GREAT, have fun Amie & all the others entering

I am just curious if anyone who has entered has gotten anything by mail? I was worried whether or not the forms I faxed to the museum got there. So I emailed her confirming that she got my stuff. She said she did and they would be sending something out by mail. I know they also charged my credit card for the entry fee, so I am not worried that I am not registered. but just wondering!

Just want you all to know that I came across this yesterday.

http://www.rrstar.com/homepage/x751575798/

Says that they are moving the demonstration to a Women's Club or something so they can get more people in.

Is everyone excited???!!?!??! Have you gotten your cakes done?? I think I am just about finished with mine, so that is a huge relief.

I never did get around to getting any type of "cake" shirt. So tell me again who is attending/a contestant? I hope to get to meet a couple of you and get a good look at your cakes! See ya there!

I just got my "official" letter yesterday.
I'm still not done with my cake - it will probably be down to the wire... (as usual).
See you Friday night/Saturday - good luck everyone!!!!!

Hi everyone! I got my info packet today in the mail! Still haven't started the cake! I am swamped this week with orders and fear I won't even get to do a cake! I am still going regardless.

The event is still at the museum but the demonstration that Duff will do is moved to the woman's club. The contest is at the museum and the dinner is at Cliff breakers.

Are we going to meet up somewhere or how are we going to know how we are? LOL!

Hi all!
I just thought I would mention I will be there too. I am just a lurker for the most part, but all this talk about the competion made me chime in. I am coming from Madison, WI, a little more than an hour away.

I am busy working on my cake over the next few days. I won't share my theme But I am happy with it. Since it's the "Totally Awesome" cake challenge, I am sticking with that ... not anything to do with Rockford.

I am excited and nervous!

Hopefully I will run into some of you there.

Good luck!!!

Okay, I have to finally chime in to say that my hat is in the ring also! What would you guys think of meeting for breakfast on Saturday morning before the museum opens? So, does that make 5 or 6 of us from CC in the contest? COOL! And yes, I am incredibly nervous too!!! Especially after seeing so many of you talented folks entered.

One thing I thought I'd mention since I saw the question earlier in this thread, is that the judging will actually be done Friday night, with no one around but Duff and the museum crew.

And laura- show a little pride girl! Rockford has some awesome stuff!

Good Luck to EVERYONE entered!! I hope to see you there! You won't be able to miss me, I have wild colors in my hair and I'll have a shirt on shamelessly plugging my little bakery.

okay...now I am worried that I dont have my packet of info! But I guess I am in Michigan, so maybe the mail requires an extra day...I hope! I know they charged my cc though for $50 and the director said I was signed up, so I shouldnt be worried....right??

I would be up for meeting for breakfast or lunch or whatever. If no one would mind my DH being there that is. If you all remember this is my anniversary trip too! LOL! I am not familiar with the area though. I will be staying at cliffbreakers Friday and Saturday.

Is anyone else going to the dinner? I hope to be the one seated right next to Duff. LOL! No really, I hope my cake is good enough that I wont embarrass myself. If you are going what are you wearing? She told me it was "dressy casual" whatever that means.

One last thing. What is everyone's real name? I don't think you will be using your user name there LOL!

I'll be at the dinner w/DH and my 3 part-time employees. My name is Beth Costa, and like I said I'll be the one with bright pink, orange & blue highlights in my otherwise short brown hair. Maybe purple too, I haven't decided yet!!

And Merissa, I just got my info yesterday and I live in Belvidere, right next to Rockford, so I'd look for yours today probably. It will be so fun to meet you and your hubby!

I don't think I can really set up a time to meet up. We aren't staying in Rockford. I am driving down on my own Friday night to set up and then going home, then heading down on Thursday with my family. I have 2 little kids so I figure they can enjoy the museum while I go to the event with Duff.

I am not planning on going to the dinner either. With a 7 yo and a 4 yo old, that would be too much.

I did get my packet on Monday, so I am sure everyone should have it soon.

I do have one concern - getting the cakes in. My bottom tier is going to be pretty big. Do you think they will have something for us to wheel things in? I am just scared to death to carry that thing in on my own. Do you think we will be able to park close? I mean, 50 people unloading in 2 hours seems like it might be crazy!

Although I'm new on the business of cake decorating, I'm full of ideas. Well, you could use one of the landmarks, like the Sears tower, and incorporate some of the Illinoians celebrities (I think that's what you call them, hehe), like Oprah, Lincoln, whoever else, I'm not so good with names. Put them hanging on the outside, or maybe having a big party on the top of the building, or any other place...

Well, that's kind of crazy, just like Duff... I love him, he is great. Say hello for me, please!

Good luck and most of all have lots of fun!!!!!!

bgallay- the museum does have a circle drive right up to the front door, so as long as everyone brings in their stuff and then moves their car, getting close should be no problem. I've never really seen any carts when I've been there (and I have a family membership), so you may want to look in to bringing something of your own for transport. (Maybe buy a cart at Home depot or Sam's Club and return it next week?)

Your kids will have a blast at the museum! If the weather is nice, be sure to let them know about the awesome outdoor play area too.

