Giveaway Bonanza!
WINNER!!
Dena (#1258) who said: Hi Mel! I believe that I am a professional cake decorator hiding in an amatuerβs 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!
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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 not a professional but I love to cook and bake for others. I have always wanted to take a cake decorating class but had never done so until last February, it was a birthday present from my sister. We both enjoyed it very much. I love to try new things. I’m always checking out Pinterest to find new ideas for things I think I can do. I have notebooks of ideas ready and waiting to be used.
I need more information on how I can get signed up to compete in the cake contest 812-797-9444 thank you
I’m an amateur decorator. I love to decorate my 3 girls’ bday cakes every year and try to do one for my hubby too. This kit would be wonderful!!
I am not a professional by any means, but like you I have made my children’s birthday cakes every year….and usually they turn out pretty cute!! My husband has actually tackled a few of them himself and though I hate to say it, his are usually better than mine!!
Well lets just be honest. I didn’t even know that you could make a cake from scratch until I was in college. My mother in law taught me that. It’s still a huge family joke. I have three little girls now and tried for my oldest to make her one of those barbie cakes. I just used frosting from a can and so it slid off of the barbies dress when I tried to make flowers. Good thing she was only 2 at the time and didn’t care that her barbies dress was a mess. So for sure for me that was my last attempt, but in my heart of hearts I believe that someday I will become a super chef , my family is still waiting.
I am kind of a make-my-own-frosting-and-plop-it-on-sloppy person. I’ve taken some cake dec classes in the past but I’ve forgotten much of what I learned.
I am an amateur. I love to make cakes for my family members…haven’t branched out much beyond that yet π I would love to take a class someday!
I am a college student trying to go to medical school that started my own cupcake business to add a little extra income to the already slim funds/accruing debt π I experiment but am a huge perfectionist (it’s the future doctor in me) so I do not put anything out that is less than my best!
Iβm an amateur, but love to plan and make a fun cake for the kidβs birthdays!
If you’re talking baking cakes from a box, I’m your lady. But how boring and lame is that? I’ve always had an interest in baking sweet looking cakes to show off to my friends and family but have never had the guts to get started! I’d sure like to though.
I just fishing a decorating class!
I like to experiment for sure. It does not come out as what I am trying to replicate, but at least I am trying and practice makes perfect!
I am an amateur for sure! I am more of a baker, so I am learning the aesthetics of it now! lol
I’m an experimenter, that’s for sure. I’ve made a spaghetti cake – that was fun. But most of the time I just slap on some frosting (from a can…:( ) and call it good.
I’m lucky if I can make a cake from scratch and open a can of frosting. However, I would love to learn how to make them a little more interesting. I love your ideas!
I am a cake decorator wannabe. π
I love to experiment and find ideas online! I would love some tools to make it easier!
Though I do try to decorate my cakes, I end up being a slap on some frosting kinda girl. I definitely need to work on my creativity!
I’d love to decorate cakes but I’ve only gotten as far as learning to make a scratch made cake. I can make something that tastes good but it doesn’t look pretty. lol
I too took a Wilton class YEARS ago! I do make all the birthday cakes for my 3 boys though.
I am new to decorating cakes, but I try. They don’t look the best, but I know if I practice it will get better.
I am most definitely a trial and error cake experimenter…and I love it!
Ohhh, Mel! It’s sad, really. My cakes taste good, but rarely look good. I really do try, but they are always a little off. “A” for effort!
You got skillz! I have never done any decorating with cakes. The only cake I’ve decorated was a diaper cake and I use my “decorator tip” to stuff cream puffs (whenever I make them, which is about never) and do something cute on cupcakes. I am absolutely impressed with your ability to pull this off with 4 kids. How do you do it??? Can you make a post about that?
I just started about a year ago decorating cupcakes and have loved it and would love to start trying on cakes.
Right now I’m definitely a cake mix/canned frosting type of gal, but I would so love start really baking from scratch. Wining this giveaway would be great, because I don’t own any of those neat tools that I need to get started!
Definite amateur but something I love doing for my kids. I always think a homemade cake tastes better than a bakery-bought one even if it doesn’t look as good!
I don’t even consider myself an amateur cake decorator. More like a wanna-be. I mostly just play around, watching online videos and such to learn techniques and get ideas. I would love to take a cake decorating class or better yet, go to culinary/pastry school! Thank you so much for this wonderful collection of recipes, techniques, tips and tricks that you have put together here for us.
I’m definately an amateur but I really have fun trying to improve and create some fun and tasty cakes! My mom always made me really cute cakes when I was little and I want to be able to do that for my kids one day! (I’ll continue to practice on my husband until then!)
Melanie,
I can’t decorate cakes. I have tried. And tried. And then failed and failed and failed again. Oh, well!! But I’d love to see what makes your tools so awesome and maybe I’d have a success to rave about π
I do a lot of wedding & birthday cakes but I always need new stuff π
I would say I’m an amateur experimenter. I do my best to try and make fun cakes for my little guy on his b’day but I am far from great. I would love to learn how to use fondant…that is on my list of things to figure out in 2012!
Amatuer for sure! For me, a cake that is not served in the 9×13 pan is fancy. But, I have started dabbling in decorating cookies and I love making things pretty!
I am a slap it on canned cake frosting kind of gal….would love to be able to do more than that though someday!
I am an aspiring-beautiful-cake maker. I love to make my own frosting, but I’m still trying to perfect my buttercream! So, if I’m ever rushed, I’m an “out of the can” girl.
FINGERS CROSSED that I get lucky for this!! π π π
Amateur for sure! I like making my own cakes and frosting from scratch (my friends call me a dessert snob)
Iβm definitely an amateur, but I love to plan and make fun cakes for my kidβs birthdays! I am slowly getting better and trying new things but I have a long way to go. π
I decorate cupcakes for my Toddler Story Hour @ the library.
I own half a bakery, (not the half that does the cake decorating) but I love to pretend that i can decorate.
I love making and decorating cupcakes for my girls on their birthday. Then if I mess up on one I just toss it and start on a new one! That kit would be super helpful!
We love all your recipes! Thanks so much for the giveaway. I am definitely an experimenter. π
I am definitely a “slap on some canned frosting to a cake mix kinda person” but I would love to be more of a real cake decorator! Yours are so good!
well i thought i was decent enough for a mom who only decorates a big cake for her kids birthdays. then i saw yours, yikes, mine are put to shame!
What comes before amateur…never attempted. We usually do favorite desserts, not birthday cakes around here. Last year, my 8 year old said all she wanted was a cake with her name on it…deprived child. Would love to attempt a fun cake, only with the right equiptment, of course!
I am pretty amateur. I have made some impressive cakes for my kids birthdays though, the things we can and will do for our little ones. π I have seen this bucket of goodies and it would be fantastic to have!
I am a cake DREAMER extraordinaire! Don’t know what that means??? Well, it means that I LOVE to look at blogs, magazines and books but I hardly ever bake. I love to see everyone’s creativity but when it comes time for me to try something new, I just freeze up and panic. I am trying to coax myself into decorating cupcakes instead of big cakes to get my feet wet!
I’m an experimenter….. my vision is great; the execution is often found to be wanting. I love the idea of this cake caboodle and LOVE the recipes from your site!
What a fun giveaway! I would love to break out of my cake decorating comfort zone and these items would be motivating. Thanks for spicing up an otherwise dull January!
I’m more of a salty-snacker, so I’m of the slap-on-some-frosting variety. However, I hate canned frosting – and all of the fillers that are in canned frosting. So if I’m icing a cake, it’s going to be with homemade icing. And my daughter loves to experiment with designs on cakes, so we make a good team. I make the frosting, and she makes the cake look pretty.
I am definitely a cake mix, tub of frosting kind of cake lady…however, with three children and losts of birthdays still to come, would love to advance my skills.
I take requests from my boys and we have had fun experimenting — sometimes even successfully!
I’m as much a beginner as is possible. My saying to my daughter is that if you love someone, you buy them a cake and spend the money on them. I tell her that because I have no skills when it comes to cake decorating!
I am a total just slap on the frosting girl!!! I have attempted to make cakes…..I get frustrated easily and its time consuming!!!
I am an experimenter! I love to bake cakes and I always look forward to the birthday requests I get. I am by no means a pro but I still love it… It might not always look perfect but it sure tastes good π My little boy just requested a dinosaur birthday cake complete with a volcano. Wish me luck!
So far a cake mix and canned frosting decorator. But I have two girls (oldest is 3) and another baby on the way so I know the demand will be high to make creative cakes. So far I’ve only tackled flower cupcakes, and a butterfly and carousel
Cake! Would LOVE tools like this!
I am a beginner, and I don’t have much decorating talent.
I’ve taken one Wilton cake decorating class, but I mostly figure things out as I go. I would like to do it more!
I’m a just-breaking-into-the-business cake decorator.
I am a lasped cake decorator. Took a class 20 year ago when I got out of college. Time to get back in and teach my daughter and I sure do miss my friend the star tip!
I am an experimenter, and my results can vary dramatically. The most “professional” looking one I have made was my eldest son’s first birthday cake–a two-tier monstrosity with intricately decorated jungle-animal cookies parading around the two levels. My latest was for that same son’s 8th birthday party: two 3-foot long light sabers, the chocolate one frosted red for the Dark side, the vanilla one frosted blue for the Force. A huge hit with the kids!
The kind of cake decorator only my kids appreciate! haha. Very Amateur but trying.
I’m totally an amateur but would love to get better because I really love decorating cakes.
I usually buy store bought cake mix, and make my own frosting if it is a traditional iced cake. If they want a specific kind of cake, like cheesecake, I make it from scratch.
Experimenter. I really want to try one of those ones that look like the henna designs I do. I think I could do that whereas, I cannot make a frosting flower.
I am a real beginner. I usually just slap on some frosting and go with that but would love to learn how to make beautiful cakes in time and with a lot of practice. I am a diamond in the rough and would like to get a headstart on shining thru with this give away!!
I’m a bundt cake drizzler, it’s just too easy, but lately my daughters and I have tried some sugar cookie decorating but we are very amateur and could definetly use some help.
I just enjoy making fun cakes for my family on special occasions. I’m an amateur ready to learn:) That tool kit looks fabulous!
Amateur but have a lot of fun with it! I’m gearing up to make a Mickey Mouse cake for my ds in a couple days!
I love baking, but I’m not very good at decorating. I’ve always been interested in it, but alas, my skills are laking in that area.
I’m definitely an amatuer, but I love to make fun cakes for my kids’ birthday parties!
I am generally a canned frosting to a boxed cake mike person, but I have always used the frosting in a pressurized can to decorate with names in cursive and some sprinkles. I did make a cake and frosting from scratch once, but it didn’t go so well. It was a bad day. I need to try it again.
I am a complete beginner at cake decorating but my new year resolution is to be better at meal planning and trying new recipes and thankfully yesterday I stumbled upon your blog. I’ve pinned close to a dozen of your recipes to my pinterest board and would probably have scores more except that we are gluten free here at our house. Thank you for all your efforts in posting good home cooked meals that everyone in the family can enjoy. I am so looking forward to trying your recipes!
An amateur…for sure….but all my cakes are from scratch…so that should count for something! LOL!!
I am just a beginner, we just had our first baby boy about 10 months ago; and I really want to make all his birthday cakes. His birthday is coming up and this would be awesome and a huge help!
I’m a ‘stick- to- the- box- but- will- try- a- recipe- kinda- girl’. I will try recipes if I think my family will like it, but I mostly follow the box. LOL
Total amateur! I once did a snake cake similar to the one you pictured for my son…stayed up WAY too late on that one! I love how excited my kiddos get when they see the finished products, so it’s worth it!
I have always enjoyed cake & cupcake decorationg. In an effort to improve I have taken a class at Hobby Lobby, I am an amatuer for sure!
I am definitely an amateur experimenter. The worst was my Star Wars cookie cake. I seriously spent 7 hours on it….and I was sooooo frustrated the WHOLE time. I turned out alright, but I may have let a few not so nice words slip during those 7 hours.
I am just like you started out making a nemo cake for my sons first bday to making, blues clues and magenta, scooby doo, Dora etc. Etc. To now for the rest ofmy friends and family. A championship giants hat to frontierville cakes. I am just an electrician who has found extreme joy in designing these cakes and making so many people smile. Please choose me for this giveaway, it will be used and appreciated.
amateur! amateur! amateur!
I am for sure an amateur, but honestly I LOVE decorating cupcakes more than cakes themselves! For a baby shower I made pink cupcakes with candy google eyes and candy pacifiers and made little baby faces which is a great accomplishment that they even turned out lol. Your cakes are great though, I’ve just recently begun to be more daring on the cooking front.
I am definitely a beginner! π
I took my first cake decorating class this year and really enjoyed it! It’s fun to create little “art” that you can eat too! So, I’m still an amatuer, but better than slapping the frosting on!!
I am a jewelry artist by trade & often find my way into the kitchen. I have three little kids and we love to bake! I have to admit, tools are everything!! I have been using quart bags and I snip the corner… It actually works…sometimes! What an awesome way to ring in the new year!! These tools would really improve my current arsenal of ziplocks! =β’)
I am the swirl frosting on cupcakes kind of decorator. I am loving learning though!
throw it together is my way of doing it, but I’d love to get better!
I am an expierimenter definitely! I love to see some of the creations my 10 year old daughter and I come up with! Not beautiful by no means, but we always have so much fun! I would love to win this to help further our cake and cookie decorating adventures!!!
I’m kind of a knife wielding spreader…no decorating here. It’s time for a change.
I am like Darth Vader when it comes to cake decorating. I destroy everything I touch at this point. But, I believe there is hope for me just like him!
I love making homemade cakes but have never really tried my hand at making them look beautiful. I’d love to try!
I would like to say I’m great- I really try hard, but my cakes never turn out quite the way I have invisioned.
Love your recipes! I would love some better cake decorating tools too!
I’m an amateur and always think that the right tool would probably make things so much easier for me. The hardest cake I attempted was a fire truck. It wasn’t too pretty but my son still loved it!
I am an amateur. Worked for a cookie company and to my total shock discovered I was pretty good at decorating (before that my statement about my art was that I needed a ruler to draw a straight line). I find ideas on the web for inspiration and pick something I feel I have TIME for when my child’s birthday is near. Sadly it’s usually very little time. I always want to do so much more. But i do attempt just about anything, sometimes it’s disastrous and I make do, sometimes it turns out pretty good considering. My best cake was a chicago blackhawks jersey made with fondant. There were some ‘errors’ but overal it looked great and i learned from them. That’s the problem too, I don’t ‘repeat’ cakes, so I always know I can do it better next time but there never is one. π BTW I have a caddy and some tips and deco bags, so if by a small miracle my name comes up (I rarely win anything)- and you think it would be better to go to someone with nothing- that is fine. Love your blog and wanted to share. π
I’m an experimenter cake decorator! I think homemade cakes taste so much better than store bought and they mean so much more, too. SO, I try to make cakes for my boys’ birthday’s, too.
I would describe myself like you (although you are much better!): I have an interest and will make attempts for my kids’ birthdays, but I have almost no experience. I do have just a few supplies, and this caddy would be perfect for holding and adding to them. Can’t wait to see what else you’ve got up your sleeves!
I always have good intentions with the birthday cakes but it doesn’t always work out. I did make a delicious ice-cream cake for my daughter in November. Thanks!
if it sounds good and not too hard a recipe..i’ll try it. I do love to bake. Not the best of the bunch, but i enjoy it…::::: π
I’m an experimenter.
I am definitely an experimental baker!
I’m certainly not a pro cake decorator but I love trying and experimenting! I just made a cake this week for my baby’s 1st birthday and it turned out ok but this kit would have come in handy!!! I would love something like this to help me out in my future endeavors!
I am a out of the can kind of girl, striving to become more π
Definately experimental. Sure wish I had more patience and utensils to be a Maryha Stewart, but I guess everyone learns one way or another!
I like to experiment, but I don’t expect perfection out of myself π
Definietly experimenter! I also love getting reqests from my kids and just diving in! Good thing they are a thankful and non critical bunch π
I love to decorate my kids birthday cakes as well but am very far from a professional. Luckily they are still young so they think they are great despite all the inperfections
I was just thinking about taking a cake decorating class — I haven’t done anything really since high school, but I thought I really had a knack for it.
I am a stay up all night kind of cake decorator! I love it though!
Amateur experimenter. Thanks for all the wonderful recipes Mel!
I am definitely an experimentor. I say I’m not going to take the time to try to make something awesome for my kids but then I don’t want them to feel left out of the awesome cake birthday that all their friends get. So, I try to do great things and luckily they are still little that they don’t know the difference. I would love to get better. I have years of practice ahead of me. I would LOVE the kit!
Wonderful giveaway! I love cakes (from scratch!) and decorating, but I’m not so detail oriented. I prefer taste over beauty, but would love to improve my techniques!
Amateur experimenter! I’m always looking for interesting recipes.
I took a cake decorating class several years ago. I’m still a novice, but have fun experimenting!!
I am definitely an amateur but I like to do cut-up cakes and have tried the cake pops. I enjoy your site very much.
I am an amateur but would love to get better. Your monster cake is my favorite. But, shamu gets points for “How in the world did you make that?”
I am a practicing cake baker… amateur completely but working on my skills.
I am totally an amateur, but I’ve been saying for a few years that I want to learn how to decorate cakes. This might just be my motivation.
I am an amateur experimenter. π
Definitely amateur, but having fun learning and trying new things!
I am the same cake decorator as you. take requests from my kids on what they would like for the cake and make the whole party to that theme. Something so easy to make them happy. i love to decorate cakes and yes, my cakes are not the best either, but I still like it. I use whatever tools I can find around my house. I do not have an offset spatula I learned to use a piece of paper to make it smooth. I should look into one though. i love your cakes! Very Cute!
I am an experimenter…but oh, how I love to experiment! (usually). Growing up, one of my favorite things about birthdays were the fun and creative cakes my mom would make for her kids. I have tried (though not always successfully) to carry on the tradition. A Shrek cake that looked more like a Hulk cake comes to mind. …
Definately an amature, but I do my best with whatever theme my son asks for his birthday cake. π
Total rookie here but would love to become an at home expert. Thanks for the chance!
I am a lazy cake decorator as I usually make Lemon Cake with a glaze so I don’t have to bother with frosting. My daughter is fabulous and has fun with it though and she is who would get this from me (so she will keep doing the great stuff for me)
just a beginner, but i love to decorate cakes for my kids’ birthdays.
My husband and I make up one chef:) My husband loves to present the cake beautifully, and I like to bake it!
I am a twice-a-year for my kids birthdays kinda decorator. Took the Wilton class with a friend learned enough to try to do it myself, but definitely not quite enough to get a full night’s rest when attempting to decorate a cake. :o)
Well, I have to say that I have been wanting to learn how (I think my daughter would love for me to learn also), but just don’t have the right tools to be able to do it. It could be the new hobby that I am looking for. Thanks for all the great recipes!
I am a terrible cake decorator, but I love doing it anyways. I know this caddy would help me big time. Happy new year!
Thank you so much for your wonderful site and delicious recipes. What a nice give away. I am the kind of cake decorator who uses frosting with things sprinked as the decoration, no fancy cakes for me, but I can sprinkle on some nuts or chopped reeces.
I admit it. I used canned frosting. π
I am a total amateur! I love decorating, but am not very good at it. Love one of these…
Each time one of my kids birthdays rolls around I think I should make the effort to make a cool cake, but unfortunately, this hasn’t actually happened yet! We usually just make homemade cupcakes and decorate them ourselves and let the kids go wild, it’s fun and hands on, not very professional looking but fun!
I took classes years ago (in high school) and loved it. I always swore my girls would always have a “mom” decorated cake — that lasted until the oldest was 4 — they did have pretty cakes every year – just not a “mom” one. Now I have 4 granddaughters that I’d like to make cakes with! What a neat giveaway! — I’m also an all nighter decorater π
Cake Decorator? That may going a bit far when it comes to my talents with frosting! I am the the grab some powdered sugar, add some milk and vanilla, and slather it all over the cake kind of decorator. Of course, I use my spatula and knife to make sure the frosting is smooth and pretty. π I’m sure I could shock my own amazing roomate with the birthday cake of the century for her 30th this year if I put a little more elbow grease into my decorating.
Thanks so much for the amazing blog to follow! I cannot tell you how many recipes I have borrowed (read: stolen) from you!
I am a total amateur… but I try, and try and TRY for my kids. The happiness on their faces when I have given them their requested cake is the best reward of all… even if my cakes sometimes turn out lopsided. π We just turn that side AWAY from the camera! π
I thought I was going to be an awesome cake decorator when I was in my teens many years ago…I liked making really cool cakes like Holly Hobbie(you are too young to know her!), Sweet Sixteen and several other fun cakes with the whole cake decorated with the star tip…Now I am 51 I have not made another cool cake since…instead I buy most of my cakes! It’s never to late to go back to cake decorating…right??!
BTW… I was in search of a great manicotti recipe and stumbled upon your blog just last week. I made it this weekend and it was sooooo good and everybody loved it!! I am so excited to try ALL your recipes. Also, Congratulations on a Baby Girl!!!
I love decorating cookies. I can duplicate any picture I see. It’s so much fun to bring a picture to a cookie.
Depends on the day. Love homemade frosting but sometimes canned will do in a pinch π
I am a beginner for sure!
I am an amateur but aspire to be great one day!
I took a class (and gained a lot of weight from eating a cake a week) before my oldest turned 1. Now it’s too much work to find the supplies I need so I slap frosting on. I make homemade frosting though so it still tastes yummy!
I also am not a pro. I took cake decorating in 4-H when I was about 11, but now I am professional decorator mom for my kids b-days. All 4 of them try to see if they can stump me, but every year I am successful in cutting, piecing, and decorating some awesome cakes. I love the challenge and I totally sympathize with you!
I just found out I am going to be having my first lil feller and have been sicker than a dog, but I guess I would say I am a budding beginner cupcake decorator. Nothing fancy. Bless you for your ambition and generosity.
