I wanted to do a less tapered topsy so I used a 10" carved down to 9" on the bottom, with a 7" carved down to 6" on the top. I liked the less severe taper. Fondant over white ganache, I used my Silhouette SD for the harlequin diamonds, rickrack stripes, and plaque - all made with modeling chocolate. I used the carved-out hole method.