You guys aren't messin around.
When I placed the idea out there.. the idea that I would create three different cakes from one decorators tip... I had NO idea what I was thinking.
The most commonly requested tip was Wiltons #233.
The grass tip.
Most commonly used to make grass. In green.
Grass.
And nothing else.
I was stumped.
I didn't even own one. I had to go and buy one.
(actually, I bought four, which really helped when decorating all these cakes!)
I wanted to make sure all these cakes served a purpose, so this cake is for some friends that just welcomed another baby into their lives. A sweet little boy!
I held the tip at a 90 degree angle, applied pressure and make slight circles with the tip. Then made smaller 'stacks' in the inner circles.
While I will never claim to be an artist (I have too much respect for the people that are!) I really liked how this technique came out.
I hope its self explanatory, but if not, here is my very technical descriptions.
I took the frosting and made swirly lines and stuff.
And while I can honestly tell you that all of these cakes are very easy to execute, this was probably the easiest.
And my favorite. I don't know why... maybe because it has all the colors in the rainbow? And I am obsessed with rainbows?
To make this cake I just used the grass tip as you normally would, but didn't extend the tip to achieve the long grass. Just short little dabs of frosting.
Thanks for pushing me beyond what I knew! I had fun making these cakes and hope that our friends and family will have fun eating them!!
So what do you think I should tackle next???
These are all so great! Awesome job. I hate using the grass tip. Also, I can't believe you didn't own one.
Posted by: heidi | Aug 25, 2011 at 07:13 AM
I LOVE the sunset cake! I'm wondering how you made the waves so realistic? The think I hate about this is now it's gonna bug me until I try it! Love your work!
Posted by: Lenita | Aug 25, 2011 at 07:50 AM
You are so talented and creative! The sunset one looks like a piece of art, and I love how fun the rainbow cake is. I never would have imagined using that tip for anything other than grass. You've inspired us to think outside the box!
Posted by: Danielle | Aug 25, 2011 at 07:55 AM
YOU are just too cool! Three different cakes with the GRASS tip?!?! Brilliant!
Posted by: bridget {bake at 350} | Aug 25, 2011 at 07:55 AM
amanda.
AMANDA!
Are you for real?
These cakes...with the grass tip...you are incredible.
The sunset one..
I can't even speak, so beautiful.
Posted by: shelly (cookies and cups) | Aug 25, 2011 at 08:03 AM
Wow. When I first suggested the grass tip, I didn't think you could do that much with it. But WOW! The sunset one is ah-mazing! You are SO creative.
Posted by: Amanda | Aug 25, 2011 at 08:10 AM
Oh my gosh! Those cakes are awesome!!! You have such a great imagination :)
Posted by: Lori | Aug 25, 2011 at 08:14 AM
I've been lurking on your blog for a while now, just admiring your beautiful work. When I saw this charm though, I knew I had to share it with you!! The rainbow cakes are my favorite too!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/66309755/rainbow-cake-necklace
Posted by: Liz | Aug 25, 2011 at 08:20 AM
ok.. i really don't know what to say. except, you are definitely an inspiration. i don't have much counter space, or baking and decorating equipment, but you sure have taught me that great things can come out of what little we have. i always thought i was limited with designs becuz i had such a small selection of tips, but now i have confidence! thanks so much! the sunset cake just made me lit up and the rainbow cake almost made me think about changing my daughter's "rubber ducky" birthday cake to something with rainbows. but i already chose a "ducks in a pond" design so i must stay strong! lol. i don't even know what tip to suggest next.
Posted by: Toya | Aug 25, 2011 at 08:33 AM
Wow, you did great! I LOVE the rainbow one, but the string-one is cool too!
Posted by: Amy | Aug 25, 2011 at 08:35 AM
Ha ha! Awesome!!!! I love my grass tip, but yeah, its usually used for grass. This is great! I especially love the sun cake, I may have to give that a shot! Way to "think outside the box"
Posted by: Jessy@FairytaleFrosting | Aug 25, 2011 at 08:39 AM
Amanda!!! You are so much fun! So smart! So creative!
