wow........I just went through ur gallery....superb....i think your sis is very enivous. She is trying to cut down ur ethusiasm...dont stop making cakes....you are great at it.Keep it going...again..very very beautiful cakes...i love all ur cakes. 
Hi Joanne,
First off I read your post and called my dh in to look at your cakes. He's a pilot and said your airplane cake looks GREAT! And he should know, right? LOL He was as impressed as I am with your work. I even pointed out the thngs you've done that I'm too chicken to try. You have some great cakes here! You can't quit, no way!
You have a very beautifully done cosmetic case and make-up, gumpaste flower (which I haven't tried yet - too chicken), basket weave (which I LOVE),
etc etc. Your sister has jealousy issues going on and that's her problem. You are clearly very talented and you have something you love doing AND have been happy to share with others. And as with anything you'll get even better with practice. Next time she starts in on you about your cakes you need to nip that in the bud. I have 7 sisters and not a one of them would pull something like this on me. Your sister seems to think that she can sling insults disguised as the "honesty" others are TOO NICE to give you? Baloney! You keep on doing your cakes. There are plenty of people out there who'll love to have one of your great cakes. This is as honest as it gets girl, keep doing what you're doing and don't let anyone tell you you're not doing a great job! because you sure are!
please don't give your sister the satisfaction of making her the carrot cake!!!!how dare she say don't decorate it 
man am I glad I don't know her(sorry).scratch that thought......you should make her a birthday cake thats ALL-THAT and more,I think your fondant work is great,make her a pretty cake that'll get steam coming out of her ears 
Well, I can't really add too much to what all has been said here. I just want to say I think your cakes are FAB!! Sending you a BIG HUG. It is hard when people we love hurt us and it is hard to understand adn accept that a loved one intentionally did it but it happens. You are WAY better than I was at a few months in and I still won't attempt another carved cake. The first was a disaster! We all have room to grow and improve and we all see the flaws. Others don't most of the time. I just feel so badly that someone would run you down like that. Again HUGS HUGS and keep at it. You'll only get better and that will show her! 
. 
After giving it some thought...I don't know that I would even suggest buying your sis a cake...she doesn't deserve it...frankly I wouldn't even acknowledge her b-day
Reading back on the thread, and the thing with the carrot cake, I have an idea or two.
I agree 100% with the idea of distancing yourself, but if that isn't possible, how about buying one of those peppridge farm cakes out of the grocery freezer, and stick a carrot in the middle, and and give it to her.
Or perhaps buy her a box of carrot cake mix, a can of frosting, and ask her to show you how to make a "perfect" cake.
Boy, if my sister said something like that to me, then asked me to make an "undecorated" cake, I would tell her to go to H E double hockey sticks!
Sorry, had to vent. I am just so floored that she would even have the audacity to then ask you for a cake.
BTW - I loved the airplane cake! Mind if I steel your idea sometime? (or at least try)
Sorry to hear about your sister and what she said. Life is hard enough without having to listen to stuff like that and it's even harder/worse coming from someone who is supposed to love and support you.
She wasn't being honest, she was trying to hurt you. And I think she mentioned the carrot cake plain, just as a way to say it to you. Buy her a costco cake and just smile and say well, I wanted to make sure you got what you liked.
You will get another order, another paying customer just wait and see. : ) Your cakes are great. And your sister will eventually make another nasty comment. If she does just shrug and say... well people keep coming to me and wanting to give me money for my cakes. (and walk away, end of discussion)
That will surely get her goat. If she follows you just tell her you already heard her opinion about it all. (don't be upset, just say it matter of fact and that will get her even more)
Some people are like poison to our well being. Even family. Just because you have self doubt in your head and she says the same thing doesn't make it truthful. Remember that. : )
next time that voice starts up you nip it in the bud. Even if it's something as simple as "I am getting better with ever cake I do" or whatever saying you want to create. Tell it to yourself whenever that doubt starts up. It works. You have to change that tape recording in your head from something negative to something positive.
I am just as bad as anyone when it comes to self doubt but I have gotten much better at shutting that little voice up as I have gotten older. Basically what I end up thinking is this: I have the rest of my life to become the next Collette Peters. I am praciticing and doing pretty good and every cake I do am getting better. I have already come so far so fast I am amazed. Think where I will be in another 5 years, 10 years.
