I would agree with OhMyGanache in that it needs to be piped a little closer together. The original picture you posted as the inspiration piece has it closer together and nearer the bottom of the cake. (side note: OhMyGanache: love your signature line! Here for cake, not for drama... sometimes that's all we get - drama!)
Slopokesgirl: First, I really admire your ability to have gone out and made your own paisley forms as well as the creative process and thought put into accomplishing it!!! I would have thrown in the towel right away. I, too, think your work is very worthy of compliments and you are being way too critical. Small tweaks are all you need. T exas F oam indeed has the forms for future reference. I think G lobal S ugar A rt does as well (I think I just saw them this morning) which is why T exas F oam might be blocked... Just a theory, folks! As well, adhering with piping gel is so easy! I'd never go back to any of the other methods I've attempted in the past. Oh, and when I'm working with dummies, I find rolling my fondant a tad bit thicker helps as well. I hope you are getting paid to do this for your friend. Your time, money invested in supplies and mental aingst are worth a lot!!!
Keep up the good work!
I just did a faux layer on a 4 teir round and I have found that the foam because it is full of holes, when you cover it pushes out air and makes it look bumpy also buttercream works better and make sure you use a thick layer. As for your hand shaking find something to prop your arm up while you work it keeps your hand from getting too tired and shaking. Good luck remember you are your biggest critic and when its done don't tell anyone where the problems are, most of the time people won't notice them, just you.
Will you please post the link to the page with the paisley fake cake?
When I have to pipe like that I fill up tons of teeny parchment bags with icing. They are small enough to fit in the palm of my hand and I can hold them much like I would hold a pen and it makes it MUCH MUCH easier to pipe smoothly. ((hugs))
Exactly! Just like a pen, one handed, no stress and fatigue to the wrist!
A tip I learned at an ICES DOS was that when you cut foam, use an electric knife to cut it, no huge mess and the foam is super smooth wherever you cut it. Also to flatten a sharp edge say rounded edges for under fondant or just to smooth a rough patch....use your iron and wax paper and it'll smooth it right out!! HTH
you can also use a super hot knife to cut styrofoam-- at a show i saw a propane torch used to heat a knife to cut the foam like it was butter! at home, we put our knife on the gas flame of the stove and that worked too-- but use a knife for it and not for anything else!
Update:
Well, last night I plucked off the "shaky" piped lines on the cake.
And I made more fondant and covered and smoothed my lumpy dummies.
I also used a pencil to lightly sketch the design on the cakes so that I don't have to free hand with the RI.
Thank goodness that this is not an edible cake. I kinda like using the pencil. I'm a bit calmer now that the image is on there. I can concentrate on the RI tonight.
I'll update again tomorrow.
The Zone:
You know what I'm talking about. The music is on shuffle on your iPod, the family is sleeping, it's just you, the cake and the piping bags. Left all alone to do.... magic.
Ok, I'm tired.. forgive the ranting. 
But I am please with my work.
However, and this is just a little however, I noticed that I didn't leave the white border on the top part of each tier.
Oh well, too little too late for that smallish detail.
(I'm not saying a word)
You can tell that I'm not freaking any more. My mind is mush and my will is broken. But I must say that I am pleased.
All that is left are minor details, like the board, and the holes to insert the flower bundles in.
Then I can post the final picture.
For all of you that helped me with your tips, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
The bigger tip worked! 
The thicker fondant worked!
The taking a step back worked!
The not being so critical of myself worked! (Ok.. a work in progress) 
Thanks again. 
Thanks for the kudos eldag. These are free hand shaped cake dummies. I couldn't find the shape I needed so I bought styro and cut them out myself.
Not as easy as I had hoped. AND, I made the boo boo of not asking my CC family where I could find the paisley shaped dummies. And of course, they knew. It would have saved me a lot of time and heart ache.
Oh well, you live, you mess up, you learn.
Will do kakeladi
I'll post my progress as I go.