Love that your major focus is just wonderful buttercream!
Posted by: Georgia | Aug 25, 2011 at 09:12 AM
The rainbow one is super cute! I've used the grass tip to make an Elmo cake & other Sesame Street character cupcakes in the past. I saw a chef use it on a food network challenge to make Sulley from Monsters, Inc. and it was amazing how much it looked like fur! The pictures don't do it justice!
http://ashleyscrafts.blogspot.com/2010/04/birthday-ideas.html
Posted by: Ashley | Aug 25, 2011 at 09:24 AM
I looooove the sunset one! I also saw some resemblance to Starry Night. Would love to see that! I have been checking your blog every day waiting to see what you came up with for the tips. I can't wait for the next one! (There will be a next one, right?)
Posted by: Traci | Aug 25, 2011 at 09:48 AM
That is awesome! Love the sun and rainbow cakes!
Posted by: Sweet Cake | Aug 25, 2011 at 10:51 AM
LOVE these cakes!!! So beautiful!!
That tip also works really well for hair, my grandma has made me a few bear shaped cakes back in the day fully covered with white hair!
Posted by: Lauren | Aug 25, 2011 at 10:59 AM
Triple Wow! I love the sunset cake, such a creative way to decorate a cake. But our favorite is the rainbow grass cake - a beauty to behold :)
Posted by: Mary C. | Aug 25, 2011 at 11:31 AM
I am always in awe of your creativity. I wish I had half as much as you! I loved, loved, loved the second and third ones! I wish I could eat them up and preserve them forever at the same time :)
Posted by: Lauren P. | Aug 25, 2011 at 12:03 PM
Wonderful! I really love the sunset! Very creative and beautiful. This is inspiring me to try out some new techniques!
Posted by: Jill | Aug 25, 2011 at 12:18 PM
!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:o
:)
Speechless.
Posted by: Amy | Aug 25, 2011 at 12:39 PM
I am yet again amazed by your creativity and talent. You are such an artist I look up to!Thanks for making me smile once more ...all three are such beautiful cakes. God bless you and your family!
Posted by: Jennifer | Aug 25, 2011 at 01:46 PM
I love all of these! I can't wait to try this myself.
Posted by: Jen | Aug 25, 2011 at 02:04 PM
FAN.TAS.TIC. Every one of them...LOVE them all !!!! I have used that tip for a LOT of grass in my day, but have never thought of these ideas...you are gifted! I am SO making that rainbow cake...SOON!!!!!!! THANK you for pushing yourself!!!
Posted by: Megan O. | Aug 25, 2011 at 04:22 PM
Id like to see different flower ideas? Or more themed work?
Posted by: Bridgette | Aug 25, 2011 at 05:42 PM
Oh my goodness. I have no idea what to even say, Amanda. These cakes are *beautiful* and you have certainly outdone yourself! I am so amazed that you did all of this with the grass tip. That was one that I have previously always avoided (except for a horrible attempt to use it to make fur on Easter bunny cookies a few years ago... it was awful). That sunset cake is just incredible.
Posted by: Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction | Aug 25, 2011 at 09:14 PM
LOVE the sun and ocean design! Way to think outside of the box!
Posted by: Rachel Watters | Aug 25, 2011 at 10:54 PM
I wish you would tackle Mud Pie...I've been praying someone would tackle it...
Posted by: Antonia | Aug 26, 2011 at 01:12 AM
Love them! Finding it hard to choose between the second and third ones. Setting a challenge like this is such a great idea to stretch one's creativity!
Posted by: Becky | Aug 26, 2011 at 05:14 AM
Just wonderful! And that Sunset Cake is flat-out amazing. I am SO impressed. Looks like it would fit right in at a Van Gogh exhibit!
