I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.

Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.

nancy

Nancy Young wrote:
>
> I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
> think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
> indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
>
> Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.
>
> nancy

Practice, practice, practice. Another thing that might help would be to
erect a scaffold of sorts over the cake to provide a rest for your hand.
Something like two stacks of books, bricks, etc. with a shelf board
across them a half inch above the cake.

Nancy Young wrote:
> I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
> think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
> indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
>
> Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.
>
> nancy
>
>


Or smile and tell everyone it's a code....
;-)

gloria p

"Pete C." > wrote

> Nancy Young wrote:
>>
>> I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
>> think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
>> indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
>>
>> Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.

> Practice, practice, practice.

Unfortunately (fortunately?), this was the first and final attempt.
Luckily the stuff scraped off with the back of a knife leaving an
unsightly smear. Beats Mjkjmms Smiejadsf.

nancy

"Nancy Young" > wrote in message
. ..
>I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
> think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
> indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
>
> Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.

It's really not that difficult **if** the icing is the proper consistency.
Then again, my penmanship ain't that great in plain old ink!

TammyM

"Puester" > wrote

> Nancy Young wrote:
>> I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
>> think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
>> indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
>>
>> Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.

> Or smile and tell everyone it's a code....
> ;-)

Heh. Let's just say Ace of Cakes has nothing to worry about.

nancy

"Nancy Young" > wrote in news:b8qdnYZ-
:

>
> "Pete C." > wrote
>
>> Nancy Young wrote:
>>>
>>> I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
>>> think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
>>> indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
>>>
>>> Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.
>
>> Practice, practice, practice.
>
> Unfortunately (fortunately?), this was the first and final attempt.
> Luckily the stuff scraped off with the back of a knife leaving an
> unsightly smear. Beats Mjkjmms Smiejadsf.
>
> nancy
>
>
>

you spelt Smiejadsf wrong...it has 2 j's

--

The house of the burning beet-Alan

It'll be a sunny day in August, when the Moon will shine that night-
Elbonian Folklore

"hahabogus" > wrote

> "Nancy Young" > wrote

>> Unfortunately (fortunately?), this was the first and final attempt.
>> Luckily the stuff scraped off with the back of a knife leaving an
>> unsightly smear. Beats Mjkjmms Smiejadsf.

> you spelt Smiejadsf wrong...it has 2 j's

(laugh) Figures. Can't do anything write.

nancy

On Aug 17, 12:45?pm, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
> I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
> think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
> indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
>
> Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.

Actually it's not difficult, not with the proper tool

Artists, sign letterers, and cake finishers all use the same tool,
called a "mahl stick".

http://lindateachesart.typepad.com/l...tick_make.html

If you're not good with freehand lettering there are cake decorator's
lettering stencils available.

http://www.bakedeco.com/dept.asp?id=208

Sheldon

On Aug 17, 11:45 am, hahabogus > wrote:
> "Nancy Young" > wrote in news:b8qdnYZ-
> :
>
>
>
>
>
> > "Pete C." > wrote
>
> >> Nancy Young wrote:
>
> >>> I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
> >>> think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
> >>> indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
>
> >>> Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.
>
> >> Practice, practice, practice.
>
> > Unfortunately (fortunately?), this was the first and final attempt.
> > Luckily the stuff scraped off with the back of a knife leaving an
> > unsightly smear. Beats Mjkjmms Smiejadsf.
>
> > nancy
>
> you spelt Smiejadsf wrong...it has 2 j's

Spelled is spelled, "spelled."
Spelt is a grain that health food folks use to make bread.

