Washable crayons, they wipe off anything with a damp towel. Nothing else is allowed in our house.

I would also try one of those Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, they get a lot of stuff off too.

Don't use a magic eraser on your LCD screen.. it will scratch the heck out of it. Use a solution of water and white vinegar and gently rub with a soft cotton cloth (an eye glass cloth would be perfect). Don't spray it with anything and don't rub too hard.

thanks jkalman! I am working my way up in the prices.... there are very few decorators here, and people will gladly go to a grocery store, but i'm workin' on em! I want to be competitive, but not stupidly cheap either One thing i've noticed that means i can raise my prices is the last few cakes i have done i have gotten BIG tips... so i think the city is ready!

have fun with the kiddos tonight... I'm glad i only have one for now

I won't bother with quoting and all that, but...

If people aren't aware of laws, like running stop signs for example, then they are ticketed for breaking that law...they'd be a little upset. You don't go around calling your children's teachers names because they tell your children the rules, do you? I hope not.

So what if jkalman wants to make people aware of the LAWS! Laws are out there for people to obey and, if it were me, I'd want to be made aware of any that I didn't know about.

In my opinion, I'd go with the themed idea and stear clear of copywritten characters.

BTW Roxxy.. I must say that love that carebear cake in your pics.. and I say this with complete sincerity too.. nothing snarky at all so please don't take it like that.

I just wanted to add that while a lot of people "get away" with selling copyrighted stuff I happen to know a couple personally that sold wilton stuff (like the shaped pan cakes) and some disney stuff and disney and wilton both contacted this place via their lawyers to cease and disist (sp?) on all activity pertaining to their copyrighted figures or else. They were served with a lawsuit from both companies within weeks of eachother, Disney was the most aggressive too...they were trying to sue them for over 10,000 dollars.......and they had only sold 2...yes 2 cakes, each one less than 20 dollars each and those 2 cakes could have potentially cost them EVERYTHING!!!!!!! Needless to say they don't touch copyrighted stuff anymore.......but I live in a rinky dink town so i figure if they're willing to mess with someone here they'll mess with em' anywhere!!!!

ok looking past the illegal/legal things...I have an idea for you. Why don't you do mini cakes 4 inch ones (fat daddios sell them) and make the characters out of fondant? Just an idea....good luck to you. I agree with some of the others....you know not every character cake on here was done for free I also think the cupcake tower is a good idea.. I know the Disney store sells the figures if you don't want to make them, or want to know where to buy them. You could always make a 6 inch cake for the top of the tower for the birthday boy with his favorite character with checkered sides...or something like that!

I live near Orlando, i.e. - Disney, Universal, Nickelodeon, and I won't touch the copyrighted stuff. I'll be happy to do a theme around the character and they can put a toy on the cake. no prob, but definitely no characters. I did a pathetic Curious George recently for a friend, though. I warned them not only do I don't do characters, I'm not real good at them anyway. They wanted it, and if the Curious George people came after me, they would have to prove it was him. Good luck with that!!!!
All my other character cakes were done when I was doing it as a hobby, but once I started got legal and started selling, I quit.
Just my two cents...

WOW Cat Fight - Meow - LOL. Oh Man, you ruined it for me. Now that I know - that Catholic Guilt will start rearing it's ugly head. Really labor intensive request anyway. They sell those copyrighted "theme" cakes at the supermarket. Tell her to go get one of those and then have you make a wonderful and delicious cake that is actually edible compared to all that yuck most supermarkets and warehouse stores sell.

I have a question for the copyright police j/k But I do have a question. If I make an edible image of an invitation is that still illegal? I've never thought about that. That(or my husband) would kill me if I got fined that much money for a $20 cake

WOW Thanks for the reply. I had no clue about these copyright laws. Now I know, and knowing is half the battle (don't ask me what the other half is)

lol yes the laws have gotten more strict on these things in the past you used to have to obtain copyright for these kinds of things now it is just assumed that the author/creator/photographer whether professional or just hobby has copyright of that and anyone who wants to reproduce that must get permission first.

http://www.pdimages.com/law/10.htm

I am not the copyright police, but I can answer your question. Yes, making an edible image of anything which has a copyright, is illegal, which includes printed invitations.

If someone wants a football team logo, it is illegal to do an edible image of that. If however, they have a photo of the person who is having a birthday, and that person is wearing a shirt with the team logo on it, you can do an edible image of that. I think the reason being, the royalties were paid when the shirt was purchased and you will be using the photo only the one time and for that person.

I guess I never really thought about it. I'm glad I don't make that many character cakes. I think I read on here that if you don't charge for your cakes you can use the copyright image. Is that true? Because I usually don't charge, if anything I have them buy the supplies and that's it.

BCJean.... Where in Cali are you from?

Orange Juice

back to original question....

what if you made each child their own track done up cute and then they could have one of the cars on top to take home. much easier for you and they would be so cute. and to be honest i think the kids would rather have a toy.

just a thought =)