Total experimenter….I make it up as I go. π
We live and breathe by the store bought frosting. You can nuke that sucker till it’s nice and runny, then a simply pour, and top it with sprinkles. Sure would be nice to know another way. π
I try to make cute birthday cakes for my three boys but get overly stressed about it. My husband has relieved me of that duty and taken over the decorating – he’d love this π
I am a total amateur but aspire to be great one day!
I am definitely an amateur cake decorator but I would love to be able to do amazing cakes like yours! P.S. I LOVE love your blog. Just sayin’. π
Amateur! I do make my three kiddos their birthday cakes every year.
This would definately help! Thanks for the giveaway!
My cakes taste great (always homemade!) and look fine–but not awesome! When I used my friend’s cake decorating kit, though, I decorated some gorgeous cupcakes (If I do say so myself!)
i am a cake decorator wannabe. however, i don’t do boxed cakes or canned frosting. i have found a go-to chocolate and vanilla cake recipe and will never go back. still trying to find the perfect homemade frosting, but until then, i purchase it from a local baker’s shop. would LOVE to win this giveaway. thank you so much.
I took a beginning class, but since then have only made a couple of birthday cakes for my kids. It’s fun, but I’m not very good!
and I forgot to mention that I am usually a slap some frosting on from the store…but I think it’s time to improve. One more new years resolution.
wow…1,321 comments. We’ll see what luck I have. This looks like a lot of fun!
Im definitely a box and canned frosting kind of cake maker but I don’t want to be! I made your coconut tres leches cake and will never use a boxed cake again! I would love to win and start making fun cakes!
I am an amateur for sure, although I’m all about HOMEMADE cake. One trick that has worked well for my kids’ birthday cakes: Frost it and stick toys on top! (I even let the kids pick the toys that go on top and that’s part of their present.) Make sure it’s plastic and washable, and wash/dry before putting it on top of your cake π Mel, you don’t know how many times you’ve saved dinner at our house! Congrats on the girl – it’s a whole new experience to be a mom of a girl after a house full of boys. Bring on the PINK!
I honestly I just beginning. I bought for first set of tips the other day to try to start learning how to start.
I am the experimenter. I love to make the fun cakes but have never been taught “properly” so I have to figure it out myself–or ask my friend the professional π
I’ve actually really recently wanted to take a cake decorating class and start making this my new hobby…so I guess I’m a cake decorator in training!! Thank you for all your amazing recipes…love them!!!!
I am an experimenter. Always made the kids birthday cakes when they were younger, and still try new things!
I’m an amateur, but I would like to improve!
I am definitely a beginner! I like to experiment with different pan shapes, colors of frosting, and decorating accents, but the base of every cake I make is a cake from a box and store bought frosting.
I am a professional. Not! π I do like to make my cakes and frosting from scratch, though they don’t always turn out that great but that’s how I learn. I have never experimented with fondant but would love to, maybe this year.
Seriously! You are famous! I cannot believe how many comments you have, I cannot believe that I know someone famous!! Hahaha!
I am an amateur. Below amateur. If you saw Meg’s bday cake from last year, you would totally agree. It was a princess castle that fell over. Not kidding.
Love you dearly!
A
I would consider you a professional after seeing those cakes. Me… not so much. I love to make cakes and frosting from scratch and my cakes taste great so I’m the designated cake-maker in the family (both in-laws and my side) but my decorating is to be desired. Maybe with that cool kit I can learn! Sigh.
I am a slap some canned frosting onto homemade cakes and quickly decorate the morning or afternoon of kind of cake decorator. This past year I bought some actual cake decorating supplies for the first time.
I’m not so good at cake decorating. I try though !
I am definitely a beginner when it comes to decorating cakes but love to learn new things and make something fun for my kids for birthdays! I would love this kit!
i’m a wanna-be cake decorator. i refuse to buy store bought cake mixes and frosting (yuck!), but my cakes are less than perfect. thankfully, they usually taste pretty good, though!
Well Mel, I am commenter no. 1306…hmmm….I won’t count on winning! π
I am definitely a cake novice…c’mon…I just started making all of my own breads a few months ago…I gotta take baby steps to becoming more like you!!
Melanie
I’m an amateur all the way, but tried doing more then the traditional rectangle cake when my daughter turned one. the lady bug cake turned out great and I’ve said to my husband many times after that, “maybe I should take a cake decorating class.” This would be a fun one to win. thanks!
I have always wanted to learn the art of cake decorating. I did try a few years ago to make a Care Bear cake for my daughter, but it turned out less that stellar π I would love this kit!
And BTW, you NEVER fail me with any of your recipes! I LOVE everyone I have tried! Thank you soooo much!
Amateur, and I love it. I love experimenting with new things. I had to change how I cook recently as I learned I was Gluten Intolerant, and most likely have Celiacs. So I have recently started baking again. It’s been so much fun after 1 year no cakes whatsoever to make them with new types of flour!
Mostly a slap on some frosting right out of the can kind of girl. But my mom made A-mazing birthday cakes for me and my siblings when we were little. I want to do the same for my kiddos. Motivation to learn!
definetly an amateur and I have only really done one decorated to try but am planning on trying lots more.
I pretend I’m a cake decorator for my kids birthdays!!! I have made some pretty fun cakes. . . but all in the name of experimentation. π
Wow, you’re cakes are awesome! I am totally an amateur. If you had a “buyer” that would be me. Last year I tried one for my sons birthday but due to complete failure I bought one this year! I would love to learn and maybe tools are one thing that I am missing!
Amateur, but want to get better. A caddy would be so helpful.
I make my kid’s birthday cakes!!!!
I am a wanna-be. I really only make cakes for my kids or husbands birthdays, but I spend a lot of time trying to make something special. Maybe the more kids I have, the better I will be!
Definitely an experimenter!
An amateur! Occasional experimenter, the concept and vision in my mind is much easier and with a much better result than the actual outcome.
I am a beginner. I gave a small decorating set to my daughter for Christmas a couple of years ago and we have fun adding a few touches to birthday cakes.
I am definitely NOT a professional…I try to make my kids believe I am because I do not like paying 25 dollars for a cake, so therefore I let them know that I can make them whatever cake they want…which is always very trying, but I do my best. I have 3 kids going on 4 and my oldest is 10 and I have made their cake every year. Needless to say this would be well used in our home and maybe give me a chance to create better cakes! I would love to use this!
Well….I try! My cupcake frosting is much better than my cake decorating.
I am certainly no expert when it comes to cake decorating, but I give it a valiant effort. Like you, I try to let my kids choose their birthday cake, and have had fun trying to create them a masterpiece. I love your site and all your great recipes!
I love to experiment!
I love to decorate, but definitely not professional!
I am not a professional. All self taught from a long line of self taught cake bakers. In my family, store bought cakes are simply unacceptable. Somewhere along the line, 40 some years ago, a family tradition was born of making a 3-D teddy bear cake (the Wilton Panda bear cake pan) for everyones 1st birthday. Then, we set the finished cake (amateurly decorated, but made with love) on the table with the baby. So far, in 40 years of kids, all of us have reached over and pulled off the nose. My cakes may look homemade, but that doesn’t stop me from trying π
I am an experimenter…I like to try things and they don’t always turn out!
The only cake I baked so far came out from a red box. This is one culinary adventure that I want to explore in the near future.
I’m no expert but I took a cake decorating class last spring and love to decorate birthday cakes for my family.
I’m a middle of the road-er. I took a cake decorating class in 4-H 100 years ago and I’m a snob when it comes to homemade frosting, but my creations are never very exciting. yet.
I have tried and FAILED many times!! Would LOVe this for my kids birthday cakes!! Love you and your blog!
I always make homemade cakes for my kids and husband too and want to learn more…not professional around here and my patience runs out after a few hours of trying:)
Complete Experimentor! I LOVE trying new things! I”m excited for the day when my baby is old enough to tell me what kind of fabulous cake she wants for her bday and I will be able to create it!
Definitely an amateur, but I have fun making my kids’ birthday cakes each year.
Definatley an experimenter. I love baking and cooking and making yummy things look so good!
i have never decorated a cake in my life…but would love to learn and try!!
I see beautiful cakes and they call to my inner creative side (I know it’s in there somewhere) but sadly…I must admit I am an amateur. An amateur who loves the idea of decorating one day like Buddy on Cake Boss.
I wish I was a pro, but I’m not. I love to make my kids birthday cakes though, and they think they’re great, so that’s all that matters.
I am an amateur but I, too, love decorating fun cakes for my kids’ birthdays. I have even made some of the same ones that you have in your pictures!
Total beginner that tackles cute ideas I find on the internet…my most recent was a dragon that was fun to try but the poor head kept falling off… π
totally awful! but this kit will help be learn!!
Growing up, my grandma always made the two and a half hour trip to our house the night before our birthdays so she could make us a birthday cake -much like the pics you posted. . .such a fun memory and tradition! Since then I’ve always tried my hand at birthday cakes for my kids. I remain very novice indeed, but I’ve tried the monkey cake and snake cake you posted -along with other favorites like mickey mouse and rocket from little einsteins and cars. Love it. Love your blog. My husband always asks how I know you (since I talk about you like you’re my best friend I just called for a new recipe). He is convinced you were one of my many roommates back in the day. Thanks for sharing.
Definitely an amatuer
So cute!
I am definitely an amateur. I wished that the cake that I decorated actually looked like something, but I really should take some classes to improve.
Amateur, but hope when I have kids I’ll be able to make them some bday cakes as cute as yours!
I struggle with decorating cakes! I love to do the baking & have the actual cake part down to an art. But when it comes to decorating, I just call my sister. I’m slowly learning to do things on my own though π Each birthday the cakes look a little better.
I am a fun loving cake maker! I see things I like online, try to replicate them, and give them away to make others happy!
No doubt about it, I’m for sure an amateur, but I would love to work on my cake decorating skills. Thanks for the opportunity!
ooooh i would LOVE to own this! i’ve only recently ventured into cake-making, but i’m excited to keep learning!
Is an amateur and relative such as myself allowed to enter? π
I am an experimenter. But I love adding things as decoration that would not normally belong on a cake. For a graduation cake a used a greeting card, a pretty silk flower and ribbon. It turned out great and was a lot easier than trying to work with fondant (for me).
π
Amateur in cake decorating but learning!!
I’ll have to admit I’m totally an amateur. [But at least I try!]
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!
What a wonderful giveaway. I’m a experimenter extraordinaire. Still exploring the world of cake decorating and always wanted to learn more and try new things. π
amy [at] utry [dot] it
I’m not a great decorator but it is something I’d like to try more of.
I am an absolutely amatuer cake decorator, but I love to try it, and when I have the time, the resukts ar eusually recognizable.
I am a beginning decorator. I have started decorating cupcakes and some have turned out ok and others no so ok, but I definitely love to decorate them. I have tried one cake before and that was fun too.
I want to be an expert on decorating soooo bad. Maybe if I had the right tools….
I am completely an amateur at decorating but love making cakes. I have always wanted to be a mom who made and decorated my kids birthday cakes and I envy those who do. I do try and make good cakes though. I love your blog and I have learned a lot and become such a better cook because of you. Thank you for all your yummy recipes.
I love doing cute cakes/cupcakes for my kid’s birthdays! My daughter asked for caterpillars last year so I did cupcakes for her class with an individual caterpillar on each, made of home made fondant. They turned out cute, but lots of work for sure! But I have sooo much fun with it, I just can’t wait to see what they will ask for next year.
I am an experimenter for sure. I generally end up going for taste over appearance, but i do love to make them pretty!
In high school, I used to decorate cakes for Baskin Robbins, but I’m pretty much an amateur. I just do projects for family and friends.
I am a total wanna-be. I try to be creative but end up just covering all my mistakes with extra frosting. Who can mess up with extra frosting?!
I am definitely a novice with frosting! I tried to make cupcakes for a church activity and it took me 10 hours to finish them (and they looked terrible!).
I am definitely a novice, but I’d love more practice. Love your blog!
I made a few fun cakes for my son when he was young and would love to make cute cakes for grandkids now.
I’m definitely a slap on the frosting type of gal. But it’d be nice to have some tools to make them look better!
Definite amateur here, but always wanting to improve!
I am no professional by far, but I LOVE to bake and LOVE to pretend I know what I’m doing when it comes to decorating. I love to experiment and learn a little more for my girls birthdays every year.
I’ve tried to “decorate” my kids birthday cakes, but I am by far a professional. I usually just use canned frosting and call it a day. This kit would be fun to experiment on future cakes!
WOWEE Look at all those comments! Boy do you get a lot of love from the commenters π I am a make cakeballs and dip them terribly in chocolate kind of gal because I am that bad at decorating. I would LOVE to be better at it and try some new fancy things!
Definitely an amateur experimenter. Love to play around and learn new tricks!
I am definitely a novice cake decorator! I didn’t think I could do one for my son’s birthday so I got one from a bakery but it was gross!! Next birthday I am attempting my own!!
I’m slowly becoming more of an experimenter. I used to be a sheet cake kind of gal but now that I have kids I’m trying to venture out and try cute ideas….it sure would be great to get some supplies!!
I am definitely an experimenter! I have hopes of one day being great π
Very unprofessional, but have made many cut up cakes for my children and decorated them. Like to decorate sugar cut out cookies.
Woa! TONS of comments!! Well, it’s a one in a million shot but I sure do like to play with frosting. In a very non-professional way. π But I try. π Thanks!
I am an experimenter! I love to make my kids birthday cakes fun for them. My latest was an Optimus Prime cake for my son.
Oh boy, I made my first race car cake for my 3 year old this year and after LOTS of experimentation it actually turned out alright! I’d love a few extra tools to help things go a little more smoothly next time around!
I’m an amateur cake decorator at best.. but definitely have fun decorating cakes!
My son asked for a “Brobee” cake for his 3rd birthday. (his favorite character from “Yo, gabba gabba) I wanted to make a cake in the shape of the character, not just a small decoration of his face on a round cake, so I free handed his shape, and decorated from there! He was extremely happy with the end results, and that is the best part.
Link for photo;
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo104/maysmom/brobeecake.jpg
I’m an amateur and would rely like to learn to decorate this year!
I’m a beginner… definite beginner. (but a hopeful one!)
I really only decorate cakes for my daughters. 2 months before my first daughter’s birthday I worked in a bakery so I could learn some basics. The first day in the bakery they had me ice 220 cupcakes, so I learned quick on how to hold a decorating bag. My biggest downfall though is writing on a cake. My most creative birthday cake I decorated was a 3-d army jeep cake. My nephew still talks about it. 6 years later.
I’m an amateur but I’m working on it. My goal is to start a home-based cupcake business in a year or so. While it’s not the same as full cakes, I’m still working on my decorating and making them look as good as they taste. I made a new recipe each week so I could find the right base recipes, now I’m working on improving them and the presentation aspect π Next goal is to do full size cakes. Eek!
I am another amateur. I am lucky to get the base frosting on without other add-ons. I definaltey could use some help.
I’m definitely an amateur. I used to make personalized cakes for my children when they were young and really loved it. I put lots of thought into them! Now that they’re older, I don’t do it as much, but now I have grandchildren to make them for!
Experimenter. My brother and I are always trying to ‘out cake’ each other with our kids birthday cakes. 2 years ago I got my brother cake decorating classes for Christmas — he thanked me for helping him become the best cake decorator in the family!
I’m definitely a wanna-be! I love to cook & bake but haven’t really ventured into the decorating arena yet. I’m hoping to in a few weeks b/c it will be my son’s first birthday! I need to come up with something good! I LOVE your site, been following it for awhile & haven’t had a bad recipe yet.
Experimenter! I love the challenge of making my kids birthday cakes each year.
Definately and amateur…but my kids love it and I’m learning to. π
I just started really baking and purchased my first “round” cake pans LOL. I made a two tier cake (Red Velvet w/ Cream Cheese icing) totally from scratch and everybody SAID it was delicious HAHAHA! I have always been the cooker in the family so baking is my next venture. So I am a beginner when it comes to the decorating, will more than likely not take a class because of the cost but hey, with sites like these and the learning you can get from online, who needs to pay for classes π
I am a cake decorator wanna-be! I always say I am going to take some classes, but you know how that goes when there are a million other things calling.
I’m a novice in the cake decorating field, but I want to learn…especially since my baby boy just turned one. I see some cake decorating in my future π
I am definitely amateur…….although to be able to make my own well designed cake would be simply fantastic!
Definately a buy a boxed cake mix and slap some frosting on type of person. Haha. But when we need writnig or little flowers drawn on it I definately love the experience of experimenting. π
Wish I was a professional, but I’m still learning! Love, love, love your blog!
Experimentor! I love pretending like I know what I’m doing while trying to put together birthday cakes for my kids and hubby, or decorating treats for the young women at church. Occasional sensations and often mystery tastes and almost recognizable decorations keep me going.
Love your website! I’ve grown a love for cooking and experimenting while trying out many of your recipes!
As a beginner I am inspired to make cakes for my grandchildren.
I’m a very amateur decorator … but I love attempting anything my kids request for their birthdays!
Well, I’m am amateur, but always admire the beautiful cakes I see others make. I’d love to give it a try!
I’m a wanna-be. I have decorated cakes for my kids in the past. I remember my hand cramping from doing a million little stars shapes on a Winnie the Pooh cake for my oldest son’s 2nd birthday. After that, life grabbed a hold of me and I had 2 babies in 2 years. Needless to say, cake decorating took a back seat with 4 kids under 7 yrs. old. Now I just pop a cake in the oven and it might get some icing slapped on it by my oldest daughter. This kit might inspire me again.
I’m an experimenter. My favorite is experimenting with whatever different flavors and colors I can blend together to create different tastes/experiences. Mmm, so fun.
Definitely a novice. I LOVE making cakes for work birthdays, taking time to pick just the right recipe for the birthday gal. But I’ve only just started experimenting with using decorating tips and piping bags. Would love to have the skills you show in your photos!
I am a super amateur, but I made a monkey cake for my son’s first birthday and I really enjoyed it. I’d like to experiment some more!
Experimenter, but when that fails, frosting in a can saves the day!
I definitely love to experiment! But it has to taste yummy-looks aren’t everythin
g!
I never knew how hard cake decorating was until I had my own boys and tried to do something fancy. I was going to make a car cake and ended up making ONLY the wheel. I was going to make the wheel “really” cool and put some silver rims on it (yes… “a” rim on the “one” wheel). In trying to figure out a way to make the wheel spin, i dropped it. π So… to sum up what kind of cake decorator I am? One that needs desperate help.
I’m an amateur, but love staying up all night trying to make something perfect. I make all kinds of cupcakes for the kids in my class (daycare class), to go along with the holiday, lesson, etc.
Experimeter. I, too, have never taken a cake decorating class, but I do have fun with it! I’ve never ventured into fondant – I just prefer the taste of buttercream. …I do have a question – how did you make that whale! One of my boys Loves whales and would love a cake like that! (I just “drew” a whale with frosting on his cake; 3D would make me an even “cooler” mom. =) )
Definite amateur here! With an anniversary and 2 birthdays in January, things don’t stop around here. My 8 year old daughter and I were experimenting with chocolate just yesterday for her cake this weekend. She really wants to decorate a fancy cake for herself this year.
I am good at the abstract designing but not perfect looking details. My daughter still loves what ever it is that I come up with anyway!!
Definitely an amateur. After decorating the little man’s first birthday cake with ziplock bags a few weeks ago, I’d love to have this in my arsenal.
I am a novice putting it kindly.
Total amateur! I work full time so there isn’t much time to play in the kitchen! We have a baby boy on the way so I’m hoping that with the new addition I will be able to spend some time in the kitchen experimenting!
I am a beginning cake decorator. I like you always made up a cake after hearing what my child wanted their party theme to be. I love your daily recipe.
I usually throw some canned frosting on, but I did experiment with a Volcano cake when my son had a Hawaii themed birthday. It didn’t come out too bad for someone who usually throws a cake together!
I’m not a cake decorator at all but I am going to try and make my daughters first birthday cake next month. It will be a monkey cake and the cake pan is from Wilton!!
Slap on some canned frosting!!!
I am by no means a GREAT decorator since my “benign familial tremor” makes detail work near impossible, but I am very proud of the family tradition I have kept up in making my children’s first birthday cake… http://pcdub.blogspot.com/2008/07/big-oh-one.html
Mel, I love your site! You have seriously change the way I go about making dinner. I am so grateful to have found you.
I would consider myself an experimenter/professional. I’m always looking for cool new tools to help me. π Thanks for the giveaway and Happy January!
I’m a lot like you. I attempt fun cakes each year that my kids request. I love to try new things but I am by no means a professional!
I’m a beginner but am so excited to learn more!
I am such an amateur.Here’s a story, I made a Mickey Mouse cake, bought the MM shaped pan, all the frosting and coloring. Well instead of tinting the white frosting with chocolate, I started with chocolate frosting and tried to lighten it, never the less we ended up with a very dark complected Mickey, everyone loved it, I was still so proud though, it’s still one of the girls favorite pictures when they are going through old photos. Since then I use alot of candy and sparky sprinkles:)
I am an experimenter. I try to make my kiddos cakes each year for their birthdays, and I would say you can definitely tell that I do!
I am very similar to you in terms of my cake decorating skills. I’ve been known to knock out a couple pretty good cakes for my kiddos b-days. But starting in two weeks I start a community college cake decorating class! I’m super excited, and then would be a fanstastic start to the semester!
Novice would be generous.
If they had a Cake 101 class I would take it. I am soo just a beginner.
I’m still pretty much an amateur cake decorator but I would love to get better! π
I am an amateur, but getting better every year. I have three children, two boys and a girl, so every year I get at least three chances to work on my skills.
I make my kids birthday cakes every year! But I’d only consider myself a novice.
Amateur, although I just decorated a Hello Kitty cake for my niece. I used a Wilton’s pan and it was recognizable, just not a very professionable job. Thanks for all the great recipes.
I am definitely a beginner! I love to bake and love making cakes – sometimes from a box and sometimes from scratch. I’ve always been too afraid to try “decorating” because I know it would end up looking like a 3 year old did it. Fear! BTW, I love your blog and every recipe I’ve tried has tasted amazing! You are my “go-to”. THANK YOU!
