2 fun new cakes

This weekend I made 2 cakes for 2 friends.
One was for a baptism and the other was for a birthday.

I love it when people who ask me to make a cake for them, give me a theme and tell me I can do whatever I want. To give me free reign over the design. I honestly think that when that happens, not only do I get to try something completely new and try some new techniques, but sometimes I'll make a nicer cake than they probably would have asked for. It's a win, win situation.

So, for the baptism cake, I was told I could basically do anything I'd like. I thought about it and then decided I'd like to try my hand at trying a quilting technique. I saw 2 different ideas online and decided in the end to combine both. I think it turned out fantastic! Here's some pictures...


Now, I wish I could sit down and make a cake without any glitches, but alas that never happens. So, if you're thinking of trying this technique out, let me tell you what not to do. Do not cover all your cakes and think you can go back later and do this. That was my problem. The fondant wasn't as soft by time I got around to it and some parts started to crack by time I was finishing it off. And then later, where I was having the cracking, it got worse and worse until I looked like it might actually crack big time and fall off in parts. Yikes!! But, thankfully, one of the things I am good at, is fixing/covering my mistakes. A little redoing and some piping gel under the threatening bulges and it looked good. Not perfect, but hopefully something no one else would notice. But, it was fun and I'll definitely be doing this technique again!! Love the quilting!


So, the next cake was a birthday cake. Once again, I was given free reign. I asked what his hobbies and interests were and it was soon decided I should focus on something about his motorbike. I tossed around the idea of doing a small bike out of fondant to go on top of a cake, but then I decided to challenge myself with a carved cake. Now, that is something I've never done and to be honest, the thought of such a cake I found quite intimidating! It was giving me a little stress. But, at the same time, it was my own doing and I was choosing to come out of my comfort zone a bit and try something a little less traditional.
In the end, I think it turned out great!! In fact, I can't think of anything really that I would change (well, aside from a few blunders, which I'll get to.)
Want to see the cake? Here's some photos.....

That's not white fondant, it's actually silver. It just doesn't show up too well in these pictures.

A lot of this cake came together really quickly. I was surprised.
Well, this was also the first time I used an airbrush (thank you Fern!!!). I must say that I need some practice but I'm happy with how it turned out.
A fun cake. I'll definitely try my hand at a carved cake again. It was fun and challenging.