Shooga Baby

For our final lesson in Wilton 1, we will have to produce our final cake design based on the flowers and motifs that we've learnt. I've been cracking my head over my final cake design and below, I would like to share my thinking process for the design.

Like in every design that I create, I need to be inspired. So I will usually build a 'back story', to build up the elements in my design. I like to start it off that way cos in the end, it adds character to the design.

So for this cake design, I knew for sure that I would like to have roses.

I found this photo of a bouquet that caught my fancy.

Next, I need to determine a colour scheme.

I make sure I do this everytime because I realised that as much as I LOVEEEE colours, it is one of my primary weakness. If I do not determine the selection of colours, my design will be an explosion of colours, and NOT in a good way.

I basically like the freshness of the white, pinks and green in the bouquet about but I want to add some 'warmth' to it.

I found this colour palette at www.colourlovers.com and was immediately smittened!

Now - the layout.

I went to scour the web interesting buttercream cake designs and was so inspired by these two cakes below that I KNEW my cake has to look like them. Not to copy the design! but to allow myself to be inspired by the bold colours and contrasts, and the fluidity in the composition. Also, in different hands, I believe that no two designs can be the same (unless thats the intention).

Now that we have decided on:

1) Main element
2) Inspiration
3) Colour Scheme
4) Layout

we need to determine what motif/ patterns/ leaves/ veins we will add in the composition and the respective tip numbers. When we're all set, now it's time to make the icing colours :)

At this point, I was still trying to achieve that fresh tone of green icing.

We decorated the cake in one hour during class, starting off by piping the individual roses first on wax paper. Here's my final cake! I named it - La Vie en Rose.

I made 10 ribbon roses in all and placed them on the cake once they're semi-dry. Next are the dark green swirly veins. Then the leaves. Last but not least, a shell border to complete the cake.

It might be nothing fantastic, but I'm proud of it as its my FIRST cake ever :) Gonna bring it to the office on Monday, to give it as a birthday cake for my colleague, Rachel.

See my next post for pics of artwork from my Wilton 1 comrades.

Cheers!