@indydebi: I couldn't have said it better myself.
However, I must admit...I have had small meltdowns, because of the imperfections, but when your all done and you see the persons face that the cake is for...well it makes it ALL WORTHWHILE!!
After all, it is why we do what we do, right? But I must admit, by Friday (usually start cakes on Wednesday for Saturday deliveries) my kids tell me, "Mom, no more cake making". Of course, they say that after they are done munching on the leftover cake and frosting.

I think we're all the same, at different levels. I almost cried when I finished my bakugan cake, then it split in half!!! Had only a few spare hours to fix it... and I swear I almost chucked the whole thing!!!! But, I reminded myself this happens and we can only learn from these experiences... so I got back to work and worked out a second construction plan and it was great!! Although I had to strip it down to the cake, at least I knew exactly what NOT to do, so the second time didn't take as long. My husband always admires my cakes, but is also a great critic. He reminds me that I'm too much of a perfectionist and that I should step back and take the time to appreciate the work I put into my cakes.

You'll love Sharons DVD's, these will really improve your skills. Yep I am always surprised when I'm finished because the whole time I'm saying CRAP, thats not right. And I've never had one that another two hours would've had made it a great cake. It'll get better.

I have never officially broken down but came pretty close on my DHs cake in May. I never think a cake comes out exactly as it is in my head. I try to tell myself I have really high standards and keep reaching for the sky. Analness is a virtue!

I had one this morning. I made acke for my hubby's birthday and last night it looked great. I got up this morning and the tinted piping gel had bleed EVERYWHERE, I cried, was so upset. I;m new to cake decorating and have never worked with colored piping gel, I guess I must have done something wrong, not sure what. But either way it was upsetting.

I only do fondant cakes for family. I have been worrying about my daughter's sweet sixteen cake for two weeks. And I will keep worrying until I make it next week.

Yup. Got REAL CRANKY doing my second ever gingerbread house. It was the first time I accepted money for ingredients and also the first time I had a "deadline". It was for a teacher at the kids' elementary school (that NOBODY likes), she was so excited about my 1st house that I donated to the after school program, that she asked if she could "pay" me to make one for her holiday table. I said, I don't sell them but if you'll pay the ingredients, I'll make one by the 7th. (I was up at 3 am and got green RI all over myself, and the green icing bag exploded and almost ruined the entire thing and...... and.......)

By delivery time at the school, I was pretty agitated. Then, the cake decorating miracle happened: the teacher that NOBODY likes, sat and visited with me. Turns out her 27 yr old son is in a Sober Living House, and she is suffering from depression and I was able to convince her to see a psychiatrist (I have depression as well). Without the GB house, we never would have talked at all...

Cakes can be miracles, even if we get pretty worked up while making them.