I saw a drawing done by Pablo Picasso when he was just starting out. He couldn't draw worth a darn but he kept practicing and look where it finally got him. If he had listed to all those who said to give it up it would have been a pity.
And she no longer gets cake from you. End of story. Not even her kids if she has any. Even though you will feel bad if her kids ask you and you say no, it will not end well if you do a cake for them/her. she will never thank you or tell you you did a good job. It's just not going to come from her. Do not expect it to. She is incapable of a compliment I bet. (or at least one that isn't backhanded)
Dig in your heels girl, get mad and keep doing the things you like because you like them. Not because it pleases or displeases any one else. If you enjoy it then keep going. But don't let your sis load you up with self doubt and a heaping helping of heartache. life is too short.
Find what makes you happy. : )
Im glad you have decided against quiting, because I too think that you have done a great job on the cakes that you have posted. I think you know that too. and that a part of you just needed to hear that from others, especially after your sister said those awful things. There are always going to be critics that we will all have to deal with in life no matter what we are doing, and there may always be things that we want to change about our cakes. Please don't let the words of others make your decisions on what you want to do. If you like baking and decorating cakes then bake and decorate, but don't quit over something stupid or say you are going to quit even. I think that it makes you seem like you are fishing for compliments. Again I will say I think your cakes are greatand you deserve compliments so don't quit.
Ok, I am SO mad that I HAVE to reply to this!!
YOUR ARE VERY TALENTED AND YOUR CAKES ARE FAR BETTER than "only doing this for a few months"
You MUST change the tape that is playing in your head-replace it with ANYTHING positive. Think carefully-has your sister EVER been supportive of anything you have been good at?? NO! In my opinion she is destructive to you and you should seriously limit your contact with her-be too busy. Family doesn't mean you swallow anything they say as gospel-she has some other motives! You are so good and you love it. Keep selling!!!!
Joanne,
All I know right now is that you could probably use a hug and a shoulder to cry on. It's a shame that there is chaos amongst your family. 
Nothing hurts more- if it wasn't your cakes, I'm sure it would be something else you love to do. Please don't give up on something that brings your heart joy. You do wonderful work, your creative, and it's obvious you have a passion and a vision for your cakes. Think about the very 1st cake you made..now think about this airplane cake...see the difference? 
I know I can when I look at my 1st and my latest. You can only get better.
From all of us here at CC - here's a hug(((((((((((((((((joanne)))))))))))))))))))))) for ya!! Now get back to the drawing paper and design another beautiful cake!
BTW----NO ONE deserves a cake when they hurt your heart.
Joanne,
I have to agree with everyone else and say that your sister is most likely jealous of you. It's a shame she is taking that jealousy out on you in such a mean and venemous way.
Please don't stop doing what you love. Your cakes are beautiful! I think we all question ourselves and our abilities sometimes. I certainly do. When I do question myself, I think about the ppl who keep coming back for more - and paying for it- and that makes me feel better
If ppl didn't like your cakes, they wouldn't eat the free ones, wouldnt ask you to make more and certainly wouldn't pay for them. I'm sorry your sister is not supportive of you. Please consider finding support for your hobby within other members of your family and friends and of course here at CC!! !
Next time tell her what my mom always told me.."If ya can't say something nice, don't say anything at all!" -you can throw some profanities in there if it makes you feel better!!
SMILE!!
Amy
Girl, your cakes are GREAT! I don't just post in threads to "be nice", I looked at your photos and like everyone else, I was surprised after your description at what I saw. Your airplane cake is WAYYYYYYYY cute, and I loved Sylvester, and the makeup case...and your cakes are all great! Nobody can be a Colette Peters after a year or two...I'm dying to be Colette too but I have a super long way to go. I'm rarely satisfied with my work. I don't suppose anyone who really loves their craft is ever completely satisfied, they are always reaching to improve.
Your sister indeed sounds like she is jealous of the attention your cakes get. I will admit, having a cool cake gets the decorator ALOT of attention at a party. The fact she wanted an undecorated cake from you also points towards the jealousy factor.
Don't let one person discourage you from making cakes! Some people just can't handle it when someone else gets extra attention. Your cakes are gonna look like Colette Peters if you ignore your sisters and practice for several more years. You have tons of talent and I will say that nobody here is just "being nice" but its all truth.
Keep it up!
