I just wanted to thank you all. I have been reading here for days. I wanted to surprise my dh with a Justice League cake for his birthday, it's his favorite. It came out FABULOUS! This was my first cake. I was even impressed! Now, it's not the professional quality that I see from you all here, of course, but for someone who's never decorated a cake before, really, except with buttercream and ziploc icing bags (and very basic), it came out nicely. It was a two tiered faux fondant cake with the Justice League logos cut out of fondant (Wilton, I know icky taste, but it was all I could find.) and icing covered graham crackers around the bottom tier for a city. I transported it to my In Laws house for the party and assembled it there, complete with straw dowels and cake board underneath. But I forgot my camera because I was so distracted by getting the cake there, and the candles, and the letters I bought as back up in case I didn't get fondant letters made . But my dh's father took pictures. And my fondant strings that I was going to lay in a loose pattern around the base broke in the cold in the car. BUT, it still came out well and my dh was very surprised and couldn't stop talking about it. I'll post pictures if anyone wants to see it when I get them from FIL.

*!!*ANYWAY, I just wanted to say THANK YOU because if it wasn't for the exceptionally friendly, generous and helpful community here at Cake Central, I never would have been able to pull off such a sweet surprise so well. You all are so willing to share your recipes, and secrets and tips, that it made me and my dh's and my kids' day! There was one unsure moment when Cake Central's server went down the night I was making the cake and decorations through yesterday, but I had read enough ahead of time, that I winged it well. Thank you to those who posted about how to doctor a cake mix (the cake was delicious!) and crusting buttercream recipes, and the Viva towel faux fondant directions, and everyone! You all deserve a huge pat on the back for being so friendly!

And let me just tell you, I do like to dabble in the kitchen, and I'm pretty craft-y, but I give SO much credit to you all! This was serious labor intensive work, I worked for two days on this cake, and I give big credit to you all who do this for a living. I was originally going to order a cake like this from a local baker, (having come across this site a while back while looking for baking info for a friend), but couldn't find anyone in my area. So I decided to read and make it myself. But I would gladly pay the money a cake like this would cost, because it really is that much work. I've come across posts of cake decorators saying someone complained about the price, well, you have one more person totally standing up for you all that you deserve every dime. LOL!

-Heather

Oh, and a donation to Cake Central is a perfect way tfor me to say thanks. The info I learned here was more than I could get from 10 classes!

-Heather

oooohhh yes please post!!!!!

Awww-that is one of the nicest posts ever written! I felt the exact same way when I first came here but I guess I never wrote such a heartfelt message. I'm so glad your first cake came out so well, especially since it was for your DH. I hope you will post pictures-I'd love to see it. I didn't personally "help" you out with anything, but I had to comment to let you know how happy I am that you posted your excitement and feelings for us all to enjoy!! On to the next one!

I am with you Heather, I wanted to post but you've done it for me. I just completed my third cake and it is NOTHING like what you see on here from people who have been doing it for years, but I can't tell you how impressed my friends, family and coworkers have been. I would have never been able to smooth buttercream *almost* perfectly on my third cake if I had not heard about Viva on Cake Central! Within a two week time span this site has become the site I check first and the ladies and gentlemen on here all so nice, helpful and talented. A big thank you from me too!

Thank you so very much from me too!
More kind and helpful people here than you can shake a wooden spoon at
Kathy

See,that's why this site is so popular that server can't support it,and it crashed.It's one of the best sites on the net.When the server was down,I couldn't log in for couple of days.And let me tell you,those were the longest days I had in a long,long time.I was getting scared.But hey we are back.And one dollar donation is nothing,compare to all the priceless info you can get on here.I found this site a few moths back,and today I have enough confidence to open my own bake shop.And all because I learned sooooo much on here.

Okay, here are pictures of the cake. Please be gentle, I know it's not a professional cake at ALL, but it was my first cake. I don't know why the icing looks all goofy on the bottom tier in these pics, except that the kids, the nieces and nephews, were all fiddling around with the cake and poking at it and stuff. The icing on the top layer was very smooth, but it looks like there are a lot of goofs in the pics. You can see the poke marks on the cake. LOL! You can see the pictures in my photos.

The bottom tier is covered with icing covered graham crackers. It's supposed to look like a city, but I ran out of time for the windows.

And the ledge on the first tier was supposed to be covered with the letters that said Happy Birthday, but I forgot those at home. So I put the fondant ropes there, but they cracked in the cold.

The logo on the top is crooked, I put it on in a hurry and it is crooked. It's also a lot sloppier than the logos on the sides because I was in a hurry getting it done.

-Heather

I think you did a great job, I can hardly believe this is your first cake! I would have been afraid to try a 2 tier on my first try. Be proud!

NatalieJ75, your cakes look great too!

Making1stCake,
Welcome to CC!!!!

I think you did a great job on the cake. I'm sure that your DH was thrilled with the cake, and very touched at the time you took to make him such a special cake.

I can't wait to see your future creations, now that you have caught the decorating bug like the rest of us.

Vicki

Fabulous for your first attempt! Well done

Guess you're goning to have to change your name now

Congratulations Heather

Very nicely done !!!!

MY cakes are never perfect either, but they're perfect for me; as it seems my family and friends can taste the love that goes into making them.

You did a great job on your first cake Making1stCake So since you couldn't find anyone in your area that does cakes maybe you should explore that option. If you have the time and want to do this. It is worth it as you found out with DH. I bet his face could have lit the world with his smile. nothing better than that feeling. Keep up the good work. I hope to see your future cakes

I agree with everyone! You did a very good job on your cake! I also agree with you! I love this site! That is why I am on still on here at 1:00 in the morning. I always say that I'm quickly going to check something and then I end up staying on forever. Thanks to everyone who is willing to share a kind word and helpful information! I feel like I have gained a plethora of friends... even though I don't really know anyone. But, thanks everyone for the sense of community that this site has!

What an emotional and heartfelt post! Just bloomin' lovely! It's so nice to be nice, isn't it!

Welcome, welcome! I look forward to seeing more of your work.