We had a discussion last night while I was decorating...do any of you have specific habits or quirks when you decorate? For example, I only do my decorating after 10 at night (kids are all in bed then) and I have the soundtrack to CATS playing, lol. Yeah, I know - I am dating myself there, but what can I say? Just curious if there are any other oddballs like me out there or if I am just loony, lol 
When I need to work very quickly and still have the attention to detail, I listen to classical music. I get into the rhythm of the music and it's amazing how much faster and smoother I work.
Waiting until the kids are asleep is not a quirk, it's a necessity!
Michele
before I can start I have to shower and change, have to wipe work area and supplies with bleach solution and have to make sure there is absolutly no loose hair anywhere in my work vicinity. I know, OCD big time. Everyone stays away from my work area till I'm done cause I am so anal. Music of choice is ROCK & ROLL
I don't have a problem with the kids (they're older, and not a problem). My husband, however, can be a problem! He clumps thru the kitchen, which shakes the table, and always when I'm doing something delicate and tricky.
LOL I have the same problem too - never know he's walking through the kitchen UNTIL there's a cake there. His favorite saying is "Mom's doing a cake - I'm leaving!!!"
You know what I seem to do my best and most creative work after 10 PM - maybe less distractions.
I don't have a problem with the kids (they're older, and not a problem). My husband, however, can be a problem! He clumps thru the kitchen, which shakes the table, and always when I'm doing something delicate and tricky.
O, my, i feel your pain...
I hold my breath when I'm writing or doing delicate things. Don't know why, didn't even realize I was doing it until my husband pointed it out. oh, and there has to be music, usually rock & roll.
I do this too! I didn't realize it until a co-worker pointed it out to me after about a year of working with her. Now I tend to catch myself and tell myself to breath =)
When I'm doing a large cake that takes a long time, I'll put on an episode of Ace of Cakes to get my creative juices flowing.
I was hoping to see more replies on this topic. I think it's a fun one.
I listen to comedy Bill Engall(the here's your sign guy) or Robin Williams when Im decorating.
I listen to comedy Bill Engall(the here's your sign guy) .
I love him! He so funny on Country Fried Home Videos. My boys love that show.
When I am at work, I always wipe the table, let it dry and line it with parchment... I line up my turntables just so, then fill ALL the bags I need for the day... writers, roses, stars... bags on the right, but writers on the left. BC on the left and Bettercream whip on the right. It cannot be any other way. Oh, and always at the same table.
At home.... tears. I always cry when I do cakes at home because I never have the right amount of time, space or supplies to get it done right. Hubby is just used to it, shakes his head and stays quiet. He'll never understand how I can do 70 cakes a day at work and then cry over one at home.
haha that's me i guess.
loud music ok dating myself but like classic rock that I know the words too. esp. if it is a tricky design- i think the music ocupies the part of my brain that makes me stress
I hold my breath when I'm writing or doing delicate things.
Actually that is a very smart thing to do. When I took Calligraphy in college (art class) our instructor told us to take a breath before we drew a line then exhale after we had completed it. We all tried drawing a line breathing normally, and we knew immediately that it can't be done. Unless you really wanted that squiggle in the middle of your letters.
Hey, I always have that squiggle 
. I guess I'll have to try and hold my breath.
While I'm baking - measuring, mixing, etc - I listen to music I can sing along too. Current faves: Dreamgirls soundtrack, Waiting to Exhale soundtrack, Alicia Keys - really anything with loud screechy women!
When I'm decorating or doing tasks that require concentration I listen to guys - Robbie Williams swing CD, Billy Joel's Piano Man, the Beatles
When I'm finishing up - piping borders, cleaning up, putting the cake in boxes, I like upbeat disco music from the 80s
LOL! I just realized i need a DJ to keep me in the groove!
I absolutely have to listen to music or have the tv on for background noise. My DH got me a kitchen under-the-cabinet tv/dvd/radio for my birthday this year. Its seriously the best gift ever. If I'm doing a cake on a Friday night, I listen to 'Totally 80's Friday Night' on my area radio station... Until "The Soup" comes on E at 10pm and I switch it to tv.
I also have to wear my Teva flip flops everytime I decorate in the kitchen because our tile floor is so hard to stand on for too long.
I decorate my cakes on top of a cake pan, on my glass stovetop. Its the perfect height and I can rest my forehead against the microwave as I pipe words. It seems to help me keep my letters steady.
My DH is like a bull in a china shop when he comes into the kitchen.
I have to warn him ahead of time not to come into the kitchen for the next 5 minutes because I'll be writing and I can't be responsible for what profanities might fly out of my mouth if you make my "H" in Happy Birthday squiggley! 
I really like this thread... I was hoping to see more responses. 
I have to start with a clean sanitized work area (of course). Once it gets dark out, I throw 3 contemporary jazz cds on the big loud stereo system(anything by Najee, Steve Laury, Ronny Jordan, Norman Brown and Boney James) I can play anyone of these from start to finish this way it's non-stop smooth jazz unless it's a song I really like then I have to stop and repeat it (several times). It's nothing like listening to saxophones, flutes, guitars and pianos when doing anything relaxing and time consuming.
Doe this happen to anyone else? I put on a CD and start working on the cake.. then all of a sudden the last song is on. I think, I can't have made it all the way through the CD already!
Realized what my quirk is - I talk to myself ----- and yes I answer myself 
DH came into the kitchen last night asked who are you talking to??? Just me. 
But I can work out problems or brainstorm better if I do talk out loud.....something about hearing the words out loud seems to help.
I wait until my DS is in bed (after 8:30 PM or so) and then I always listen to country music.
During usual activities, I'll listen to other types of music but I'll end up flipping around. When I listen to country, I tend to like enough of the songs that I am not interrupted by trying to find a better song.
I have the DVD of a concert by British pop group, Erasure, called "The Tank, the Swan, and the Balloon". I skip through the first 12 songs. The balance of the DVD is a lot of great dance music and fun to listen to. I also have to have my cake boards covered the night before and all icing made in advance of the day I decorate. Cake has almost always been frozen so I don't stress.
OK so we are just a little odd....DD15 says it is because of all the sugar we deal with, lol
Well I guess I'm the odd ball here. I like it quiet when I decorate. I also like to be home alone.
I live with my sister and will tell or I should say warn her when I have a cake due so she can make plans to leave. If she comes home and I'm not finished she knows to stay out of the kitchen and tells everyone else to also. 
I always get all my stuff ready to go before I even start. I hate to go digging to find something I need once I've started decorating.
Oh one other thing, if someone is in the house I call them in and ask them questions like "does this look straight or level" and then I get mad when they answer because after all "what do they know about cake decorating"
I am one of the most grumpy decorators. That's why it's best for me to be alone.
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