It sounds like you don't come from a very uplifting family. They seem to have very low self esteem and try to keep others as low as they feel. I was expecting to see some basic beginner cakes in your photos but they were very good. It sounds like your sister would say mean things no matter what the cakes looked or tasted like. I can understand where you're coming from though. My husband almost never gives compliments. He's a wonderful husband but I would work on a cake for days and then ask him how it looked and all he would say was "cakey". It made me want to smash the cake. Despite all the nice compliments I recieved from others his was the one I wanted. I actually gave up cake decorating for several months. It drove me crazy not to have that outlet. I finally decided I wanted to do it for me even if it meant I ended up throwing cakes away. If you want a break from cake decorating for a while then you should take it. but don't sell your stuff because you'll regret it. And you can become a "colette Peters". I still have dreams for that for myself. Keep decorating and enjoy it.
I just can't get over your sister, my sisters think I am a cake decorating HERO and I wish I had cakes in my photos that even come close to YOURS! I am with everyone else, she is jealous plain and simple. Your airplane cake and cupcakes are so so cute...and I mean that sincerely, I would proudly display them for my son's b-day.
About the things that YOU have said about yourself...we all do that, we all notice every flaw....but non cake decorators usually dont notice, if you really doubt yourself go walk through the grocery store cakes (which I used to think were all perfect) I am amazed at the imperfections I see (and thrilled that there is still hope for me)......I recently looked back at my wedding cake (which a home cake decorator made--way before I was interested in cake decorating) and I remembered it being so perfect and my family talked about it for a long time about how it was the most beautiful wedding cake they had ever seen....and I can see little mistakes in it now.....but never did I notice them back then (and obviously neither did all my relatives)!
The point in this rather long ramble, do what you love, ignore the jealous ones (trust the folks who have no reason to lie to you)...but most of all...have fun.
OK, I haven't read all the responses on this post, but I have to know....Is your sister crazy??? 
Seriously! You've only been doing this a couple months??? Your cakes are awesome!! That's just down right mean. Definately don't stop making cakes because your sister has lost her mind.
OMG!!! don't give up your cakes are wonderful my DH was looking with me and says you must have a jeleous sister. Please ingore what she said about your cakes. You also said your not an artist me either but I do it with my cakes sometimes I have to stand back and think did I really do that once its finished. I always hate my cakes until they are done. Please PLease keep going you have some talent here and it will only get better have some fun for yourself and don't worry about anyone else. I had just logged out and just had to respond to this so I'm logged back on again. When you need a boost just talk to us on CC. Maybe you should ask her to make one lol.
I am new a this cake decorating world and I know that I have had some cakes that I felt unsure about and they got rave reviews. Sometimes in life the folks that are closest to you are the harshest critics. Did she do this to you to make you try even harder or is she a little jealous and looking at how great you are.....I could see how she would want to be so talented, too!!! Keep on creating those beautiful edible works of art.
I haven't read all the responses to your post but omg! I think your sister is very jealous and only wants to lower your self esteem! Your cakes are awesome! (I even have a few in my favs!) DO NOT GIVE UP! Do not ask her for advice on your cakes b/c she obviously doesn't know what she's talking about. Is she Always this negative???
Keep baking and decorating b/c you are good!
I wish I was half as good as you!!!
You're cakes are WAY better than any ones I've made and I still stick mine out there to be seen!!!!
Your sister reminds me of the wicked stepsisters in Cinderella. How dare she make comments like that!! 
Did she eat any??? Next time she opens her mouth, shove your awesome cake in her filthy "cake hole" Families should be supportive of anything. My family thinks I have talent, and I'm usually quite disappointed in my work...
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
JoAnne,
You have already gotten a lot of replies but I had to jump in.
1. If you saw your cakes with someone else's name on them you would probably think they were really good (which they are).
2. We always concentrate on every little flaw in our own work. I have come to realize that people that ask us to make cakes for them are looking at the overall look of the cake and they do not notice the little imperfections. Besides our cakes are homemade and individually decorated just for them.
3. Cakes for different occassions need different looks. If I am making a childs cake then I think it is fine to have plastic toys, etc. on it. The kids love to get a toy as well as a cake! If it is for an anniversary then something more formal would be appropriate and you have done that in your cakes.
4. The most important part is If you enjoy what you are doing keep doing it. People will appreciate your work and you will get calls back for additional cakes.
