OK, I've played around with cake decorating since I was about 12 but now that I've seen this site I realize I am a total newbie! So many techniques to try.... where oh where does a girl start?

My birthday is coming up in a few weeks and I know my mom always sends me money so I can buy want I really want.... but what would you all recommend as THE main thing(s) within that price range? For me this is "just" a hobby and will be mainly making cakes for kids birthdays and that sort of thing. (yes, I've dropped lots of hints with DH too! LOL)

Hello, first and foremost is GOOD PANS!! The cake is the foundation and without a good foundation you have nothing. I learned the hard way.Cheffie

First buy the basic pans round, oblong, square. I h ave Wilton pans purchased over 25 years ago that are still in excellent shape. Have never used Magic Line but from posts on here they are more expensive. Wait for a sale and have your coupon handy so you can get more for your $$$. Bags & basic tips would be next.

And good spatulas! A nice big one and a nice little one, great for smoothing etc....

Icing tip

Disposable decorating bags...they make clean up SOOOOOOeasy!

Lots and Lots of decorating tips!!! I always seem to loose them or they get bent and what not.

The $5ish turntable has been one of my favorite "non-obvious" cake dec. purchases. And the 6" spackle scraper from the hardware store!

Lots of bags, tips, colors, and those Magic Strip baking strips for around the cake pans that make cakes rise evenly!

Don't forget the icing tip, can't recall the number, but it's like a giant basketweave tip--I never ice a cake without it.

That should be about $30 worth...

Oh, and a good book to learn from.

I vote for good pans! If you already have those parchment bags, extra couplers and tips. (especially that really big one) and a spackling knife.

WOW, thanks everyone! You guys (gals) are great!

I do have a few really good pans, one silicone spatula, and a very basic decorating set with 6 tips and a re-useable bag (which is a pain to clean!). All your basic grocery-store purchases.

SO.... I will definately look into everything else that was mentioned! And, yes, definately looking through the fliers for that 40% off coupon! LOL

I love my Magic Line 9X13 pan. I love the nice square edges and the nice cakes that come from it. I will be buying more Magic Line Pans. I would also recommend many couplers. I hate not having enough couplers when I need to use a new color with the same tip. I also have multiple tips in the star and piping tips.

darkchocolate

OK I am considering this list based on what you said you already have.

-- one heart-shaped pan, equivalent of 8" round. These are quite versatile: birthday, anniversary, Valentine, engagement...
-- Wilton yearbook (for all the great ideas and basic techniques)
-- Americolors in Super Red and Super Black, since those are the toughest colors to achieve
-- a small palette knife for smoothing the tough corners (or a butter knife with an angled blade)
-- tip #352 for the best leaves
-- one or two drop flower tips: one quick squeeze and you have a flower. Also good to make flowers with leftover icing and store for last-minute cakes.

I think I've spent all your money! If there is any left, put it towards some interesting flavorings like raspberry and almond. The food has to taste as good as it looks!

And I don't know if these exist anymore, but one of my earliest memories of cake literature is a booklet my mom had on making cut-up cakes. Hers was made by a coconut company, about 20 pages, probably a pullout from a magazine (1950's?). You carve round and square cakes and put together to make a witch or bunny or other shapes.

Happy shopping!

I would buy tips, decorating bags, couplers, and spatulas. The smaller the items the more you can get with $30. If you can get a Michaels' or Hobby Lobby 40% off coupon then that would help too.

Happy Shopping!

A "side icer" is what we call it, Homecook. I don't know if I could ice a cake without one

Thank goodness this site is FREE or I would be BROKE!!!

Check out Ebay, sometimes you can get a Really good starter kit on there.

I recommend:
Tips (multiples of the most commonly used ones)

Feather weight bags -These can be washed in hot, soapy water and some vinegar and re-used. You will get more use out of them than disposable baggies. You want disposable bags, use a ziploc bag snip a hole in the corner.

Spatulas - flat, offset and tapered

Gel colors

Flower nails for making flowers.

Heating core for eve heat distribution - works much better than a flower nail.

Bake Even strips - slows down baking on the sides of the pans.

I cant think of anything else

i started out with about the same. an i also have been hitting everyone up with my wishlist of goodies.lol. something that hasnt been mentioned and is cheap; cake boxes and boards. i think these are the greatest. this way when you take youre nicely decorated cakes to family functions and what not, your cakes look professional(sp?). they help keep you from having to remember to get back cake trays/stands and save you messy cleanup too...they are realitivly inexpensive, and are not really a neccessity, but i love them, and could never go back to cake trays/stands again.lol. i just thought id mention these since you said you had some pans and things already. but def watch for cupons and sales! youll def get your moneys worth that way.