Wilton Cake Decorating Course--Course 3

I can't believe that this course is almost coming to an end!

The instructor spoke with us about course 2 which is more flower work and I think I'm going to pass. It's not that I don't like flowers, but I'm more of a contemporary decorator and I really would like to stick to the basics.

But I do plan on taking Course 3 which is fondant! I really need to improve my fondant skillz. :)

This week we piped clowns and worked on part 2 of the Wilton Rose. (I STILL hate this rose! It doesn't come easy to me!) The clowns were so super easy to do.

I decorated the cake to commemorate our 3 year wedding anniversary which was that evening.

John surprised me by sending me pink roses during my cake class too. I was so suprised to get flowers at the craft shop! They are absolutely gorgeous!

Wilton Cake Decorating Course--Course 2

Sorry I didn't update right away!

Class 2 took the entire two hours. We practiced the first steps of the Wilton Rose (ugg) and then worked on some simple star piping. At the end of class we decorated our cakes with a transfered pattern that we first outlined in piping gel and then filled in with stars.

Here's what it looks like!

I wrote "John" on it since we also practiced penmanship. Pretty easy.

Next class is piping clowns.

My First Cake

So I made a cake this weekend...french vanilla cake with chocolate buttercream frosting.

It tastes AWESOME!

I wasn't 100% happy with the buttercream polka dots as they aren't as flat as I'd like them to be, but they are not fondant. Therefore, they will be raised and not as smooth as I'd like them to be.

As for Lauren, poor girl. She has all 4 teeth. Her two top are moving down as we speak. But she sleeps like a champ and is happy. The only thing I've noticed is that her poop smells REALLY bad and is not the normal poop. Sorry if it's TMI. Her appetite for solids has decreased too but she's definitely drinking her milk/formula like a champ.

Wilton Cake Decorating Course--Course 1

I am excited to announce that I'm taking cake decorating courses! I was at my local Hobby Lobby and I saw a sign that cake decorating courses for the month of August were 50% off. I found out they are $17.50 (normally $35) and decided to sign up for them. My courses are on Wednesday evenings from 6-8 PM in the classroom portion of Hobby Lobby. I live 5 miles away from the store so it's super easy to get to. John comes home from work at 5:20, we eat dinner together, and then I head off!

This week we learned about the essentials of cake decorating, such as the "perfect" recipe for buttercream frosting (there are 3 consistencies--stiff, medium, and thin) and all of the tools needed to decorate the cake. We received a FREE course booklet. I had to purchase a Course 1 student kit (about $25 but they gave me a 40% coupon so it costed $15) that has decorating tips, decorating bags, a flower nail (for making the Wilton rose) decorating brushes, and a practice board. I also purchased an 18" featherweight decorating bag with a large tip for frosting a cake easily. No more cake crumbs in the frosting once I use this!

All I really need now are some more gel-based food coloring (traditional food coloring does not work as well) and a turn-table.

Next week for class I have to bring in an 8" round frosted cake to class, as we are making a rainbow cake with star flowers.

I'll post photos too!