*cues music*
This week on 'As the Cakes Turn'....
Has the evil stepmother finally decided to swallow her pride along with her foot that she put in her mouth, or will she continue to look down on Princess AuntieElle with disdain, snubbing her talented cake gifts?
Stay tuned for this week's episode entitled.....Kill her!....with kindness......
This is better than soaps! I agree with the whole 'flies and honey', don't get sucked into her rudeness 
*cues music*
This week on 'As the Cakes Turn'....
Has the evil stepmother finally decided to swallow her pride along with her foot that she put in her mouth, or will she continue to look down on Princess AuntieElle with disdain, snubbing her talented cake gifts?
Stay tuned for this week's episode entitled.....Kill her!....with kindness......
This is better than soaps! I agree with the whole 'flies and honey', don't get sucked into her rudeness
I need the time and channel, please. I am staying tuned for sure. LOL
That is too funny Brickflor! 
A previous poster had good advice on pulling her aside and explaining that you aren't meaning to steal any business.
But in real life, what *I* would probably do is have someone order a cake from her, and get "sick". If she isn't licensed she has no insurance, either.
Okay, okay, I wouldn't really go through with fraud, but it is nice to dream, isn't it?!?!
ooooo that's BAD! I like it ;o).. LOL Dreaming about it won't hurt anyone, it hasn't yet.
There is always room for more people in the business. I have a couple of friends that do cakes on the side as I'm trying to make this my full-time job. I don't feel threatened and think it's wonderful. I plan to call on them in the future if I get more business than I can handle. The same thing may happen to her one day, and she may need your help. You never know! She should really taste your cakes. Sharing recipes is a great thing, and you may have something that her clients would love. It's a shame she's being so catty. Loved your 5-year-old cake!!!
This is my favorite topic this month...too funny!
Of all the crap she's said, the one that sticks in my mind the most is that she is "too busy with her paying customers to bring in freebies"! If I was that busy (and sometimes, I AM!) I definitely wouldn't be trying to drum up any more customers!
I think she really is looking for a confidence boost from your coworkers, she's used to all the cake compliments being thrown her way, and now the new decorator is stealing her attention.
She makes buttercream roses, you said yourself you can't. She hates fondant, I'm guessing she doesn't know how to work with it. I doubt it's the flavor. She may have never even tasted it. A lot of people never even try it, because they've heard someone else hated the taste. I've had a lot of fondant-converts, just by letting them taste the Satin Ice (or FONDX, no longer available in my area).
It just seems like such a waste to me that while 2 TALENTED decorators could share their skills with each other, she is just using the time to focus on being petty!?! Sad really...
sounds like she just wanted to be noticed and feel important.
This lady being a 
in front of all your co-workers isn't going to get her any business. I'm sure they all see how petty and jealous she is being. That right there would turn me off from ordering a cake from her.
I can see it right now....
Somebody asks you for a cake, you say I'm sorry I only bake as a hobby. Why don't you go ask ? Nah, she doesn't make cakes with fondant and I really wanted fondant 
Karmaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
make a mini wedding cake next week
Something from a magazine or a book, so when she disses it you could say..."wow I am surprised to hear that you think this is so bad, I'll be sure to let Collette (or who ever you borrowed the design from) know that you think she is an amature"
OK heres my take- I might take a different approach. I would pull her aside and say " Hey ____ I hope your not upset that I am bringing cakes it. I know you have a business and I just like baking and certainly wouldnt want to leave all this cake at home. I hope you dont feel that I am trying to steal business from you, I dont want to go into the business and dont sell my cakes. Your portfolio is beautiful and you are clearly talented. Maybe we can exchange ideas sometime."
What is she going to say? Nothing. You boosted her ego (which obviously needs attention) and you removed the threat that she feels and perhaps she will then stop the nasty comments and grow up a little.
Kim
This is a great suggestion. Her comments and actions were uncalled for, but being so comfortable in your skin, a comment like this from you would probably work out great.
Boy...some of you are . 
sounds like she just wanted to be noticed and feel important.
Everyone wants their own niche to fit into. She may feel like and just about said "you are in her turf".
Now, we are not dogs so this technically isn't the same but she feels the need to "protect" her future business due to you use fondant she doesn't. You offer something she can't or won't.
