Robots and Butterflies

The first hobby I attempted wasn't knitting.  In fact, it was cake decorating.  My first job was working in a bakery and I would watch the decorators all afternoon long.  I was intrigued by how fast they could sculpt cake into a beautiful model, spin some butter cream rosettes, and airbrush bright colors onto these delectable cakes.

I also love to watch the different cake shows on TV.  Combine Ace of Cakes with my StumbleUpon habit, and I end up wanting to dive right into it.

I went to Michal's and picked up some fondant, gum paste, and various sculpting tools.    I couldn't find any reasonably priced styrofoam, so I figured I'd bake an actual cake and have the temptation looming over Brendan and I to eat the cake afterwards.  I grabbed a cake leveler, and some cake mix, and back home I went.

First lesson of cake decorating: "Super Moist" cake mix?  not a good idea.  As soon as I went to start frosting with my butter cream, the cake started to crumble.  I ended up cutting a good chunk of the cake just to make it "workable".  Second lesson?  Store bought fondant is a PITA.  I had the most difficult time rolling it out.  Next time I go to make a cake, I think I will make my own out of marshmallows. 

My cake wasn't anything pretty, or special, or even good to eat, but it was a first try and a good learning tool.