This is really long and probably a little boring so you don't have to read it, I just wanted to get it off my chest.
OK, so I'm not the best cake decorator nor even remotely close but I had at least gotten my frosting to an almost smooth look.
I was so tired and suffering from a cold so all I wanted to do last night was sleep. I had made a cake the night before for today and then realised last night that I had forgotten to make the second cake for the top layer. So I made the second cake and it looked beautiful. I put it on the cooling rack to cool. Well, that's when the kids decided that the cake smelt so good and they both wanted to try a little piece of it. I told them that it wasn't for us so stay away. But they kept reaching out to take some. I then decided (rather stupidly) to move the cake instead of the kids and that's when it happened. The cake started to slide off the cooling rack. I tried to stop it with my stomach (yeah I know, but I panicked) but then half of it broke off and fell on the floor. That's when the tears came. The kids went silent and came running up to me and hugging me (God Bless their little hearts), but I was just so tired and I knew I would'nt have time to make another one. So I thought, I'm just going to cut the first cake in half and leave it thin. I started to wash up and then it hit me. I could cut the left over piece in half horizontally and make that the third layer! So that's what I did. But do you think the icing would stay on? Noooooo!!
I then started to panic and was trying to ice the damn thing for an hour straight! 
I tried to calm myself, said a little prayer, made some more icing, and started to go over what was already there. It started to look half decent but the icing kept falling in between the broken cake pieces on the top layer. That's when I gave up. I did the best that I could and arranged some of my flowers along the crevices. When I brought it into work everyone was amazed at the flowers and didn't even notice the cake which made me feel a little better but I still personally think the cake looks like *!?&. The pic is in my gallery and it's the first one called Floral Birthday cake.
If you did read this, thank you so much for letting me vent.
My first thought was how warm was that cake when you were trying to save it with your stomach?!!
I would say that in the circumstances you earned your CC medal of honour for perserverance whilst being unwell and probably too tired to think straight
- and that's what it's all about, and you still came out with a lovely cake at the end of it all!
So sorry this happened. If it makes you feel any better, we all have had things like this happen to us and have ended up in tears. Where in the world and how in the world did you learn to make flower like that? I did a double-take because I thought they were real at first. Great job!
I know you probably don't want to hear this, but it happens. And it happens to all of us.
It happened to me recently where I was making a big sheet cake and had never done one before. I didn't realize how fragile they are.
Don't worry. It still looks beautiful. And I agree with the other posts, your flowers are stunning.
Alex
I promise, this kind of stuff even happens to the cake "gurus".
It turned out beautiful and that's what matters. Funny how we worry about our broken or cracked cakes when 1 cut with the knife and it's over. All those hours for one split second to be the end of it.
Hope your feeling better and keep up the good work.
Amy
it stinks, but everyone has those types of mishaps, you live through them and you will know what to do for next time, im going to take a look at it now, im sure it looks great!
Thank you all so much I do feel a lot better now, thanks to all of you!
I must admit, I had a lot of help from my Mum with the flowers. I'm only learning and she is a wonderful decorator but no longer practising. We have swapped careers. I was a Beauty Therapist and she was a Cake Decorator, now she is a Beautician and I am trying to be a Cake Decorator!! We're having a lot of fun teaching each other and swapping equipment! 
My mistakes end up being my best creations...... makes me have to really use my brain and get creative!!!!!
Your flowers are awesome and your writing is also great......for all the mishaps .......you did a fantastic job. Your mum is a fantastic teacher!!
as for you swapping careers with your mum......that is so cool!!
Maryak, I am so sorry you went through this! Raising kids is a rocky road at best, love them as we may! 
You made a fantastic recovery on your cake and I don't have enough words for your gorgeous flowers! They are beautiful! You did a nice job on the cake and I hope this finds you feeling much better by now.
Maryak,
What a great save, I absolutely love your flowers, You or your mom should give classes. I know I am far away, but wow, I would make a trip to get some of that knowledge.
I know what you mean about the icing and trying to get it right and then it falls all over or it wont cover or you crumb coat come off and then the crumbs are everywhere. It's so frustrating, but I think you did a good job and it sounds like everyone liked your cake so you are good.
Just keep on practicing, I know I am still a novice at this but I found that if my icing is a little less stiff, I get less crumbs problems and I also get a better look once I use the melvira method.
Good Luck and keep on doing those flowers. WOW!
edited to add:
Kids are kids, they love your cakes I am sure if you asked them they would say your cakes taste like "some more please".
Anyhow that is what the DH says and our kids show it by saying they want my cakes and then not eating the storebought cakes when they go to friends b-days! (another one tonight - I had to take a bite and I wanted to spit it out) The mom did not want to ask me to make the cake since I have 6 days left before delivery. I am tired so I agree.
Oh well, I have had a few close saves, I just hope this was your one and only!
Good Luck on your next cake.
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