Ok. That’s funny cause frosting tip set was on my Christmas list! I generally stick to cupcake decorating cause if u mess up theres still a dozen or so to try again on ( ; I’d like to brave the picker cakes but need the right equipment ( wink wink )
I’m definitely in the amateur category. I took a cake decorating class at the community college a few years back and loved it! I’ve made a few cakes for close family and friends, but that’s about it. I thought about working in a bakery a few times, but that’d be way over my head and a huge learning curve. If I win (and hopefully I will!), I’ll have more things to practice with!
Definitely a beginner at cake decorating, but love all the practice! Happy New Year!
I would have to say I like to practice once or twice a year for my kids Birthdays. I’ve made a barbie cake, a puppy dog, a swimming pool complete with diving board, a princess crown and a Sponge Bob cake – all were pretty successful. Not sure wht is next. The girls seem to like cupcakes lately instead!
I’m not the best at decorating, but I make all my own icing. I just have no talent for writing neatly or making pretty flowers.
I like your term–experimenter extraordinaire. I love to get creative for birthdays and special occasions, just like my mom did. This kit would be wonderful!
Definitely an experimenter-mostly with kids birthday cakes. I am better at decorating with candy than piping tips. I need to practice on some more grown up cakes!
I have never really decorated a cake but I would love to try! It would be so awesome to make a cool birthday cake for my twin 4 year old boys!
amateur… I am not very artistic and I always assume you have to be artistic to make beautiful cakes!
I am an amateur but cake decorating is something is have always wanted to learn how to do. My first adventure in cake decorating was in a high school home economics class. One of the things we were taught was how to make a rose using the nail thingie. Needless to say mine turned out as a frosting blob. Maybe a kit like this would help me finally nail the ever elusive frosting flower. Thanks for all of your delicious family friendly recipes.
Would love to learn how to decorate. I usually just wing it!
I love decorating cakes and have some great tools but nothing to put them in. This little caddy would be a great item to store things in. I too am an amateur but it is fun to create something someone loves.
Amateur, I’d say. Although I can decorate a layer cake with homemade frosting…pretty good for the most part. I’m not incredibly artistic….I’ve never made a cake like those you’ve done. One day!!
Experimenter!
The best word to say what I am would be SLOW ! The first one I did was a frog cake
for my 13 th birthday made with the wiltons frog pan and decorated with mainly the star tip. Now I just do them for my kids birthdays. I love it until its time to wash all the bowls, bags, and tips…. =)
Beginner!
I am definitely an experimenter extraordinaire. I love trying new frosting recipes and trying out new decorating supplies. I would love this carrier!
I am a home baker. I keep things simple!
This would be great for my 12 year old son. He wants to be a pastry chef. He has made some really awesome tasting cakes and this would help with decorating. Thanks for the opportunity Mel!
Although my wife is much better at baking cakes than I am, I definitely am one who crosses their fingers, hope it comes out of the oven alright, and then decorate it with whatever is in her cabinet. Once my graduate degree is over, I hope to be able to help her out a little more π
Definitely an amateur but my daughter and I love baking and attempting fun decorations and new recipes! Love your website!
Wish I had the guts to experiment more! But I try on occasion…experimentor.
I am a novice cake maker and decorator. I love making cakes for my kids for their birthdays. I try and be as creative as I can. We have the force with us, as we have made many a Star Wars theme cake! My kids are awesome and I love doing fun things for them.
I have like no experience decorating cupcakes, but my daughter’s birthday is on Sunday and I am going to try really hard to do something that turns out really cute.
Amateur. I go for the “it was supposed to look like that” approach. π
I love decorated cakes. I’ve done a few that turned out great (fairly simple ones) but many others that were just ok. Cupcakes are my favorite for decorating. It’s eaiser to remove the mistakes.
I’m definitely a beginner cake decorator but working on my skills! Happy New Year:-)
Haha – I love that you had frosting in your hair. I decorate for my children’s birthdays too – and frosting all over me is inevitable! I took the introductory class, but need much more help! It’s the love that’s put into them, right?!
I am an experimenter!
I’m a tried and failed more often than succeeded amateur. My four little boys have received many “balls” for birthdays, decorated spheres that attempt to be basketballs, baseballs and soccerballs have been the favorites. I got a sphere cake pan (like two small metal bowls) when my oldest son was a toddler, and they have been well used. He is now 21, but my youngest is still in the want-a-decorated cake stage. I have now started my hand at filling mini cupcakes with filling and putting a pretty swirl of frosting on top. But I am woefully unprepared with the proper equipment, so it is even more amateur than ever. This entry has gotten me super excited about using correct tools and having better results! And … thank you again for your wonderful recipes!!
I am a mere novice when it comes to cake decorating. Happy New Year!
I am an amatuer cake decorator, but an expert cake eater! Have dabbled a bit in cake decorating, but it’s been a few years. Would love to give it a try again. Thanks, Mel! You make our mealtimes so much tastier!
I am definately an experimenter, but with 3 young nephews, I need to become more of a decorator! Something like this giveaway would go a long way towards helping me!
I am an experimenter!
misteedawnw at aol dot com
I gave up making cakes a few years ago after I realized I had too many kids to be baking their birthday cakes. However, my sister enjoys baking her childrens’ birthday cakes and likes to try interesting shapes and decor. She’s a big fan of your blog too so I’d love to win the kit for her!!
Iβm an amateur.
I am the most impatient decorator ever! I usually shy away from elaborate frosting techniques because I just want to EAT!
Well, I wish I could be a cake decorator. We got a little fancy with our sugar cookies this Christmas and piped them with a star tip, but that is about the most exciting cake decorating I am able to do. I would LOVE this kit so that I could experiment and try to become a better cake decorator. I love your site more than you know. I have made recipe after recipe and there has not been one that did not turn out amazing. For Christmas, I made the cheesy potatoes without the cream of chicken soup (which my husband can’t eat) and they turned out so good. I love those potatoes and was so happy to find an alternative to the soup recipe since I can’t serve those. Thanks for all the great recipes!!
I have zero cake decorating skills but I would honestly love to learn!
I am amateur, very amateur. I love decorating cakes for my kids birthdays, but I also love the help of my mother who has all the right tools that I lack. I would love the right tools and a little more practice!
I am an experimenter with a rather strict scratch philosophy. My cakes take too long to create and can be a disaster or a delight. So I guess I am an amateur with big dreams.
At any time other than Christmas (I go all out then), I buy & use canned (gasp!) frosting ~
My cake decorating is experimental. Willing to try new things but not a lot of success.
I can’t tolerate gluten so I used to not bake as much. After having a little girl I started to reconsider. Now I just bake to relax and for friends and family they seem to enjoy it what I make. Cakes I would say I’m somewhat of a amateur. But I love to try new things in the kitchen!
Omg!!!!! There has been over 1132 comments!!! Wow I have always wanted to try my hand at making a fun cake !!!
Thanks
I’m a dreamer! Thinking of great ideas and then asking my local bakery to bring my dreams to life. However, my teenager daughter is a creator. She started a barbie cake, and when it didn’t work out she turned it into a shark eatting a barbie. Thanks again for all of your recipe help. I’m remebering how much fun cooking for my family can be.
I would consider my skills to be similar to yours – mostly self-taught, but I also learned a little working at a bakery and ice cream shop a few years ago. I’ve only made 1 wedding cake which actually turned out really well but was super stressful to do. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
Somewhere between amateur and wanna-be professional. I always decorate my kids’ birthday cakes, and since I have 7 , and m oldest is 17, I’ve had LOTS of practice. My techniques still could use some improvement, though… LOL
Definitely a beginner but would love to get better! I think your cakes are darling!
I am a wants be cake decorator. I really would like to be professional and make amazing cakes but am only a beginner that make very fair cakes.
I am now the mother of two little girls and ironically, I resolved this year to learn to make and decorate cakes so we can start having special birthday cakes (that cost a little less than an arm and a leg!) I have NO tools needed whatsoever and have been trying to scrounge up dollars and figure out what the most important purchases would be… What a cool giveaway this would be for me to help me get started!
Would love to learn how to decorate better. This looks fun!
The rushed baker – Home brand cake mix + Betty Crocker frosting + a bit of creativity.
About to change now that I just bought a KitchenAid Artisan mixer. I can’t wait to kick some butt in the kitchen and fatten up everyone at work.
I am (sadly) quite vile as a cake decorator, but am valiantly
pressing on as somehow a homemade cake is set firmly in my mind as requirement for my kids b-days. I have cried bitter tears as my Seven Dwarves house grew a large goiter on the top in the oven (why oven?? WHY??) , as the icing slippped off my Mary Poppins carousel in a mucky river and then my personal fav nervous breakdown at 3 am- when the massive cotton candy poofy top of the big tree in the yard of my Villa Villekula Pippi Longstocking cake- shrank in shriveled horror into a tiny hunk of gross when I tried to cover it all with saran wrap (then spent hours trying to bake some kind of new top for tree, while weeping loudly into icing bowl from exhaustion). Happily- the Buzz Lightyear rocket was triumphant last year, but am currently clenching my bum in fear at the Captain Hook pirate ship cake I am attempting in 2 weeks and have happily decided to pretend it is not happening until the day before and then I will give one last hurrah at trying to bully the 4 year old into snazzy gold coin cupcakes instead?
World’s worst cake decorator!
I like to think I’m more than amateur, but that’s probably all I am. I do like to make my own frosting, though.
I love baking & decorating! It is a fun & creative outlet that I have found I absolutely love. I am always looking up ways to do things on YouTube. π
I love to decorate cakes for my kids birthdays, but I am by no means a professional. I have had my eye on this box for a long time. I borrow my friends when I have to do a cake, so having my own would be great!
Definately an amateur but would love to develop into something more!!
Beginner! I actually just started to venture away from box mixes thanks to your blog!
Definitely an amateur, but make my buttercream frosting from scratch and have fun experimenting.
I’m an amateur. I love trying out new things when it’s birthday time. I love your website. So far I’ve just used some super yummy dessert ideas, but I haven’t been disappointed.
I’m a mommy decorator. π When my kiddos birthdays roll around, they tell me what shape/character they want and I do my best to create it. I have lots of fun but no where can I claim professionalism. I’d love to have a setup like this to help me out!
I am VERY inexperienced… more of a wannabe cake decorator:) I have two little girls that I would love to make fancy schmancy cakes for but I don’t have any tools and would LOVE to this caddy:)
Have I mentioned that I have made tons and tons of your amazing recipes?!!!
I think I will fall into the “let’s give it our best shot” category. I’ve had a few great successes and some sad failures ( sorry goes out to my niece π But, it’s always fun to try.
Definitely an amateur at decorating, but I can make some pretty great tasting cakes.
I’m a super simple, can’t-really-decorate-a-cake, let my kids help, kind of girl.
Im definitely an amateur… But something I’ve always admired
Wow! What an incredible giveaway! I have used fondant (the marshmallow kind) exactly one time in my life, and it was quite the learning experience. All other decorating was just to cover up the cake, nothing more. This set is amazing!
I have been cooking for years but never baked anything except chocolate chip cookies…. until i found your site.i have since become quite good using your recipes for bread, pizza,rolls etc.i have three year old twin girls and would love to start making cakes for them.love your site!
Hi Mel! I love love love your blog! Every time I’m looking for something new to try I always visit your blog first.
Technically I am a professional cake decorator, I work in local grocery store here in Phoenix, Arizona. I am pretty much self taught, just picked things up here and there while working in the bakery to put myself through college, until I picked up enough to be promoted to decorator myself. Lately I’ve really been trying to learn new and better techniques at home so that I can break away from the standard grocery store sheet cakes and make things that are more “cake boss style” for my family and maybe even to move my career into a pro cake shop. I’d love to win one of these kits as one of the biggest hinderences to broadening my cake horizons is not having all the tools I need. That stuff really adds up!
I’m totally a novice. I just made my first birthday cake for my four year old. It was a rainbow cake. It was pretty successful, but nothing tricky. Thanks for everything!
I’m about as beginner as you can get but I’ve wanted to try to learn a little more. I have absolutely no cake decorating tools so this would be awesome to win. Thanks for all the great recipes by the way.
Fun! I’m terribly afraid of committing myself to making an awesome cake, failure is way to close. I’m definitely a “call my friend Bekki and ask her to make the cake” kind of gal. But if I had a cool caddy I would totally give it a whirl!
I love being creative with my kid’s birthday cakes. Completely amateur but it is so much fun and the kids love it!
I am a cake decorater in training-just took a class, but still learning!
I am not very good at all, I do try. I have always wanted to learn though and this would be a great start!
Definitely amateur, but love it! Made my little one a football cake for his 4th birthday and it wasn’t all that bad π
The best cake that I have ever made was for my daughters 5th birthday. I made a barbie cake. Where the cake is the barbies dress. My daugther loved it and I was shocked that I pulled it off…..but like you it took me a late night!
I love to make birthday cakes and frosting from scratch (my favorite yet is your Unbelieveable Chocolate Cake w/ Magical Frosting). My cakes always taste amazing but unfortunately look like my 5-year old decorated them. We ended up calling my daughter’s last birthday cake “Earthquake Cake” because it looked like it suffered through a 7.0 at least. In summary, I’d call myself the “It’s What’s on the Inside that Counts” cake decorator. π
amateur…I ended up turning one cake into a trifle b/c it looked so bad, but I’m getting better π
I would love that!
I am a store-bought cake kinda person, but sometimes I’ll get the itch and attempt to decorate my own. Nothing great so far though!
I keep trying! An experimenter extraordinaire!
I am just a copier….thank goodness there are pro’s out there with great ideas and designs. Love making a great birthday cake for my grandkids.
I like to think I’m a pro, but I’m totally not. Growing up I learned from my mom. Now when she does any cakes for weddings she bakes and I decorate and do the details!
Definitely an amateur. Actually probably less than amateur. But it’s the thought that counts, right?
I’m an experimenter. My MIL gave me a cake book a few years and now my kids think I can make anything for them. I try and to date have managed butterflies, a horse, a box of crayons, and a few other things. This would be so much fun.
My mom used to make those cute princess cakes in the 80’s, but I’m not that talented. I’m more the slap it on from the container kind of gal. But, I love me some icing. Thanks for such a great opportunity.
I’m a used-to-be semi pro, but after six kids, medical school, and residency, I was demoted to a sometimes-when-there’s-time kind of cake decorator. Maybe I should take the hint to get back to it, when my kids ask for a store-bought cake over their mom’s!
I am a self taught, try anything once, plan for weeks, not always turns out but I have a lot of fun trying, kind of decorator. But everything is from scratch!! No cans, no boxes. I have 2 tips and have no idea how to use them well, but I am getting better and better!!! Love your site. We eat so many of your recipes as staples…french bread rolls, chicken braids, meatballs, cupcakes. I have yet to find something I don’t like!!! Thanks so much.
hopeful…I am a hopeful decorator.
Every time I set out to decorate a cake, winging it all the way, I have great faith it will be just as I imagine. I get close.
sort of.
I took a cake decorating class years and years ago in high school. I learned a few tricks that have served me well over the years. There’s nothing better than a tasty and beautifully decorated cake! Thanks for the giveaway, Mel, and for getting me excited about 2012.
My kids have given me some strange requests for cakes over the years but it’s something I enjoy doing. I am for sure an amateur so I’ve pulled a lot of all nighters!
I am an experimenter – I received a few new decorating tips for Christmas and have tried them out on sugar cookies.
I’d say experimental, definitely.
The first cake I ever decorated was my brother’s wedding cake. Bold, right? I was so proud of it. He gasped when he saw it, and I just knew he loved it, too. 10 years later, I look at the pictures of this lopsided, girly-cued monstrosity of a cake, and I gasp, too. Ah… but it was scrumptious.
I am just learning how to do this. I bought cake tips last year for Christmas and have been experimenting mostly on cookies so far. I would love this kit to get me going even further!!
I love to experiment with cake decorating for my kids birthday cakes. I took cake decorating classes at Michael’s years ago while I was in college, so I have some skills, but I definitely have a lot to learn still!
I am an expirimenter extroidinaire. This year I made 6 cakes (from scratch) before even decorating them to do a butterfly cake for my niece’s 4th birthday. But it came out great and I even tried a homemade buttercream frosting for the first time!!
this would help me with my frosting diasters i make
I usually make some kind of theme cake for my 3 boys’ birthdays, but anyone could make them and it usually involves an idea from the Family Fun magazine/website. I’ve done trains, Indiana Jones, Blues Clues, Star Wars, Harry Potter’s Gryffindor house crest, etc. But the easiest one and the one that I think looked the coolest was a moon cake with gray Necco wafer craters and white frosting mixed with Oreos. This year I will probably have to decorate a Jupiter cake.
I would love to win the caddy and goodies and take a real cake decorating class!
My mom knows how to decorate beautiful cakes but none of that talent was passed on to me. I’ve tried to do a few birthday cakes for my kids but only after TONS of time on the internet and experimenting. Hope I win this set!
Definitely an amateur, but I love to experiment.
Cake decorator by experiment. Started doing the same for my son’s birthdays. I have accomplished his first two birthdays with a race car and a John Deere tractor with surprising good results.
Wow, there are so many entries. I love to make food look appetizing.
I love the idea of making a birthday cake for my kids, but like you, have never really been taught professionally. In my mind, I thought that there was an unofficial rule made once that said, ” to be a good Mom, I was suppose to make all the Birthday cakes.” Ha Ha. I would love to learn someday how to make a real Birthday cake.
Mel,
I love to bake but never have tried cake decorating. Could be a new skill for 2012! Thanks for your wonderful recipes. My family has enjoyed every one I’ve made.
I, like you, have 4 boys and they think my experimenting ways are amazing! I, on the other hand, know better…
I’m a total amateur but love the challenge of making cakes for my 4 little monkeys.
I look to family fun for help and my girls love to help π
I’m like you, a self taught cake decorator. My mom never once made us celebrate with those gross store bought cakes, and I loved her for it. Therefore, I’ve decided that was something I wanted for my children as well. We love experimenting with new things each birthday. I LOVE your website. I have never made a recipe I didn’t like, thanks a million.
I definitely make everything from scratch, but I am in no way a professional cake decorator. I usually toss a bunch of colorful sprinkles on top of the cake to make it look fancier and to cover up the bad icing job.
Well, I’m better at eating cake than decorating, so that probably makes me an amateur. π
cakes are supposed to be decorated!?
Far from a pro, but dedicated enough to not go near canned frosting or a mix….. pick me pick me!
I like to think I’m pretty amazing, then I get the cake finished, step back and take a look and realize no one outside the family can EVER see it! At least they always taste good lol!
My mom was really good at decorating fun cakes for us, so she helps me as I try my best to be creative. I’m always up for learning new techniques and getting new ideas.
Tradition in our house is that I pull out all the stops to make an unusual cake for each persons birthday. Some have been successful – Captain Underpants – and some have been a flop – a standing harp π Its always a good time.
Sometimes I get brave and experiment when I have time….mostly though it turns into boxed cake and a can of frosting!
Amateur! π
This is fantastic site, I am an amateur cake decorator, but I am willing to learn to try to improve. I look forward to each time I get on hotmail, just to see if there is a new recipe, I like the recipes because they all have been tried. Keep up the excellent work!
Definite beginner! I’m desperately trying to improve.
Beginner for sure, but it sure is fun to make a mess.
I love to attempt to decorate whatever cakes the kids request…and am always up all night to do it too! your cakes look much more professional than mine, which never turn out even close to perfect, but I love to see the kids faces when they see them!
Amateur for sure! Growing up my mom used a cut-apart cake book to make all kinds of cakes, all from a 9×13 cut into different shapes and sizes to become something magnificent. I’ve done a couple of those, but that’s the extent of my experience.
I am really good at picturing a fun, themed cake, but they very rarely turn out the way I want them to! So lately it has been just frosting and stacking a couple 9 inch rounds.
I am a novice cake decorator. My kids and I love to watch HowDini to get ideas for birthday cakes. My three year old asked for an off set spatula this year! We would love to win your give away!
I have dabbled a bit into cake decorating and would LOVE to learn more and what better way to learn than having the supplies to do so.
I am an amateur for sure, but my daughter and I have been trying new things together. Recently, we made a spaghetti and meatball cake that turned out pretty good!
I just made a oreo ice cream cake for my husband, I enjoy decorating cakes. I took a class once and really enjoyed myself. Thanks Mel.
Self taught amateur, I have been loving marshmallow fondant and have done some pretty fun birthday cakes with it:)
I just found your website tonight. I have already seen so many recipes that I want to try. I am always looking for something new to jazz up our dinner table but I am partial to baking cakes. I am new to baking and cake decorating. I’ve had some success and a few disasters. I’d like to take a decorating class but I havent found one in my area yet so I do a lot of searching the internet and a whole lot of trial and error. I’m trying to learn more about how flavors, textures, colors blend to get just the right end result. I’m still searching for the perfect frosting recipe. I am excited to try some of the recipes I’ve found on your website.
I ADORE cake decorating! I am self taught and make my kids birthday cakes, have made baby/wedding shower cakes for church friends, and occassionally am asked to make birthday cakes for my friends children!
I am an experimenter. My 3 boys put in requests and I try to make it work. However, when I fail-then I go to the bakery!
I’m a slap some canned frosting on a cupcake kinda gal. π My kids always like it so it works for me.
found you through pinterest! I am an experimenter all the way!
I want one!!! π My favorite things to make are cupcakes.
I’m definitely an experimenter–only for my kids, but they love it and so do I! Thanks for the great blog!
I am someone who tries to be clever, but the easier the better! It better go together fast and look nice! I am not a professional, but I would love to have fun with it! martha(at)lclink(Dot)com
I love making cakes, but I’m kinda stinky at decorating. The inside is always terrific! I would definitely put this baby to good use! Fun giveaway!
I am a wannabe decorator! I keep saying that I’m going to get into cake decorating, but I have yet to make any cake look spectacular. I also keep meaning to ask for decorating tools for Christmas/birthday/anniversary, but my brains seem to be working against me and I keep forgetting.
Very much an amateur but hoping to eventually get better.
Such an amateur, but I love the homemade cakes it is fun to try new things and of course my kids usually love them even when they don’t look perfect.
