I try and try and try to squeeze in time to practise my skills and it just seems next to impossible with a 2 year old and a 13 year old in tow. Not to mention a household to run and animals to tend to and those darn holidays! I would give up decorating all together if it wasn't my only peace and didn't give me an outlet to loose being , mom, house cleaner, care taker, someone's honey and where did I leave that question answer-er. 
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo-91169.html
These little disasters almost made me loose my temper and throw them at the garbage dispossal.
Those are soo cute!
I have to say I do understand. Daily chores or being a wife and mother can rule your life. There are days I just want to say NO MY NAME IS NOT MOMMA. I HAVE A NAME IT IS PATTY! But there are also the days that I would not want to be anyone other than MOM. 
Sweety, I think you are being way too hard on yourself. I just had a look at your cake and it is absolutely beautiful!!
I know where you are coming from though. I am a full time Administration Manager (50 hours / week) have two kids (4 and 9) and a demanding husband who thinks I should act like a housewife even though I work more hours than he does and I too wish I could have some time to actually practice decorating. 
But please don't feel that your cakes aren't as good as they are in your head, from where we all stand it's beautiful. 
Aww, I feel your pain :0 I have two kids and I also run an in-home daycare so at pretty much any given time I am surrounded by somebody who needs something! A couple months ago I was beyond frustrated with how my skills were progressing and I was about to give it up. But then of course I didn't because, like you said its an outlet. My cakes suddenly started getting better so I relaxed a bit, I'm still a looooong way off from where I want to be though so I understand. I decided this week to start dummy cakes. I was getting so frustrated with teh mess and the time etc that I never really make practice cakes, I always make cakes for an occasion and then there is a ton of pressure. So I am going to use store-bought frosting and wax paper etc to practice piping and stuff because that is the stuff I personally suck at 
2sdae,
Keep your chin up. You will find the time to practice. I work a full-time job and have two teen-age boys who are always involved in something outside of school and always seem to have something to do, plus I am getting ready to start on my Master's degree. I have to work to find time to practice on cake decorating. Take a deep breath and think of why you decorate cakes. Then try to think if there are times when you can squeeze in times to work on techniques. I always seem to have some extra buttercream icing around and I will pull it out and work on flowers and borders after dinner or on the weekends. You will get there, stay positive.
Bradymom
I happen to think your cakes are spectacular! I wish I was as good as you are!
Cake decorating is difficult to me...but fun. I am not talented or creative but I want to learn to be. Some people believe that you're either talented or your not but I believe that you can teach yourself to be creative which will give you the talent or skill you want.
I have no intention of giving up and I sure hope you don't either cause like I said...your cakes are wonderful! I can't wait till I am at your skill level!
Your cakes are great!
I have a 21 month old and a 4 year old...I work...and the holidays are stretching all the time out of me. This is a busy time of year. Let the holidays pass and give yourself some time to breathe and really get into decorating.
You really are talented!!!
Happy Holidays
Angie
I hear ya, I have been doing cakes for 11 1/2 years and my skills are not where I would like them to be, as I am not able to just practice. I only have time to make the requested cakes. I would love to be able to do so much more. I do however try to remember that what I can do, does still bring joy and that my life will not always be so busy and one day I will have oodles of time to learn more of this craft I love !! So keep looking forward and your day will come and you will become the teacher with all of the knowledge.
Dawn
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