Actually, spelt is still OK, though a bit archaic. I just couldn't
resist the opportunity to write the above
>
> --
>
> The house of the burning beet-Alan

--Bryan

Sheldon wrote:
>
> On Aug 17, 12:45?pm, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
> > I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
> > think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
> > indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
> >
> > Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.
>
> Actually it's not difficult, not with the proper tool
>
> Artists, sign letterers, and cake finishers all use the same tool,
> called a "mahl stick".
>
> http://lindateachesart.typepad.com/l...tick_make.html
>
> If you're not good with freehand lettering there are cake decorator's
> lettering stencils available.
>
> http://www.bakedeco.com/dept.asp?id=208
>
> Sheldon

I don't think the stick would work well on a cake due to it's height.
The bridge noted below it would seem more appropriate and is in fact
what I suggested. With the stick, you'd still need something of
appropriate height to rest one end on.

Steve Wertz wrote:

> On Fri, 17 Aug 2007 12:45:34 -0400, Nancy Young wrote:
>
>
>>I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
>>think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
>>indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
>
>
> I can't even write on paper, I'm so used to typing. Too bad you
> can't design it in Photoshop first, and then iron it on.


On my software wish list is a 3d studio max plugin for cake design,
including lettering.

Finally, a decent use for computers.

--
Reg

Steve Wertz > wrote:
> On Fri, 17 Aug 2007 12:45:34 -0400, Nancy Young wrote:

> > I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
> > think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
> > indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.

> I can't even write on paper, I'm so used to typing. Too bad you
> can't design it in Photoshop first, and then iron it on.

Actually, you can, sort of. There are edible inks for printers
that are printed onto acetate transfer sheets which are then
transferred to the cake frosting. I see companies selling
turnkey systems at the candy shows we go to. I never investigated
them in detail, but it looks like they are selling some hyped
up version of a graphic program and the edible ink cartridges and
a pretty generic printer for way too much money.

Bill Ranck
Blacksburg, Va.

Steve Wertz > wrote:

> I can't even write on paper, I'm so used to typing. Too bad you
> can't design it in Photoshop first, and then iron it on.

http://www.kopykake.com/pc_edible_ink.html

Just one example.

Bill Ranck
Blacksburg, Va.

On Aug 17, 2:45?pm, "Pete C." > wrote:
> Sheldon wrote:
>
> > On Aug 17, 12:45?pm, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
> > > I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
> > > think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
> > > indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
>
> > > Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.
>
> > Actually it's not difficult, not with the proper tool
>
> > Artists, sign letterers, and cake finishers all use the same tool,
> > called a "mahl stick".
>
> >http://lindateachesart.typepad.com/l...05/12/mahl_sti...
>
> > If you're not good with freehand lettering there are cake decorator's
> > lettering stencils available.
>
> >http://www.bakedeco.com/dept.asp?id=208
>
> > Sheldon
>
> I don't think the stick would work well on a cake due to it's height.

Professional cake finishers use a mahl stick all the time... you mean
you can't find an appropriately sized tin or box in your food
cupboard... you must be left handed, you haven't much mechanical
apptitude.

Sheldon

Sheldon wrote:
>
> On Aug 17, 2:45?pm, "Pete C." > wrote:
> > Sheldon wrote:
> >
> > > On Aug 17, 12:45?pm, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
> > > > I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
> > > > think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
> > > > indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
> >
> > > > Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.
> >
> > > Actually it's not difficult, not with the proper tool
> >
> > > Artists, sign letterers, and cake finishers all use the same tool,
> > > called a "mahl stick".
> >
> > >http://lindateachesart.typepad.com/l...05/12/mahl_sti...
> >
> > > If you're not good with freehand lettering there are cake decorator's
> > > lettering stencils available.
> >
> > >http://www.bakedeco.com/dept.asp?id=208
> >
> > > Sheldon
> >
> > I don't think the stick would work well on a cake due to it's height.
>
> Professional cake finishers use a mahl stick all the time... you mean
> you can't find an appropriately sized tin or box in your food
> cupboard... you must be left handed, you haven't much mechanical
> apptitude.
>
> Sheldon

Actually, I am left handed. I also have extreme mechanical aptitude,
perhaps look at a few of my projects: http://wpnet.us

