WINNER!!
Dena (#1258) who said: Hi Mel! I believe that I am a professional cake decorator hiding in an amatuer’s body just waiting to bust out! I would love some tools of the trade to boost my skill level. I just love your website. It has helped me in so many ways to prepare new and exciting foods for my family. Thank you for all your help!
———————————————————————
Usually, January isn’t my favorite of the 12 months. Just not a lot to look forward to, if you ask me, with the holidays over and spring still months away (at least in my neck of the woods). But this year, I’m actually excited for the dreary, blustery month…because…for the next two weeks, sprinkled amongst the new, fantastic recipes I have to share, I will be hosting giveaway upon giveaway. Oh yes! And I can’t tell you how excited I am to give away some of my favorite things. I purposely avoided the blog giveaway craziness and fun over the last few holiday weeks in order to selfishly save the giveaways for now!
A moment of heartfelt sappiness: I really, really adore all of you. I know, you are rolling your eyes, but it is true. I wouldn’t have the continual energy and motivation to keep up this here food blog if it wasn’t for all of your comments and support. It keeps me moving in my lazy state, so seriously…thank you! These giveaways are for you! So may the force be with you and your entry(s).
Tomorrow I promise you a new, delicious recipe. Promise! But today I want to give away something I’ve been so very excited to put together.
I am by no means a professional cake decorator, but I have somehow developed a tradition of taking birthday requests from my kids and decorating things like snakes, sharks, bats, monsters…you know, boy cakes. I gladly took on the challenge last year to decorate two more girly cakes for my sweet neighbors:
Completely self-taught (and it kind of shows, I know!), I have a habit of pulling all-nighters to finish the cakes (like I said, I’m not a professional and have to redo things, like, 20 times to get them right sometimes), but I have loved learning little techniques.
What makes my life easier? This Wilton Tool Caddy that my fabulous cousin (and long ago roommate!), Camille, gave me years ago when we went to an amateur cake decorating class together (um, I was the only one that left class each session with frosting stuck in my hair).
I have loved this caddy and have gradually added supplies to it over the last ten years as I’ve ventured out trying new cake styles. Besides my loving husband who graciously stays up late with me every time I take on a cake project, this caddy is my #1 partner in crime when it comes to cake decorating. We’re tight, me and my caddy.
I want to give away ONE of these awesome tool caddies (yes, they kind of look like an old school plastic makeup carrier I had when I was, like, 13, but oh well) filled with many of the same things I have in mine – my favorite gel colors, no less than 15 of my favorite tips, decorating bags, couplers, and lots of other goodies, including an offset spatula or three. I’ll put it all together and ship it off to you lickety split!
To enter, just leave a comment on THIS post telling me what kind of cake decorator you are (professional, slap on some canned frosting to a cake mix kinda person, experimenter extraordinaire) – whatever the case may be! I’ll announce a winner before the next giveaway goes up, probably in a day or two.
{Giveaway and details and opinions all sponsored by me (a.k.a. Mel’s Kitchen Cafe), like it or not!}
I am a Amateur, but I love to keep trying new things.
I am a complete beginner, but have high hopes!!!
I am not a cake decorator (yet), but with a 3 year old and a 1 1/2 year old, I’ve done some experimenting and have plenty more birthdays and special occasions in the future to get some good practice with!
I am not a decorator but would love to become one!
I love cake decorating, but dont have a chance to do it very often. Definitely an amateur!
Right now I’m just a slap some icing on a cupcake kind of girl! Having 4 kids in 4 years has taken the creativity right out of me but once upon a time i took a cake decorating class and would love to start a similar tradition of making super special bday cakes for my babies!
I’m definitely an amateur, but I love decorating cakes for my kids and family. I’m a homemade from scratch girl, so I also love to try new frosting recipes. This cake decorating kit would be perfect! Thanks for the chance to win!
I am an Amateur, but I would love to get better at it.
I love to do my kids’ birthday cakes. I did cake decorating in 4-H as a kid, but I am still totally an experimentor and idea-stealer from massive searches on the internet.
I am a perfectionist to the max so I would love to have this!
I am a beginner who could really use this set. I like to try new things, but they never end up looking exactly like I plan. Maybe some new tools would help perfect my plans!
I am definitely an amateur even though I have been making kids BD cakes for years. I stil have a lot to learn.