I guess the reason why this is bothering me so much is that this is for a friends business. Her reputation is on the line.
But you are all right. I'll step away and try again tonight. Maybe, after the family is off to bed.
Just read the whole thread.
Great job on the whole project , and it WAS a project. I certainly hope that your friend is paying you for the cake, this is way too big to be a favor.
Your finished cakes are great...sounds like you learned lots doing this one - isn't it satisfying to step back and say "Well, self, we DID it!"?
BTW where in GA?
I think it looks great. I wish I could do 1/2 as good as your first attempt. I really need to start practicing the piping thing. Great Job!!
I'll post the final picture when I'm done. I might even want to frame this one. BTW, she's only paying me for supplies. That came up to $162 roughly.
The flowers, the styrofoam, the fondant supplies.
Slopokesgirl, those cakes look amazing! Way to slow down, take a deep breath and focus. Good luck at the show and remember, you are always your own worst enemy in these situations (but, you can also be your biggest ally!).
Great job!
Those look fantastic! I actually prefer the way you made the design go to the top edge. I'm one of those weirdos who doesn't like a lot of blank space on a cake. Of course, that could be because blank spots show boo-boos! 
Great job!
Ok, I'm getting major ego swellage here. Thanks guys. 
Just read the wjole forum, I think that it looks great. Make sure that while your friend puts her name out there that she also puts your out there too. You want the credit for that cake.
I think your cake looks great, your piping is great! We are our own worst enemies!
I agree that your finished product looks GREAT! I think your friend will be pleased and if she's not, well, she's crazy! I am so glad to have CC friends to share advice and I can tell you are too! Great job! You should be proud of yourself!
IT'S FINISHED....... well, kinda.
I put it together without the base so that I can cut the holes where the flowers are going to be placed. I currently have the base drying outside. I cut a piece of MDF into a paisley shape and used black spray paint to color it.
Man I love fake cakes... you can use all sorts of stuff that you normally can't use on a real cake.
Any who... here she is in all her glory.
Thank you everyone that helped me out with this project.
And thank you to everyone that read this and thought of me even for a second.
I appreciate all of you so much.
Side note: I think we need an emoticon that is totally wiped out sleepy.
Cause I am SO TIRED right now.
You go on with your bad self!
You are sooo funny txcupcake.
i just read this whole forum and you should be proud..........this cake is magnificent!! you said your wrist is broken??????? you rock girl!!!! good luck and much success.
Thanks mariu,
It's healing up pretty nicely, but it was a challenge to knead the fondant.
Funny thing, I was so tired last night that I even had dreams of how tired I was.
SHE LOVED IT. Wow, I'm glad that is over. Thanks again everyone.
Ive read the whole forum here too & I must say Im lifted by the read! To hear the whole story from woe to go & see the transformed piece is nothing short of inspirational! PAT yourself on the back! & REMEMBER to always take a step back from it all! Your work is WONDERFUL even when you think its not! Life runs you into the ground & the kids will always want your attention & the hubby will always want your attention & your wrist will give you grief BUT to see what you have done & how youve overcome a hurdle is admirable!
Well done I loved seeing the final piece! Even though I thought it was pretty darn wonderful b4!
Very inspiring read! And very commendable to all who gave support too! I love seeing this community rally to the aid of a fellow cake perfectionist!
Aplaud you all!
[Sorry I posted twice in here I had to fix up my posts cos I accidntly posted a NEW TOPIC in the wrong spot! WHOOPS!! My bad! Then I kept getting booted b4 I could ammend! Doh! 
]
Just wanna add THANK you for the idea of using styrafoam Im learning more & more stuff in here & youve indirectly answered a question of mine.
I hope your friend has had MANY enquiries about the mock wedding cake now & its been showcased to MANY passersby who will in turn enquire about who made it & how much etc etc
Hope you get loads of nibbles of interest!
WELL DONE!
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