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Ok.... Where do I start describing the most horrendous cake decorating experience.... EVER!! I actually balled my eyes out last night. Pushed the cake away & said... leave it till morning, fresh eyes, clear head. I have had a migraine from this past Sunday until yesterday. But no worries I said, gumpaste elements, fondant all made ahead. Well we had a huge jump in temperature.... almost 80 degrees yesterday.. This is suppose to be Fall.. Cool weather, easier to decorate, right??? Well both my fondants, homemade, which have never failed me, were soft almost gummy. Not sure if this was temperature related, as they were fine when made. Cakes were taken out of freezer, I torted, and just couldn't seem to get the top even, even with addition of cake spackle. Bottom cake fell apart when torting. Fixed up with more cake spackle. So I cover chocolate cake with fondant, having to re-roll the chocolate fondant 3 TIMES!! I get it on and doesn't look too bad. Ice the bottom cake, a bit sloped on the sides...but do my best. Leave for a couple hours to set. Come back.....Chocolate fondant has sagged, creates a crevice in the middle..... Hence all the "fondant buttons" that weren't part of the plan. Icing had sagged... Hence again plan "B"... shabby chic icing. I had already attached my billow weave, so I had to take a big breath & plunk my cake on the iced bottom layer. I was stressed & exhausted by now. This is when I had the melt down & said, time to go to bed. Normally I crumb coat cakes, decorate next day.... Too much to do, so didn't have the luxury. So this AM, lustre dust buttons, billow weave etc. Put on my topper... sat way too high. Gee, like I expected smooth sailing?? Squirted in some Royal icing, pushed in some fondant, let set. Attach ruffle. Almost done. Whew... attach the Owl... his bow tie AND his ears breaks off!!! Stick tie back on..... make button ears to match theme. Realize....crap this cake is heavy.... should have used a sturdier board. So large wooden circle underneath with wrapping paper to be used for Sam's gift. Thank goodness had both on hand. Oh, and you can't tell from the picture, but cake is leaning towards the back.... even with all the dowels in place.
I am sure I have missed some calamities.... But just too darn tired at this point. I am brain dead...... Off to pick up food ordered for the shower..... Thanks for reading my "Tale of Woe". :o(

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Comment by Betty on October 3, 2013 at 4:10pm

June, so sorry this happened, I've been there too. I think we all have. Love all the little elements you made, owl, shoes etc. And I'm sure the cake was delicious. Sending ((( Hugs))) to you. 

Comment by art deco cakes by galidink on October 3, 2013 at 4:08pm

agree Goreti ! so much beautiful work from the heart ! ; )

Comment by Goreti on October 3, 2013 at 3:53pm

Oh June, I am so sorry you went thru all that.  Why does it seem that the most important cake to you is the one that it all goes wrong?  We have all been there.  That said, I think the cake is adorable and I bet it tastes wonderful too.  I'm sure your daughter will love it knowing the love that was put into it.  

Comment by art deco cakes by galidink on October 3, 2013 at 3:45pm

I agree with Katy ! I have had a few cakes crash on me b4 they got to my family's ! my mickey mouse cakes crashed ! for my g-grandsons first birthday ; ((( but they loved it

Comment by June Kowalczyk on October 3, 2013 at 3:32pm
Thanks Linda, Katy & Adrian. I'm sad, but it's only cake. You win some, you lose some. All you ever can do is try your best. And it came from the heart.
In hindsight, had I stepped back, I would have redone the chocolate cake. But when your tired, you push yourself and then you make mistakes cause your not thinking clearly. Thanks guys for the pat on the back.
Comment by Linda Wolff on October 3, 2013 at 2:59pm

Oh, June, I know EXACTLY what you are feeling!! Remember that Topsy Turvy cake I made with the mask on it and how the whole darn thing fell over and I had to redo it, then the girl that ordered it picked it up and put it on the floor of her car in the back seat and drove down the street like a crazy woman only to come back in a few minutes because the cake completely toppled over again and I had to rebake cakes right and left and remake almost the entire cake? NIGHTMARE!!! Horrible horrible experience! I KNOW how you are feeling. But, the thing is, your cake is at least adorable! (mine was a disaster)! Is it total perfection? No, but it is still adorable and there really is no cake that is total perfection. You know that as well as I do. I know why the disappointment. It's for your daughter, and it's for your very first grandchild, and you wanted it to be absolute perfection. I know the love in your heart and how much you put into this cake...and God knows exactly how much love you put into it. If I could reach through the computer, I would put my hands on your cheeks and look deep into your eyes, and tell you, it's gonna be okay. (Romans 8:28) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  Even a less than absolute perfect cake.

This too, is working for the good. ((((HUGS coming your way!!!)))) <--- Those are Hugs

Comment by Katy Nott on October 3, 2013 at 2:10pm

June - my heart breaks for you.  I know exactly what you went through and I so sympathise.  You hadn't posted your ' description' when I saw the cake, but I knew that you would so came back to look.  It's so frustrating that when it really matters things go completely arse-up and I'm so sorry that happened to you, knowing that you haven't been feeling well either.  

Don't get upset - everyone will love it and you did a fine job. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Comment by Adrian Sims on October 3, 2013 at 1:16pm

I love it and I'm sure that your daughter will to ! Good Job.........

Comment by art deco cakes by galidink on October 3, 2013 at 1:07pm

well you did an awesome job , its a big cake ! looks yummy to !lots of work , ; ) way to go !!

Comment by June Kowalczyk on October 3, 2013 at 1:01pm
Thanks Gail & Katy.... Just logged to see if the cake posted. Emailed it & never quite sure if it actually arrives.
Well it isn't what I envisioned, & not exactly like the picture I drew.... But in the end I did my best under difficult circumstances. Hope my daughter will be forgiving regarding the "outcome". :o)

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