My son HAD to have this cake for his 5th birthday tomorrow (from the Debbie Brown "Cartoon Cakes" book). I have never worked with fondant before, except for the occasional accect I would add to my buttercream cakes. Never again!! What a pain in the butt!!! I don't know how those of you who always work with fondant do it! Good thing you can't see the back of Tom's head. I mean, I consider myself pretty good with buttercream. I'm not a professional, but for a hobby I don't think I'm that bad. Boy did this cake crush my ego. I thought it would be fun, and give me some experience, but honestly I don't think I will ever use fondant again. (Except like I said for adding accents). Kuddos to those of you who do such an excellent job! I have a new respect for you! Anyway, enough rambling, and here is the finished product....

I think you did a terrific job.

i agree, its cute as he#*, dont give up, remember how "perfect" your first buttercream cake was??

I think it looks great!!! don't be so hard on yourself!!

I think it's an adorable cake! I think you did a great job for your first fondant cake.

I think it looks great!!! Don't sell yourself short. We all have to start somewhere. Personally, I don't have any experience with fondant and am not sure I care too!!

That is really awesome!! I can't believe that is your 1st fondant cake!

Oh my gosh!! What a beautiful job!!! You should have seen my first attempt at a fondant cake. What a joke that was!! All-in-all my three year old loved it!! I swear I will never do another fondant cake, but like yourself, just use the stuff for accents. Besides, fondant tastes gross!!!

Awesome job on the cake! It looks GREAT! And I agree, fondant is hard to work with, but I am sure that the more you use it, the easier it gets. You know what to anticipate, etc. I've only used it a handful of times, but some parts of it get easier...

awww....that's cute....and I aught to know, since Tom & Jerry has always been my favorite cartoon!!!

now if that is your FIRST cake....let's see...with practice -- yes more fondant cakes -- you'll soon be giving DebbieB a run for her money.

YDG!!!! don't be hard on yourself!

Thanks for all the words of encouragement. I guess I just thought it would be better. Like I said, thank goodness you can't see the back. I made MMF and added gumtex to it to make Jerry, and I really had fun doing that. I did it a few nights ago. Seems like when I added the gumtex it was a little easier to work with, but I didn't want the rest of it to be that hard, so I just used plain MMF for Tom. My son hasn't seen it yet, so I guess that will be the true test!!

Im the other way around. l dont know how all you buttercream experts do it! l find fondant much easier. l guess its what you start cake decorating with. By the way, your cake looks great!

I just started working with fondant and I have to say I love it! Not only do I like the presentation it gives but I enjoy working on custom cakes alot more then the basic buttercream ones.. Oh and thanks to Americolor, mixing colors no more hassle! I think your cake is very creative, as always one your first experiences we always see how we can improve. With this being your first, your improvement can only mean excellence! good job!

Your cake looks great

Are you kidding?? You did a terrific job!!!!! I bet your son will be so thrilled with his cake!

I'll bet you've gotten frustrated with BC before, so consider this no different. It gets so much more fun the more you do it, don't give up! You have a lot of talent and it shows in this cake.

I think you did a great job! I wish I could do such a good job. Your cake is darling. Don't stop using fondant. You are already a pro at it.

Joanne

Well, my son came home and asked if I was done with the cake. I showed it to him on the table, and he was so excited. He said "That's awesome mom! It's really nice!". I guess that's what matters.

That is totally what matters! That's the reason I started doing cakes in the first place. : ) I think you did a great job. You shouldn't give up on fondant, there is a first time for everything and you really will eventually feel comfortable with it. It just has a learning curve (like everything else, LOL). : )

Your cake is awesome! I'm glad your son loves it, and I can see why he does

Looks great! I am new to fondant and its not as easy as everyone else on cc makes it look! lol! It just seems so time consuming when you are just starting on it...frustrating, but I am impressed by this cake, especially for being your first time!

I want it. I just made a cake this weekend and used mmf for the first time and I could barely make a traffic cone, THIS is awesome!