or Michaels. That might just give you the confidence you need.

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MelC Posted 16 Dec 2005 , 2:52pm
post #9 of 17

Susan ... we've all been there! Skill definately comes with practice.

Some techniques are difficult, others will come naturally to you.... just keep experimenting until you find your style, and the techniques you like best. Once you develop your confidence, then start tackling the techniques that are more of a challenge! The funny thing is, some things I expected to be hard, are not - others I expected to easily master have been more of a challenge!

I still hit a point with (almost) every cake where I say ... what the HECK am I doing? Who am I kidding? I can't do this...!

I just step back, re-organize my thoughts and get back to it.

My cakes are a long way from perfect, but the flaws are getting samller with each cake I do! And the feeling when it's done makes it all worth while.

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Misdawn Posted 16 Dec 2005 , 3:12pm
post #10 of 17

I have found that skill is not required as much as patience. If you are patient, the skills will just come with practice! I've never had a complaint from someone I gave my "Practice" to!

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ntertayneme Posted 16 Dec 2005 , 3:36pm
post #11 of 17

I look back at pictures when I first started doing cake decorating and remember when I was doing those cakes and how nervous I was... even now, I still get nervous when doing wedding cakes as I want it to be everything and more than the bride expects it to be .. it's amazing how I look at cake pictures that brides give me and I hear myself saying "oh sure, I can do that cake for you.. no problem". Now had you asked me that years ago when I first started cake decorating, you would have gotten "Are you crazy???" out of me lol ... I guess what I'm trying to say is, yes, you'll be nervous, expect that.. but your confidence will grow the more you practice and the more cakes you do... expect flops, they happen to all of us.. you just bounce back and keep going icon_smile.gif I tell everyone I do this because I truly love doing it .. I don't do it because I have to ... it's all in whether you sincerley want to do cake decorating ... and with cake decorating, we can unleash our creativity and who doesn't love a challenge?? icon_biggrin.gif

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Lazy_Susan Posted 16 Dec 2005 , 3:50pm
post #12 of 17

OK I just bought the 2003 and 2004 Wilton Yearbooks off of Ebay. icon_smile.gif

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stephanie214 Posted 16 Dec 2005 , 4:47pm
post #13 of 17

Just relax and you will be fine thumbs_up.gif

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Doug Posted 16 Dec 2005 , 4:54pm
post #14 of 17
Quote:
Originally Posted by susanrcp

OK I just bought the 2003 and 2004 Wilton Yearbooks off of Ebay. icon_smile.gif




WARNING -- this could become an addiction. (don't I know!...close to 60 books and an equal number of pans bought this way....five pans came just this past Tuesday icon_surprised.gif )

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Lazy_Susan Posted 16 Dec 2005 , 4:57pm
post #15 of 17
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doug

Quote:
Originally Posted by susanrcp

OK I just bought the 2003 and 2004 Wilton Yearbooks off of Ebay. icon_smile.gif



WARNING -- this could become an addiction. (don't I know!...close to 60 books and an equal number of pans bought this way....five pans came just this past Tuesday icon_surprised.gif )




I am easily addicted!!! icon_razz.gif I'm sure I will have just as many one day icon_smile.gif

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mommachris Posted 16 Dec 2005 , 5:04pm
post #16 of 17

oh the ebay bug, vicious bite and stings too. icon_smile.gif

I logged on and said "99 cents! I want this one and that one and that one too!"
Then I had to pay the shipping! ouch!!!

I got cured fast. I still look but no bidding unless it's a pan that I have on my 'I just gotta have" list.

good luck with you cake.

icon_smile.gif

mommachris

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HeatherMari Posted 16 Dec 2005 , 5:23pm
post #17 of 17

Don't be nervous! If you love it, just do it! There are so many places you can get ideas and help (especially here!). Books are great too! I'm pretty sure the Wilton yearbooks have a list in the back of which tips do what (I don't think I'll ever know what they all do!). When I started out, I was nervous too. I am always scared that they won't like my cake. I also have the habit of waiting until the last minute to do things and that doesn't help. Just give yourself time and practice and you'll do great. I just finished some cakes last night (will post the pics Monday) that I wasn't sure I could do. One was a 3D sculpted Thomas and the other was a 3D ball with a gumpaste figure. But once I started on it and things were going smoothly I just kept the thought in my head that I can do this and stayed calm and I had a great time! I was up until 2:30 this morning but I loved every second working on those cakes. And now I can't wait to deliver them and see the customers reaction! Once you get that feeling you will never go back!
We are always here for you if you need anything! And remember, there are no stupid questions!
Good Luck,
Heather

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