I love to make fun cakes and cupcakes for whatever the event (kids’ birthdays, baby showers, etc). I would call myself an intermediate or thereabouts. Fun giveaway!
I am a “want to be a good cake decorator”!
I recently just made my little boys first birithday cake. I am definatly not a pro but i do enjoy it!
Amateur but learning!
I am a novice cake decorator with big aspirations…….a lot of attempts at greatness (“attempt” being the operative word!!! Love your blog– many of your recipes have been rotated into our usuals!
definitely experiment, but mostly homemade.. not so much canned frosting π
Just like you, I stick to only getting fancy with my kid’s birthday cake since I’m no professional. I find the kid character cakes are way easier to pull off than every trying to do lacey flowers lol.
I am an amateur but love attempting homemade cakes for my son’s birthdays. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’m not very good at cake decorating, but definitely enjoy the process (and the end result)!
What an awesome giveaway! I started following your blog after coming across your San Francisco pork chop recipe on pinterest. It is totally my favorite, And all of my girlfriends are now making it too! I am a total amateur, but love to decorate cupcakes. I’m sure they would look so much better with some proper tools! Thanks again for your awesome recipes and the giveaway! π
Total amateur. But I love the blog, have recommended it to many friends, and we all trade recipes. I don’t follow any other food blogs regularly, I am married to yours. Thanks for your faithfulness, you equip exhausted moms like me!!!
I am amateur. I have taken the wilton decorator classes, and loved them. It does get crazy to find time to keep working on my skills, however I really enjoy decorating cakes.
I am by no means a professional, but your cakes completely blow mine out of the water! I guess I could use a little more practice!
Beginner, but hope to continue making my boys bday cakes! I’ve decorated one cake for my 2yr old son’s birthday – a truck cake. It was alot of fun!!
I’m a glazer! Usually on angel food. I also take on the occasional birthday decorating challenge and could use the tools to expand my repertoire.
I am an experimentor and willing to try pretty much anything. I always let my kids pick out any cake that they want for their birthdays and then I try to make it as best as I can. I’d like to get much better than I am!
Currently i am a NON-cake decorator, but when i win this I will be all set to give it my very best shot! This is an AWESOME giveaway!
I’m no professional, but I have been experimenting more with different homemade frostings and decorating tips!
I’m definitely an amateur/experimenter, and also someone who has to re-do things like 20 times to get it right π
Total amateur. But I’m picking up all the tips I can!
Definitely an amateur, but my favorite was a train I made for my then 3-year-old, now almost 10-year-old, train crazy son. I would love to have some new gear and experiment! Love all the recipes, thanks!
I am more of a cookie decorator than cake, but willing to learn!
I am not a cake decorator but would love to learn. Your cakes were absolutely darling!
I took one class from a “Master Decorator” with the Wilton company, was pregnant with our youngest at the time and the smell of that frosting made me SO sick I could hardly stand it!! LOL. The youngest is now 35 and I have made lots of cakes for friends and family but I think the most rewarding is to do wedding cakes for young couples that really can’t afford an elaborate wedding – at least they can have pictures of a very special cake! I love trying new ideas and being creative … and I use a different frosting recipe!!LOL
I’m definitely a experimenter extraordinaire. I am trying to be like my mother, who made us all very cool cakes as kids. So far I’ve do Monster Tucks riding through ooey gooey chocolate hills, and a cookie monster cake with googly cake pop eyes. I think I have 4 wilton frosting tips…..and this kits looks awesome. I hope I get picked! π
I just like to do kids cakes for fun.
It’s like a caboodle for cake decorating! Sweet! I’d say I’m in the intermediate category.
I’ve played around with decorating cakes a little bit – it’s fun!
OMG! How fun is this!? I used to love, love, love decorating cakes when I was a teen. Then I had a boyfriend who’s mom did professional style wedding cakes and my confidence took a dive – and I really haven’t done much with it since. I’ve only recently actually made some cakes from scratch again for birthdays just this past fall. Funniest part is, I’m a henna artist so you’d think it would be 2nd nature to at least do flowery, viney designs like I do in henna!
Definitely an amateur here. I have done a few I have been proud of, but am still in the learning process. Thanks for all you do!
Definitely an amateur, but love doing it. Hopefully, I’ll be better some day.
Either cockeyed cake or a boxed cake mix with homemade frosting. Yum!
I am new to cake decorating. I love to experiment in the kitchen, and I would love to have some new tools to work on my skills.
I never never never use canned frosting, my cakes are like the rest of my cooking, it may not look pretty, but it sure tastes yummy!! But I would LOVE LOVE LOVE this to help me out!! Thanks!
I enjoy making fun cakes but I am definitely an amateur. I have all boys too so I usually make boy-themed cakes around birthday time. But they are no where near as cute as yours. Maybe this caddy would be just the thing to take me to the next level. π
I wish I was better at decorating cakes. I love to do it but I find I get so frustrated sometimes because the cake does not turn out the way I want it to. I really should take a class so I can learn the right techniques. This “caboodle” would be an awesome addition to my limited cake decorating supplies.
I love trying new things — experimenter!
totally and completely amateur…in fact my husband does a better job than I do. That could be because I take the kids to the park while he decorates though, trust me it’s more than a fair trade
You make cooking fun. I look forward to your post. I would to learn how to decorate cakes.
Not too bad for someone who has never had a class:) Love doing it esp. for my two little girls.
Not too bad for someone who has never had a class:) Love doing it esp. for my two girls.
I’m kind of like you…just do what I can in my own kitchen. I don’t come up with my own ideas, but a good google image search and I can usually come out with a decent copy cat result in my kitchen.
I am a wanna-be! (though I’m getting comfortable taking orders) I’ve self taught a lot (internet, experimenting, and youtube) and have taken some Wilton classes. I have always taken orders from my kids and have gotten better over the years. I would love to win some new goodies! Check out some of my stuff at http://www.theabakery.com/index.php
I’m definitely an amateur, but I try to be cute & original. For my son’s birthday last year I used a dinosaur chocolate mold to make dinosaurs for his cake since I knew I was not talented enough to draw them. I’m definitely interested in learning more though!
Amateur. Mostly a cake decorator wanna-be. Would love this caddy! Thanks Mel!
I’m a total cake decorator wanna-be! I love doing it and always am very excited about making my kids b-day cakes, but definitely no professional by any means. I will hopefully feel more accomplished in a few more years. π
Well I would still say I am a novice. I always make all of my three littles
Birthday cakes & I also work part time at my dear friend’s
Dairy Queen to decorate their cakes. I have very basic tips but would Love to
Have one of those caddy’s! Thanks for the giveaway, love your recipes!
I’ve just recently started to enjoy cake decorating!! Definitely an amateur, but trying so hard to not be! Ha!! Would love some great equipment to up my success rate!
What kind of cake maker am I??? Well, the kind that picks the cake right up from the bakery…cause it tastes and looks better that way. I have tried a couple for the kids birthdays…thank goodness they are too young to care too much, yet!
After 40 years of making birthday cakes, I’m still not close to a professional. I do think that my Wilton tips and frosting bags (and other great Wilton products) make my life just a little bit easier.
I took a beginners cake decorating class to learn how to make cakes for all my little one’s b-days. I’m definitely still a beginner after 3 years though!
I am an admirer of cakes. I always have to check out the bakery at any store. My hubby bought me a four week Wilton cake decorating class for Christmas. I can’t wait to try out something new.
I am DYING to have one of those! I try to honor the birthday requests of my children, but often times find myself scowling…lacking the skills and tools but. MELANIE-cake making-goo roo-wannabe π
I am a novice cookie and cake decorator who enjoys spending time in the kitchen, with my family, and especially my dog poonko. My daughter showed me your site and I have been enjoying it ever since! I use your recipes often. Thank you so much for your efforts in sharing.
Wow. Your cakes are so beautiful and amazing. I’m a bundt cake kind of girl. They look classy and you don’t even have to frost them!
Holy. Cow. You are popular. I am am no pro but I have adored making them my whole life.
Amateur – like many just making fun b’day cakes for my girls!
I am, by far, an amateur. But, I love creating cakes for my lovely children. They get so excited to see their “requests” come to, and they can usually tell what it is!!(success in my books!!)This caddy would be very useful (I have a little birthday coming up soon!) Thanks for all your awesome recipes!
I’m an experimenter that loves taking requests, usually stressing me out in the process π
Definately boxed cake mix and store bought frosting kind of cake decorater!
I have just started to try to get fancier with my kids cakes. Still learning!
I am the “slap some frosting from a can onto a cake” kind of decorator. Lately I have been trying to experiment with making my own frosting, but haven’t ventured into the wonderful world of decorating with all the fancy tools. They look like they would be fun to use! I hope I win! By the way, I love all the fun cakes you have made! Way to go!
I would love to be able to whip up a fantastic cake for any occasion. I’ve made a few for my boy’s birthdays, and have done the all-nighter thing too. I always think it will be so easy when I start, but it always turns into so much more of a headache than I was planning on. At least they are always greatful and act like what I made is the best thing they have ever seen.
I am a copy-cat amateur! I have to see something in order to make it and even then, I still need help. My husband usually ends up stepping in to help because I stress about every step. But he just throws it together and it looks good. But I am like you, I have to stay up late the night before the birthday to try to get it the way I want it. Thanks for your real-life experiences and for making us feel normal.
Amateur cake decorator but want to learn more!
definitely a experimenter but very much an amateurish experimenter:) Love your blog!
Not at all a cake baker – boxed cake and frosting from the can but who doesn’t love yellow cake and white frosting. (-: Every year my girls have my mother-in-law make their birthday cakes…so very creative. Maybe one year I could do it instead. (-:
I buy cakes at Costco but would love to have something that would motivate me to be more creative.
I am an amateur, but like to try to come up with creative ideas for my kids b-days. I love to bake from scratch, though–none of that frosting in a tub!
I’m an amateur decorator, but I am working on my skills. I fell in love with cakes when I hosted my first family Thanksgiving. I do all of my god-children’s cakes (mermaid, little mermaid–without the pre-shaped pan, giant cookie, skateboards, cherries, etc.). I love seeing their faces when what they wanted is staring back at them. It is so much fun. I hope to start a small business someday, but for now I will just settle for family holidays and the occasional word of mouth referral.
i took a cake decorating class last year too! yours look way better than mine…
also i saw that butterfly cake you made my mom last year– so cute! you are very good!
so my cake decorator status is eager amateur.
I am a self taught experimentor and just go with the flow, no redos here. Usually I just go really natural all about the not the desing
I have yet to get the courage to try anything yet but would like to learn how to decorate cakes.
I am NOT good, but i’ll keep trying!!! =-)
-Jessica A
I am definitely an amatuer experimenter, but nothing is better than seeing you kids excited faces when all is said and done.
I am a really good copier. If I see a picture I can make the cake look the same. Not very creative on my own.
I am a total amateur…I NEED this..hahaha!! Thanks for the giveaway!!
I’m mostly a can of frosting with sprinkles kind of decorator, but am going to try decorating my first real cake this weekend for my son’s second birthday!
Definitely a beginner.
I am an experimenter. I love making cakes for my son’s birthdays and other holidays.
Oh my gosh, this would be so awesome to win. I am still mouring the loss of ALL, as in every single one of my Wilton frosting colors. I have taken all their cake decorating classes and love decorating cakes. I am nowhere near a professional but did find in taking the class that I have the knack for making awsome roses. My teacher actually gave Wilton my name telling them that when completed they need to speak to me about teaching classes. They actually did contact me and sadly, I had to turn them down at that time as my oldest son had just learned at the age of 15 he had heart problems and was needing some surgery.
Anyway, I was going to make some cakes a few months ago and started wondering if those colors had any expiration date. I found no dates on the the little jars anywhere so I contacted Wilton and they told me that yes, they don’t last forever and that mine should be tossed. I felt like I’d lost my best friend. I had collected almost every single color in my stash. Now I have none at all. This would be great to help me begin building my stash up again. I want to teach my son’s fiancee how to decorate cakes since she is pregnant with her first child and I know she can save tons of money in making her own cakes for all those birthday parties she’ll be having soon.
I’m a copy cat cake decorator who knows which designs to copy & which to skip. My 5 yr old twins got a killer pirate ship cake for their last bday. My Mom always made cool cakes for us kids & I enjoy doing the same for my kiddies.
I am by no means a professional, but i have enjoyed making and decorating delicious and adorable cakes for celebrations of my close friends! I could spend a lifetime (not to mention a fortune!) on cake decorating tools and learning how to use them. this kit would be a great start to that collection!
I’m a mom-cake decorator. I have 4 kids and they all ask that I make a special cake for their birthday. I enjoy making them. I may not be able to give them huge parties but they always get an awesome cake. Thanks for posting those cake ideas!
Aww… Mel… that’s so sweet. This is one of my favorite blogs ever. I don’t even know how many of your recipes I’ve made… and they are among the recipes I go back to again and again. I’m so glad I stumbled across your blog all those months ago. π
I love to bake, but other than piping on a nice border or some leaves and simple flowers…. I really haven’t tried anything too elaborate. Maybe it’s time to get adventurous and try a shaped caked!
I’m not good at cake decorating at all but I love to try! I’d love to take a class. Aaron’s mom is awesome though and she usually comes down and helps me on birthdays. Right now all my supplies are in a shoe box. I’ve gotta get me one of these!
Definitely an amateur but still love decorating cakes and cupcakes! This would be an awesome kitchen addition!
I know nothing about makin cakes, but wanna learn!!love your blog and your talents!!
Amateur! But love to decorate for my kids!
Basic frost-and-eat type…with an occasional decorative experiment! Your cakes look so creative! Love that smiling monkey.
What a fun giveaway! I’m a wannabe cake decorator – I want to be good, but I could use a lot of practice!
I am an amateur baker and cake decorator, but I am willing to learn!
Definitely a pathetic amateur. I bake cakes from scratch (most of the time) and always make homemade frosting. Decorating is where I FAIL miserably!! I did manage to make my son a birthday cake that looked like his football jersey but only with the use of a Wilton t-shirt shaped pan, Wilton fondant and my good friend made patterns for his jersey number with her Cricket so I could lay them on the fondant and cut around them. I really have NO talent at all.
I am a “wanna-be professional cake decorator.” For the last 4 years I have been doing Wilton cakes for my kids birthdays and they are getting better each year. I’m now also adding in cake pops as a take-home goodie and loving making these as well!
a total non-decorator, but I’ve always wanted to try….and hopefully not become an addict because I have no time for a new hobby.
I’m an amateur, but I’m a whiz with the Wilton shaped cake pans…my son has had a monkey, a star, a train, a fire truck, and a tractor so far for his 5 birthdays. I am a star-piping machine!
I’m for sure a wannabe!!!!! I love to bake, but I’m also really messy!
Definitely an amateur, but have experimented with fondant before. I need better tools!
I used to just slap some frosting on…until my friend asked me to make a wedding cake. ha! Now I’m a self-taught experimenter with some decent outcomes!
I am a bit of a beginner, but long to be more pro. I can frost an adorable cupcake, but am definitely in need of a few new tricks as my daughters fifth birthday approaches and she wants a cake that looks like a teapot for her tea party birthday (not the political kind, the invite friends over for “tea” and pastries kind). π
I have been decorating cakes for so many years…cannot count how many I’ve made and decorated. I use an old rubbermaid container that holds all my stuff…your give away is much better! LOL
Beginner – but looking forward to more practice!
I’m a beginner for sure…but dying to learn. Pick me!!
I am not professional, but I love to try my best to be creative with my kids birthday cakes. I would LOVE new tools to help me with my experiments. And, I have 3 kids birthdays in January alone so it would be put to use immediately:)
Sometimes my plain frosting looks terrible. My kids sure would get a kick out of some fancier cakes in their lives.
I am an ambitious amateur. I’ll definitely attempt to fulfill wishes but sometimes the end result doesn’t match what I envisioned!
I have taken 2 classes at Michaels, years ago, but never got to the fondant class. Would love to eventually take more classes. I know just enough to have a little bit of fun!
Amateur – I have decorated a few birthday cakes and even a wedding cake, but still have much room for improvement!
A beginner, but definitely thinking it’s a hobby I will continue!
I love to try cakes for my boys on their birthdays, but I definitely keep it pretty simple. I have had a few flops too! I don’t have any “tools” for my cake decorating, so it would be fun to try some out!
What kind of cake decorater am I? not a good one, I always have high hopes, but they never turn out good, maybe it’s because I use a ziplock bag and cut a hole at the tip!
I made a Perry the Platapus for my son’s birthday this year, but that took all of my limited cake decorating skills.
I have never won anything my entire life… But i really really really really really want to win this. I don’t quite pull all nighters… but i spend hours pulling my hair out trying to make my kids the perfect cake… last year my son wanted a cookie monster cake… I planned and planned for months… the morning of his birthday he decided he really wanted a mario cake…… We made it work! π
I’m a slap the icing on the cake and throw on a few sprinkles girl. i hope to be way more creative though and this should help π
i am an amateur but it is a tradition that I make all my kids birthday cakes I go all out, no canned frosting or anything of the sort and I really try and make the cake beautiufl. my next request from my soon to be five year old is a darth vader cake. that should be fun. great giveaway! I have always wanted to take a class. i am hoping i can do one that jo-anns offers this winter… thanks!
I don’t really know what I am doing when it comes to decorating cakes. I do like to try to experiment with cakes and decorating, at least for my kid’s birthdays.
I love experimenting, I just don’t have the tools to do it more often. This would be BEYOND amazing.
I’m a decorator like you. Self taught and I love taking on challenges for my kids birthdays. The greatest joy is seeing how much they love their cake!
A novice at best, but taking some wilton classes over then next two months to learn a bit more. π
Amateur for sure!
thank you for this oportunity!
π
-a
Amateur…I make a good effort, however, still need a lot of practice.
I’m more comfortable decorating cupcakes and cookies!
Oh, definitely amteur, but it is so much fun to be creative and then watch it disapear.
I am an experimenter. Always trying to be creative and out do what I am copying:)
I am an in betweener! I usually use a box cake and then attempt something creative with the decorations and frosting. I would love a little assistance in this area!
I’m an imperfect perfectionist. I have these grand ideas and designs then have no time/no idea how to complete them the way that I would like to. I blame the artist in me. I figure if I can paint on canvas I should be able to get that same amount of detail with frosting on a cake. π
I took a cake decorating class a long time ago and it has turned me into an experimentor extraordinaire! My sons birthday cakes have turned into all nighter experiences too, but I love it. His last cake was a 3 tier Mickey Mouse cake. I could definitely use the tool caddy and some of your favorite tools. You are an expert on MANY levels and in my house what you say goes! π Thanks for this giveaway!
I am an experimenter extraordinaire! I love to come up with ideas and spend hours online checking out other ideas and figure out how can I do something like that. Sometimes successfully and others not! Love to make special things for my kids! Thanks for the chance to win, I have a few tips from a cupcake set bought years ago but would love more to experiment with!
I would consider myself an amateur but one with a lot of potential! I love baking and I love that the Wilton decorating set looks like a pink tackle box!
definitely an amateur with ambitions of improving. This tool kit would be a great help!
I am most definitely a beginner/faker. π I really WANT to do some nice cakes though. I did some cute cup cakes for my daughter’s 1st birthday, and would like the tradition to continue. Thanks for the giveaway!
Totally a beginner! I love to bake cakes and would love to learn how to decorate them! I am the one who always brings the neat desserts to get togethers , and they are always wondering what I am bringing next! This would add to my wonders of cake baking!
It is something that I would love to try. For some reason, I just never have done cake decorating. I have been looking for some large pastry bag tips – wanted to use them for deviled eggs. Can’t find anything locally, so I guess I will have to order online.
I have just started experimenting with baking and more specifically with cake decorating this past year. I am definitely still learning and tend to be more of the experimenter at this time.
I am the type of cake decorator who has a cake turn out, feels pretty confident and then the next time I am up crying at midnight and have an emergency call in to the bakery the next morning. Your picture of the pirate ship reminded me of my pirate ship disaster. We laugh about it now!
I’m a traditional layer cake girl. I usually use cake mix but mix it with my own fillings, icings, and toppings. There’s nothing like a pretty cake!
Definitely amateur, but loving every minute I try. I made a swimming pool cake for my sons years ago and they were thrilled. I neglected to tell them it had sunk in the middle and that was why it turned into a swimming pool cake. Another time I made a ship for my son’s birthday and took it to the beach where the wind blew sand in it. So, it was authentically a beach cake. Then another time we built a gingerbread village and all sat watching the walls collapse. Such fun! But we keep trying and now the grandchildren are the recipients of our “masterpieces”. Yours is my favorite go-to blog when when I want a good recipe that I know will work. Thanks for all you do.
Amateur, but adventuresome. Always use real, fresh ingredients so the result is yummy…not just pretty!
I am a wanna-be that LOVES to see what I can come up with!!!!
Awesome giveaway that any baker would love!
Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!
Definitely a amateur. The only cake decorating that I have done is slabbing frosting on at the last minute and then MAYBE putting sprinkles on top when I am feeling ambitious. But I would like to learn how to creative things sometime in the near future.
I am definitely a beginner!!
I have taken a decorating class or two, but I am far from professional! Mostly just birthday cakes for my kids!
I’m a make it, frost it, throw on some candles and make a wish kind of girl, but I have always wanted to find time to make cake decorating a hobby. I definitely need some practice though:)
I’ve taken a few classes so am somewhere in the middle of the decorating spectrum….
I love to decorate cakes, learned from my mom. I will attempt to make any cake π My all time favorite success was making Tow-Mater. It was awesome.
I’m the lazy canned icing and cake mix type but I’m trying to do better this year…
I am an amateur. I LOVE baking cakes and cupcakes. The cake I’m most proved of is my niece’s 1st birthday party. I bake alot of cakes/cupcakes for school (first grade teacher), church activities and parties, all the cakes for family birthdays and just because I crave them. My kitchen is cupcake theme and sooo cute!! My dream (for real) is to have my own cake/cupcake shop but I know that will never happen. However, if I win I will def. use the kit and pretend I have my own shop in my kitchen!! π
I just spread the frosting on and hope that it looks okay.
i am an amature, but i do enjoy it! π
I have recently taken a cake decorating class, and am learning! I would love to win this kit!
