Bday Cake: Limited Time, Materials - Help!!
Decorating By megzilla Updated 13 Oct 2006 , 10:38pm by megzilla
Hi All - I read forums all the time but have never posted. Hoping someone can help.
I have had a SERIOUS creative block regarding a birthday cake that is due this weekend. What's worse is that we have had some circumstances come up that put a strain on our family budget, so I have to work with what I have (not much!).
I haven't made many cakes, but usually I bake them several days ahead of time and freeze them. I don't thaw and decorate until just before the event (either late the night before or early that day). I use crusting buttercream frosting and have limited experience with fondant (mostly for ribbons).
The cake is for my future mother-in-law, and I really want to impress her! I'm sure she'll love whatever I do, but I want to make it really special. It is currently 11:35pm on Thursday night and the cake is due Saturday afternoon at 3pm. 
There are about 15-20 people expected at the party. Am I completely hosed on this project or is there still hope to pull this out?
About Mom:
This is her 56th birthday. She has 5 children, 1 grandchild (and 1 on the way). We are holding the party early because she will be travelling to Europe (mostly Russia) for 2 weeks over her actual birthday. She enjoys gardening, antiques, her family, and travel.
What I have:
4 white cake mixes and proper ingredients
Several round & square pans of varying sizes
4 frozen 4" tall heart-shaped cakes (cut out with large cookie cutter for another project, but I didn't use)
Buttercream frosting (quite a lot) already made and stored (white)
Raspberry filling
Diamond impression mat
Edible pearls
Small amount pink fondant (and basic fondant tools)
Med amount brown fondant
Various stencils (floral, etc.)
I am just looking for some fresh ideas (and a little boost of confidence wouldn't hurt!). Anyone?[/list]
Just an idea since you mentioned she liked to garden. Make a cake and wrap it with the brown fondant on the sides to look like a flower pot or a square cake to look like a window box, then make lots of buttercream and fondant flowers to fill in the top of the cake. I'm sure what ever you make will be appreciated!
this looks lovely and pretty simple if you can do roses?
http://www.bethelbakery.com/prodimages/cakedecs/holiday/fallroses05.gif
maybe you could make a small piece of luggage using your square cake pans and your diamond impression mat. if you feel brave, you could make a batch of mmf (very cost-effective) and use that to make the handle, shipping tags, etc. something to the effect of "Russia Bound" etc. HTH!
Thank you all for the suggestions! The luggage idea was something I thought of when I started, but wasn't sure i could pull it off with what I have. I might give that a try when I get home tonight. Also, I've never worked with MMF, but I've read enough forums and articles that I might just try it!
Thanks again!!
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