I’m an amateur baker, I’ve made a few novelty cakes in my time when my boys were young. Now I’m moving towards cupcake decorating and with my grandson coming up for 1 year old, I’m going to have to update my ideas! I have one Wilton nozzle which I adore, I would just love to win this box of magic! Hope you can ship to Scotland
I am self-trained, just like you, and I started a cake and cupcake business last spring. My friend says that everything is easier if you have the right tools, and she’s right … there are so many great cake-related tools out there. Love this giveaway, but I love your blog even more. Thank you for all of the great recipes, ideas, and warmth.
Amateur for sure, but I learned from the best: my mom made the most amazing cakes for us on our birthdays growing up, and one day I hope to be just like her.
I bake a lot for my kids’ events and would love to step up my cake decorating! Thanks!
I love a good cake but a decorator I am not! I would love the chance to try out one of your clever designs for my grandsons.
Cakes give me trouble. I remember one holiday I was making a cake recipe I got from my grandmother, who is amazing at making cakes, decorating, etc. I was just FROSTING it, having trouble, time was ticking away and we had to get going to the party….and oops, I was swearing up a storm. It just came from nowhere. Somehow I don’t think my 90 year old grandma did the same!! I think your cakes look great… the monster one with the cake pops is so “simple” yet genius! Love that blue…what is it?
I definitely like to experiment with cakes whether that be what goes in between or the decorations on top. It always turns out different, but I love it!
Definately an experimenter….
I also taught myself, it is fun to experiment. I have made 3 wedding cakes as well–a challenge to see if I could!!
I am an amateur with results that vary from cake to cake. Sometimes I impress myself & other times I just have to laugh!
So far I’ve only tried decorating cup cakes. I think your cakes are amazing!
I made my own wedding cake! Although, I used fondant and when it comes to decorating with frosting I’m very beginner. Thanks for making January less depressing!
I am definitely an amateur, but love making fun cake for family and friends’ birthdays! I’d love to learn more!
The look professional to me!
I am a cake mix from a box girl, but would love to start giving my kids some fun birthday cakes!!!
I’m just a mom who occasionally attempts a Mickey Mouse or dinosaur or robot cake for one of my three boys. This looks like a fun giveaway, and I love your cakes!
I am an amature. I have been known to pull an all nighter, then throw in the towel, and run out and buy a professional cake
I have learned I am better at cupcakes than cake.
I too am an amateur decorator with lots of kid cakes in my repertoire. My favorite cake to date was a Tigger cake done completely with star and outline tips. My son (who is turning 18 today) was (is) a HUGE Tigger fan and I took the Tigger image off his favorite sweatshirt. The look on his face when he saw his cake was P-R-I-C-E-L-E-S-S to say the least.
I’m a boring cake decorator. I have a daughter who loves to make and decorate cakes so I would share this great gift with her.
I decorate cakes for my boys’ birthdays, and then try to make cute cupcakes sometimes. So…I’m an amateur and a copier! Thanks for the giveaway!
Very much an amateur. I’d love to learn and improve. I’ve got 3 kids and lots of birthdays ahead of us.
What a fun giveaway! I am by no means a professional. I, like you, attended a few amateur cake decorating classes at a craft store, so that I could learn enough to make my brother’s wedding cake this past summer.
Amateur who loves to experiment and have fun….so this would definitely fit the bill. Hope I get lucky :}
I let my husband do the decorating! He built an awesome Star Wars cake for my 6 year old this year.
My sister-in-law and I do our kids cakes together every year. They usually turn out pretty good. But the hand cramps that come along with making a cake, man oh man I could do without those!
I would say I’m an experimenter extraordinaire! I love decorating cakes and have been doing so since my son was 2. My mom made his first cake, and I thought I could do better, lol. I love it, it is so much fun, though they don’t always turn out the way I see them in my head.
I am going to try cupcakes this year too! thank you 
Hi! I am an experimenter, even if my attempts aren’t always successful. One time, I attempted a rainbow cake and ended up with a mud slide cake! (The layers and the filling slid down the side of the cake and made something that looked terrrrrrrrrrrrrible. It’s ok, I’ve since learned from that one.)
Amateur all the way! I did take a class once about 15 years ago! I would love to make my grandkids special cakes from Gigi.
I would be a beginner, I watch the Cake Boss and have an urge to make a cake. Would love to be able to whip up a great theme cake. A girl can dream. Love your site. Thank you.
I have done a little bit of cake decorating here and there. I could put this little kit to good use!
I’ve decorated (more than just a can of store-bought frosting) exactly two cakes in my life – for my daughter’s first and second birthdays. Now I have her third birthday coming up and my baby’s first birthday! I need to step up my skills!
