Dad's 70th... and that weird cake!

[Scorch]

Well, here's the photos of the cake I made, as promised... :)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2525/4103798460_7a3f5eee31.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2497/4103033767_639745a4ea.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2465/4103036225_d8c3d1dafd.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2578/4103031845_8101106d4b.jpg

Dad's 70th birthday cake, made for the surprise party we threw for him. Not a conventionally pretty cake, but one with all the things he loves on it. There was a mole along with the veggies on the right-hand side, but I don't have a pic of that - sorry!!

It's made from two 12" sponges, filled with buttercream and jam, covered with sugarpaste (badly - it just didnt want to flex that much) and decorated with sugar novelties and runout lettering, fixed down with royal icing. All completely edible!

Full-size pictures, and the whole set of party photos, are here : http://www.flickr.com/photos/tannison/sets/72157622802459428/

[SterlingWeave]

Wow, My jaw has dropped what an amazing cake. I agree it is not traditionally pretty but it is so clever and brillant. How much skill, time and effort went into that. !!! It must of took you hours (weeks) to do. I hope he loved it ?

[Salvage Patsy]

what a great cake hope he had a nice birthday

[bodrighy]

My peronal opinion doesn't count as I see it as food :D but SWMBO reckons it's special and that you are really clever. (secretly I have to agree but don't tell anyone)

pete

[indri]

What a brilliant cake! Love the veg and saws etc on the cake board!! :D

[alibear]

I bet he was pretty touched by that!

[Janx]

great cake, a heck of a lot of work there and how fantastic to have everything you like represented in such a personal way

jan x

[sherrielinda]

brilliant, what did everyone think of it ???

[AliCat]

Superb! Thanks so much for posting the finished pics - I couldn't visualise it from the individual pieces!!!!

Your Dad must have been so thrilled - what a great gift - he definitely won't forget his 70th!

[Moonbeam Angel]

WOW!!! well done you! I can say with all honesty (as I was a cake decorator in a previous life-many years ago) that this is absolutely fantastic. Excellent job. Such a shame it has to be eaten though!!!

You should be filled with pride, yet another craft to your bow :D

[Alice21]

That is brilliant! :jump:

I love all the little veggies best.

Your dad is a very lucky man.

[Aviya Glass]

Thanks so much for showing the finished cake - I was waiting to see what it looked like as I could not visualise it all together but it looks wonderful and shows your dad's fave things like a story as well! :)

[just sally]

I too was looking forward to seeing this cake and you did not disappoint its wonderfull
how did your dad react? was he pleased?
well done you!!:)

[AnnieAnna]

I'm disappointed. I was expecting a dragon.
Ho ho. Only joking. It's FAB - U - LUS.
AnnieAnna

[candles by lisa]

That is amazing. Your dad must have loved it especially with all the thought that went into the things he liked.
Cheers.

Lisa

:D

[cosmic grammie]

It is awesome - incredible! Incredible and edible, but I could not have eaten it or watched anyone cut it up!! You are extremely talented! A labor of love for your dad, who, from the photos, was obviously really happy with his party! Looks like a wonderful time!

[Scorch]

Oh, thank you so much, everyone! All those kind words... :) <blushing>

Dad really was surprised, and I think everyone did have a good time, indeed. It was lovely to see him meeting all his old pals again - some after 50 years! He was SO happy...

The cake was a bit of a nightmare to put together - handling 12" sponges is quite awkward at the best of times, and the sugarpaste wasn't co-operating. Especially as I haven't done this for about 25 years! But I think it came out OK - certainly different, I know. I made a mole, emerging from the veggie-side of the cake, but sadly I don't have a photo of that. I'm hoping that my sister's beloved has one... along with maybe a more flattering photo of me! :)

The catering seemed to go well overall - All our home-cooked food disappeared way before the stuff we bought. In fact, when we were trying the pastries up for the venue kitchens, they told us we'd over-catered, and should not cook it all, but take some back home still frozen. We did, and then wished we hadn't, as our pastries ran out!

But there was plenty and enough food for everyone, as we'd gone the Norfolk way, and supplied loaves and sticks of bread with ham & cheese & pate as well as hot soup and chicken stew. Again, flatteringly, our chicken stew almost ran out, but there was still most of our bought-in tomato soup left!

So, Sis & I were exhausted, but happy... :)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2625/4103041411_0c05c1df86.jpg
(In my defence, Bill said something outrageously cheeky just before he snapped this!)

[GlamGlass]

Wow great little bits and pieces....have you thought about working with Polymer clay?

It does seem a shame to eat all the veggies and books!!

[Scorch]

Fondant is much like polymer clay, indeed. I do have some, but haven't had anything to use it for, to be honest. I only did this 'cos it was such a special occasion - I've been making icing things sunce June! :)

BTW, I've run out of Rep to give away for the day now - so I'll catch up with my individual replies tomorrow...

[Autumn Faerie]

Wow - what an amazing cake, your dad must have been thrilled to bits with it as it's so personal & special to him. Another talent you have! Fab, fab work

Jan xx

[Scorch]

Oh, thank you, thank you!

'Tis all Mum's fault really - she used to make cakes when I was still living at home, and I always helped her do the fiddly bits... :)

[nettie]

Absolutely brilliant! Well done!

[HappySheep]

wow! As a very 'baby' baker I am very impressed - I hope he appreciated all the trouble you took :)

[HappySheep]

"Scorch agrees: Awww, thanks! I bet you could do it too - it's just like playing with plasticine..."

I'm no use at that either! But thankyou for the thought :) :)

[Fluffy Squirrel]

Wow!!! Simply amazing!!

I've been following your threads with the "bits" along the way and really couldn't picture how it would all come together, but seeing the finished cake it looks fantastic... like a story board of your Dad's life and hobbies. Wonderful work!!

Just gone through your Flickr photo album too... your Dad looks very surprised but delighted, and I am sure he will remember this day forever - an opportunity to catch up with lots of friends and family, all of whom looked like they were having a great time.

Well done on this wonderful cake, and also for organising such a wonderful party for your Dad :D

[krafty1]

That is absolutely amazing!!! :mf:

I've never seen anything like it, you should give yourself a huge pat on the back for that, your dad must've been over the moon with it.

If I'd made that I wouldn't want to cut it, just sit and admire it :D

[Scorch]

Thank you!

Dad chopped it up with a smile...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2650/4103027547_6491379557.jpg

[samigail]

it's absolutely amazing, such a special gift for your dad, I bet everyone will be talking about your cake for years and years

and I bet you'll be getting orders too :)

[Scorch]

Aww, thanks, Samigail! Dad certainly seemed quite impressed, which can't be a bad thing, and several other people there had nice comments.

I dunno about the taking orders, though - I started making icing bits in May, for this event in November. I don't know HOW many hours of work there is in it, but certainly a lot more than anyone would ever be willing to pay for... :)

[cakedecorator]

fab cake well done


cake decorator
cake -links.com

[Scorch]

Hey, thanks!