If its called " Rockin in Rockford" then why don't you make a cake of the Hard Rock Cafe that spins around and plays rock music?

Okay I received my letter yesterday, big relief. Then I decided I better check to make sure that I had my reservations for the hotel, dinner, and my other ticket to the demonstration. I bought them all through Cliffbreakers and the lady taking the reservations didnt really seem to know what she was doing. I am usually not such a worrywart, I guess I am just excited.

I am really excited to see all of these cakes! I am just worried that my cake will look lame! I am pretty happy with it, but I don't know if I picked an "awesome" enough subject. Oh well! It's going to be a lot of fun!

I am so excited / nervous/ envious for all of you! Say hello to Duff for me and tell him my sister wants to marry him......He's cute but not THAT cute. I think she loves him for his cakes!

How about if we plan on meeting for breakfast at 9 AM? Is that too early/late for anyone? There is a breakfast restaurant just a minute or two away from Cliffbreakers called Spring Garden Family Restaurant. It's at 411E Riverside Blvd, Loves Park Illinois, 61111, phone #(815)-282-0212. From Cliffbreakers, you will turn right (towards the river) and go about 1/2 mile or so. It will be on the right side of the street, just before the intersection of Riverside Blvd and N. 2nd St. It's not super classy, but it is budget friendly and the food is pretty good.
Please PM me if you're interested so I can make a reservation. Feel free to still join us if you forget to PM me, but I want to make sure we aren't stuck waiting for a large table.

SOOOOOOO excited for all of you HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cake has fallen apart! Starting over. Have no idea what to do next! Ughh!

oh no! have a drink, relax, and try again!

My DH and I can try and make breakfast. Let me know if it is a go! I will check again in the morning before we leave. Otherwise we might just show up regardless.

So how many of us will be there?

Do we want to list it out? I would love to meet some of you all tomorrow during set up. I plan to get there close to 5 and it will probably take me a while to set up.

My name is Barbara and I am in Middleton (madison, wi). Since it's just hours before set up... I am doing a "Totally Awesome Halloween" cake - look for the cake with skeleton hands and you should be able to find me (unless someone else has sketon hands).

Hey!
I'm doing a totally awesome Halloween cake too!
Mine is sort of "Tim Burton meets Mary Engelbreit" and it is on the tall side...

See you tomorrow !

Mine is a tribute to sugar and the Discovery Center slogan which is :Where Learning Comes to Life. So my cake is sugar coming to life from a molecule to a baked cake. It's (hopefully, not finished yet) 6 tiers tall.

I'm hopeful to still make it, but I just got home from the hospital and it's not certain if my Grandma will make it through the night, so please say a prayer for her Ladies!! Her name is Betty (I'm Elizabeth, named after her) and she is such a dear sweet woman, I'm not ready to give her up yet.

I have another cake to set up at 5, so I'll probably be there closer to 6ish to set up at the museum. Oh, and I didn't get the purple in my hair today, but OMG, it is really obnoxious. More than I really wanted or usually have, so please don't think I'm a freak when you see it!! LOL

after reading this whole thread I hope you all update us and post you pics from the contest. Now I am really excited to see how they turn out! Good Luck to you all!

Okay after listening to your cake ideas...I'm scared! They sound awesome! Oh well, no time for anything else now!

I'll probably get there around 5ish too. My name is Merissa and I am 32 with dark brown hair. Just sort of average/normal looking! LOL. We will probably just plan on going to the breakfast place around 9. I don't know if there is a plan for that or not. I probably wont be able to check back here again before I leave today.

Good luck with the setting up!

BTW: Elizabeth, I will be thinking of you and your grandma.

OMG you guys! I am sitting here just laughing at my "cake". The fondant is all cracked, seams are ripped, things are lopsided. I would have to say, this is my WORST cake thus far! Of course it is. The best cakes are always the ones that don't really matter!

I was just swamped this week with cake and cookie orders so I couldn't even start on this until late yesterday afternoon! I did Mickey and Minnie Mouse on vacation but really wanted to do this cool wizard of oz idea I had. No time though. I may very well keep this "caketastophe" in the car when I see your awesome cakes! My husband can't believe I am even going to take it out of the house and my Mom says "just say your kids did the cake!"

Uh, yeah...that bad! Hee hee, at least I am laughing about it! If I don't run into you all tonight, I will be at breakfst in the morning. I am bringing my Mom with me cuz she LOVES the show. Ok, take care everyone!

I am home! Phew...

There were some impressive cakes there!!!

I have my sad little cake in this post. Poor thing looks tiny compared to the 6' cake next to it. Oh well...

I really enjoyed seeing all the cakes. I have to admit that my favorite was another member here - the one who did the Tim Burton meets Mary Englebriet. I like it lots

I have some pictures up in my flickr account (I am not sure if I should post it or not though) and will post more when we get back from Rockford tomorrow evening.

bgallay.. is it barbra? just want to say that your cake is really nice .. i love the way you did it.. wow i wish i was good enough to get into contest but maybe one day.. but i want to wish everyone here that is competeing the best of wishes..and elizabeth i will be praying for your grandmother.. good luck everyone..