I guess I should introduce myself...my name is Cheri. I live in KY, I am a Database Admin among many other technical positions..(read BIG GEEK). I have 3 children (Tyler 11, Brenan 6, and Hayley 4). Oh, I'm 33...LOL
I LOVE to bake, and I've been interested in learning to decorate for YEARS. Does everyone start off feeling so....I don't know...inadequate at this? I can bake really awesome layers..nice and level....make good icing....but OMG...I just get lost doing some of what seems to be "simple" things. I tried using my nice new "Wilton Cake Leveler" lastnight for the first time...and it was a mess! It just seemed like the wire didn't want to pierce the side of my layer....I thought this would at least be something I "could" do.... 
I resorted to my nice sharp big knife....
Getting the filling in without it bulging...I've got that down. But making roses.....uggghhhhh
Any advice for a total beginner???? And please ignore my ignorance as you get to know me.....LOL There are so many absolute ARTISTS on this site....I'm very impressed and intimidate....lol
Hi Cheri! It can be very intimidating, especially when you see what some of the people on here can do!!!
I just go ahead and try and usually make mistakes, but that is how you get better.
I can't make a rose to save my life - they look pitiful. I finally started taking the Wilton decorating class at Michael's just to learn how to do that. My first class was last night and it was really fun (and the instructor promises she can help me figure out what I am doing wrong with the roses-yeah!).
I find I can't use the small wire cake leveler very well either. It does help to make a cut with your knife first (the side of the cake can be tough) and then start sawing back and forth with the wire. A friend gave me her large leveler with the serrated blade and it is so much easier for me to use.
Keep trying and have fun - you will learn a lot just reading posts on here!
~Julie
WELCOME! Well the first thing I can say is you came to the right place. I am also self taught (to an extent) never took a real class. But the people here have done WONDERS to help me. I did purchase 2 videos one was wilton how to do make flowers. and the other was a nicolas lodge on gumpaste roses. It is a learning process that for me was trial and error.
Good luck and remember ask lots of questions. Thats how we learn!
Hello Cheri, and welcome to Cake Central. Girl you have come to the right place. The people on here are awesome when it comes to advice and needing help. I'm sure everyone on here including myself has felt.... well inadequate at times. You can look at what you do and look at some of the beautiful cakes on here and say OMG what have I gotten myself into, but all you can do is practice and practice. No one will ever give you any discouraging advice on here. It's kinda like one big cake decorating family. And oh yea, be prepared to be totally addicted to this site. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.
Tonya 
From one KY gal to another ~ welcome!
You are fortunate to have found this place so early in your cake decorating beginnings. Stick around and you'll learn LOTS of great info! I have had many moments of feeling inadequate. I've been doing this for 3 years now and still feel inadequate at times. It just makes me want to keep striving to better my skills.
The large serated leveler is great for torting cakes but there are lots of tricks for leveling them.
Preheat your oven to 350. Fill your pan 3/4 full of batter. Then before you put it in the oven turn your oven down to 325 and bake at that temp. When it's done, take it out of the oven, put a paper towel on top of the cake, then put a large cutting board (or something heavy like a Pampered Chef stone) and let it sit for 10 minutes. When it's time to remove your cake from the pan, remove the heavy objects and paper towel, lay Saran Wrap on top of the cake, flip it out of the pan, and finish completely wrapping it in Saran Wrap. You will have a very level and very moist cake 
Hello, I am also new to the cake world. I can't do flowers either. I did find that I could do other things that made me feel better about what little skills I do have. Simple cakes like the hamburger and shaggy dog. Simple cakes that seem to impress people ( where I live anyway.) Don't give up, you are not alone.
Welcome.....And I agree with everyone else, you have definetly come to the right place. I am totally self taught and have been at this for less than two years. I have learned and picked up so much from this site. I now sell out of my home and hope to get a shop soon. As for that wilton leveler.....I can't use that for the life of me!!!! And I can't make a buttercream flower at all!!!! I am horrible. 
Welcome to Cake Central (better known as your new addiction!) 
I know the story of intimidation well -- often I look at my work and the work done by various artists on this site and feel soooo inadequate! 
But then I get over it, write the person and ask how they did this or that and you know -- I almost always receive a response!! This is a fun and very helpful site -- anything you want to know, just ask!! Tips -- the biggest tip I can give you is practice, practice, practice!!! And HAVE FUN -- after all, it's only sugar!!
Welcome to CC. I have learned alot by reading the threads on here. In my opinion the first thing you need to do with that Wilton small leveler is pitch it out the door or put it in your next yard sale. I just use a knife. As for making roses, practice, practice, practice. I still don't make the best ones in the world, but I'm still practicing!!!
As previously stated, ask questions. Someone on here will know the answer or do their darndest to find an answer. Good Luck!!
Diane
As for that wilton leveler.....I can't use that for the life of me!!!! And I can't make a buttercream flower at all!!!! I am horrible.
See? Now THIS makes me feel MUCH better! LMBO You guys seem so welcoming...thank you for all of your nice comments. I think I'm going to like it here.
Welcome Cheri! My name is Cathy and I join the rest in welcoming you to CC! I'm fairly new to all this, too, but have learned so much in just the short time that I've been here. You will always find someone that is willing to help or give an idea... just ask! No question is ever too silly. 
Happy Baking!!
Welcome Cheri !!! You definetly have come to the right place!!! All levels here!! as for the leveler....i sometimes score the edge with a knife first to get the wire started when the cake skin is too baked.
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%