Posted by: Elizabeth L in Apex, NC | Aug 26, 2011 at 08:40 AM
Oh my golly that sunset cake is amazing! Why doesn't the website let me pin it into pintarest? I think I need a grass tip myself now.
Posted by: Monica | Aug 26, 2011 at 12:03 PM
the....sun'll come out tomorrow! that one's my favorite, amanda--bravo!
Posted by: grace | Aug 26, 2011 at 03:13 PM
Not only did you rise to the challenge, you surpassed it. That sunrise/sunset cake (it could be both right?) should be framed!
Posted by: Paula | Aug 26, 2011 at 03:23 PM
I love this! I really like the bright colors and the stringy landscape of the sun and sea. You've inspired me to go take out my tips!
Posted by: Binky | Aug 26, 2011 at 07:19 PM
I thought the rainbow pom pom cake looked great. How about a lattice style cake?
Posted by: Jen M O | Aug 26, 2011 at 08:10 PM
Love, love, love. Your hands must be aching??!!! I just LOVE how you make such masterpieces with a tip and some buttercream. So inspiring.
Posted by: amy | Aug 26, 2011 at 08:22 PM
I love the rainbow one too! (although all are great)
I'm just love how vibrant your icing colours turn out! Really makes the patterns pop!
Posted by: babbers | Aug 26, 2011 at 08:27 PM
My favorite is definitely the sun & water cake. What a fun way to use that tip. Beautiful!
Posted by: Ellen | Aug 27, 2011 at 07:40 AM
Of course they are all beautiful, BUT that rainbow dot cake is spectacular!
Posted by: Jamie | My Baking Addiction | Aug 27, 2011 at 07:41 AM
They are all gorgeous, my favourite one is the rainbow one too, you are really great, thanks for sharing this :)
Posted by: DG | Aug 27, 2011 at 08:47 AM
The sunset is stunning! It looks like the cake version of a Van Gogh!
Posted by: Noa | Aug 27, 2011 at 01:17 PM
They're all great, but that rainbow cake is waaaaaaaaaay cool! Love it!
Posted by: Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles | Aug 27, 2011 at 09:13 PM
YOU ARE A-MA-ZING!!! I bought this tip for making grass only, I thought that was all, and now, look, wahta a different ways to use it!! Really love the sunset cake, what a brilliant idea!!
Posted by: Nuria | Aug 28, 2011 at 05:11 AM
Wow, these are amazing! Great job! I've recently been teaching myself to use piping tips and this looks like a great way to learn to utilize them to their full potentials!
Posted by: Ramblesofthemary.wordpress.com | Aug 28, 2011 at 01:59 PM
Well, the last one is without any doubt the most colorful and awesome decoration I've ever seen... just beautiful!
Posted by: Giulietta | Alterkitchen | Aug 28, 2011 at 02:44 PM
Absolutely stunning! You are a wizard with that piping bag. Yum!
Posted by: Russell at Chasing Delicious | Aug 28, 2011 at 03:10 PM
Amazing! I've only used the tip for grass and hair - I am IN LOVE with the rainbow one you did. I've 'pinned' it and I am wracking my brain trying to come up with an occasion to reproduce it. Did I mention amazing?
Posted by: Mindy | Aug 28, 2011 at 03:18 PM
WOW! My jaw is on the floor. You are an artist, indeed.
Posted by: Kate@Diethood | Aug 28, 2011 at 07:19 PM
These cakes are beautiful. I think the next tip should be No. 366 leaf decorating tip.
Posted by: claire | Aug 29, 2011 at 08:57 AM
I love the sunset one. It reminds me of a Van Gogh painting.
How long does it take for you to decorate these cakes. I used to do a lot of cake decorating myself but it took so much time!
Posted by: Anne-Marie @ This Mama Cooks! | Aug 29, 2011 at 10:28 AM
I LOOOVE how you ALWAYS think outside the box Amanda!! and how you share it all with us!!
Thanks so much for this!
Posted by: TidyMom | Aug 29, 2011 at 12:11 PM