We need a 'the decorator is the disaster' board, just for me because it seems like I am the only one here that sucks big time.
What do you do when you realize that you suck and you probably shouldn't put the effort into doing cakes when they just turn out looking like a pig pile of crap anyways?
I put alot of effort into all the cakes that I have made, but still they look horrible. I doubt that I will ever be any better than I am now, so I think I will just give up. I have my sons birthday in about 3 weeks, my moms friend wants me to make a cake for her daughters birthday at the end of September (she's never seen one of my cakes) and then my SIL wants me to make one for my nieces birthday, but after that I am done. The cake is kinda a big deal at whatever function calls for cake, so I'll just leave it up to the people who really know what they are doing.
I wanted to add that I'm not fishing for compliments, I'm just venting and feeling (alot) sorry for myself. The classes have really been alot of fun, so I'm not sorry I took them. I'm just sorry that I am addicted to cake decorating, but I am a horrible decorator.
K, I know you're not fishing for compliments, but I'm going to give some anyway. You are a great cake decorator! I love the cakes in your pictures, especially the Wiggles cake! That is so cute and creative! I think that creativity is a big part of being a successful cake decorator, and you have it! Everyone gets in a slump from time to time, so it will get better. Just keep practicing ... that's what it takes to get better at what you do. Come on, you can do it!! 
Actually you don't suck at decorating. Your roses on your final cake are very nice. Try sticking to the simple designs and you will have a good time decorating cakes you can be proud to serve.
If your cakes taste great, and the decorations are simple and elegant, you can't do a bad cake.
There is nothing wrong with having fun. it doesn't have to be perfect.
First, AliciaSue, you are not a horrible decorator. I read your post and thought, oh man, another me. Then I looked at your photos. You are doing fine, especially the last cake. Besides, it is all about having fun (at least, that is what I tell myself).
I think we all feel this way once in a while...There are some really talented decorators on this board. Hang in there. AAha! I know exactly how you feel! Just give yourself time, if you have the passion to decorate, then you will succeed, just allow yourself time to "evolve"! If others didn't like your cakes, then they wouldn't ask you to make them.
I did look at your cakes and I think you do wonderful work!
Keep your chin up, you're doing great!
Ok...your cakes are really cute and I sometimes feel the same way you do . I think we all have those days. Don't give up....keep practicing. See if there are any cake clubs around where you are. Don't give up on something you love to do. It will get better.
Ok fellow Iowan..My cakes suck too but, its the fun of doing them.. Please i joined this site and meet all these people in here that are there to help..Your cakes are great.. We can't become cake decorating divas overnight or in my case 1 year from now. It's the love and time you put in your cake that counts.. We will always be here for you...I know I will.
AliciaSue, the cakes you have in your photos are very good! I'm not sure if I'm right on this one or not, but I believe everyone of us has felt like our worked sucked at some time or another.
I get to feeling like that especially right after I've watched one of those cake programs or after viewing another cake decorator's work. It lasts a few days then, I convince myself to do it better than my last cake.
I don't think I could quit ever! Although, on the way home from work tonight, I thought about putting all my S$#% on ebay and just going on to something else. LOL, I couldn't think of anything else I would rather do.
To be addicted to it must mean you like doing it, right?
Don't give it up.
Your cakes look great.
To cheer you up and for a good laugh, look at mine. 
I wish I was half as good as you, and then I would be fine.
Chin up. 
Thanks guys! 
BrightBrats~ your cakes are super cool! My Hubby would *LOVE* to have that PS2 cake for his birthday!!
I am glad to know that people whose cakes I have in my favorites think they suck too. What is that? Misery loves company??
I am addicted and love it, but I get so nervous when I deliver a cake and start appologizing or everything, then I wonder what they think and even though they say they like it I just know they are lying and then I worry for days about it.
I hate when one is delivered and they aren't there when you set it up. Then you don't hear from them for a week or two even. You break down and call to see how everything went, bracing yourself for the worst, only to find out that it was a hit. oh the torture. If only they knew what it meant to know that.
Oh gosh, I know how you feel. I feel the same way. I think your cakes look great, BTW. I know I need to practice and I don't get many cakes to make as I only do it for family but I LOVE learning new things and coming here and looking at everyone's wonderful creations! Keep on practicing and remember, only you see all the flaws in your cakes, no one else does.
Don't get discouraged. I haven't seen any of your cakes but everybody improves with practice.
I felt the same way when I started and I had a big disaster with my very first cake I ever made. First of all I had to make three cause the first stuck to the pan, the second one the dog ate and the third one looked like Frankenberry Shortcake, LOL.
I almost quit, I sat and cried over that stupid cake like you wouldn't believe. And I finally decided I wasn't going to let the cake win. For one thing I can always eat the evidence.
Another thing...don't go comparing your cakes to any one elses. Especially around here, it will make you depressed. : ) Judge how far you have come on your own in your own time period.
If people are asking you to make cakes then you must be doing something right!!!