Definitely NOT a professional, but learning just the same. I have sold a feww and have repeat orders. Just starting to gather a few supplies.
I am definitely a square cake mix kind of girl. I did, however, try to branch out the other day by making a pretty decent Perry the Platypus cake. I have high hopes for future projects.
I am a wantobe decorater and this would be so much fun.
I decorate cakes just for my family, but my daughter has fallen in love with it and has gotten good enough that she is now taking orders. We would have fun with the kit!
I took the first wilton course on cake decorating so I’m a beginner. It was alot of fun.
People usually think I was trying to be funny when they see my cakes. I’m the only one not laughing!! Well okay, maybe laughing just a little!
LOVE your blog–thanks for all the great recipes! I took cake decorating classes 36 years ago.(Wow! How old am I all of a sudden?) I have done cakes over the years-never great at it, it was just fun.
I am an amateur for sure! I have only attempted one cake and it turned out pretty cute considering my limited supplies. My 4 year old son at the time loved his race track cake, but I’ll admit that I could use some help with my skills. Your cakes look amazing Mel!
I’d getting better at decorating the girls cakes and cupcakes. I enjoy it a lot I’d say I’m not a newbie but no way am I ready for Cupcake Wars
which is my fave show 
I am a total amateur, but I love to make birthday cakes for my family. The children pick the design they want and I do my best. The finished result is often not perfect, but the kids love them. Great site, by the way!
Amateur cake decorator…I’ve decorated a Cars cake and racetrack, but my technique definitely needed some help.
I love to experiment with cakes (at least flavor wise). I would love to win this. I haven’t decorated with cakes because we don’t have extra money with 3 kids to get it and experiment. I have wanted to decorate cakes since college but no money and everything else had a priority. Thanks for the chance to enter.
I’m definitely an amateur, but I’ve had some fun trying new things. I stay away from the tubs of frosting at the store because I like my frosting made with butter, not shortening. I love making a big deal out of birthdays, so this would be fabulous!
I am still learning but love to try new things! My latest was a pirate ship that turned out fantastic!
I just slap some frosting on cakes, but I have been trying to get up the courage to try making some pretty swirl frosting cupcakes again. It didn’t work out so great the first time I tried it. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
My dreams are a bit higher than reality. I wish I were better, but I do try to attempt a fun cake for each child’s birthday.
I am an amateur but enjoy it and as my kids get older I want to start a fun tradition like you do with yours now. Thanks for this fun giveaway!
I am definitely an experimenting beginner. I asked for a starter tip set for Christmas and have been making cupcakes to try them out. My daughter has been asking for a Sleeping Beauty cake for her birthday this month, and this giveaway would be a huge help.
Amateur but like to “experiment”.
I experiment with not always the best results so this would help!!!
I’m a decorator wannabe! Trying to make my girls b-day cakes each year.
I am a cake mix but homemade frosting always kind of decorator. I love to play and experiment, but have never really invested in tools, this would really jump start my decorating!
I too take birthday cake requests from my kids. My cakes are mostly ugly, but the kiddos sure do like them so that’s all that counts.
Beginner, would love to learn more to get better.
I am definitely an ameture. I try to make cakes & frosting from scratch & garnish it in some way but I very much want to branch out to some fun cakes for my kids’ bdays. Crossing fingers for this kaboodle of help!!
Absolute novice! Love to see the creativity of others, but sadly I have no such talent.
Taken a few classes but mostly just an experimenter.
Mel…. those cakes are BEAUTIFUL!!! I am definitey a beginner when it comes to cakes. I usually stick to cupcakes…they are less intimidating to me.
This is an awesome prize!!
I took that same class and while it was fun, I never did anymore with my knowledge after that. i am more of a ‘what does Big Y sell” type of decorator, but would to give it the ole housewife try again. Thanks Mel!
I am definately an ameteru, but cake decorating is something I would love to learn. My son turns one in April and I am already brainstorming ideas for his party. Maybe a beautiful cake decorated by his momma? We’ll see!
Thanks for the give away Mel and for sharing all your yummy recipes with us!
Mel, I’m like you probably were a few years ago. My kids started asking for fun cakes and with the help of my sister-in-law I’ve pulled off a Batman, a Kung Fu Panda, and a flower. They are definitely amateur, but I hope to perfect my technique!
I’m an absolute beginner!! I’m pretty good at slathering some frosting onto a cinnamon roll but making a cake look good, I need some help. This cake decorating set just might be exactly the help I need.
I am NOT a cake decorator. I live vicariously through friends who do an amazing job of it. I’ve had my eye on a caddy for quite a while, though.