But, you should pull her aside and point out that makes it great for both! You can refer the die hard b/c rose fanatics to her and she can shoo her fondant people your way! 
No threats or being reported or snide remarks....or shove this in your face cakes.<as funny and bad as they maybe to do.> 
She just needs to be reassured she still has business chances and if she wants then take them, but drop the cake snobbery because she is robbing herself of future business by DOING THAT!
make a mini wedding cake next week
Something from a magazine or a book, so when she disses it you could say..."wow I am surprised to hear that you think this is so bad, I'll be sure to let Collette (or who ever you borrowed the design from) know that you think she is an amature"
First off your cake was very pretty!!
She just leaves the room. If she keeps this up too much longer I'm going to call her on it. I really hate that she can't enjoy and share this with me but I'm not gonna beg anyone for anything!
It could be that the first time you brought a cake she was surprised and instantly felt threatened because you might get some business she was hoping for. I agree that her fondant comments were out of line since everyone needs to make their own calls on taste.
Sounds like she just wanted to be noticed and feel important.
Who doesn't want that to some extent? I personally don't like or need to be the center of attention but it does make one feel good about his/her self to be recognized for something special. I don't know her particular situation but maybe doing cakes was what made her feel a little bit special.
She shouldn't begrudge you your little bit joy in being appreciated for your goodies but if she's insecure she may not be able to express herself in a positive way. Most of us have found ourselves in situations where we think "better her than me" so it's nice when we can remember this and consider their feelings too. When it comes to nastiness we rarely gain anything from giving the same as we get.
I can't help but wonder how your co-workers are being about all of this. I can understand them looking forward to the next yummy free treat (I used to bring baked goodies to work all the time) but do they look forward to it to see how this woman is going to react? If she's hearing or hearing about comments people are making about her, and you KNOW comments get back to the person they are about because you've been told what she said about you, then I'm surprised she even comes to the break room or wherever your co-workers gather. When I was going thru a very difficult time years ago I ate my lunch on the loading dock to avoid sitting in a room with my co-workers, because it was so hard for me to hold myself together.
Sometimes people start themselves off on the wrong foot and then can't find the way or strength to recover and save face so they just don't try. Also if they feel that others are laughing at them it becomes even more impossible. If it were me I would approach make this woman with a small personal cake (I love doing 6" personal cakes, even a single layer one I had in the freezer) and take it to her one to one, not telling anyone I'm doing it, and just talk to her. Let her know I'm just getting back to a hobby I love and I'm not after business at work. After that I think I might back off from bringing a cake every week and maybe she'd feel like bringing one to share.
You sound like a very thoughtful person. I am sure you can put yourself in this woman's shoes and imagine how it would feel. My office is right off our staff break room and I've heard how some people talk about the ones who aren't there. I often times shut my door during breaks so I don't have to hear their conversations. I also started to take my treats to the front office because they went so fast in the break room that not everyone got a piece. To some it was a real treat and others it was just more free food. This didn't work well when I was trying out recipes etc and wanted opinions.
All of this to say it'd be a shame if you missed the opportunity to have a mad cake buddy just because you didn't take the time for the two of you to talk about all this. I had a crazy cake buddy just in the next community but she was tragically killed this spring. I sure miss her. I hope to find another one of these days but it will never be the same. There are all kinds of opportunities out there to influence others with our joy and joys in our life. Usually people who seem to suck the joy out of a situation are the ones who need that influence most. Good luck with your situation. I'll be thinking of you.
Sincerely,
Carol
as for the suggestion she take the woman aside and assure her she wasn't intruding on an area this woman already has been on herself- the oringal poster has already said she's done so w/o any success or relenting in the situation.
well she tried.. and other then stopping the cakes coming in there's nothing else she can do. dont bend over and kiss the *ahem* hem of her skirt 
She was definately threatened by you being able to make cakes like that. Some people don't use fondant - it's not too much of a beginner thing. So the fact that you used it made her feel like you DID know a thing or two about making cakes. She might not be able to use fondant b/c maybe it is too difficult for her or she is too intimidated etc so she wanted to 'ruin' the image of fondant to your co-workers b/c she is selling them 'non-fondant' cakes and here you come with this perfect fondant covered cake! Then she comes in with pictures? OMG! She is SO threatened she is trying to compete with you now! There are too many ppl like her unfortunately. Don't give her the time of day! Continue to impress your co-workers with what you bring. If they come to you for cakes and not her - hey well she doesn't do fondant remember? You're not stealing business, a customer just wants something she doen't offer! LOL!!!
