I grew up, pretty much taking for granted the awesome, way cool birthday cakes made for us every year. No matter what the theme, how impossible the design in our heads, she always delivered. It wasn't until I was about 11 years old and saw a cake not bought from a bakery, but just made by a mom that I realized how amazing our birthday cakes were in comparison. I had always planned to take a Wilton Cake Decorating course when I got older, but of course, by the time I actually had the resources, necessary motivation (kids) and patience to stick with it, I lived in Switzerland and there was no such thing as a Wilton Cake Decorating course.
I bought a book, but it wasn't that helpful since I had no point of reference to go off of. I had made some okay looking cakes using hints from the internet and kids' magazines in the past. You know, dragons, a pirate ship, that sort of thing. But I couldn't make an elegant looking cake to save my life. That is where my mom came to the rescue. First, she brought me over this awesome set of decorating tips that she scored for super cheap at D.I., as well as a couple more reusable decorating bags.
Oh, I guess some were missing when I took this picture because we had used them already. The entire container is full of different kinds of tips! Then, Wednesday afternoon, she gave me my first lesson in how to use them all. It was so fun! Plus, afterward, we got to eat birthday cake for dessert, even though it wasn't anyone's birthday. The kids thought that was pretty cool!
I think for a first try that some of these techniques didn't turn out so bad.
It helps that my mom was a very patient and positive teacher. I also know what my book is talking about now, so I can use it to practice on my own later. I am so excited for birthday season to start in our family. Decorating their cakes is going to be so fun this year!