I just love this site. Every since I found it, I feel like I learn more and more every day about cakes. These are the cakes I have made so far and I want some advice from Cake person to cake person- what i could do better and whatever else. I will not be mad if it is a negative comment. It is just I feel like my family would tell my the ugly cake in the world looked good if I made it.
Thank you,
Crystal

YOur cakes are wonderful!! We all second guess ourselves, I understand...I do it too! You should be proud of your cakes and keep working on them and learning more and more techniques. If you are doing this well just starting out, imagine what you could accomplish in one year!! Keep it up!!

I am not qualified to give advice because I am relatively new myself. But I had to tell you that your cakes look great. The magnolia cake, is that a silk or did you make it? I love magnolias and have been thinking about doing a cake with them on it.

I never ask about the flowers because I feel so dumb that I don't know. But I can't tell in the pictures sometimes whether they are gumpaste/fondant or silk.

Thank you so much for your comments. I'm so glad yal think they are nice cakes. It feels better hearing it from other people than just family.
Also, the magnolia on the Magnolia cake is made out of fondant. That was my first time playing with fondant and it was pretty easy. I just used a knife and cut of the petals one by one and then arranged them on the cake and use buttercream to help them stick together.
Again- Thank You.

..you've got nothing to worry about, your cakes are beautiful. I just love that Magnolia!

Crystal, you're cakes are very well done. Especially for a beginner. It looks like you've used techniques that I've never tried, even though I've been decorating cakes for 11 years. Anyhow, my only suggestion (and this is not intended to be negative AT ALL so please don't take it that way) is that if you want a flat top on your cakes, level them before stacking or icing them. You can do this by cutting the rounded lump off the top of the cake with a serrated knife or cake leveler (sp?). I wait until the cake has cooled a bit and usually do it right in the pan it baked in so I can use the sides of the pan as a guide. Then ice the top of one leveled layer and stack the other leveled layer on it so the [leveled] tops are stuck together with a layer of filling between them. This gives you the nice, uniform flat look. You're cakes look great as they are so don't feel as though you have to do this. For me though, I go for the flat look on my cakes. I always level the cake and invert it onto the cake board so the bottom becomes the top and that's the part I decorate, if that makes sense. Unless the look of the cake requires the rounded look, that is. Sorry long, hope I didn't make it too confusing.

Sorry, 1 more thing, then I'm done, I promise! I find that it's easier to ice the cake when you invert it anyway and use the bottom as the top because the cake doesn't stick to the icing as much as the top part of the cake does (especially if you cut it and have all those crumbs!!). Thanks!

Your cakes look great. I love the magnolia is my favorite. Keep up the good job.

I think your cakes are great. I love the second one. Is it airbrushed?

Wandootie

Great cakes Crystal!! I think it's safe to say that your going to get a lot of orders!!! Please tell us what flower cutter you used for the magnolia. I have wanted to do some but I don't know where to start. I love magnolia's. That's my state flower! It's very popular here. Awesome job on your cakes!!

A beginner!!! You're going to do just fine. Definately "bottoms up" when icing your cake.


Amy

From one newbie to another, you're cakes look great!

Crystal, I think your family is telling you the truth. Your cakes are very nice! They all look great but my favorite is the one with the magnolia. Keep on baking!

I would love to know how you did the Magnolia. Your cakes are great and you are just beginning. Keep it up...

Crystal,

Your cakes are beautiful, and the magnolia is definitely my favorite! Keep up the good work!

You're cakes are very beautiful!!!!!! Great job

You are right on the money! They are great.

I read how you cut the leaves of the magnolia, but what is the middle part of the flower made of? (is it called the stamen?? Forgive me if that's not the appropriate word!)

We are all the most critical of ourselves. I have made cakes that I'm not happy with at all but friends and family raved over them. Don't be too hard on yourself because you are definitely talented.