I'm not saying kiss the cook, or baker this time.
Just that maybe what I said is similar to what the mad baker is feeling. So if she has tried to explain and I missed it sorry.
But being the bigger person always pays off in the end. That was the shortened summation of what I meant by my post.
Paris mom....I could eat your icon right now....with my coffee. YUM! I love sprinkles and I don't know why? They make everything better 
Congrats on losing all the baby weight. You are a super mom!
Ok...just had to get that all out...back to our regular scheduled program.
Forgive me for being blunt but the woman is being a spoiled brat....much like my 6 year old does when any other sibling attempts to draw a picture or color. My 6 year old is the self-proclaimed artist of the family and God help you if you try and pi$$ in her neck of the woods! 
I nipped this in the bud immediately........ no way in he!! did I have her sisters make her a 'special picture and appologize for upsetting her and reassure her that she wasn't trying to compete' yada, yada, yada!!
Yes, I realize the situation is somewhat different but this lady is (presumably) a grown woman and quite frankly, without some healthy competition, our economy would suffer...... monopolies form - consumers are bent over the barrell, so to speak. Making a special cake for her to smooth her ruffled feathers is merely reinforcing her bad behavior and why should the OP have to kiss up like that? I wouldn't do it......nor would I try to pick a fight or antagonize her but NO WAY would I be wasting time with someone like that. The OP knows she doesn't like her (sorry, but she sounds like a heathen) and probably never will.... I don't see a genuine possibility of them being cake buddies and quite frankly, who would want to be?
So in summary you are all sooooooo much nicer then I am. Ignore her, do your cakes as you normally would and don't wait for any reaction from her because is sounds as if monkeys will fly thru a blustery & snowing day in he!! before the woman will pay you a compliment.
**** Please note, I have not had coffee yet so if I seem particularly........ ornery , that is why!
Paris mom....I could eat your icon right now....with my coffee. YUM! I love sprinkles and I don't know why? They make everything better
Congrats on losing all the baby weight. You are a super mom!
Ok...just had to get that all out...back to our regular scheduled program.
I second that.... I want some too!!
And congrats on the baby weight, super mom indeed!
OK, back to the soap....
When my son was little, he would often ask me "Why is (insert name) so mean?"
I told him that we never know what happens to those people when they are not around us. Bullies become bullies because someone else probably bullied them. And then they feel so bad about themselves, and so insecure, that they feel they need to make other people feel bad in order to feel better about themselves.
It doesn't matter how old or how young a bully is. Seems like when they get older, they can't intimidate people so much, so they become passive-aggressive, saying mean things behind someone's back. It's still bullying behavior imho
I have known a lot of bullies in my life, but as an adult, I mostly see them as the person who wants to be the first to tell you bad news, or the one who says awful things behind someone's back. They never say anything nice about anyone. They like being the center of attention. And negative attention is better than no attention at all for these people. I think bullies are born out of being neglected, too. Jealousy is very powerful. jmho, of course
I feel sorry for the mean co-worker in this thread, which is why I suggested "killing her with kindness." It always seems like the least lovable people are the ones who need love the most.