I just recently have gotten to the point where I am happy with my cakes. Now I don't curse or yell anymore while decorating, LOL. (my family things that's an improvement) It was very frustrating to me what can I say. : ) It does get easier and you do get faster/better and all that. It will happen for you to.
Ok, here goes....You're headed in the right direction with your decorating, but face it, you're still pretty new at this. You'll only get better with practice. You need to practice the basics regularly and avoid biting off more than you can chew--knowing your current limits and not pressuring yourself will help you develop a well deserved confidence in your work.
For the time being, if you're doing a cake for someone else, or for some occasion where you'll care what others think of the cake, do things on cakes that you know you do well. You can ice a cake smooth, pipe a nice border, choose colors that go together, and add a few well done flowers and be very proud of the results. Save the experimenting for those times when you've made time to play and you don't care what the end result looks like.
It's so tempting to jump in with both feet and try ALL of the neat decorating stuff we read about here and in all of the books out there, but every decorator has needed time to mature, find their own style, make mistakes that DON'T COUNT, and then have that AH-HAH moment when it all finally comes together. Give it time--it's like fine wine--if you rush it, it's just crappy grape juice and not worth much, but if you pamper it and wait--mmmmmmm.
If someone wants you to decorate outside your current level of comfort, don't say yes until you've tried what they want and feel like it's something you can do without getting an ulcer over it--otherwise, it's no fun!
Final bit of advice--NEVER, NEVER CRITICIZE OR APOLOGIZE FOR YOUR WORK IN FRONT OF ANYONE. If they say, "It's lovely!", say thank you--not, oh, it's not smooth enough and I don't like the way I put the flowers on....Just file away your un-said comments in your memory and do it different/better the next time.
Rae
So much of your post reminds me of myself! I (after 7 years of decorating) still find myself apologizing or trying to explain something about the cake that's not perfect! Rae is so right... DON'T do it!!! I'm trying to stop! And like others have said... don't compare yourself to people on these message boards and their awesome cakes because it WILL make you depressed! (lol) Girl, I've been doing this for 7 years and I think I should be a lot further along than I am now! I see all the flaws in my cakes... but unless the person you're doing a cake for is a cake decorator themself they'll probably never notice!! When I first started doing cakes I just told myself over and over and over.... "if they wanted a 'professional' cake decorator they would get one... so if they're asking me to do a cake then they get the best I can do" oh well...
Hang in there! I did look at your photos and I think you're doing a fantastic job! Your roses on that last cake are amazing -- (when I first looked at that cake I thought they were real roses -- not icing ones!)
oh man well ya know it seems that others have felt the same way- I know I can speak for myself and say I've had the same slump a few times since being on this site and seeing all the amazing talent. Like when going to the 'post your worst cake' thread and seeing cakes that are better than mine will be for a long time.
I dont charge, I have family members who think I should one day (and then there is my mom who thinks I should period and I constantly have to give her head a shake because she has no sense of reality- to clue in that I have lots and lots to learn before I get that far- if I do)
The key factor for me is enjoying what I do- I just decorate for my large family. I have fun thinking up ideas and making stuff. And whether or not I'm ever going to make money at this in the (far) future, I still love the creative outlet.
The second thing which is just a part of my philosophy on life period, is that we all come into this world with different skills and talents and creative energies. We also have the ability throughout our lives to learn things. And we learn at different paces. And that's ok. And most importantly, NOBODY I Can guarantee you, nobody here learned their craft overnight. It takes time. I look at all the cakes I've done, like I look at everything I've accomplished constantly, to look at what I know now that I didnt know a year ago, 10 years ago, or even a month ago.
I think the slumps are normal, but keep your chin up- and have confidence in yourself and look at how your stuff has evolved. You absolutely can NOT judge your work compared to people who have been doing this for 20 years and not just once every few months but several times a week.
Indeed practice does make perfect (or nearly perfect- there is no such thing as perfect I believe as we are always able to learn more- I dont really think learning stops on anything until we keel over and die lol)
e-Hugs and hang in there!
I dont think you have anything to worry about...looks like to me you are doing pretty darn good...look at my cakes if you want to compare yourself to someone...YOU WIN! I think sometimes we have to give ourselves a break, I get frustrated cause things dont turn out the way I pictured them (just like my ganache cake I did last night).....but it was my first attempt and already i know how i would do it differently. Looking at my cakes they are total doggie doo doo next to most people on this site, but my family thinks I am SOOOO Talented (good thing they dont check out this site)! Hang in there!
Alicia,
Don't give up! I think you show great promise! Your roses are beautiful on your class cake and you look like you have smoothing down as well. How long have you been doing cakes? I say keep making cakes! I have been decorating cakes for 19 1/2 years and I am still learning! This site and all of you other decorators have been very inspirational to me and I have tried things that I would have never tried had it not been for this site! I just got brave enough to try fondant last year and I must say it went great! So don't give up Alicia, I think you have it in you to be an excellent cake decorator!!