I am in a family of very creative cake decorators, myself not being one of them. When I have attempt something fancier than a box cake for a birthday – I end up finding that I need a little more know-how and definitely more time than I give myself! My sister has had to come over with her handy dandy toolbox to finnish my cakes like 20 minutes before the guests arrive. I would love to have those tips and tools to do my own cake – by myself!
I am definitely an experimenter extraordinaire. I have absolutely no experience but love to create cakes when an occasion comes around. Right now I am working on a cake for a baby shower this weekend. It would be so awesome to have a tool caddy, instead of the ziploc bag I am currently using to store my small selection of tips and my Dollar Store spatula.
I am an amateur, but I have had my share of cakes that have turned out pretty good!! I love using marshmallow fondant on my kids cakes.
I’m between an amateur and experimenter I’d say. I’ve always loved making cakes, but have never ventured down the fondant road as yet. And I think your cakes look awesome!
Awful I leave the frosting in the plastic tub and pass out knives.. You want frosting it’s do it yourself or eat your cake plain… On the rare ocassion I might slap it on the cake myself… But I would Love to make show off frosted cakes.
Taught by my mom. She is a professional – I believe – and has taught me all I know. I grew up with cut out cakes for birthdays and have continued the tradition with my own kids. Always asking her to assist π
I’m somewhere in-between! I’ve decorated a lot of cakes–even wedding cakes when I used to work as an assistant pastry chef. It’s been awhile since I was serious about it and my tools have slowly disappeared over the years with kids getting into drawers etc…I still love it though and decorate when I have the time. I definitely could use some practice because I’m rusty!
Mel,
I soooo need this!! I try to do the best I can with cakes, but I’m a mostly slap it on out of the can kinda gal, but I do have higher aspirations, and if I can get this caddy, il try harder, I promise!!!!
Experimenter..but I aspire to be an experimenter extrodinare! So far, I’ve mastered one lady bug cake..I need to add a new design or two this year!
Experimental! But I do take requests from my kids, husband and family too and I’ll try anything π
I am an amateur cake decorator who would love to be better at it!
This cake-decorating tool kit looks SO helpful! I’m a busy mom that “attempts” to make cool cakes for my 4 kids’ birthdays. Sometimes they work…sometimes they don’t, like the castle cake that fell. I think I could really use this!
I have been a “slap some pre-made frosting on it!” but since inheriting a kitchen aid…. I have been experimenting. I’m too broke (thanks, Sallie Mae!!) to actually invest in any cake tools… But i made a pretty awesome fancy cake for my nieces 4th birthday party!!
I am a cake decorater wanna-be. I desperately want to create beautiful cakes… but in reality the idea is overwhelming and makes me sleepy! π
Amateur. But would love to get better!!!
I am not professional, but love to experiment with decorating kids birthday cakes too!
I’m an amateur. I usually make the cakes from a mix and then I frost with Wilton’s buttercream frosting recipe. I’ve made all sorts of cakes over the past 15 years of mom-dom. I think my favorite was R2-D2. This year I branched out into fondant which my 12 year old daughter then painted with food coloring. Her little brother was thrilled with the results….the Death Star!
I would love to get better but I haven’t had the time or opportunity to practice, maybe with more kids and time:)
Probably less than an amateur. Pathetic I believe would better fit my cake decorating attempts. Yep, I could certainly use it!
I usually just slap on a can of frosting. I would really like to start experimenting with cake decorating but lack the tools to do it.
I am definitely the cake mix and canned frosting type of gal.
I am definitely a beginner but would love to become more advanced! I always see cake ideas and think “that doesn’t look too hard” BUT 9 times out of 10 it is always WAY harder than it looks and I usually end up dragging my husband into it. I’m embarassed to admit it, but he is way more advanced than I will probably ever be!
Amateur-dreaming to be more
I am a slap it on and hope it looks okay kind of cake decorator
. But every so often I try to make a cool cake for my children with my meager cake supplies.
I am AMATEUR…I’m not even sure I qualify as amateur. In the future, after my kiddos are all in school, I plan to take a cake decorating class. I LOVE Wilton stuff!
I think I just made a New Year’s Resolution to be a better cake decorator.
I am an amateur cake decorator. I have a friend who is very talented in this department who has been teaching me a few things. Mostly starting with cupcakes π She is super great and I would love to give her this caddy for her upcoming birthday! She NEEDS and DESERVES it! π
Very much an amateur, but with four kids and zillions of birthdays ahead of me, I would love how to make and decorate my kids birthday cakes so I don’t have to buy them anymore!
I take requests and experiment (and sometimes I regret it). I slap canned icing on a basic cake when I’m desperate and I long to make prettier cakes every single time I bake one. Not sure what that makes me…
I’m an amateur but I love to practice on my kid’s birthday cakes!
I have just recently started experimenting with a pastry bag and different tips…exciting, I know. π I have fun with it, though.
I’ve gotten WAY better at my cupcake decorating, but I am still trying to learn cakes. I’m not much of a steady hand! You’re cakes are always beautiful, you are no amateur!
I am by no means a professional cake decorator! I love to come up with fun things but they never turn out the way I imagine… Maybe it is because I dont have the right tools! This kit would help greatly! I love all of the recipes you post!
I have never ventured to cake decorating but I also have never had the supplies to get me started. This little kit would be a perfect way to start experimenting.
Barely a beginner. I have decorated my kids cakes and that is it but I enjoy it so MUCH!!
Professional??? Absolutely not. But I always try to do my kids’ birthday cakes. Sometimes… okay usually… they flop. I’m sure this kit would fix all my problems.
Oh i am totally a “slap the frosting on a cake” kind of girl….but i’ve been dying to try my hand at cake decorating. We have several places around here that offer classes and I may just have to sign up for one (and boy would this kit help! HINT HINT). thanks for the great giveaway and i love your blog!
Juli
I usually eat all the frosting and then realize I forgot to frost the cake! Wishing I could have been a born Martha, I have to accept that I am a Jill with absolutely non-existent cake decorating skills. Winning you kit may inspire me to do and frost instead of daydreaming and eating as I read your blog!
I’m a baker on a budget. I’ve made the last few family birthday cakes from scratch (my first steps out of the boxed cake mix) but am always experimenting. I want to learn to decorate so the cake looks store bought. I would love to have the tools to work with.
Thanks!
My three girls and I are decorator wanna-be’s! We would all love the caddy to add to the few decorating tips we own. I love your blog so much and I know I can always count on something good when I take recipes from your site! Thanks for sticking with it!
I’m usually lucky to get frosting on the dessert, although I’m not afraid to occasionally try something new. My wife is a much better baker.
experimenter, I love to decorate sugar cookies!
I am a VERY CLUMSY experimenter. Often my pieces of ‘art’ turn out quite tacky but until my kids get old enough to notice and whine about pitiful attempts, I’ll keep it up!
Andrea
Not a pro by any means but enjoy cake decorating.
I am an amateur experimenter!!!
Definitely an amateur, but I would love to take birthday cake requests from my kids and produce something fun!
Me and the crew /”mia familia” watch Buddy make cakes on “Cake Boss”. On my birthday my mom makes what kind of cakes I want. Like butterflies, princess cakes, rainbow cakes. She lets us help her & w make cakes for Uma, Johnny & My Dad. We even make 1/2 birthday cakes. For Christmas, my Dad & Mom are going to take classes so the cakes look better. They always taste sooo good! -Paige age 4 3/4
I am definitely a slap on canned frosting, but have always wanted to be an experimenter. I just haven’t had the tools. This looks really neat!!
I’m an amateur, but like to try! I like to start small, by frosting cupcakes… π
my usual cakes are just the “slap on some frosting” kind, but once i made a triple layer pb and chocolate cake that took me 3 hours to make. haha. it was delicious, but i’ve yet to attempt another fancy cake like that. haha.
I am an amateur! Luckily my girls are little and do.’t care too much about presentation, but I am working on getting better!
Experimenter but the perfectionist inside me can’t handle it when icing does not cooperate!
I am an amateur! I would love to start taking the Wilton cake classes at Hobby Lobby though. Just need some time! I can’t wait until my daughter is old enough to go to these classes with me! Thanks Mel!
Amateur, but hoping to get improve with new tools and techniques! I love the recipes where you post step by step pictures, it’s a lifesaver! Thank you for all your hard work on this blog π
not a professional at all! but I hate the stuff from a can so I like to experiment.
I would rate myself an amateur, but my 3yr and 2yr would consider me an expert since they dont have much to compare:) I will need to improve before they start to notice the cake barley resembles the creature they requested:)
I am a from scratch cake baker, and have been experimenting with coconut flour and rice flour. I love your web site and refer to it extremely often.
I have been making homemade frosting and cakes for years, but I sure could use some help on the decorating part. Amateur on the decorating!
I started with Wilton lessons after my daughter was born. It was my one hour of sanity a week. I make her birthday cakes, some for others, and TONS of cupcakes. I am by no means professional. But, I love cake decorating.
lots of experimenting and making silly cakes for friends and family. It’s a fun way to do crafts and be able to eat it at the same time!
Definitely an experimenter extraordinaire. I love making wild and crazy cakes for my kids’ birthdays
Still a beginner…but would love to learn more! π
I am an experimenter for sure, never doing the same thing twice! Thank Mel for all of your great recipes and tips. You inspire more people than you’ll ever know:)
Cake decorating is not my strongest suit let’s say. I would like to do it better though. This gift would be awesome. My youngest child’s birthday is coming up at the end of the month.
Your cakes look beautiful by the way.
I would love to win this. My husband and I love the challenge of making our kid’s cake look like what they have asked for. We’ve made a tractor, police car, space shuttle, robot, and a baby. We use fondant but I love having tips for cupcakes and sugar cookies.
I love to cook and am branching out in the cake baking area. I am very much a beginner and it shows when I apply icing! I have mastered the drizzle technique, but that’s as far as I’ve gone. This kit looks like lots of fun.
I am a experimenter extraordinaire! I love trying new things!!
Im a beginner, but love to experiment.
I’m an amateur but have fun making cut up cakes and decorating them for my kids and now grand-kids.
I work in a small Deli that has a very small corner for cake decorating. I was lucky enough to get to be the decorator at the store! Iβm no where NEAR professional, but I LOVE it! I took a few cake decorating classes when I was in school and I wish I had taken more. I would like to learn a little more about fondant. π
I have just recently entered the world of making and decorating my own cakes, after being a cake mix and canned frosting kinda girl for years. I love all the possibilities and am looking forward to experimenting!
Definitely an amateur and experimenter. And I definitely need to be experimenting more often, as my poor two year old had to have pie for his birthday.
I would say that I am a step above beginner.
To say I’m a slap on canned frosting cake decorator is an understatement. Thanks to you and this wonderful website I did try the bat cake and it did turn out darling. I would love to learn how to be a better cake decorator and my family would love it too! π
I’m stuck in a cake rut – I make the same recipe every time (it’s a great one, but still…) and if I’m feeling super fancy I add sprinkles. I need some inspiration!
Experienced at making cakes, never enough time
Total amateur, but I still love to experiment!
I am a slap & dash type of froster who always wants to be a beautiful froster!
I normally use a cake mix, add a little flavoring, pull out two can of frosting. Then, I finish it off with sprinkles. And, There you have it. My cake master piece!
I am an amateur! Would love to decorate cakes for my children but have been too scared to try! Maybe, with the giveaway, I would be able to over come my fear and run with it!
I’m an amateur, but I think decorating cakes for my family is a lot of fun! Yours are fantastic!
thought about doing a cake class and this would be a great start and I could help my daughter with cakes for my grandbabies!
just learning and would love to do cakes for my kids birthdays and not have to buy them.
I am an experimenter. Some turn out great, some not so great. Either way, the kids always like them. My friend just signed us up for the Wilton class, this would be perfect!
I enjoy creating. I see a cake and think “I can do that” and it ends up looking nothing like the photo but at least it taste yummy.
I am a novice, but have started to experiment with my kids birthday cakes π
Oh I wish I could design a fabulous cake for the girls birthdays, but I am terrible. This would help give me the push I need to learn.
Mel you are so wonderful to do these. I have loved following you for a long time now and so thankful for the years of wonderful recipes you have given me!!
Thanks for all you do!!
I’m an amateur. But I have fond memories of Barbie cakes for my birthdays that my mom slaved over.
I am definitely still learning, but I love to experiment! Thanks for such a great give away!
I’m definitely a beginner. Decorating my husband’s family fudge frosting recipe with sprinkles is my typical m.o. Now that my kids are 4, 2, and 7 months I need to expand my repertoire. π
Totally an amateur. Love cake decorating, but I have no idea where to start!
I try to make birthday cakes for my kids birthday but they usually don’t turn out very good! It is going to take a while to get good when I only do 3 a year! π
Not a professional, but I definitely like to make home made cakes, pies and cupcakes.
I used to be a buy the box girl, and would somehow always still manage to mess up the recipe. So I swore off baking. Now I have three little boys who don’t care about parties or presents. But the cake? It is their favorite! Their little faces just light up at the thought of birthday cake. So I have been digging deep within and baking more…and really enjoying it!
An amateur, in the sense I have not taken on any projects, as my mother in law always offers to do my kid’s cakes. It is time for me to tackle one myself.
Love making my own homemade cakes and frosting, now if I could just decorate them!!
Slap the frosting on the cake mix cake. I would love to learn to decorate cakes though. I am constantly checking the county class listings to see if they have a class at a time that works for me. I will say that when I worked outside of home I was the resident write–on-the-cake person at my job. Ha ha!
Experimenter all the way. I recently discovered how easy it is to make a cake from scratch and vowed to never again buy a boxed cake mix.
Well I’m no professional, but I’ve kicked out a couple wedding cakes that did look pretty darn good if you ask me. I’d love a great place to store my small collection of supplies!
I’ve been trying to get into cake decorating(for fun) for a long time, just don’t have the tools. This would be awesome!
Definitely a beginner, but want to try more!!
I would love to get this. I am your very beginner, but would love to get good at it and have all the tools. Your cakes turned out so cute. LOVE the monster!
total amateur. I do usually make my own frosting, but I don’t consider myself in the least bit artistic. However, I’ve found that when asking little ones what kind of cake they want for their birthday, the answer never is Chocolate. It’s always something like dinosaur, or pirates – not a flavor but a theme. In trying to please them, I have experimented some. All I have to say is good thing I have boys. They aren’t too fussy in the quality of my attempts.
Thanks for the idea of the caddy though. I love it. I’m going to look into getting one. I was just looking at my cupboard wondering how best to arrange the new gel colorings I’ve recently started collecting. Wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing.
Excited to learn. For my sons first birthday this past summer I made a volcano cake. It was so much fun. Excited for many more birthdays and many more cakes.
I absolutely love to bake, but have not done very many elaborate decorated cakes. Your awesome blog is my favorite food blog, Mel! Thanks for all the recipes, photos, and inspiration!
Like you, Mel, I am completely self taught. I love making fun cakes for my girls and would love to take a real cake decorating class in the future. So put me down as an amateur. π
I’m a newbie. My friend has been getting into it more and she tries to teach me some things every now and then. I’m still on cupcakes though. haha
I usually bake a homemade cake and sometimes make frosting. I rarely decorate them cute but I want to try something fun for my son’s 4th birthday! Yours look amazing!
I am an experimenter. I make the cake the day before and hope it looks alright or I’m in big trouble.
I am an old experimenter!!
Great giveaway, Melanie. Your cakes look great. Might I direct you to the site of an old friend of mine, Karen? She has some awesome tutorials and recipes. Trust me, take one look at how she keeps pastry bags clean and you will agree–THE WOMAN IS A GENIUS! You can find her at http://www.karenscookies.net/Cookie-Decorating-Video-Color-Mixing-Bag-Filling_ep_74-1.html. P.S. edited to add that I have no affiliation with her website–I just think her ideas are absolutely fabulous! Thanks again for the giveaway!
Amateur. I took a basic class in another lifetime and proceeded to make a bunch of cute things and now have forgotten how to do anything. I managed to make some peppermint meringues this past holiday season, but the stars were shameful.
Cake decorating is a hobby — it’s always fun to be creative and add a little pizazz to something delicious.
What a cute giveaway! I am definitely a novice in the cake decorating department and could use any help I can get. Thanks for the chance! I love your blog, and my family does too!
I have just been teaching myself and experimenting as I go. I too let my kids choose what kind of birthday cake they want. I hope to take a class someday!
I took the first Wilton class several years ago which gave me a good basis. Really though I just love to experiment and am glad that my kids are still young enough that they don’t notice the flaws:) If you saw my cake decorating drawer you’d probably want to give me two of these caddies!
I’m amateur for sure, but that doesn’t stop me from having fun with it and trying new things!! Sometimes they come out great, other times I end up smearing another layer of frosting over the top of my creations so I can “start over”!! I once did a cake with no less that 4 layers of frosting, each taking nearly an hour, so I totally know what you mean about pulling all nighters in the kitchen LOL Thanks for rescuing my family from dinner boredom with your awesome recipes!!! Keep it up!! π
Definitely an amateur decorator. I like decorating cupcakes, but I haven’t tried a full size cake yet.
I am a complete beginner at cake decorating but would love to learn the beautiful technique!
An experimenter. I love to make my kids cakes and try new things, the “caboodle” of cake tools would be so fun.
Thanks!
Not a professional. One who also pulls all-nighters to get the cake right. But love it!!!
I have great ideas of what my beautiful cake will look like, but mostly it looks like I just slapped the frosting on. I will persevere!
Amateur but working on it!
I am a beginner. I like to say it is because I love the look of old fashioned cakes, but really, any time I try anything beyond simply frosting a cake, it looks like a 2nd grader did it.
I’m just a wannabee!
I am a no-shame Betty Crocker girl, and often I mess that up, too!
I have just started getting into cake decorating now that my little boys want themed cakes that can’t be purchased or are too expensive!!
Definitely a beginner. I like to make my own frosting, and have tried some shaped cakes, but nothing fancy yet!
My mom always decorated great cakes for us. Now I want to make great cakes for my kids. The kit would sure help!
My decorating skills are very minimal—I need lots of help!!!
I took the first Wilton class, and then when I tried the second one right after, I got burned out. But I think we have the same cake decorating theories and styles – though, from the looks of it, you have more talent and/or practice. π
I’m kinda where you are. I love making cakes for my kids, and have fun experimenting; but time and money prevent me from going all out. Maybe by the time grandkids roll around in 10 or 15 years.
I like to tinker around and learn new things from all you professionals so one day I can make that claim. Happy New Year!!
Amateur! The only shape I’ve ever made was a heart. (My birthday is in February) So while they don’t look exceptionally beautiful, they do taste amazing!
I’m definitely a novice cake decorator, but I’d love to use this kit to experiment more!
I love a good experiment!!
Love baking cakes from scratch, but am terrible at decorating them and making them actually look good!
I’m a total amateur. But, I’m really good at copying and following steps. Even though I don’t have a creative bone in my body, most people think I’m really creative because I’m so good at stealing ideas.
I love to try! For sure amateur, but it’s so fun to try different techniques and I’ve ALWAYS wanted to take a cake decorating class! Thanks for the giveaway!
Experimenter…just started trying to make my own cakes and so far so good. A lot easier than I thought it would be.
Definitely an experimenter…..kind of like you I take my cake requests from my kiddos for their birthdays……some have turned out amazing, some just okay!
fairly amateur but wanted to branch out a little more!
I used to decorate cakes for baskin Robbins when I was in high school, but now I am just a lazy expiramentor!
I love making my kids cool birthday cakes or at least I love the idea of it and the finished product. Often during the process I think to myself “what am I doing?”. Mostly I just experiment and try things until I get them the way I want them to look. Taste is most important anyway, right?
My Cake decorating is actually quite simple, but my sister in law recently asked to if I would make her wedding cake. I haven’t exactly said yes yet (mostly because I feel she deserves a much nicer cake than I could give her) but I am considering the possibility of making a wedding cake. I could use all the help I could get :).
Thanks for a great giveaway!
experimenter extraordinaire! I have never decorated a cake but would love to and with this kit I might just become a semi-‘good at doing it’. Thanks for the op.
I am an amateur, but I love it. When I was in college I worked in a bakery and started just decorating cookies. I love decorating cakes for my family (trying anyway) this would be great to help me practice some more.
I am a slap some frosting on and throw a crap ton of sprinkles on top to distract my horrid icing job!!
I’m an amateur. I have two boys and have made them a new fun cake each year for their bdays (one is 5, the other is 2). They pick the theme of the party and I find the cake pan to match. I bake the cake and then pretend I’m a cake decorator! They’ve all turned out pretty great though. I haven’t tried shaping anything myself yet though. It’s been all about the icing and decorating so far!
I am SO not a cake decorator. I have a problem with patience and that is the number one thing needed when decorating cakes! As much as I love baking and can make some mean cakes, I fall short with the whole decorating thang (even with taking classes and being ‘taught’ in one degree or another by a pro). With that being said, I constantly have visions of these beautiful cakes I would love to make and have even attempted them a time or too. So with decorating cakes I am a work in progress! I do have a lot of the tools, although they are stored haphazardly in several bags in my pantry, so I would love this thing to get me organized better and maybe even baking and decorating more!
I am a beginner when it comes to decorating cakes. I have two girls and i love to make their birthday cakes. I have made a ladybug, a flower, and a rainbow cake. I would love to have the tools to do more creative things.
I used to be an experimenter, but have since regressed to slapping frosting on… even occasionally canned frosting. I always used my mom’s supplies, and it has been several years since I’ve lived at home for any length of time.
Those cakes look fantastic, by the way. Have you ever done a post on how to, umm, sculpt cakes like that? (I’ve only been following a month or two.) The only two attempts I made were messy. I’d love to see your tips!
Experimenter, and always looking for ways to get better!
Betty Crocker mix & frosting – but have been learning new things!!!
