My Humble Beginnings

My sister Jess and I took the three Wilton cake decorating classes at the local Michael's.  We decided to take these classes because our other sister Barb needed help with her wedding cake. She couldn't find anyone to make and deliver her a cake since her wedding happened to be on Christmas Day.  I felt bad for her, so I said we would make it as long as she (1) didn't have too high of an expectation, (2) the design be simple, and (3) didn't go all bridezilla on me.  She was desperate, so she wasn't picky.  Now as I look back (as you will see in the following picture), I think she was crazy.

This is the first cake Jess and I ever made.  It was for Barb's birthday.  She liked strawberries, and Jess liked Strawberry Shortcake.  Quite scary.  Everything came out of a box/ can: the cake, the frosting, even the decorations (lol).  See she is crazy!  

Note to my lovely and forgiving sister: Don't be mad at the pic, Barb, it's the only one I had of the cake. 

I don't remember how we came across the Wilton classes, but Jess and I signed up for the first set of classes in September 2005.  In total, we took 3 months worth of classes.  They were great beginners' classes, most of the students took all 3 courses together.  Our instructor Anne was a lot of fun with tons of tips to share.  

My first Wilton cake.  We learned to cover the cake and pipe simple decorations with buttercream.

Jess' first Wilton Cake.  I think the colors a bit funky, but she liked it.

My second Wilton Cake, we learned to pipe buttercream roses.  Mine were a little over the top, there was a nice yellow bow under that massive rose.

Jess' second cake.  Much prettier than mine.  At least it looked like a bouquet of roses rather than a jumbo corsage.

We both had a third cake from the second month showcasing our royal icing flowers and basket weave technique, but we didn't have a camera with us, so no pictures.  

This was my final cake.  It had to be a tier cake.  I wanted to practice with a wedding cake, so I made this simple cake with buttercream and fondant flowers.  Anne said she would want something like this for her wedding whenever she got married.  I was quite touched by her comment.  :-)

This was Jess' two tier cake.  Can't really tell by the picture, but the cake was covered with sparkling sugar, so it was very pretty especially under the light.

After that, I thought I was ready for anything.  Of course Barb had picked out several gorgeous upscale cake designs for me to choose from, which I didn't know how to replicate any of them.  But she was great and we can up with this instead:

I think it's pretty.  I was extremely stressed during all of December, more stressed than for my own wedding.  Knowing what I know now, I would have done a few things differently, but given the circumstances, I'm quite proud of it.