This is my first anemone, and I think I've been looking at it too long because I'm not happy with it, but maybe it's okay? I think I have it too full and frilly, and my edges cracked and aren't smooth. It's kind of hard to tell in this picture b/c there's still paper towel under the edges. Can you tell me if I have a detail wrong that's making me unhappy with it that I'm overlooking, or if I'm being paranoid and it looks okay?
Thanks.
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo_1828598.html
. Im my worse critic. I see all the cracks and bulges in my cakes when everyone else sees a wonderful cake. I think this might be happening to you. It's perfect. 
It's a gorgeous flower and better than any I could make!
I'd think about
--removing the outside layer of petals, leaving only the inside.
--cupping the petals around the center just a bit more.
The biggest thing I notice is that it reminds me of a magnolia. Anemones have a fairly large black center, compared to the width of the petals. In most anemones, the width of the petals is approximately equal to the diameter of the center.
You *could* reduce the frilliness of the outer edge, but I think reducing the petal size will take care of that.
I hope I'm not being too critical, because there's no way I could make anything close to the beautiful flowers you've done. I can only offer you my eye for proportion.
Trying to post a photo here....
I think you did a wonderful job. It looks great.
Lovely! How did you learn to do it? Is there a tutorial you recommend? And just out of curiosity, how long did it take to make this flower?
Whew-- thanks for the comments guys. A couple hours of not looking at it has done wonders. It's growing on me, but I still don't think it's quite as anemone like as I wanted it. I think the next one I make won't have as many petals overlapping, and maybe not as much frill...that's probably the biggest 'issue' I have with it.
Nancyg, I bought the stamens here: http://www.bakedeco.com/detail.asp?id=7502&trng=fgle Neither Michaels, Hobby Lobby, nor my local cake shop carry black, so I had to order them! If you're in a pinch though, and are sure to tell your customers that the flower is not edible, I'm sure you could buy the white ones and use some spray paint to get them black.
Cakeythings1961, I followed the tutorial in the how to section under the flowers sticky. I used a circle cutter though instead of buying the single rose petal cutter they use. After ruffling the edges on 3/4 of it, I pulled downward with the ball tool to make it more of an oval shape than circle where I hadn't ruffled. It was pretty quick to make- probably 20 minutes or so. Its the size of a large crisco can. I put cling wrap over the open top and used a rubber band to keep it in place, with some slack to form a cup.
That is awesome girl We are all our own worst critic> You did a great job!
Here's the link to the finished cake. It did not go so well...the flower was very heavy and I thought I had it down in the cake part, but it was on the edge and only got frosting, SO, that was a disaster. I fixed it as well as I could. Didn't look great, but everyone still liked it. My first wedding cake.
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo_1830294.html
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%