I used to love cake decorating – in the amateur way, of course. I got married, had a couple kids and -wham- crockpots took over instead of homemade cakes. I still make homemade cakes for baby showers, but even then I never decorate it. I think, however, if I had your fancy-dancy container I would be highly motivated to try things out again. Hopefully, however, not all night long. π
I usually get somone else to frost my cakes!
Amateur. I love decorating cakes, though, for my boys’ birthdays! I too am self taught and would love proper tools to do the cakes right! I have always worked with fondant, but I would love to do frosting. The tips would be so fantastic!
I’m totally an amateur, but am very much looking forward to tackling my son’s first birthday cake!
I’m such a beginner, but I keep tryin’
Total wannabe- but I love using Wilton products!
It took me something like 10 hours to make a ladybug cake- and my wrists hurt for days afterwards!
I am definitely a cake mix kinda girl, but I have decorated some of those cake mix cakes with some fun themes for my boys’ birthdays. Like a treasure box cake and basketball cake. So I do like to try my best at decorating and having fun with it. This prize would definitely help out with the fun!
I am an amateur, but love creating fun cakes for my kid’s birthdays.
I’m definitely a big experimenter! The reason I looked forward to birthdays growing up was so I could pick which kind of elaborately decorated cake I was going to have!
totally a novice! I’ve dabbled in using pastry bags, but I’m not very good at it yet. I want to learn!
i guess i’m a wannabe cake decorator π i manage to create a birthday cake for each of my kiddos every year that manages to impress the 8 and under demographic at least lol!
My mom is an awesome decorator, and she has taught me some, but I would love to do more experimenting!
I would say I am like you, I also have spent all night making cakes for my girls, wouldn’t have it any other way!!
I am a believer that it must taste even better than it looks, so my decorating has been pretty basic. However, I am a mother of three kiddos, ages 7, 3, and almost 1. My older two now have opinions about their birthday cakes, so I better find some skills! This kit would be awesome! Thank you for the giveaways… And mostly THANK YOU for all of the wonderful recipes. If I mention the “new food” is from Mel’s my kids actually get excited to try it and they usually LOVE it!! Thank you!!
I love to experiment
I am also a wanna-be. I have wanted to start decorating cakes for a long time, maybe this can give me a little help!
I am definitely an amateur, but I love to decorate cakes! I haven’t had any classes or anything, but have created some cute cakes for my kids’ birthdays, if I do say so myself!
Not a pro by any means….but love to experiment!
What kind of cake decorator am I? The kind who whines until my daughter does it for me:)
I have really only decorated one guitar cake for my sons first birthday but it was oh so fun!
When it comes to decorating cakes I am an amateur, just slap on some frosting, but i would like to take a class now that i have kids…
I’ve done some very minor cake decorating, for my sons’ birthday cakes. Everyone who saw them was enthusiastic (even people not from our group but who happened to see them). So, I’d say I’m an experimenter, as long as I have good, clear (talk to me like I’m 5, I say) directions. I have been wanting some more cake-decorating equipment; this giveaway is perfect. Look at you, Mel. Only the second day in the new year, and you’re already reaching perfection!
My mom makes the most amazing cakes. I am trying my best to learn from her. I would have to say I’m a novice but with great hopes to inherit my mom’s amazing skills.
I am an amateur cake decorator! I love decorating cakes for my kids birthdays and for others when they ask, but am no professional!! π
Definitely an amateur.
I am a “took decorating classes ten years ago and forgot everything, but trying to re-teach myself to please my kiddos” type of cake decorator! π Cute and crazy cupcakes are my new very most favorite thing to do!
I’m a newbie cake decorator, but love to make cakes from scratch. My daughter’s first birthday is coming up in March and I’m make a creative, but do-able special cake!
Amateur for sure. I am terrible, but love to do it for my kids.
I have taken a few classes, and can do a decent job – if I take my time with it. I would love to take it to the next level with some new supplies.
Love making cakes and decorating them. I want to believe that I am a fantastic decorator, but once I am done, my cakes turn out looking OK. My visions never seem to make it onto the cake. I could use some help for sure.
Beginner for sure but I have always wanted to take cake decorating classes and open up my own bakery!!
I’m totally an amateur. My husband does most of the baking because he’s rather picky. But I’d love to get this and show him I’m not half-bad in the kitchen myself! Love your blog!
I just experiment with different cakes…. I haven’t made a lot but it’s something I’m very interested in getting better in! Baking is fun! Thanks for all your yummy recipes!
I make the cake and icing from scratch, but the decorating is pretty basic. I’ve been known to put toys on my kid’s cake…is it a present or is it a cake? It’ both.
I have always marveled at beautiful cakes people make. When our first son turned one I decided to decorate him his own little cake. Since then I have vowed to make their birthday cakes every year. Much like you I redo and redo and redo it until I am satisfied or exhausted and sleep deprived. Some turn out better than others. So here is to all of amateur moms out there. Happy New Year!
I am a wanna be with absolutely no training.
I used to make cakes all the time…now my favorite things to decorate are cupcakes. Lots and lots of cupcakes. But I’m just an amateur for sure.
I would love to learn to decorate cakes for my two little girls! I did amatuer cupcakes for their first birthdays, but left it to the pros once we started to do theme parties. I keep hoping I can do better for them someday, but I definitely need a class… and the right tools!!
Amateur…. But I love to experiment!!
Total armature but I love it seeing what I can come up with. Love to use toys on the cake to add pizazz that I myself can’t do, example barbies, dinosaurs, zhu zhu pets, etc. Always practicing and hopefully improving my skills.
I am a wanna be professional cake decorator. I try…. but they don’t always turn out the way I want! π
I’m a wannabe cake decorator. I’ve never decorated anything too fancy.
Oh I’m for sure an experimenter extraordinaire! I have the desire and the want to be a good decorator…just not quite there yet!
I took cake decorating classes many years ago and did several cakes over the years for our two oldest and nieces and nephew. We now have two younger girls and while I have some tips, I haven’t done much decorating. That case and its contents would help fuel the fire again!
Oh, I would love to win! I am definitely a self-taught experimenter — but have fun seeing a creation come to life!
I’m an ameteur and a beginner. I’m so excited when I saw this giveaway. I took Course I decorating class in Michaels about a year ago. I’m contemplating on enrolling again and these gadgets will help me a lot budget wise. I need it badly. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to win it.
I am definitely in the expermintation phase…my 14 year old would l-o-v-e to start decorating!
I’m a dreamer… I watch Cake Boss and get inspired to learn how to make cool fondant cakes, but when push comes to shove my wants turn into far away dreams and I end up slathering the frosting onto the cake from the can.
I am an ametur but I love to make my kids birthday cakes. We have had Hello Kitty, butterflies, race tracks, pirate ships, flip flops, etc…
im definitely an experimenter!
I am a TOTAL inexperienced amateur, but I got some cake decorating stuff for Christmas, so hopefully I’ll be better at it soon!
I’m an amateur experimenter. I make cakes for my kids birthdays, but usually find something on-line to copy. I haven’t created my own design yet, but I’m a good copier!!
Haha! I’m definitely an experimenter extraordinaire! I’ve attemped a few fun cakes. Some come out ok. Some not so much!
I’ve never really been a cake decorator at all. Ever. Then 3 years ago I met the man of my dreams who just happened to have sole custody of his 4 kids. Then we added one more for good measure. So in a period of 14 months I went from a career lady to a stay at home mom of 5 kids. Now I decorate cakes. So far I’ve made a tinkerbell, Lego, bride of Frankenstein, princess, panda, flower, angry birds (cake balls), angry birds (cupcakes), and a couple of cheesecakes for my 10 year old with a remarkably refined palate. I’m a self-taught baker and I love experimenting. Here’s to a good 20 more years of learning to decorate some of the most random cake requests I’ve heard of…
673 comments?! Wowsers, woman … what a following! I am the must-put-together-a-creative-cake-to-impress-my-kids kind-of decorator. I pull all nighters too … and usually am quite proud of my accomplishments… I think I need to look into this kit thing — looks quite delightful! Blessings to you…
I would say I am pretty Amateurish (if that is a real word). Although I am trying to experiment more then I used to. I have really gotten into making homemade cakes and frostings within the last year or so. The best cake I have made is my sons 3rd birthday cake. It was a big chocolate rectangle with homemade chocolate frosting and I put construction vehicles on it that were scooping up brown sugar, driving over crushed oreos and lifting chocolate chips. He loved it and that was all that mattered!
I am a frusterated beginner – I have great ideas, and no real talent! This giveaway could really help me!
I, like you, love to take requests from my kids for their birthdays. We like to experiment and try new things, but we always have fun.
Amateur!! I love to decorate and make cute cakes and cookies but I’m not very good at it. π
I’m a “slap on the frosting” kinda girl, but I do make my own!
Intermediate depending on my mood. Sometimes I like quick and easy and used boxed mixes.
I am a slap on a can of frosting kind a girl
Definitely an amateur. Though the first cake I decorated was a 3D bear when I was little!
I LOVE to make and decorate cakes! Growing up in a big family provided me with ample opportunity to experiment on my nieces and nephews. Now I get to make them for my hubby and daughters. And just like you, they sometimes require all nighters. =) Your cakes look great! I love the creativity of the monster one! I have wanted to purchase this exact cake caddy for over a decade. Currently I have my tips, bags and food colorings shoved in a too-small bin of sorts. It would be wonderful to finally have a proper place to keep my ‘tools’ safe and sound.
I am definitely a newbie! The fanciest cake I’ve ever made was your unbelievable chocolate cake with your magical frosting, but it has inspired me to make more delicious and beautiful cakes!
I’m not that great. I should experiment more than I do.
I wish I was a great cake decorator but alas, I must rely on the cake in a box or even costco!
I like to use candy to decorate my kids cakes because the last time I went with “frosting only” it was an epic failure! I could use some serious tips in the cake decorating catagory! Congrats on the girl – I have 5 (no boys) and life is a blast!!
I am an “improving amateur” and would love to expand past simply slapping buttercream on a cake, thanks!
I love to make my own frosting (and cakes) from scratch so that I can make an extra big batch. In my house most of the frosting & batter get eaten before they become a “masterpiece”. I do very plain presentations right now as I’m very, very amateur at this. I mostly a “Where did that spatula go? Oh there it is! Oh no, that’s not the right one, oh well this will work!” kind of decorator.
Mid-level but an experimenter – always have to add an ingredient or touch of my own,
I really like to decorate cakes but I am an amateur for sure. I did one wedding cake, once, for some very kind and understanding friends.
I’m a total beginner with cake decorating, but I made a mean homemade german chocolate cake (once a year for my husband’s birthday).
Sounds just like me… all night or very late night finishing cakes for my kids!! I’m definitely not a pro or it wouldn’t take me so long. Love the look of fondant (not the taste), but haven’t yet tried making it on my own. Hate my small frosting bags so if that kit has some nice big ones I’m all for it!! I do love the look on my kids faces when they see their cake, makes it all totally worth it. Thanks for all the work you do to keep your site running. We love it. Whenever I want to try something new or need an idea this is definitely my first stop!
I am an experimenter!!
I am a beginner- I have picked up a few tools but I need to practice! If I won, I could try to make some cute Valentine cupcakes!
I have just started in cake decoration. Thank goodness for kind family and friends that always tell me that they look good (even though i know they barely look like what they are supposed to) Practice makes perfect and I will keep trying.
Love the blog made so many recipes for Christmas!
I’m a buy a boxed cake mix and add store bought frosting but I want to get into making my own cakes!
Amateur for sure but very enthusiastic!!
I am a beginner thats for sure. I love doing fun ideas for our kids birthdays. Ive done a couple homemade cakes, just dont have all the tools. I would love to start doing more though! Would love this starter kit!!!
I am somewhere between the slap on kind and trying other things besides cake. Your cakes are beautiful however!
I am definitely a expert-wannabe. I love to bake, and have tried to decorate cakes, cupcakes, etc. to the best of my ability. My coworkers love my experiments!
I LOVE baking, and always pick a tricky cake to make for my husband’s or kid’s birthdays. I’m completely self thought, faaaar from a professional and I can never remember why on earth did I want to make ‘ this’ cake while in a process of baking/decorating said cake but I’m always proud of the result. And I’m always looking forward the next time I’ll get to challenge myself again :).
Up next: my daughter’s 3rd birthday next month! Bring it on π
I dabble in theme cakes (castles and fish), but lack any real tools. Love the blog!
I love homemade chocolate cake and homemade icing. Part of the fun is licking it off the beaters.
I like the idea of cake decorating, but I’m not so good yet. The right tools would help!
I’ve definitely been a cake mix and canned frosting girl until the last couple birthdays around here. I’m still very basic, but I have started making my own frosting and using ziplock bags with the corner cut off to draw some pictures on the cake or write “happy birthday!” Pretty easy, but the kids still love it!
I’m an amateur. I like making frosting, but I don’t do much beyond that. My only experience decorating cake was helping my uncle decorate my cousin’s wedding cake, so he taught me everything I know. π
a complete novice, but this would give me some motivation!
Kinda a like you. I decorate cakes for my kids birthdays and I have taken a couple of the wilton classes.
I have no cake decorating skills but am eager to improve…i did once make a cake in the shape of a nose for a friend…it was a little gross.
I am a terrible cake decorator. I tend to focus on making yummy cakes and not so much on the decorating part, my kids cakes usually have an action figure or something thrown on top π Im ready to take it to the next level.
I’m an amateur … usually I’ll call my friend / sister who is a professional and have her make the cakes. One day, I’d like to do them on my own.
I’ve started making homemade cake and frosting, but the decorating includes slapping the frosting on the top and hiding the sides with crushed nuts. I would love to learn how to decorate. I love your recipes.
I am also a mom of boys – only 3 of them but all under 5. So I’ve also tried my hand at decorating boy cakes. (also my true confession is that I don’t really cook – at least I didn’t until I found your website – so I’m primarily a cake-from-a-box kinda girl). I made my oldest son’s 1st birthday cake, the Baby Einstein caterpillar because I thought it would be easy – round cakes, solid icing, etc. But it almost did me in so I’ve been doing store-bought for a few years until last February. We were literally iced in for days (I live in Dallas, TX, so this is highly unusual) – the week leading up to my oldest son’s 4th birthday and he wanted a police car cake. So again, I managed to come out with something that only a 4year old would love (which I guess is really all that matters but these events are recorded for posterity in a scrapbook album, and one day, he won’t be 4!). Your blog has inspired me to cook, perhaps it can also inspire me to leave store-bought cakes behind! Thanks for doing this – I’ve really enjoyed this new adventure!
I’m an amateur decorator but I’ve attempted (with the help of my mother who has taken classes) theme cakes for my girls and rattle cupcakes for my friend’s baby shower. I would love to take a class!
I have experimented and made a few cakes following directions from websites like Betty Crocker and Martha Stewart. But I consider myself a beginner. π
I’m a big time amateur! My family’s lucky to get anything besides a plain old rectangle cake in the 9×13 pan! …But I would LOVE to learn more! π
Seriously, I would love to be able to decorate a cake but as manay times as I have tried it just doesn’t work. I think it may be that I don’t have ANY tools. I just try to make do with what I have. My daughter wanted a castle cake for her 3rd birthday and after working all day and trying desperately to repair it over and over again, I threw it away. My husband bought her a pink ice cream cake and we tried to doctor it up to look like a castle. It looked like a Madonna bra on top of a cake. Nice! I know.
I am a terrible cake decorator, but I keep trying π Happy New Year Mel!! Your site has become one of my favorites.
I’m most certainly an amateur, and my cakes always look WAY better in my head than they do when I’m finished with them. Oh, well. At least I try:).
I have five children who enjoy the cakes I decorate with a few wilton decorating tips and homemade frosting. I would love to improve my skills and I get practice every year. π
I am definitely an amateur/experimenter.
Love to bake . Have not tried decorating. Would love to try it now in retirement.
I am an at-home cake decorator who loves decorating cakes for holidays and special occasions!
I am a novice! I tried to make a red fire truck for my son and I couldn’t get the frosting red enough, so it ended up being a PINK fire truck π
I can only hope and pray my cakes turn out as well as your very first one; these are spectacular, girl.
A work in progress baker, but as long as it tastes good, I’ll take credit!
Total amateur, but I have fun.
Like you, I’m a self-taught cake decorator. We have the same tradition – I take requests from my kids every year on their birthdays for things like pirate ships, princess castles, dragons, race tracks etc… It’s so much fun to see their reactions and it’s something special I hope they’ll remember!
I don’t like frosting so I never frost anything… not even cinnamon rolls! Am I terrible?
Only homemade frosting for me, but the decorating leaves much to be desired… like usually I don’t even attempt it and just swirl the frosting til it looks halfway decent!
I just got my first cake stand for Christmas and I want to learn how to make those fancy cakes, just so I can put something beautiful on it! I’m excited to do a layer cake or birthday cake.
I’m the kind that has a really hard time getting the frosting to look like it wasn’t done by a three year old. I could definitely use something like this to help me out!
I just got my first cake stand for Christmas and I want to learn how to make those fancy cakes, just so I can put something beautiful on it! I have never made anything but 9×13 cakes (boring) so I’m excited to do a layer cake or birthday cake.
I am a birthday cake decorator… I love it! My son gets so excited about his birthday cakes do it makes all the frustration with it! I really don’t know what I am doing so I would LOVE this kit!!!
I am not actually the cake decorator in our family, my husband is. My husband is just learning but he does a great job making creative cakes for our boys. He made a volcano cake for our son’s b-day in December that had dry ice in the middle and made it explode. He has made a firetruck cake for our oldest son and he took apart a firetruck and rigged the lights from the toy firetruck to the top of the firetruck cake so it really worked. He doesn’t have any great tools for cake decorating, so it would be great for him to have some more tools.
I usually slap some canned frosting on a box cake, but I am slowly trying new things.
I usually just slap some frosting on my cakes, but I’m wanting to start doing more since my kids are getting older. I would love to be able to make cute cakes for them myself instead of just buying them. This would really help me get started.
wow.. this is awesome. I have two little boys and for my oldest sons birthday i made a monkey cake and even though it tasted good it looked a little ridiculous. But he loved it anyway. However, it would be nice to have some tools because i think i will be decorating many many more cakes through the years. Thanks for sharing.
An amateur who gets in over her head. π Still I need to keep practicing. Thanks.
I am definitely a beginner, but I love attempting fun birthday cakes for my boys! They always come up with some interesting requests…like killer whale cakes for example! I would love some tools to hopefully better my birthday cake attempts!
I am a wannabe. I want to so badly be a great baker and decorator but I just am not! So sad…especially for my husband and kiddos! π
Definitely an amateur but I want to get better since I have a little one now!
I’m definitely an experimenter! Practice makes perfect though.
I find that I love to experiment with decoration and I don’t always have the right tools to do so. For instance I did a graveyard cake for Halloween last year and my gravestones didn’t have the most accurate writing on them. I received alot of laughs and alot of mmmm’s as the cake was still delicous.
Definately a beginner, would love to have time to practice more. Took lessons years ago.
I’m for sure an experimenter…far from expert! Great Giveaway!
I try to decorate cakes but really need to take a class.
I’m in between. I’ve made all of my girls cakes since they were little, even made some money making cakes, gave them away as birthday presents and even made my nephews wedding cake about 7 years ago. My kids LOVE my icing, and so do I!
I am definitely a beginner, but love trying new things. Your website has saved my cooking doldrums and maybe you could save my pathetic cake making skills as well.
Definitely amateur decorator, but I do so love to bake! Everything is so much better made from scratch!
I’m just a make it for my family kinda gal, so some new supplies would be great!
Definitely a canned frosting on a cake mix gal, but with the right tools I’d LOVE to start getting more creative!! If I won I would sign up for the next available cake decorating class, for sure!
Funny, I just got done “creating” a cake for my husband a few days ago and it pretty much showed that I am far from experienced. I need all the help I can get and this would be the perfect “starter” kit!
Your website is constantly motivating me to try new things! My imagination only gets me so far with cakes but this caddie may open a whole new world!
I am amateur, but very brave….I will try anything I see online that I think I can tackle with some grace π
Strictly unprofessional here! Canned frosting is good all by itself!
I like to think I’m an expert but I’m really just self taught like you and practice only on kiddos birthday cakes π I just made a pretty sweet pirate cake last weekend for my new 3 year old. Sadly I have no caddy bff to make my cake making life easier. So I’d love to win!! Thanks for your great blog. I love it. And so does my family’s tummies!
I am definitely an amateur… but I love trying new things, and I love new kitchen goodies!
I am a novice, but I want to get better.
I’m definitely just beginning to explore the world of cake decorating so that ican make fun birthday cakes for my kiddos ( like yours!!) and friends. I’d live this cake decorating caddy…. It would be so fun to experiment with the different tips and colors! Jodie
I am an amateur, but am always looking for new recipes and tricks to make it easier and more tasty!
I’m really not sure which I am, but one thing I do know is that I have oodles of fun making cakes and decorating them with the kids. They have the best imaginations so it is fun to try and put together what they want or what they think others want on their cake if it is a surprise. Sometimes it comes out looking really great and maybe a bit professional other times it is just a great attempt at making a blob that we all love eating and enjoying because we are all together. It makes for some good laughs and great memories.
My cakes look a lot like yours. I take requests from my 4 boys and do the best with what I have. A lot of wilton cake pans with 2 million little frosting stars.
I am DEFINITELY the from a box cake decorator.. but I would love to be better!
I’m definitely an amateur, but I’ve always wanted to be good at cake decorating. I want to be able to make my kid’s birthday cakes!
For my four children and my husband, I bake a cake mix and, like you said, often slap on a can of stor-bought frosting. I prefer the homemade butter-cream frosting my mom always used and I’ve made it sometimes. Sometimes we color whatever kind of frosting we are using with regular food coloring drops. Then give the resulting bowls of pastel-colored frosting to my kids to spread or squeeze through children’s decorating bottles to embelish their cakes. They always enjoy making whatever they want.
I like to pretend i know what i am doing. And then it usually ends up being a bigger ordeal than i had anticipated. But it is always worth the mess.
Cakes are delightful – I would pass this on to my lovely daughter-in-law who has taken over making all the cakes for your family – she has a talent, a flair and loves to create. I think YOUR cakes look delectable – and full of love! Wendy in southern Alberta
Definitely an amateur, but always experimenting! I usually try to make my 3 girls their birthday cakes….sometimes they turn out right, and sometimes they are a disaster…lol!