5. You should have confidence in yourself and ignore the people that tell you otherwise.
6. Last but not least, I would try not to make a cake for your sister. Either buy one or have your other sister make one. I love the idea of sticking a carrot in the middle of a plain cake but that would be stooping to her level and that would probably not be good in the long run.
Ignore her and she will get tired of trying to tell you what to do and what not to do.
DECORATE ON!!!
Cindy
Joanne,
There really is nothing more to say that already has not been said. Everyone now is basically just trying to give you love and support. I'm not going to bash your sister any further (even though I SOOOO want to.
I can tell from your posts that you really love your sister, but honey let me tell you, those you love the most can also hurt you the most. I'm not going to say just brush yourself off, start back baking, etc, etc. I am going to say to try and look to yourself for self gratification. Your sister sees what everyone of us sees. She sees your beautiful work and maybe wishes she could do the same. She must be hurting pretty bad herself to want to purposely hurt you like that. I can't fathom being hurt like that by one of my family members, or vice versa.
I, myself, am far from greatness. Everytime I do a cake I get the "bubble guts". I don't know why, but I guess becoming satisfied with all your work comes in time. Just do what it takes to make your own self happy. Try to take some of the power you have given to your sister and use it to go forward.
Cassandra
Please DO NOT stop making cakes. We have all done alot worse than you have! Most won't post it. Look up the worst cake post and you will find some that were the best someone could do for their skill level at that time. I see nothing truley wrong with your cake. Everyone could always make something better and it will always be that way. You may think you are not artistic but anyone who does this is a true artist at heart. Hold your head up high and say screw them B's they have nothing better in their life to do then to gossip about things they know nothing of . As for your sister it seems like you two are teenagers again and she is jealous of your attention 
. My older sister and took class together and her and I point out my mistakes all the time but hers is coming from understanding this art where your sis was just trying to take you down. She might be a great person but jealousy does ugly things to relationships. I say continue on soldier! There is a battle to be won against negativity and I think round one goes to you! Best of luck and stay strong!
Do NOT give up decorating cakes just because your sister is obviously jealous of your talent and the attention you are getting. Some people make themselves feel better by putting down others.
Family can be the biggest NON-SUPPORTERS of any of us sometimes. I know my family sure hasn't supported me.
If it makes you feel better, I have a cousin who called me after she found out I was taking the wilton classes, and told me that SHE too would be taking them, and wanted to 'warn' me that she was going to open her own business. I also have a brother that called me to ask if I could make his daughter a cake for her 1st b-day. The very next day, his wife calls and says they want a 'good' cake and she purchased one from the bakery that morning.
Don't let her get you down. You do really good work, especially for a beginner. And from one beginner to another, hang in there, keep your chin up, and keep on baking!
JoAnne, your cakes are fabulous girl! Please don't give up. I can't believe your sister told you to make her a cake but don't decorate it! WTH is that? I wouldn't be making anything at all for her ever again.
I'm very new at decorating too, only a few weeks. I've had those same thoughts going through my head at times. But I've realized this is my passion and I'm going to do it no matter what anyone thinks of my work. My sister calls me a "geek" for decorating cakes. I don't really know what cake decorating has to do with being a geek but, whatever. I don't listen to her. I just think, "yeah, we'll see who's laughing when I'm getting paid hundreds of dollars for doing a wedding cake!"
Oh, by the way, I've saved some of your cake pictures for future reference for when I want to make that type of design. I hope you don't mind
Keep decorating JoAnne!
I don't know if it's jealousy, or just family dynamics. With me, it's my mother. She always has something critical to say about my cakes (as well as everything else I do). She's watched me decorate cakes and made comments that I should do this or not do that, blah, blah, blah. It does hurt, especially when you doubt yourself, which we all do at times.
Does your sister do you that way about other things as well? Don't let her steal your joy in making cakes. You do good work, girl!! And I bet the people you made the airplane cake for were very happy with it!! I think it's just a cute as can be!!
Hang in there and try to turn a deaf ear to her. Don't give up something you enjoy because of someone else - even family!!!
OK CC members--
Let's all send JoanneK's sister a picture of a cake we have done and let her critique them. I mean seeing how she is such an AUTHORITY on the art of Cake Decorating.
JoanneK--you tell her all your FRIENDS at CC that REALLY care about you wanted to wish her a "Happy B****day" and hand her our pictures.
Heck--I can only wish I was 1/4 good as Colette Peters. I wish I had some of my first photos when I started doing cakes 20+ years ago.
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%