Okay. . . I went to work today in the best mood possible. Keep in mind that I am in the office maybe 2-3 days a week for 2-3 hours as I have a "virtual" position. I spend the rest of my days working from home (which includes surfing CC ) I just pop in to bring cake, ruin "Miss Thang's" day and to attend meetings. Today was an all day affair as we're starting on a new project. . .I made it a point to say good morning to MT and ask how she's doing. I get an eye roll and an okay I guess. I chalked this up to the new project stress. . .So around 10:30 I ask her if she'd like to go to lunch with me today. We can talk cake, exhange ideas, whatever. I did this with the intention to soothe the tension coming from her side I only. I'm not mad, irritated or anything. I am however higly amused that a grown woman, 45 years old, would act this way. She declined and said she'd be working through lunch today and walked off. I went out with my usual lunch crew at which time I am informed (a new co-worker) that she doesn't need any pointers from me, she's been a professional in this business for 20 years and doesn't think I have a thing to offer her as I am not on the same "level" in decorating that she is and that anyone can mold something out of "Playdough".Come to find out. . .She thinks that I am silently attempting to build a client base by stealing her "potential" clients and open a shop. The woman who told me this is also friends with MT and was not trying to escalate the issue but to help me understand why she's acting this way toward me. She also thinks that everythime I bring a cake I am taking a personal jab at her. She went on to say that MT is very insecure. Well, now I have started bringing treats and have stolen her attention AND her daily affirmation. I went on to enjoy my lunch and didn't say anything else about it. So, I get back to the office. . .As soon as I see MT I ask if we can please talk and that it can't wait. I start out the conversation by saying that I am a HOBBY baker and most likely will always be a HOBBY baker. I bring my cakes to work to share with firends because that's what friends do. I like to use neew recipes and ideas and quite frankly my amily gets tired of cake. This is not a competition, if so, she's the only competitor. I have no ill intent just sharing a craft I love. It would be nice if we could happily share the same passion without the mess. her response. . .Okay, is that all you have to say? Then she walked away. Okay so the party goes on. I;m gonna keep the same smile on my face when I present my morsels of sweet goodness and she can kiss ole spot! I'm not going to beg her to play nice.That doesn't mean that I am not going to be civil but I'm not going to stoop! Ciao for now. Friday. . .another cake!
Elle
How sad she has to be such an angry person. 
And how proud a fellow CC'er is the big person in this senario!
PS -- if you start to run out of recipes to try and take to work, I'm sure we can come up with ooodles and ooodles of them!
Elle, you are smooth with your words. I would have been all tounge tied and studdery. I am definatelly proud of you for speaking your mind in such an eloquent way. You are the bigger person in this senario. Good for you.
I don't get why MT has to be so SOUR. With all the cake she makes she ought to be sweet.. ;o)
My mom always tells me to kill em with kindness!
Sounds like you are doing just that . . . .
but on a side note, I would love to see you leave a beautiful mini cake on her desk . . . a special gift from you!
and i love your cake . . . i had admired it before i even read this post!
What a joy MT is missing. I have a friend who we both are newbies and she started cooking when I bought her a cookie bouquet for her newborn son. I think it's great cause now we can swap recipes, try things together and talk about different ways of doing things and if I have been doing it for 20 years I can pretty well be assured that things most certainly do change in 20 years, even cake making (can I get a he!! yeh! LOL) and techniques. Love your cakes AuntieElle. Keep on a bakin those tasty treats. God knows things like that make a work place a little more pleasant.
Good for you. You made the first move and if she chooses to be a bitter hag the let her. She seems like a miserable person. Such a shame for someone to carry that attitude around.
Keep bringing in your cakes. Share them with your friends, who obviously enjoy them and ignore MT. She will eventually get over it. And if she doesnt, who cares, ingore it.
shame on that lady....that is why she is not successful....she is a rotten person....dont' go out of your way....anybody that has to "pull you aside and ask what your intentions are, as far as bringing in cakes" in order to make sure she doesn't lose business...really doesn't even have a business....cause we all know that even if we are busy and have to say no to an order...our customers will still come back...i think her lousey attitude and sour disposition #1 comes out in cakes probley looking "old fashioned" and #2 makes it unpleasant to work with her therefore, not giving her repeat customers and/or referrals!!! making her feel the need to hord potential clients....
you are a terrific decorator with "mad skills" and i am sure your creations are super "mad" tastey!!!! make sure to take pics of all your creations for us to see!!!! just do your deal....and worry about yourself......let her fret over everything in peace all alone!!!!!! hahahahahhahahaha!!!! you go girl!!!!
Wow! That is unbelievable!
I sell cakes and I hope that sometime (hopefully soon) in the future I will take it as a full time job. I take cakes to work when I practice a new design or whatever...BUT I also understand and don't criticize my co-workers when they go to the supermarket and buy a cake from there as well.
WHO CARES!
I think my 9 year old sister is more mature than she is.
Oh well...
Take it with a grain of salt and keep bringing those cakes!
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