~Luraleigh~
im reading all your posts and feeling the frustration as i have been there again and again. then as i read about the many who ended up cursing and fussing, i had to laugh. not "at" ya'll, but at remembering my moments of wanting to throw the dern thing at the wall. i don't get to that point much anymore. i have learned to be patient in my learning and my mistakes. i don't usually make cakes for $. it is as a ministry at my church. most times when i am asked for a cake, it is left up to me what to make. sometimes on very short notice. when this occurs, i usually use fresh flowers and ribbons and some simple design on the cake. sometimes this simplest is the most beautiful. i am wanting to become a collette. yeah right! maybe one day. until then i pray for God's help and press in. i have enjoyed this sight, but have also felt a little intimidated by all your knowledge and skill as i am not there yet. okay thats all. sorry for being so long.
I totally agree with everyone.....take a deep breath.....if people didn't like what they've seen so far, they wouldn't be asking you to make cakes for them! And like others have said, don't bite off more than you can chew....if someone requests something you're not sure you can do, be honest and tell them you've never done that, but you'll try it and let them know if you can do it before you commit.
You'll be fine.....keep practicing!
I certainly empathize with your frustration. Some of the cakes I have done for pay I've gotten so stressed about that I hardly think it's worth it. You have to be realistic with yourself. Your cakes look great, but if your expecting perfection right away, you won't be happy. Sure there are some people that get it right from the start, but most of use have to practice, practice, and practice some more! You also have to be able to step back and look at it from the average person's eyes. The average person would look at your cakes and be totally amazed!
I don't do too many paid caked just because I often end up so stressed that I don't enjoy it. For example, the heart shaped cake in my photos with the roses on it. I had a heck of a time with that cake. I ended up making three batches of icing because my roses (which I usually do effortlessly) were not coming out and my icing consistency was off. I could not get a good edge on the cake which worried me because I didn't have a border. But, when I finally got the roses done and on the cake I stepped back and said hey this turned out good. While the roses are not my best roses, anyone else looking at the cake would love it. Now, my writing, eegads! The only thing I did n ot like about the finished cake is the 40. I practiced the 40 a bunch, but when I did it on the cake it was awful. I redid the 4 about 5 times and finally had to leave it or it would show. But in the end, everyone that saw the cake was really impressed and the person who's birthday it was loved it, so I was happy.
It's said often on this site that we are our own worst critic. If you don't like doing cakes for other people, why not just have fun and experiment and give those cakes away. One of the cakes I had the most fun with is the tooth cake. A dh'd coworker was leaving for dental school and I thought it would be fun to try and make a tooth cake. I had been wanting to try mmf and because I was relaxed and just having fun, the cake turned out awesome.
After a few days of mulling it over and reading all of your kind words, I have come to the conclusion that the people I have been making cakes for want me to make their cake because they want me to make thier cake. They know that I am new to this and mostly just practicing.
The only money I am getting for any cake is basicly cost, but I feel bad even accepting that because I see all the flaws. My husband would skin me if I did all these cakes for free though.
I know I will get better because I am determined to, that's just how I work.
For instance, when I was PG I had my mind made up that I would nurse my son. I was so sure that I didn't even research bottles or formulas. I can tell you in the first few weeks when neither of us knew what we were doing there were times that I wanted to give up, but I didn't. We both cried alot in those first few weeks, but once we figured it all out we both loved it. I think this is the same principal. I am a very stubborn person when it comes to things I have made my mind up on and this is just another one of those things. I refuse to let a bunch of flour and sugar beat me!
I felt the same way when I first started decorating. I'm still a novice, but the more I practice, the easier it gets. Practicing basic techniques on parchment paper has been a big help for me. If you practice long enough, it will finally just "click"
Well, it sounds like you have gotten feeling better, but here is a thought: I am an intermediate baker, with not much experience. But what I have found is that even with the flaws, it is better than most people can do and they love them even with the flaws.
I know that I personally dream really big and expect every cake to turn out like Sylvia Winestien (sorry I know I spelled that wrong!) on the first time and then I am super disappointed with myself when they don't.
I too am so nervous making cakes for hire, so I am just practicing each cake before I make the real one, just so I know that I am sure!
I hope that helps.
Stephanie
Oh, Honey, you don't know what you are capable of! I have a file on my desktop called "You've Got To Be Kidding Cakes." In it are photos of cakes that inspire me to make sure my cakes never end up looking like these! Tragically, there is a woman I am familiar with whose cakes are almost All in this file. And she sells these cakes to clients!
I am so glad that you finally realize there is a market out there for your work.
Theresa
Boy, and I thought *I* was hard on myself. LOL
I can remember when I first started decorating cakes I would get SO frustrated because I couldn't make a decent buttercream rose. I could have easily given up. But I kept on..and on...and on...and it finally clicked after about a thousand roses!
Now I am frustrated that I cannot do things with fondant that I see others doing. But I tell myself that I will get better with each cake that I do; and if I don't give up I can get there.
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