Well, tonight I realized that I just cannot do major sculpted cakes. If I have instructions (with pictures, of course) I'm okay. But trying to sculpt a cake with only a picture of the real thing, it does not work. 
I tried to make my hubby a Z06 corvette and it ended up looking like a very bad Lighting McQueen from Cars. I also tried doing a leopard earlier this year for my niece and failded miserably at that too. I guess I just have to stick to simple sculptures and "normal" cakes. 
I really wanted to be be able to sculpt, but I just don't "get it". Thanks for letting me have a pity party for myself... 
I'm sorry, Missy. But the cakes you do are so awesome! Don't give up! I'm not artsy enough for sculpting on a grand scale myself. I just think it takes practice, practice, practice. (something I'm not too good at - just want that instant gratification). I really like the cakes in your photos.
Have you tried going to the library for some simple wood carving books? I used to do a lot of wood carving, and I find sculpting a cake isn't too different. 
I really adore that crown cake in your photos.
Deanna
practice, practice, practice.
Why need a reason to bake a cake? if your family and friends like cake, bake and sculpt one for the heck of it, and then let them eat it.
Theresa 
Sorry you had problems. I love sculpting. When I use a picture I usually scan it and then enlarge or reduce to get one that fits the size cake to print and use as a pattern. I toothpick the pattern to the cake and carve like you would trace only the knife is the pencil. Not sure this makes sense. I also make sure I allow myself plenty of time with no distractions. That is how I carved the Wiggles Big red car in my photos.
I know how you feel, Missy. It can be hard when you start out. Here are a few things I did when I first started. The wood carving book suggestion from TooMuchCake is a good one... I actually looked it up on the internet and it really was a big help. I also got some sculpting clay and sculpted mini versions of what I was going to sculpt in cake. That really helped me with proportions. Whenever possible I buy or get pictures of a 3 dimensional version of what I'll be sculpting. All of these things help you get the hang of sculpting and help build your confidence. Another tip I learned from watching Ace Of Cakes is to use rice crispy treats for difficult parts that just won't hold up in cake.
HTH
No, no, no you have to keep it up! Your cakes are awesome! I find that cars are hard for me to do as well.
I am not a sculpting pro but I do a fair amt of 3D cakes (I usually try to find cake pans in certain shapes to help out) but the main thing I do is when I look at a picture, try to break it down into basic shapes. For instance if you have to do a truck cake.... try to mentally break it down into squares and rectangles...and then put those shapes together and then round the parts that need rounding.
Not sure if that makes sense...but your cakes are GREAT, keep it up!
Oh my gosh! Thank you all for the kind words of encourgement and inspiration!
I never thought of looking in woodworking books--what a great idea!
With this particular cake, I WAS going to print out a template, but wanted to do it at work and completely forgot--I think that would have helped me.
All the tips and suggestions are great and thank you so much for sharing. I know I tell my students to practice all the time, but hmmmm, for me, I can't do it--I wan't it now, ya know!! 
But, in all seriousness, I do have limited time to actually play around, but I will have to make some--this is something that I really want to do.
Thank you all again! You're the best!
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