I’m a “my ideas are bigger than my ability” cake decorator π
Oh, I am talented… like that of a 12 year old! No, I am okay, I just need more time to devote!
I am an amateur but I love to experiment. I make special cakes for my girls every year, but they show that I am an amateur. π
I am definitely not a professional but I have been experimenting on different cakes for 5 years so that my girls can have fun cakes on their birthday’s. This is such a fun giveaway!! Thank you so much and thanks for all your amazing recipes!
I am an amateur experimenter, extraordinaire!
I’m just getting started in the cake decorating arena… started making a creative effort for the last couple of birthdays in my family.
I love making cakes, birthday, wedding cakes and any kind. I love being creative my girls are all way asking to barrow my cake decorating bags and tips. Which is great to see them show and interest in cake decorating.
I think it would be co nice to win this caddy I could give it to one of my girls to give them a great start.
Mel I and my girls just love your blog keep up the great work!! Thanks!
I’m definitely an experimental extrordinaire that has become more interested in great ideas for my grandsons’ birthdays. Fun!
Ooh! Ooh! Choose me! I love to decorate. I learned a lot from my mom and we used to take on projects together. Recently I moved far away and don’t have her around for pat-me-on-the-shoulder-support (or supplies) so I’m stuck in a lurch. Your creations are getting me excited again and I’ve got a birthday coming up just around the corner . . .
A few years ago I began to start my own cake business but it fell through. I wouldn’t call myself an amateur or a professional.. somewhere in the middle π
Definitely amatuer – but always let my kids pick what kind of cake they want, and then do my best! Love your site.
I love to bake cakes from scratch but have never ventured into decorating them. Maybe this would give me the push to try it out.
Me im the buy at the grocery store girl, but would def like to start to try and do some on my own! Maybe this could help me!
I am an experimenter! I love making Barbie cakes with my Wilton pan along eith various creations my son has requested, ie: frog cupcakes, spiderman cake, racetrack, etc. I would love this!!!!
I also am an amateur that started so I could make my kids cakes. They definitely do not look professional enough to do it for other people but I love doing it and my kids love requesting them and seeing them!
I like it homemade, but am not very good at making it pretty!
I am still experimenting but I somehow volunteered to do two wedding cakes in the past year, while fun it was exhausting!
I am an amateur. I love having personalized cakes (with homemade frosting) for my family, but sometimes stress myself out by doing it! I definitely need to improve and I would LOVE to win a cake decorating caddy!
I am a beginner, just getting started for my two year old and one on the way. So far I have made a train ckae and a rocket ship. Both a little lopsided but delicious!
I am a self-taught amateur cupcake baker. I have baked for several family parties, baby showers and work functions. I would love to experiment with the gel colors!
definitely an amateur but it’s all in good fun!
I am a beginner!
I’m just okay – I usually keep it simple and only occasionally try to get fancy. I was in 4-H as a kid and the only white ribbon (the worst ribbon you can get) I ever got was in cake decorating. I still feel the pain of that ribbon!
Definitely reminds me of my make-up Caboodle back in the day!!
I am very much an amateur & a store-bought one at that! I make my kids’ bday cakes & my husband stays up late with me, too, while I try to re-create a vision in my head! Real decorators would be appalled at the outcome, but my kids are extremely impressed & so far my boys (they’re 2 & 3) remember their cakes as the highlight of their birthday! That does my heart good!
Note: You have taught me the errors of my ways, Mel, & this mama will be serving homemade cake & homemade icing at the upcoming festivities! Now I’ll be a homemade amateur. ;o)
Definitely amateur. I have high hopes every time a birthday comes around but my cakes turn out less than stellar. I keep trying though!
I’m an amateur but like to make the cakes and frosting from scratch. Occasionally I pull off a cute cake for my kids when I can borrow a good mold. I’ve never delved into the world of fancy frostings that I see on your cakes though, looks like fun!
Definitely an experimenter. Some of my cakes turn out fabulous and some need to be posted to Cakewrecks.com… ha, ha
I am a novice but my daughter and I love trying all your recipes. We are going to attempt the decorated cupcakes. She wants to try the Elmo cupcakes first.
Happy New Year to us, your lucky readers! Thank you for the giveaway. As for my cake decorating skillz . . . nada, but I am getting better at making pretty swirls on top of cupcakes, one step at a time.
I am a novice at decorating cakes, but would love to learn more!
I still don’t have the hang of a pastry bag. More frosting seems to come out of the top than out of the decorating end.
I love decorating cakes! Although they are never as pretty or cool as I envision. The kids still get excited so I guess they don’t turn out too bad.
Gimmee a can of frosting, may even squirt it out of a Ziploc bag, and a boxed cake mix. Would love to move up the decorating ladder!
I’ve only tried anything other than basic frosting a few times in my lifem but your cakes are so cute they make me want to try! I would love to win this to get started.
To be honest, I have never taken on a cake before, but I absolutely love coming up with creative cupcake ideas! Once the kids start coming though I will probably need to learn the cake way. I flip through decorating books in the library and try to come up with my own ideas.. but I am definitely in the amateur category. But I hope to someday surpass that stage and create something brilliant that will make it all worth it π
Beginner!!!!!!!!!!
I’ve got adorable grandkids now…so I want to do grandkid cakes!
I love to bake and make desserts, but I have never ventured into the exciting world of cake decorating. I am more of the minimal decorations type of cake decorator:)
I’ve done a wedding cake or two. I do over the top flowery creations. Only yellow cake and buttercream for me.
I like to decorate cakes, but I have to be in the right mood. It’s a ton of work! I really like results though, when I can get really good ones! I would call myself and experimenter!I am by no means professional, but it’s fun to be creative and teach myself the basic rules of thumb. π This would be so great to win. My birthday is this month, so it would be cool to win it for my birthday. π
I have a 3 year old and a baby that will be turning one in a month (sniffle)…so I have only decorated 3 cakes so far. I am definitely an amateur, but so far they’ve all been great! My mom made all of our cakes growing up and I always thought she was the coolest for going through all of that effort! She even managed to pull off Rainbow Brite!! She still grumbles about how many colors of icing she had to mix…lol.
I can spread cool whip on a cake and that is about it! Would love to learn to do fancy cakes!
Total amateur – but we watch “The Cake Boss” at my house faithfully – does that count?
I love to bake, but I’m always intimidated by decorating. One day I’m going to have to bite the bullet and give it a try!
Normally canned frosting type girl, but I aspire to be better than I am. Cake decorating is actually one thing I am trying to learn more about–I have looked into taking classes, but will likely continue learning on my own till then.
Well, I admit that I’m normally a slap on kind of icing person…..but since the holidays I am really wanting to try and work on improving my skills on cake decorating. I love to scrapbook and create that way, so I’m hoping that those skills can convert over to cake / cookie decorating!! Love your website and would love to win!
I wish my cakes turned out like yours!!
I am a complete novice, but I like to use homemade ingredients.
I am a beginner who would love to get better at my cake decorating skills.
I am by no means a professional cake decorator, but I do enjoy baking and have made and decorated all my children’s b-day cakes and/or cupcakes. I enjoy looking at new cake decorating ideas and trying new baking recipes. In the future, I’d like to take a cake decorating class. Thanks for offering such a great giveaway! I really enjoy your site! π
I’m a total beginner. As in…I don’t even own round cake pans. However, I’m anxious to experiment π
I’d consider myself a novice, but I’ll only use homemade frosting!
I would love to make my family and friends theme cakes. I also would love to join the cupcake frenzy and make cutsie cupcakes for gatherings. I’d be starting from scratch, and starting as a beginner.
I find an example of the cake I want to make and then usually my husband creates the masterpiece!
I am a closet decorator, I will do my kids cakes, not the best looking, but have high aspirations of doing incredible cakes.
what a fun giveaway!! I love dabbling in cake and cookie decorating!
I took a class… made many cakes (including wedding cakes) and then took a LONG sabbatical. Now I figure I’m back to the experimenter status, as there are many cool techniques I would love to use. Hooray for organization!
I am definitely an “amateur” cake decorator when I get the time and energy to decorate a cake. Otherwise, I’m more of a make a delicious tasting cake, like your coconut tres leches cake (one of my FAVORITES!!!!).
Definitely an amateur, but would love to learn new techniques to decorate cakes for my grandkids.
I am a dreamer cake decorator. I just dream of decorating while watching the food network cake offs! But I really want to learn!
I make great tasting cakes. A few times I have attempted more than sprinkles for decoration. The subsequent comments were, “Don’t quit your day job” and from a darling husband that had just gone mud cave exploring, “that looks like something I just crawled through.” I could use some help in the cake decorating department.
Baking isn’t a problem, decorating is. I don’t even qualify for amateur status. While I can sort of make a couple of frosting recipes, I’ve been too scared of abject failure to take the plunge into real decorating.
I’m an absolute amateur, but with 4 kids, I have 4 reasons every year to make a cute cake, so I’d love the box!
Total cake decorating klutz. I have successfully made one fancy cake-an Elmo cake for my daughter’s 2nd Birthday. It was so stressful I haven’t attempted it again. Maybe I just need the right equipment…
I’m an experimenter too. My sister has taken classes and given me some tips, but I really don’t know what I’m doing. I have a lot of fun though! I love your blog and all your great recipes, I haven’t tried one that we didn’t love!
I’m definitely an amateur. I try hard and so far, none of my cakes have turned out as I had hoped… but I keep trying! π
I am like you, self taught. But I love decorating cakes, I’ve only done 5 so far but would love to take it to a new level. Everybody that see my cakes tell me I should start a business. I would love this tool caddy to help that happen.
I’m certainly not a professional, but i enjoy the challenge of making my little girl’s dream cake each year. Lucky for me she doesn’t notice all the flaws and imperfections!
I like cake decorating, but I am not that good at it.
I am a “plop colored frosting in a ziploc and cut the corner off for a frosting bag” kind of decorator! That being said, some actual tips might come in handy! Love your blog, and thanks for always taking time to respond to comments!
I am definitly I make it up as I go cake decorator.
I am probably the WORST cake maker and decorator. I am on the hunt for a good chocolate cake recipe. I have yet to find one I LOVE.
I’m a cake-decorating work in progress. Definitely an amateur with lofty visions! Hopefully in the time span of raising my three little ones, I’ll be the go-to girl for beautiful cakes.
I’m an amateur. My friend and I took the Wilton cake decorating classes a bajillion years ago (ok, maybe it was more like 25) and I try to use some of what I learned. But I think I’ve forgotten more than I remember!
i like to think of myself as a master-in-training. π
by the by, we love you too.
I love experimenting with any recipe, but I especially love baking. I have been thinking about starting to branch out with cake decorating. I keep thinking about my baby’s first birthday. Even though it’s not until July I want to make her the best ‘first birthday’ cake ever!
I am definitely a beginner. And you are way too modest about your cakes!
Im the canned frosting to a cake mix person but I would love to try to do more.
With the exception of one or two special cakes, I would definitely say I am a “slap on some canned frosting to a cake mix kinda person”. I always admire the fancy cakes, but rarely go to all the work…but I would definitely want to with some fun new tools!! π
I, unfortunately, am one of those slap on the canned frosting to a packaged cake mix kind of person. Boo. But perhaps if I win I can have some hope for the future??? π
I love working with frosting and “playing” with different tips. My frosting roses look like cow pies, but taste great.
Awesome giveaway!! I have 7 brothers and sisters and we do themed birthday parties for each of their birthdays. I try to make a cake to go along with the theme. I’m definitely an amateur. Never had any classes….but its fun!!
I took a class once in sixth grade! Since then I’ve also made many a boy birthday cake (all trains, especially Thomas). No end in sight with baby boy #4 arriving in April. I’m the 6-hours before the party kind of gal, but I love creating all the same. Sure would be nice to take my decorating supplies out of the ol’ shoe box. Thanks again Mel!
I’m a beginner. I’ve made a couple of shaped cakes and recently made my first fondant covered cake. It turned out great!
I LOVE decorating sugar cookies and cupcakes. I am a complete amateur but I have a large collection of supplies. We have our nieces and cousins over every holiday to decorate sugar cookies or cupcakes. Love your blog and LOVE decorating desserts!
experimenter with luck and failures π but that’s the life π I wish that this year would be with more luck and less failures π
I’m certainly an amateur! I haven’t really done much decorating, but I’d love to experiment!
A pathetic one…I could really use some tools to practice with! We celebrated my two-year-old’s birthday yesterday, and all I can say is that there is no where to go but up in my cake decorating! π
I’m pretty inexperienced as far as decorating goes…homemade cake, homemade frosting, but minimal decorations!
Amateur, however I vowed that when my daughter was born I would make her birthday cake every year. And so far I have succeeded! My first one was a pink monkey cake!
I am definitely an amateur. I have tried a few spectacular cakes when my kids were younger when they didn’t care so much about the end product. Maybe with the right tools, I will be able to make something my teens would be proud of!
I’m definitely an amateur, slap frosting on cake made from a mix or order a cake from the store, but I have wanted to learn how to make cakes for a long time!! Great giveaway, thanks for the chance. π
I am a sort of slap the frosting on the top girl and I feel like I am successful when the cake doesn’t roll up as I spread the frosting out π I would love to learn the art of cake decorating though– I think it is so fun to eat a beautiful cake or cookie π
I try to make cute cakes, they usually look really good in my mind! I get points for trying, right?
I’m definitely an amateur cake decorator but really, really want to learn to expand my skills in this area.
Thanks so much for offering the opportunity!
I love decorating cakes & cookies. It reminds me of the fabulously creative things my mother used to do! And now my daughter does it too!
I love to make cakes, but I put more of my attention into the taste and not so much on the appearance i.e. I claim amateur status on my decorating skills. I like a fun challenge when making birthday cakes for my kids, but my skills do limit the extravagance. I aspire to be more than I am :).
Total amateur but am looking to get some practice in so that I can one day be the cool cake decorating mom too!
Great giveaway! I am definitely still a novice when it comes to cake decorating. I always make frosting from scratch (the flavor is so much better!), but I still need more practice on making my artwork look cute!
I am a hopeless amateur… but I love cakes. Whether I’m making them or eating them…
I am definitely an amateur. I enjoy making themed cakes for my children for their birthdays. They LOVE the cakes even if they are not perfect. I am considering taking a cake decorating class for fun. π
I’m going to go with experimenter! π It’s fun to make cake and frosting from scratch!
Thank you for this, Mel! I thought all the giveaways were over now that the holidays have passed…what a great surprise. π
I’m usually more of a experimental decorator, but I aim to decorate things that “look” professional.
I love to decorate cakes but I only know how to do stars! Lol
My daughter used to do this in 4-H. We would like to pass this on to her daughter who absolutely likes to cook in both her play kitchen and the real thing! I was just the supervisor and can only do the very basics.
I have decorated my fair share of cakes over the years and still consider myself an amateur.
I am a cupcake decorating experimenter. I don’t even remember the last time I made a full cake instead of cupcakes but I sooo want to start making cakes and learn how to make cute ones like you have. This would be so fun! Thanks for the great recipes, too, by the way. Love your blog! π
Definitely an amateur, but love to experiment!
I have no idea what I’m doing when it comes to cake decorating but I’m hoping that will change someday with a little practice and the help of this caddy (if I win)!
I usually have grand ideas, but coupled with my amateur abilities, I usually end up with some kind of mess!
I am an experimenter. I love doing doctored cake mixes and then I make my own frosting and experiment. They aren’t ever works of art–but at least they taste good.
I dump on some frosting usually, but I’m planning on taking a class soon!
I have taken all the wilton classes but I would still have to say that I am a rookie! I would love to have more time to practice.
Is there a level below “amateur”? That’s me! Novice of novices.
I’m a total novice and sometimes think I’m more capable that I am! People like you make it look so easy!
I try to think I am a better baker than I am…..well actually, I have the baking part down pat, it is the decorating part that usually triumphs. I have all the intentions to make all the cute little recipes you find on the web, then after a few attempts……end up with plain frosting…..
I’m the kind that *thinks* I can decorate cakes like a pro (because I’ve seen an idea on pinterest/blogs), but when it comes time to put frosting to cake, I’m a serious amateur.
Experimenter – but I love it.
Your cakes are perfect! I am a completely self-taught experimenter. I started on my daughters first birthday and was solely a star-tip cake decorator for a few years. The last several years it has been fun working with fondant and chocolate. Watch out though, my kids cake ideas have gotten more and more elaborate! I’m with you, sometimes the time it takes me is probably triple what it takes someone else. My aunt lives in Denver and is a professional. She came out here and make my brother’s wedding cake in HOURS. I was in awe.
Definitely an amateur but have been searching for a hobby! Love your site for the weekly menus and ideas. Makes me feel like a better mom and wife- thanks!
I’m most definitely an amateur. No way to go but up!
I always start out believing that “this” cake will be prettier, but they all end up the same: messy and not quite photograph ready. Ha
I’ve been keeping an eye out for a Wilton cake decorating class in my area. Every time I see one, it has already started. Maybe this year.
Anyway, I’m so glad that I stumbled across your site. Everything looks great and it’s fun to read.
Thanks!
My box mix cakes are lucky if they get canned frosting.
My son says I am a mixture of professional and experimenter extrodinaire. I wouldn’t say professional at all…more just for the fun of it. I am actually talking to my friend about doing a carousel cake for her sons 1st birthday. It is the love for it that makes it fun. Thanks for your site.
I’m an experimenter! My mom is a great cake decorator and I’ve picked up some skills along the way, but I wish I knew more…or that I lived closer to my mom!!! I make all of the kids cakes and really enjoy it, even though I totally stress about it!
I am a total amateur…but would love some new tools to create something better for my 4 kids who ALWAYS ask for something creative. Love your recipes, thanks!!
Believe it or not, my hubby is the cake decorator in the family. He loves to bake and a couple years ago his sister got him a cake decorating class for Christmas. He has done his fair share of princess cakes and has now moved onto all things “Star Wars” (yes, even for our daughter). He would love this set! : ) Thanks for the give-a-way Mel!
Definitely amateur!! A homemade cake can have frosting on it?? π just kidding. Its true though, I am pretty weak sauce when it comes to cake decorating, so this giveaway is quite exciting!! Crossing my fingers!!!!
I’m horrible when it comes to frosting cakes, but I would love to get better. The same goes with frosting cookies.
Truly an amateur, but I would love to get better with the right tools.
More of an intermediate. I can do simple just fine or take my time and do totally putzy time-consuming detail!
I’m an amateur but love to make a homemade cake and frosting. For my daughters 3rd birthday this year I’m going to venture out and try something fun (more than a cake in a round 9in pan).
I am an amateur, to say the least…just figuring out how to satisfy the demands of my 3 little boys!
I am a beginner but am really interested in making fun cakes for my kids!!
I took that Wilton class in college too! And have not really practiced since ( that was years ago), but now that my kiddos are getting older I know they would die over some spectacular cakes! Thanks!
I am a lousy cake decorator! My decor usually looks like Jackson Pollack art.
I am a newbie, frosting-out-of-the-can type. I’ve always wanted to take a class at our local craft store, but have never had the time or taken the plunge. π Thanks for the chance to win! I really enjoy your blog!
I am definately a box mix birthday cake kind of girl, or sometimes *gasp* a pick up a Baskin Robbins ice cream cake for the kids. Shocking, I know, but I would like to try decorating my own cute cakes I’ve just never had the guts π
I am in no way a professional. I wouldn’t even call myself an amateur. I’ve made several cakes and frosted them for my boys’ birthdays over the years. I do pull quite a few all nighters like you. I think the hardest one I ever did was individual train cars for my youngest’ 1st birthday. I was really over my head on that one, but surprisingly managed to pull it off. My latest creation was a dinosaur land cake, complete with volcano and lava.
Probably experimenter… for my daughter’s recent 3rd birthday, she got a Boston Cream Pie for her cake! I tried a new, from scratch, cake, glaze, and pastry cream recipe. It was fun & delicious!
Very much an amateur. I have always wanted to make cakes, but have never really invested the time or money to learn.
I’m all about homemade and gluten free. Have yet to ever experiment with cake decorating, but would love to!
Definitely an amateur. My husband and I tried decorating cupcakes once – the result was pretty laughable but we had fun.
I just slap it on. But I can’t stand canned frosting- I always make my own
Semi-professional cake/cookie decorator. I love every recipe I have tried from your site–thanks for sharing such delicious food!
I am a from scratch experimenter. I love to make my kids birthday cake.
i would say ok… i made a princess and pirate boat cake last yr for my kid’s bdays. very amatuer, but cute and very tasty none the less π
Just starting to teach myself to pipe royal icing………with 3 1/2 grandbabies (#4 due in April!) I need all of the help I can get! π
My cake decorating is WAY less than amateur…usually there is lots more frosting than there should be and the cake kind of sinks under the weight, but the grandkids seem happy enough! And I like trying to make cool cakes.
I have made a few failed attempts at cake decorating… maybe because I LOVE cream cheese frosting and always use it, which probably isn’t the best frosting to use… But, I’ve had a lot of success with cupcakes and I love trying new things.
Uumm is there a step below amateur? I have never even tried to make a special cake. I am usually a buy the tub of frosting and cake batter although making my own doesn’t sound intimidating. But decorating and being creative does-but I’m not an old dog and I want to learn new tricks. I just don’t know what basic tools I should have. I would really like to actually make a really cool birthday cake for my three kiddos that isn’t bought from Coldstone Creamery or DQ or the grocery store. I already love baking and cooking why not add a little more pizzazz to my repertoire.
Hey there! I’m Brett’s wife – that awesome male reader of yours. He pretty much said it all, but I figure one more entry for the household would increase our odds. π We are definitely beginners, but we like to get creative with frosting on occasion. Since we don’t have a kit, we usually resort to cutting a hole in the corner of a ziplock baggie, squeezing out and swirling around toppings (usually chocolate) to a variety of items.
By the way – thank you for the “Jello worms” recipe you posted back at Halloween. I think they impressed my father-in-law enough to make me the favorite… although I don’t know if my fingers are up to the challenge again next year, squishing those suckers out was harder than I thought it would be!
