My 1St Babyshower Cake And 1St Basketweave!
Decorating By RebelsLGB Updated 4 Dec 2006 , 2:41pm by bethola
Well I took the Wilton 1 class in September, and haven't had time to take the 2nd one yet (maybe in January). I have made the 3 cakes for the class, as well as 3 birthday cakes (all different variations of the final cake for the wilton course) for family, thats my only cake decorating experience. My fiances neighbor asked me to make a cake for her daughter-in-laws Baby Shower, and of course I said yes!
I came to this site to look for motivation, and picked out a cake that I LOVED, and basically just tried to copy it the best I could. I work 2 jobs so reallly didn't have time to practice plus came down with the flu 2 weeks before the cake had to be made. I basically baked the cakes this past thursday, and then decorated it friday night until 2am saturday morning (the shower was on saturday). Overall I am very happy with it! I deffinaly could have gotten the icing on the top round part smoother, but with all the stress of trying to get it on there (did I mention i've never used dowls before either?), I was just happy to see it standing. The other thing that is bothering me, is that you can see the chocolate cake through the basket weave in some spots. The directions I found on doing the basket weave (forget which website it was) didn't say to ice it first, but I think that next time I will do a thin layer of icing under the basket weave. The only other thing I want to work on is my handwriting, which probably has no hope. I used an edible marker for the writing, but I think i need to invest in one of those kits that you press the letters into the icing and then trace over them, as I have really bad handwriting.
So anyway here is the cake! Would love any advise to make it better for the next time (if there is a next time)
I only have two tips.
1. Make your thicker, or more close together. It will help if you ice your cake a bit more (will hide imperfections).
2. Make your flowers a little bigger to give them a more realistic feel.
HTH.
I stink at making the roses I was probably the worst in my class. How would I make them bigger? Is there a website that has good step by step instructions for making better flowers? I think I might try gumpaste eventually as I tend to like the flowers that people make with that.
My problem with roses is that the petals never stick to the base when I am making them I have to use my fingers to make them stick before making the next petal. any tips would be great thanks!
I only have two tips.
1. Make your thicker, or more close together. It will help if you ice your cake a bit more (will hide imperfections).
2. Make your flowers a little bigger to give them a more realistic feel.
HTH.
I stink at making the roses I was probably the worst in my class. How would I make them bigger? Is there a website that has good step by step instructions for making better flowers? I think I might try gumpaste eventually as I tend to like the flowers that people make with that.
My problem with roses is that the petals never stick to the base when I am making them I have to use my fingers to make them stick before making the next petal. any tips would be great thanks!
I HATE BC roses too! I gave up w/ them and moved on to fondant and gumpaste! 
My only tip would be not to be afraid to squeeze!
Wilton has a great book that shows step by step on how to make roses. I think the instructions are also on their website. I also was one of the worst at roses but one night i just sat on the couch watching tv with my bag of icing in one hand and my flower nail in the other I did the roses over and over until i got them right. I just keptthrowing theicing back in thebag when i was doneand kept going. with that practice i figuredout exactly how i needed ho hold thenail,position my hand, pressure etc. Now i have no problem with them. Just practice when you get a chance.
The only way I have done roses is around a hersheys kiss.. The buttercream stickes really well to it and the rose is easy to make that way.. They turn out fairly large too..I think your cake looks great.. 
I'm going to try the hershey kiss thing, what a great idea. I do have the wilton instructions they were part of the course, but it just doesn't work well for me. Another problem I have is when the petals do actually stick, the base then tilts over and i have to save it from falling over completely. I think the Hershey Kiss will be a big help, since it wont fall over!
Thanks for the tips
Rebel, the tilting can be used to your advantage. Place three roses together and the different tilts make it look more interesting. If you use groups of three, then you don't have to make your roses as big. Then fill in with a lot of leaves.
I hope this helps.
Sandy
The only way I have done roses is around a hersheys kiss.. The buttercream stickes really well to it and the rose is easy to make that way.. They turn out fairly large too..I think your cake looks great..
Now THAT is an idea! But, I would be afraid I wouldn't get enough roses to put on the cake! LOLL
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