I was wondering if there is a site out there that has all the tips and what the look like (when used with frosting). Or maybe a fav site that has a bunch of basic cakes. I am doing a sheet cake for an office b-day (first paid cake). I have only done a handful of cakes and they have all been bc with fondant. So it may seem silly but I don't have any experience with basic borders and what to do to jazz up the top just a little. I want to be able to look and compare borders and drop flowers or stars(i don't know what to call it, not exactly a border just accents) to see what I want to do. So does anyone have any ideas. This probably comes natural to all of you and hopefully me to soon. But for this first cake I am little nervous, very silly I know. But since I am getting paid I feel a little more pressure.
Thanks,
Natt
Here is an article with all the tips and what they do
http://www.cakecentral.com/article42-Decorating-Tip-Numbers.html
You can find all kinds of cool cakes in the gallery, there are tons to look through!
Here's a link from the Wilton site. This page has a list of the different techniques and types of flowers. You click what you want to see and it gives a step by step instruction with pictures. I have a few of the Wilton yearbooks, and in the center of each of mine is a huge pull out of all the tips available with frosting designs next to them. Hope this helps.
http://www.wilton.com/decorating/basic/index.cfm
I can't tell you all how much I appreciate your responses. I have posted a few times now and have always gotten fast response and awesome results. Most of the time I almost feel stupid posting my questions. I got more than what I needed. I have been sitting here for over an hour checking out links that you posted for me. Thanks so much!!! Yes this site is truly addictive. Is there a support group to help those that are addicted and need help
Newbie adict,
Natt
Natt--I'm so glad you asked this question! I was in the same boat you are in just last week. I just finished Wilton course 1 and sent my final cake in to work with DH. Later that day I got an order for my first cake--also for an office birthday! I was told to make whatever I wanted, so I went with boring (but safe for this newbie) BC roses. Well that cake got me another order for Valentine's Day! Again, the design is up to me.
I'm having a hard time with pricing, especially since I feel like I'm "interning" especially with the decorations. Thanks to this great community, I make some amazing tasting cakes, but the decorations are definitely basic. I charged $15 (9x13 single layer, BC frosting, BC border & roses) and feel like the cake was worth much more than that. Do you mind sharing what you charged?
Oh, as far as this site being addictive.......yeah, been there, done that. I had to go cold-turkey once. 
Now it's CC in moderation. 
camcat,
I am charging $30 for a 1/2 sheet (12X1
choc cake (from a box), whipped cream frosting and strawberry filling (recipes from this site). The office has been getting them from a bakery here in town, the only bakery besides chain stores (walmart etc). The bakery charges about 35-40 so I went for 30. I am nervous and may have no more business. I'm not really looking for it, it just came up. Anyway I don't know if I'm over charging or under charging. I guess we'll see what comes from it. I deliver it on the 15th. Thsi is all under the table, I think. I'm not charging tax and I don't expect to give them my ssn or anything. I am not looking to open a business or anything. I am a stay at home mom looking for a fun outlet. If I can make a little here or there to pay for my hobby great. I also live in a small town that I don't think people are willing to pay much. I will probably decorate this cake with dipped strawberries (just a handfull) and maybe some chocolate lattice triangle (never done it before, will experment). The local bakery covers their cakes in shaved chocolate and dipped strawberrys. I want to be different but still impressive. I am curious as to what others charge. I live in a small town in Oklahoma. Where do you live.
Natt--I'm also in a small town (Georgia) and we have one bakery besides the chains. I'm also a SAHM just looking for a creative outlet, not looking to start a business. I see this cake pricing issue two ways. On one hand, I get the decorating experience without having to spend my money on cake supplies, plus a little extra to buy more cake tools. On the other hand, I'm not sure how long I will want to make $15 cakes without feeling resentful, knowing that my time is worth more. It took me 4+ hours to bake, frost, and decorate a 9x13 (I know that will get faster with experience), plus the time to shop and clean up. So I earned about $1 an hour after supplies! 
Oh well, it's not like I have a stack of orders waiting to be filled! I'm having fun testing new recipes and techniques without having to eat the fruits of my labor.
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