Happy New Year!
My kids always make requests that make my heart stop for a quick second and then I turn to my good friend google and he helps me out. I am definitely amateur but they don’t seem to mind:)
I’m the kind of cake decorator that calls her best friend, who is an amazing cake maker, for all my cake needs! I would LOVE to give her this as a gift!
Def a neophyte here… a little afraid to attempt it – but having the right tools would help!
Oh how I wish I was a professional cake decorator. I fall somewhere in between the experimenter and the “slap on the canned frosting” girl. Best acheivement was for my son’s birthday last year. He reqested a “ketchup cake” (not flavored, thank goodness!) shaped like a Heinz bottle. It turned out great (and not TOO lopsided!!)
experimenter extraordinaire!
I’m not that good. My mom was great and she taught me a lot. I have been slacking in the cake department. This might help me out.
I’d say I’m somewhere between…experimenter extraordinaire and slapping on canned frosting with a boxed cake mix.
I am a very, very, VERY amature cake decorator… but I now also have two beautiful boys (age three and age one) and I know I am rapidly moving into the cake decorating phase of life as my children get old enough to make requests. I have always wanted to learn how to do this, and I think this kit would be so much fun! Otherwise, I think I am stuck with buying the pre-made cakes at the bakery!
Otherwise, my kids would just get a cake-mix cake in a 9×13, spread with canned frosting and sprinkles… 
I am an amateur, but I love it! My daughter is 3, so I have many years ahead of me to perfect my amateur skills. I would really like to take a class one of these days.
I love to experiment however the end result often times doesn’t match up to my expectations! No plans to give up — it’s all part of the learning curve!
I am pretty new at making cakes for my kids’ birthdays, but I do it each time, usually using a website for the how-to and sweating and praying it will turn out like the picture! Thanks for the awesome giveaway and for your blog. It’s brought many-a-delicious meal to our table!
I guess you would call me an amateur cake decorator, although I did cake decorating for my job at the bakery inside of Kroger! I love decorating cakes – it’s so much fun and you can be very creative!
-Courtney P.
[email protected]
I’m completely amateur. As in I can’t remember ever “decorating” a cake beyond covering with a less than smooth layer of frosting.
I recently found your blog and I have been thoroughly enjoying it. I have started playing around with cake decorating. I use to be a slap it on and serve it kind of person. I have become ispired by the way cupcakes are decirated and am trying to do similar things with cakes.
I think your cakes look fabulous by the way!
Looking forward your upcoming blogs!
Definitely an amateur but with two little boys and another on the way I’ve been trying to teach myself some new tricks. My mom always decorated birthday cakes for us growing up so I am determined to do the same for my kids. I’d love to learn your tricks!!
Definitely an amateur….but I did make a mean nemo cake for my daughters 2nd birthday!
I love to make fun cakes for my kids, but I am definitely not a professional! That’s okay since my kids are always happy with the results!
I love to bake cakes, but my decorating could use a little help!
I’m in the process of going from ‘slap it on the cake’ to actually decorating. So I’m definitely an amateur.
I’m an amateur experimenter. Sometimes it turns out and sometimes it goes horribly wrong! But I enjoy it anyway!
I am definitely an amateur! Have been learning as I go, having fun though eating my frosting mistakes.
From the looks of it, I may be your only male reader . . . *sigh* (My wife and I love cooking food, and we frequent your site more than I should admit in a sporting event, construction project, or other such manly events)
…But not the only sucker for free stuff…
While my favorite frosting — German Chocolate — doesn’t lend itself much to decorating, I enjoy a good messy frosting project with other frostings. I’m by no measure any sort of professional, but I think frosting is fun. Now that we have a kiddo, I’m fully expecting some good frosting projects coming in the upcoming years, and this kaboodle of frosting stuff would certainly help that go better than just the good ol’ butter knives and zip-lock bags.
I love making and decorating cakes, but I am by no means a pro. This past September for my sons first birthday I looked up a template online for a train cake- it turned out so cute, but you could definitely tell it was homemade. It was my first time to decorate a cake not shaped in a circle or a square so I was so happy with the outcome. I would definitely love to learn more about cake decorating and continue to make cakes for my son, husband, and family.
I love icing cookies and cakes, and I think I`m neat and great at that. That`s were it ends. I need to learn to make all those fancy flowers, etc., and tricks to the detailed stuff that`s out there. Looking for a decorating class to join this winter and learn some techniques.
I am a rather pathetic amateur cake decorator….but when it comes to eating cake I am a pro.