I just wanted the clarify this.
Last month I posted pictures of a Golden Wedding Cake I did in December. I also posted under Golden Wedding Cake in the Cake Decorating Forums.
I gave full credit, in both the initial posts to Kerry Vincent who was my inspiration for this cake.
At no stage did I try to pass off the design as my own. I was inspired by her design, and I adapted it to suit the occasion I was baking for.
In fact I wrote to thank her for being an inspiration to us all. She was gracious enough to reply personally to me. In part, I have copied the email below.

Dear Karen:

I am glad you have enjoyed my book.

It is nice to hear that you found inspiration from the cakes I designed.

You are most welcome regarding using the work as inspiration, that is what
the book was for. I look forward to hearing from you again with news of new
masterpieces that you have created.

Best,

Kerry

Kerry Vincent
International ICES Sugarcraft Hall of Fame 2004 Inductee

Unfortunately, someone has posted five times (in my photos, and on the forums) that the cake is the same as in Kerry Vincent's book. Initially I ignored it, but it is beginning to sound like an accusation.

So for the record, I should like to say,once more, "I was inspired by Kerry Vincent's Cake!". I did not try to copy her cake in it's entirety, but adapted it to suit my bride's needs.

Thank you all for listening to me rant!
Karen

Karen

Awesome cake you should be very proud......

One Day I'll be able to do this

Nice work and Keep going...

Bob

Karen - Your cake stands out in my mind - truely magnificent, without a doubt. You were very gracious in giving credit for where you got your design idea right from the start. There was never a question in my mind. Don't let petty folks "rain on your parade" - you made a gorgeous cake and should be very proud of it.

Hi Karen, I think you made it VERY clear where your inspiration came from! It is obvious that some people just don't read the information that is available to them, consequently they don't know what they are talking about when they make their tacky remarks and comments!

Good for you, to acknowledge your inspiration and to stand up for yourself against these "uninformed" people!

It is really nice of Ms Vincent to acknowledge your work, your complements on her book and her creations.

Beautiful cake and good work! Janice

Some people are bullies, especially, when they are nameless and faceless on the internet! I think it is a shame you felt the need to post to clarify yourself, it was obvious you had already given the original designer her due credit! Dont feel the need to justify yourself, your cake speaks for itself!

You made it perfectly clear both in the gallery, and in the forum that you were inspired by Vincent's book. I remember saying "it was a tribute to Kerry Vincent" and it is. Hang in there. You really do beautiful work!!

Hi Karen~ ditto on the above comments. The longer I hang out at this site, the more I see the true colors of some of it's patrons. My, my..........they appararently have way too much time on their hands. Congrats on the nice cake and the blessings from it's "inspiration"! Wowzers!!!! LOL!

I think your cake is really pretty, but the first thing that popped into my head was "wow it's just like the one in my book." That's not a bad thing. It's an amazing cake and I don't think that takes anything away from you. Maybe the person who posted those comments said it in a way that you took offence, but surely it wasn't meant that way.

Your cakes are AMAZING and I swear to you, if I read Kerry Vincent's name anywhere else I was going to scream. You made it abundantly clear that is where you got the inspiration, so I wouldn't worry at all about anyone's insistance that you give credit where you already gave credit. Just consider that your cake was so amazing and so stunning that people, eager to reply and let you know how pretty it was,skipped the byline description. Lol!

I always read the small print but until reading a few threads here, I didn't realize that giving inspiration credit was as important as it truly is. I do understand its importance though, but when we have all seen the cover of say the Whimsical Bakehouse, it gets kind of redundant to see people cite it as inspiration each time a new cake of that cover is posted. I guess this is why I bought a sketch pad this weekend. Going to try to "Inspire" myself. LOL!

Oh my! That's a beautiful cake. You did an excellent job!

That cake looks amazing!!

I'm pretty new to the forum and I hope I don't offend anyone but isn't that what most creations come from? We see books, techniques, images and we are inspired to try and create something as wonderful. Isn't that why so many of the decorating books are published? I'm sure your creation had your own personal style. You gave the appropriate credit to whom inspired you. I don't have near the talent that many of you do and while I see beautiful creations that inspire me, I know that my work will never be an exact duplicate. For the most part I think everyone on this forum has been very helpful, nice and encouraging to everyone. I think you covered all your bases, I wouldn't worry about it.

After reading your description of the cake, I would not think that should have to clarify ANYTHING. You very obviously gave credit where credit was due, if anyone took the time to read it. Your cake is GORGEOUS. I hate that anyone made you feel bad over THEIR oversight of your description.

Your cake is stunning!!! You gave credit where credit was due and that is awesome. Some people need to learn manners.

With all the talk lately about design stealing, I can see your concern wanting to make sure people know your position. I can understand your concern, but I dont think it was meant to be a "knock". being there were two pictures the comment was made on both..I do that from time to time also, making sure that whoever made the cake would see it, I for one do not check on the comments on any of my cakes regularly but do find one as I look through galleries and then will read comments. your work is fantastic keep it up.

I missed your cake when it was posted.I just looked at it and it's absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!
I think sometimes the written word is open to all kinds of interpretation. Hopefully they were meant in a positive way!
Wow, I must need my coffee, it's so early for me to be looking at the sunny side of things! lol

I must be absolutely missing something. I went back and read the posts about your cake and read the comments that were posted in the Cake Decorating Forum. Yes, there was one person that kept commenting on it being similar to a design by Kerry Vincent but they also stated in their comments that they thought you did a great job. I never found anything negative or accusatory in any of the comments.
Your cake is very beautiful and shows a tremendous amount of skill on your part. And as for designs that are inspired from books... Well I think that is why the people get them published in the first place. If not, then why? Just to show off what they had created?
You gave credit where credit was due and no where did I see anyone question that.
And even if someone did so what? You know you gave credit and we know you gave credit.
I plan on buying books for inspiration because that is why they are there. Heck! They even give you the directions on how to make them!!!

Just my humble opinion
Lazy_Susan

Good gracious..are we expected to pull every idea out of our heads? That's why we purchase decorating books with pictures, that's why we have websites with instructions, that's why we have THIS site with photos! Isn't it? I don't even think we should have to say "This idea came from the book..so and so." Why does it matter? Everyone shares their ideas with one another. We could drive ourselves crazy with trying to remember sometimes exactly where each idea comes from since sometimes a cake is a conglomeration of several ideas. I LOVE looking at all of the beautiful cakes here and seeing the talent of each individual decorator. I don't think Colette Peters or Toba Garrett or the others are ever offended when people make their creations..it's why they print their books. I am very happy to see those AND any original creations posted here.

by the way..your cake is FANTASTIC

Thank you all for taking the time to read my post and comment.

There are, I'm sure, many varied opinions on this topic.

Can we now treat it as closed? I for one, will not be mentioning or posting on this subject again.

Thanks once again,
Karen