I experiment but make really good-looking stuff, I must admit!! I would love this!
I love to do cakes, but definitely an amateur with more fails than successes under my belt!
I’m definitely an amateur, white frosting with one color trim has been about as far as I’ve stretched. Thanks for offering these giveaway days; they really will be something to look forward to in January!
Amateur but I love the challenge of trying new things!
I make fun cakes for my kids birthdays too, but am a definite amateur.
I took an introductory class by Wilton 12 yrs ago so that I could make my son character cakes. Now, 4 kids later, those classes have come in handy in making all of their birthday cakes. I recently made a first for my daughter, a fondant cake, Tinkerbell, and it was awesome! Love Wilton products.
Sad to say a cake mix and pre-made frosting kinda gal but would love to move on to a more skilled catagory : )
I wish I was an awesome decorator, but sadly I’m just an amateur.
I’m a real novice at cake decorating… maybe if I just had the right tools, I’d get a little better π
An experimentar – I still have a long ways to go and I’d love to take a cake decorating class, but I definitely have fun with it!
I am def. not an expert but love to experiment
I’m registering for my granddaughter, Lacey, age 20, who’s an amateur decorator. She made the rainbow cake for her little 7 yr. old sister’s birthday recently and we heard that that “the cake” was the main thing she talked about that happened on her birthday.
I used to just smear canned frosting on a 9X13 cake mix, but I’ve learned to love homemade cakes, and I’ve started making/decorating birthday cakes for my children. So far, I stink at decorating, but my kids are only 2 and 3 so they are very forgiving.
Still an amateur, but I’m progressing!
Im definitely an amateur. I love decorating cupcakes, but I rarely venture out to decorate an entire cake. But with two little kiddos, I’m sure I’ll be starting to do it more as their birthdays roll around each year!
I am an amateur, but I love to experiment.
I really only do cakes at birthdays. In the past we have gone easy because my kids were little and didn’t really care but I feel some amount of pressure to make them really cool cakes now that they are old enough to remember and enjoy it.
I’m a beginner cake decorator. I love to bake but since I’m not a fan of the can frosting, my cakes tend to be plain.
Very experimental, but I try hard. My husband was just telling his Co workers at a pot luck I made stuff for… that my stuff tastes good, but my presentation is no good haha… its so true though.
I have keep trying…but my cakes look like a first timer did them. My children are young so the appreciate the effort at this point. I keep meaning to sign up for a class. It is on my to do list. In the mean time some extra tools would help. (: I love, love your blog. I always know whatever recipe I use from your blog will be a huge success. Thanks.
When it comes to cake decorating, I am a complete newbie.
I am a lot like you! Armature decorator who has gone into all kinds of uncharted waters to please my kids for birthdays or school cake contests. The best cakes are the ones I do side-by-side with a child. Loads of fun!
Soooo, amateur but I too love trying to be creative in coordinating the cake with the party theme or whatever my boys happen to be in to at the moment. Fun!
I have found that you are either an excellent chef or an excellent baker and I am a chef. I try to bake and my kids always love the results but I am definitely an amateur. Happy New Year Mel!
For sure beginner but I have so appreciated your site for fun cakes to try with my 3 little boys!!!
Amateur might be a generous title for me! I have fun anyways, though! I have fun making icecream cakes for my 4 little boys π By the way, thank you for all the time that you spend on this here food blog! YOU ARE A LIFESAVER!!
I’m definitely an experimenter & getting more adventurous with each cake I do. I’d love to have more tools!
Happy New Year & thanks for the great site.
I have 2 princess cakes up my sleeve. I was just introduced to gel food coloring then! Holy smokes! Love it! We use cookie cutters and frosting for the typical cookies, cakes and cupcakes. My daughter has recently started eating the lay peanut butter and jelly when it’s cut with a cookie cutter! Definitely the most prized use of all! π
self taught…also becuase of requests or interests of my kiddos for their birthdays. Sometimes not to hard to impress the young ones but I’ve even impressed myself a couple of times. love you blog!
traditionally I slap on some frosting, but I try to “decorate” it with candy or sprinkles or something to make it less plain jane. my hubby is the one to take orders from the kids to make “theme” cakes and I LOVE watching him create…so much fun! thank you for a fun giveaway…and yes, it will help pass these gloomy january days-at least for me π
I am definitely an amateur, but an experimenting improving one!! π
I think that I’m alot like you…I have tried my hand at several boy cakes over the last few years (frog, snake, Star Wars, superhero and snowman) and am excited to try making cakes for my new baby girl. I like making homemade things:-)
I have decorated for years, but buying a piece here and there as needed and storing them in a coolwhip container! Then half of those have accidently hit the disposal. Would LOVE to win this.
Amateur, but I’d love to improve!
I’m somewhere between boxed cake with canned frosting and DIY. I want to get better at cake decorating, this sounds perfect!
I am a “wanna be” decorator…. my skills will improve if I win your caddy!
Im an amateur. My hubby’s better at decorating.
I think I’m somewhere between semi-professional and an experimenter. I have done several cakes for weddings and some birthdays for people other than my family. I’ve definitely had my share of cake disasters, but hopefully I’m getting better as I go. I can always use new cake tools! π You can check out my cake blog if you’re interested. http://www.kjcakes.blogspot.com
I think your cakes look great, Mel! And I’m so excited that you are hosting this giveaway to help make January something to look forward to. I think I always feel somewhat of a letdown after the holidays are over. This will be fun to watch and see what you have coming up. Thanks for continuing to post recipes. I look at your site several times a week for ideas and inspiration.
I like to decorate cakes for birthdays. I’m definitely not a pro, but learn something new (usually what not to do) each time I try π I can’t stand boughten frosting so I make my own. It’s always fun to create something and luckily my kids don’t mind if it’s not perfect.
I’m a first year culinary student. I am an amateur with big dreams!
experimenter for sure. I love to try to make cakes for my kids and with the help of my older sister I can do alright.
I just read my cake decorating biography! We sound almost identical in our cake decorating escapades. I have a girl and a boy, , so I’ve done my share of girl cakes too!
I am terrrible, is there a category for that? I used to really try. In fact I yelled at my sister in law offering to help (I didn’t want her to get any of the glory). Now days I just do a box and can, but really want to try again:)
Hi Melanie…Im like you – too one Wilton cake decorating class and then just made it up as I went along, also pulling all nighters for super cool cakes π
Amateur, for sure! However, I did make homemade icing for the very first time in my life for my daughter’s birthday cupcakes last year (albeit, it was slapped on a “jazzed up” box mix).
Hi! Love your blog! I come to it all the time when I need ideas. Anyway, I have three kids and I try to make each of their birthday cakes each year, depicting whatever they request. I am definitely an amateur, but am trying to get better. I have really enjoyed it, and would really enjoy having this kit to help me out :)! Thanks!
I am a total amater – but with my little boy turing 2 in a few months, I hope to make him a “fun” cake, and not just one from the box! π
I am definately amature but I really want to learn how to do more.
I have more experience decorating sugar cookies, but I would say I am still an amateur.
I love decorating, buy am mot even good enough to be considered amateur yet.
I have seen these Wilton cake decorating kits and they look incredible! I am an average cake decorator. I have made quite a few of my own cakes for kids birthdays. I think the Wilton kit would bring me to the next level! So fun!
I am a beginner but would love to be better!
I’m definitely an in-between decorator. I like to make them look pretty, but as far as themes go with super fancy tips? I haven’t been successful!
My mom owns a professional cake shop. Im definitely a beginner still but its fun to go over and help her out sometimes.
Ha I am a full on amateur! I have the best intentions when it comes to birthday cakes but it never quite turns out right. But I love to keep experimenting!
Happy New Year!
Amateur. Sometimes I attempt but it doesn’t look great.
I’m a very basic decorator. I managed to make a few fun cakes for my kids but usually I stick to very basic old fashioned cakes.
amateur in every sense of the word!
Amateur on this end but love to play and dream about decorating cakes:).. I tell myself every year that im gonna make my kid Birthdays cakes and every year i go out and buy one.
Have graduated from Wilton’s 4 Course classes – plus the Fondant class – not a professional by no means, but I do know the basics of cake making and decorating. I love to see both amateur and professional decorated cakes – works of art. Cake baking and decorating can be stressful (especially wedding cakes) and hard work, so I give due credit to these artists.
I am totally amateur and try to keep it as simple as possible! But no canned frosting! π I love your site. It is my go-to website when I make my meal plans for the week. Thank you for sharing your expertise!
I am a not good at all cake decorator!!=)
I’m a novice at cake decorating, but my first child is only one, so I forsee a lot of cakes in the future to work on improving!
I am an experimenter!!
I took a cake decorating class and had so much fun!
I like to make my own cakes and frosting, but know nothing about fondant or piping (and would love to learn someday!)
I’m a “dream-big-but-wuss-out-and-stick-to-a-can” kind of cake decorator. My son’s first birthday is coming up next month so I’m trying to work up the courage to make a semi-cool cake… you know… so he can smash it and wear it. =)
OOOH Fun!!!
I’m a total cake decorating amateur, but after one day of using a piping tip to frost cupcakes with gorgeous results, I’m dying to delve more into the world of cake decorating!
Happy New Year, Mel! π
Ima wannabe. I always make homemade buttercream frosting, but don’t have any decorating skills. Do you recommend anything on line? I’ve never bought myself an offset spatula.
I’m an amateur for sure. I have three friends who are semi-professional. I took a cupcake decorating class with some friends a couple of years ago and LOVED it. I have two young children and love decorating cakes and cupcakes for their parties and classes and school and church. I would love so much to be better though. I even dream about it! Thanks so much for your inspiration and recipes! I love your site so much. Happy New Year!
I’m like you: “self taught” and I do it for the pleasure of my kids! It started, because I remember my Dad making cool cakes for scout cake auctions! Tacos, cheeseburgers, spaghetti [they were usually food: that should tell you something about our family].
Over the years, for my kids, I’ve done a baseball stadium [the worst], flip flops, a pirate, car race tracks, dinosaurs….
amateur… best part is eating ….
2011 was my first time really decorating cakes or cookies. It all started with a joint bday party for my son & daughter last year. I went a little overboard for it being the first time but it was great! My son requested a Hello Kitty cake as a joke one night. I guarantee he will never forget that bday because I made it rain Hello Kitty. LoL. My daughter loves peace signs so she had 3 different peace sign cakes in different sizes, all brightly colored & fun. Snowman & gingerbread heads were a definite hit for the holidays.
I come from the “cake baked in a 9×13 with canned frosting spread on the top” kind of family, but I made a butterfly and ladybug cake for my little girl’s bday and stayed up all night long to do it. Good times.
Total amateur!! But love to do it! My kids always ask for the funniest stuff- I’ve done a crocodile, a horse, a penguin, and a frog. Most recently I did a Denver bronco cake that turned out awesome! I would LOVE to have a kit to use!! π
I don’t like just doing the rectangle cake with frosting from a can, and am in serious need of learning how to do something more exciting.
I consider myself a great cake- and frosting-maker, but a horrible decorator. I would love to pick up some new ideas!
I am a beginner cake maker, but an expert cake eater! π
I am the sidekick! My creative husband is the amateur cake decorator around here! He would love some fancy tools!
I’m a total amateur cake decorator but boy I can slap on frosting and put on those nasty, gross hard candy decorations with the best of them! lol π
(but, I assure you that my son’s preschool class at the time, greatly enjoyed that cake! Banana with chocolate frosting!).
What a fun giveaway! PICK ME!!!!
I am a “call a professional and order one” cake person. My neighbor makes beautiful cakes and I could give this to her in exchange for a cake: win-win.
I’m still in the experimenting stage. π My daughter is three and gets very excited about birthday cakes so I love to do what I can.
I LOVE your monster cake!!!
I am an amateur, but I have tried a few times to experiment with decorating. I made a Thomas train for my grandson’s birthday and ended up with rainbow colored fingers! He was only turning two, so he thought I was a terrific grandma. Thank you for making January brighter with this giveaway, but you make my “everydays” happier with your recipes.
I am an amateur that took on the task of making my four children’s cakes. I would enjoy a kit like this!
I decorate cakes just for my kids’ birthdays, but I LOVE doing it for them. I always take requests (and the snake cake has been a past favorite of both my boys), and it’s fun to see how their interests change. Definitely an amateur though.
Amateur!!!! but loving it!!
Oh I am the get the frosting in the hair girl! Green peanut butter frosting anyone π
I have always made all my kids cakes for their birthdays. They spend the months before planning what they want and I spend hours trying to get it just right! I too have spent many nights up trying to fix all my mistakes but I love to do it for them.
I am an experimenter of sorts. I can decorate ok but nothing to write home about….could use some cool tools to help out π
Experimenter extraordinaire!!
I’ve always been the ‘slap frosting on’ type of person. But I’m trying to learn and get much better!! π
Although I’ve been baking for years, I have yet to make something really pretty! I do lack the equipment. I only have one pastry bag and a few tips. So, I am not much better than an amateur!
I am a professional experimenter on decorating cakes! I love this food blog!
I’m a slap on canned frosting kind of guy, but I’m sure that my wife would be thrilled to have this! She’s found some great recipes from you, and makes amazingly tasty cakes! She just needs these tools to help her work on the artistic part.
I’m definitely an amateur. My girls love to try to help and we have lots of fun trying. Most of the time the cakes don’t look edible by the time we’re done π
I’m an amateur, but my kids always love how their cakes look!
I am a home decorator…taken some classes and now branched out on my own creative endeavors. I love reading the tutorials which abound on many of the blogs.
My family and friends are the beneficiaries of my projects!
Total amateur! I love making the cake and frosting from scratch and though it might taste delicious, it always looks like a disaster!
I’m a total amateur, but I still keep trying:)
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.
Definitely an amateur, but very anxious to start learning! I’ve done a couple of cakes for family members, and am starting to collect stuff little by little. I am determined to improve!
I’m totally an amateur, but I try my hardest to make it taste amazing (even if it doesn’t always LOOK that way!) I’ve been wanting one of these tool caddies for FOREVER to help me out, but could never justify the cost since it only would get used on special occasions.
I love making homemade cakes for my kids’ birthdays! They are not too fancy, but we have so much fun with it!
MEL!
I too am an amature, but boy have I had fun. I got started with “What’s New Cupcake” and then “Hello Cupcake” with my grandaughter Mandy. Her bro asked for the racecar in one of the books, but wanted certain things on it. WE DID IT & it turned out so cute.
THEN
I surprised everyone with a SpongeBob cake for another little Grandson Vincie. OH MY, what a lot of work, but sooooo fun. I wish I could send you pics on here!
(Made Buffalo Chicken Bites for New Years Eve!! YUMMO!!!!!)
I do ok….got a cake dec. set when I was 12 and it’s finally lost all the pieces etc. Need a new one! I am 49…..really old!
I am totally a slap on a can of frosting kind of a girl, but it usually goes on cupcakes. I always end up with crumbs in my frosting and get frustrated and wonder why I ever thought I could frost a cake!
I love to experiment and try new things. Thank goodness most of my kids are still little enough that they love anything and think I’m amazing! π
Birthday cakes usually end up being very simple around here, but I would love to learn. I’m thinking about taking a Wilton class at my local craft store, so the caddy would be great!
I haven’t done any cake decorating but would love to start.
I am a total amateur, but my kids beg for a different kind of decorated cake each birthday and I am loving it!
I am such an amateur, but perhaps that is what makes it fun. I don’t take it too seriously, but the kids love them!
Definitely amateur. But I’m hoping to step up my cake decorating soon with some actual Wilton tips…this caddy would be perfect for me! I hope I win!
I’m mostly a canned frosting and cake mix kinda girl, but I so admire people that can do what you do! I feel like I don’t have a creative bone in my body, but I’d love to learn! BTW, I love your recipes! I found you a few months ago and am a fan for life.
I’m anything but professional! I love to make my girls’ birthday cakes special and a bit magical though.
Ameture. I want this so much! I’ve always been the “side kick” when cake decorating. If I had my own tools I can finally take up the head chair. Woo
I like to pretend I am professional, but I really am just an armature. I use all my skills on Cake pops instead of actual cakes.
I love experimenting
I love your website!! Thanks for sharing such yummy recipes! I am an occasional cake decorator…I love to make cute cakes for my kids birthdays. It would be so fun to have some real tools! π
Definitely a novice … I do good to get all the icing on the cake and not in my mouth π
Give me a can of frosting and I can frost away, that is if there’s anything left after I get a couple of spoonfuls for myself first.
By no means a professional but I do love doing it, no matter how crazy looking they turn out π
I’m definitely an amateur – but I’d like to blame space on the reason I was never able to decorate before. We just bought a house so I’m hoping to be able to branch out with the extra counter space I just acquired.
I would love to learn how to decorate cakes. I had a few recipes from my mom that I made but hate to say I hardly ever made anything from scratch. Everything changed when I came across your blog, I started trying things I never thought I could make. Thanks for helping make me the hit of the neighborhood when it comes to dinners and goodies, my neighbors request goodies all of the time and I love it!
I make homemade frosting but, I stink at decorating and don’t really have any tools so, this would be awesome to win!!!
Basically I try to make any cake I think look’s pretty and/or yummy. Whether or not it comes out looking perfect is okay because it will (usually) still taste good and that’s the main objective!
I’m an amateur, but I keep trying. My granddaughters think I’m great. Would love
to win the kit.
Sorry about the typos! YIKES!
I’m very amateur, but I would love to try other things. I’ve always wanted to take a cake decorating class…
I am a NOVICE and that is putting it mildly. I would love a set of proper tools to improve my skills for my 5 yr old daughter and my 3 yr old son so I could make their cakes because I LOVE to an really cute birthday parties for them. Thanks and HSPPY NEW YEAR!!
I am an amateur that is however improving over the years and I love doing cakes for family and friends!
I took the same cake decorating class you did. I loved it and was alright at it. My family must think I’m professional bc they ask me to do birthday cakes all the time. I need a refresher coarse AND that tool caddy!! π thanks for the give aways.
I’m not much of a cake decorator, but I would love to get better. I tell my kids I make cakes that taste good not ones that are pretty.
I’m definately a mix kind of girl. If the cake is for someone in the family it gets canned frosting; but if it is for me (and I generally would rather have pie than cake for my day), I will make a better frosting cause I detest the canned stuff! If I win this I will be gifting it to my DIL who is next to professional…she does a great job! That girl is talented I tell you! She will love having all her stuff in one place and organized.
Very amateur. I wish I was better but it is so much work. It would be fun to try though.
I enjoy experimenting and decorating cakes but I’m by no means a professional!
I’m an anti-canned frosting amateur.
As a mom with a 1-year-old and a 1 month old, we have had one birthday, so I am very amateur. I’m a make-it-from-scratch kind of girl but haven’t ventured into animals/objects just yet, although I look forward to trying someday, but probably when my children are old enough to appreciate it a little more. π
I would love a kit like this.
experimenter and frosting from the can goes straight to the cake π
I am a complete beginner. I have never even used a piping bag. I don’t think I have even ever made a two-layer cake because I didn’t have an offset spatula to spread the frosting. I would love this tool kit to get started.
Canned Frosting? Yuck!! Gag!! I do everything from scratch but I don’t decorate worth a crap! I could use help!!
I am a cake experinter! I made my first fondant wedding cake with my sil in October! We didn’t have very many fancy tools and would love to win this! I love your blog!
I try to let my kids decide what kind of cake they want. I like trying to figure out a way to make it for them. I’m not always the best but so far they don’t complain and they love what I put together.
I’m an amateur for sure! I love to bake, and I got a petit four pan as well as a decorating set for Christmas. I’m so ready to try them out! This caddy would be great so the stuff I already have won’t be spread all throughout drawers and the pantry!
I am just like you! I took the Wilton course one at my local craft store, and now I take orders from my two sons! My cakes look home decorated, but I really enjoy doing it and this set of wonder would be awesome!
I am a experimenter extraordinaire. You are much better than I am, but mine do end up being cute and my kids are always pleased! π Thank you, you are too sweet!
I’m a newbie decorator for sure! I’ve only just discovered my love for baking in the last year so I’ve got lots of fun, experimental times ahead of me! I’m looking forward to it though and this tool caddy would definitely help me to get things started!
Nonexistent- I have always bought our birthday cakes or had my cute neighbor bake them for me, but I’d love to give it a try on my own.
Amateur, but definitely improving after 13 years of cake designing & decorating. Love to work with ‘from scratch’ recipes. I started with my son’s b-day cakes as he requested something new each year (from construction & pirate ships to Angry Birds this year.)
Love your site. It’s a go-to favorite for me as I have ‘borrowed’ many of your recipes (and tutorials), and they have become part of our menu rotation.
Happy New Year!
Shar
I’m an experimenter. A friend, who is a professional, once taught me some of her skills, which was just enough information for me to attempt the cakes my kids request, but not enough to make them look exactly how they want it! π
Melanie, I love your food blog. You are amazing!
It looks like a kaboodle! How fun π And I am an extremely amateur cake decorator. As in, I can’t do anything. I can do cupcakes and cookies, but cakes?? no way!
i am an experimenter. i enjoy trying new things, not hard things, but fun things that will make a cake a little special for my kiddos.
I love to experiment with decorating tips from food blogs pictures !
I currently don’t make cakes – I’m a pro at ordering them from someone who knows how! But where there’s a will, there’s a way – and I’m willing to start and learn!
I love your blog & try your recipes often. I am very amateur. I try and make a creative cake for each bday. So far I have made a monkey, Barbie princess, truck, crown cake, mermaid cake, butterfly, Rudolph cake, horse, dinosaur, and puppy cake. I could really use some tips and equipment. I should really learn some skills instead of faking it.
Beginner but hoping to improve the more I practice… Just like I tell my kiddos, practice makes perfect:)
I’m the kind of cake decorator that buys hers at the bakery!
I’m definitely no expert, but I love to experiment, and I would love to win this to give me the tools to do more!
self-taught cake decorator–you can learn all kinds of stuff on you-tube. check out my blog for a few things ive done. thanks for the giveaway