A questions to users of those heavy duty stacked cake transport boxes like these http://design-a-cake.co.uk/View/details.asp?pi=3447#top. Are these reusable? I assume so because they are quite pricey for single use, no?

thanks for the link bashini, i had a look and they are cheaper, but i don't think they are same, so do they work the same though, i suppose that is what's important. in the ones at design a cake, they have inserts so that the cake sits within it and doesn't move around, also they have holes for your hands to carry them - I can't seem to see how you would carry the almond art ones?

I have had both like bashini I use the almond art one because its hard to get boxes back. I did buy the one from design a cake for my daughters 18th and it is in my cupboard packed away ready to reuse. You are right there is an inset for the cake to sit in as well. However with almond art I just make sure my cakeboard is the same size as box I'm using so it does not slip and I carry them underneath.

I know that Almond Art boxes don't have inserts and handls. But I also do as same as what jillyscakes does. And I trasport my cakes in the boot and I put a non slip mat under the box.

Snap

great so it seems the cheaper ones are the ones to go with then. thanks for your help guys.

Hi All,

Wow it's been 2 years since I've been on here and pleased to see this post is still going strong!

It would be going stronger if we got regular e mail notifations

Can anyone tell me how they stick their ribbon to cakes? I usually use a dab of royal icing, but have always found it soaks through & stains the ribbon slightly. Have a wedding cake to make foe september that has a double band of ribbon round it & dont want any marks, any suggestions? Thanks

Hi re ribbon question I soak mine in water then with fingers and thumb squeeze out excess water place round cake hold in place with pin untill dry

Hi Hailinguk, nice to see you here after a LONG time! Hope you are doing fine!

sanmarco5, I use doublesided sticky tape to attach the ribbon around the cake as well as the edge of the cake board.

First take one end of the ribbon and secure with a pin to the cake and stick a tiny peice of sticky tape on that end. Then take the ribbon around the cake and stick it where the sticky tape is. Then cut the excess ribbon. Or you can premaesure the ribbon you need and do the same. Hope it make sence.

i use edible glue to stick the ribbons on

I'd go with soaking your ribbon and wringing the water out so it's damp then wrap around cake.
Used to do the royal icing but tried this way and will never go back!


Does anyone emboss fondant? If so what do you use? And where did you get it from?

couldi ask where you would buy your supplies from? i only use basic victoria sponge recipes and because i cant find anywhere local to buy powder dyes and gel dyes i end up having to use ready rolled icing, which i can only get from sainsburys in 5 different colours so am very limited as to what i can do, i only make cakes for friends and family which i only charge for the price of ingredients, cheers for any help. Rich

Hi there, here are few online shops where I buy my stuff.

http://www.sugaricing.com/

http://www.almondart.com/

http://design-a-cake.co.uk/default.asp?path=http://www.design-a-cake.co.uk/content/news.asp

http://www.sugarshack.co.uk/

HTH.

you beat me to it Bashini, LOL

[quote="melonballDoes anyone emboss fondant? If so what do you use? And where did you get it from?[/quote]
I love to emboss boards. cakes and cupcakea and will use anything that will leave a nice imprint. I mostly use Patchwork Cutters as there are lots of little bits in most of the design sets that you can use in another way.
I have used an embossed vinyl tablecloth and buttons, lego wheels anything that fits the purpose of the cake I am doing. Of course they are all washed and sterilised before hand.
There are lots of places online that supply wonderful embossing mats and rollers. Look at Sculpey stuff too. I have a few impression mats that I use on cupcakes. They come up beautifly with a little lustre dust.

thankyou very much for the quick replies, ill take a note of those suppliers and look on ebay and that, rosie would you know if its possible to add , err its called tri something, supposed to help make the icing a bit more elestic or something for when making flowers etc, some white powder i got and read somewhere about it, thanks again and sorry if i havent made what im on about known

Think you may mean gum trag or cmc also known as tylo powder they are all white powders and do the same thing strength fondant

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=tylose+powder&_sacat=See-All-Categories
This is what you would be looking for. I add about 1tsp to 250g but I have used it so much you kind of get a feel for how much to put in.
For flowers and lettering I used flowerpaste for a while but now make my own using Tylose but you really need to get a sense of what it should feel like and sound like (it should squeak when you stretch it) before making your own.
You can uses 1/2 and 1/2 flowerpaste(gumpaste) and gumpaste for modelling. Too.
I would suggest looking at all the tutorials on you tube as there are some great ones to help you on your way. Aine2 has some good videos for covering cakes using tappits and making modelling paste with tylos as well as sugar glue.

thank you all, im waiting to have enough money to pay to be taught, i lack so much in technique and knowledge it makes life quite difficult when trying to achieve the same as i have planned in my head, even the diff pastes etc i wasnt aware of, so once i can do that ill feel more comfortable making cakes outside the family as im already getting asked to do other peoples kids etc but dont feel i should as my standard is way beyond the likes of peoples on here, agan thanks for the help. Rich

There is sooo much knowledge being shared on this site, I'd say just read and practise. I started caking in June last year, I've never taken a course. All my knowledge has come from this website.

Have you considered going to cake international in Birmingham? It's a yearly event, it's on November 4th, 5th & 6th. They have demonstrations there, some of which are free, others are £5 or £6 for half an hour watching a pro.

I agree with Lisapeps there is lots of knowledge on here and I love going to the NEC in November when I can. Another suggestion is get a couple of really good books that explain things like the difference between pastillage and modelling paste. The fisrt book I ever got was the essential guide to cake decorating that started me off. I now often refer to Lindy Smith books for recipes and ideas. Have a look on Amazon treat yourself to a couple