We all know that with every cake, we have a problem of some type. Some big, some small.
I did my daughter's birthday cake yesterday for her party today and posted the picture. It's the Dora and Boots cake. This morning I was showing it to my friend and I gasped in horror as my pretty green grass had white circles all over it! I have posted about this problem before and was told it was because I used water instead of milk to thin. Well, since then I have used nothing but milk for thinning and it STILL happened. Any ideas?
I salvaged it by putting flowers on it. But I liked it better last night. What do y'all think? (Be honest)
Looks really great! I've never had that problem with my icing before. I've used milk and water in my icing before (not at the same time).
I had the same prob w/my camo cake .. the white from the crumb coat shows through the next day.. I didn't know it could possibly be the water in my icing doing that .. I'd be interested to know too .. also, I'd love to know if the milk would cause the icing to need to be refrigerated.
That's probably it. 
I was wondering. I had read on a thread on here that sifting didn't really have to be done because our powdered sugar was already sifted enough. Soooo, I took it upon myself to stop since I hate that part anyway. Oh, well I'll have to go back to sifting, huh?
Well the cake looks fantastic!
I only use water to thin my icing and never had any problems with it...the only time you should be concerned about using water is if your water is over-treated with chemicals or if you're making a dark purple (milk makes a better purple for some reason).
Could be salt in the icing if you added any. Might also be that the BC used to make the grass dried out a bit.
Your flowers are a great save - looks just as good today as yesterday.
Sorry I can't help with the white spots, it happens to me too, usually in purple or blue. I always use milk now, as I have also heard that could be the cause. I never sift. What about butter - little lumps not fully blended. Could that be it?
Would love to find the answer!
Hmmm white spots? Couldn't tell...it looks like real grass though!!! and MAN that cake is just awesome!!!! I never seem to get time to get that detailed with the sky and such, but it sure does make a difference...definately going to try it next time!!!!
I sometimes get that with dark colors, I have always contributed it to the crisco in the icing. Fat really doesn't take color so if you have some that isn't mixed all the way or if your icing starts to seperate (with the hot weather the icing will start to melt sometimes) you will get those spots. Try using a thicker icing, perhaps you had it too thin.
Just some thoughts,
It really is a great cake and you should be proud of it. If someone is to notice a white spot you tell that that is the suns reflection on the grass, and its a very hard effect to achieve.
Actually, come to think of it, I forgot to crumb coat.
LOL. And it's a chocolate cake too!!! Can't be that in this case!
I just did a chocolate soccer field cake, didn't crumb coat before adding the "grass", used water to thin my icing and did not get white spots....so, I'm guessing it had nothing to do with those issues!
However.............your cake looks terrific!!!!!!!!!!
I think it looks great - I love the flowers. I have never had that problem before, and I use water all the time. The whole cake is adorable. What did you use for the path? Too cute
Bubbles: I used brown sugar for the path. I outlined it in brown bc to hold it in. Also, Dora is a Buttercream transfer
Just some thoughts,
It really is a great cake and you should be proud of it. If someone is to notice a white spot you tell that that is the suns reflection on the grass, and its a very hard effect to achieve.
peg818: I love the way you think!! My Dad said it was some type of grass fungus! LOL 
And to everyone: Thanks so much for the support and nice words. You all are great!!
I had to reply to this post. I am very new to cake decorating and I had the same problem with white spots. The last 2 cakes I made I sifted the flower and had no white spots.....I am guessing this may be your problem.Try sifting next time
Denise
Oh and yes that cake is so cute....you did a great Job 
Just had to say I liked this so much I had to add it to my favorite album...meaning the next time I have been asked to do a Dora cake I may have to do it like this..... one question though.....how does the brown sugar effect the taste/texture of the frosting....I love brown sugar just never would have thought of using ON TOP of a cake.... I can't wait to try...
Actually, it wasn't too bad. LOL! I rather like the taste of it. It just sat on top of the buttercream. I guess you could use graham crackers, teddy grahams or anything else like t hat. Or even brown buttercream or candy melts.
I have the coloring page if you want it. I "think" I can scan it into a .jpg format if I can find a scanner with a big enough window.
I have never had that problem with the icing on the cake. I have however noticed white spots or streaks in my decorating bags when I have dark colors. Not sure what it is but the icing doesn't come out with white streaks.
The cake looks great though! You did a wonderful job on the bcts!
I think your cake looks great. Not sure what could have caused the problem.
One question how did you do the clouds( what tip?) 
michelleml: One question how did you do the clouds( what tip?)
I used Tip 12 for the clouds. I practiced on a paper plate before I put it on the cake. It's just basically 4 big "puddles" that I pulled to the right. I hope that makes sense! LOL 
Your cake looks great!!! I live in the midwest where it gets very humid in the summer, anyway I usually don't sift my powdered sugar except when it is humid. It always killed my hand and arm, but then I would be ticked when I had sugar clumps in my icing. I hadn't sifted for years it seemed until this summer when I started to get clumps again. Someone told be that if there is even the tiniest hole in the bag you will get humidity in it and it will clump. I always buy the "fluffiest" bags I can find but that hasn't solved the problem this year. I ordered a battery operated sifter from Sweet Celebrations. I love it!! It was $16 and some change. I have been sifting all summer and it works great!! No more clumps! It has really saved me pain in the hand and arm!! I highly recommend it!!
~Luraleigh~
marknrox,
You can reach Sweet celebrations by phone 1-800-328-6722.
email- [email protected].
or at www.sweetc.com.
The sifter is on page 18 of their current catalog Spring-Summer 2005.
It is item "H" and called the Cordless Sifter. It runs on one AA battery and the item order # is 63371. It cost $16.79.
I was leery, because of it only using one AA battery, but it works great. The handle (where the battery is) can be removed for cleaning. It did slow down when I was using it the other day and when I took the handle off I found that there was a small place where the sugar had gotten into. I just cleaned it out and away I went. I'm really glad I got it. It does a great job at sifting with no pain!!
~luraleigh~
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