In article >,
"Nancy Young" > wrote:

> I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
> think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
> indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
>
> Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.
>
> nancy

It's not *that* hard. <g> You have to move your whole arm, though, not
just your hand as you would with pen or pencil.
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://www.jamlady.eboard.com - Plum jelly from the beginning

On Aug 17, 4:15?pm, "Pete C." > wrote:
> Sheldon wrote:
>
> > On Aug 17, 2:45?pm, "Pete C." > wrote:
> > > Sheldon wrote:
>
> > > > On Aug 17, 12:45?pm, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
> > > > > I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
> > > > > think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
> > > > > indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
>
> > > > > Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.
>
> > > > Actually it's not difficult, not with the proper tool
>
> > > > Artists, sign letterers, and cake finishers all use the same tool,
> > > > called a "mahl stick".
>
> > > >http://lindateachesart.typepad.com/l...05/12/mahl_sti...
>
> > > > If you're not good with freehand lettering there are cake decorator's
> > > > lettering stencils available.
>
> > > >http://www.bakedeco.com/dept.asp?id=208
>
> > > > Sheldon
>
> > > I don't think the stick would work well on a cake due to it's height.
>
> > Professional cake finishers use a mahl stick all the time... you mean
> > you can't find an appropriately sized tin or box in your food
> > cupboard... you must be left handed, you haven't much mechanical
> > apptitude.
>
> > Sheldon
>
> Actually, I am left handed. I also have extreme mechanical aptitude,
> perhaps look at a few of my projects:http://wpnet.us-

Well then you were just being obstinate about "height" because it was
my suggestion. Do you honestly think I'm going to believe that after
showing your machine tool projects (if actually yours) that you are
incapable of finding something of an appropriate height to rest a
frikkin' stick... perhaps if you shoved it up your envious ass.

One time on Usenet, "Nancy Young" > said:

> I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
> think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
> indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.

Frosting is a tough medium to work with. :-)

> Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.

My niece, age 20, is learning to be a cake decorator at a local
stupidmarket (Albertson's). I'm proud of her for finding a good
way to use her art talent. (No money for college in her family.)
She's also considering being a tatoo artist, but I think the cake
thing is more stable. And nothing says she can't do both...

--
Jani in WA

On Aug 17, 6:57?pm, (Little Malice)
wrote:
> One time on Usenet, "Nancy Young" > said:
>
> > I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
> > think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
> > indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
>
> Frosting is a tough medium to work with. :-)
>
> > Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.
>
> My niece, age 20, is learning to be a cake decorator at a local
> stupidmarket (Albertson's). I'm proud of her for finding a good
> way to use her art talent. (No money for college in her family.)
> She's also considering being a tatoo artist, but I think the cake
> thing is more stable.

Tatto artist is a more stable profession, pays more and a lot older
than cake decorator too.

> And nothing says she can't do both...

Imagine, Happy Birthday tats, and a bare breasted maiden motif on
wedding cakes. hehe

Sheldon

"Little Malice" > wrote

> One time on Usenet, "Nancy Young" > said:
>
>> I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
>> think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
>> indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
>
> Frosting is a tough medium to work with. :-)

Pathetically enough, it was one of those little gel writing
tubes.

>> Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.
>
> My niece, age 20, is learning to be a cake decorator at a local
> stupidmarket (Albertson's). I'm proud of her for finding a good
> way to use her art talent. (No money for college in her family.)
> She's also considering being a tatoo artist, but I think the cake
> thing is more stable. And nothing says she can't do both...

Tattoos, that is too much pressure for me. What if they don't
like the result, yikes.

nancy

"Pete C." > wrote in message
...
> Nancy Young wrote:
>>
>> I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
>> think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
>> indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
>>
>> Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.
>>
>> nancy
>
> Practice, practice, practice. Another thing that might help would be to
> erect a scaffold of sorts over the cake to provide a rest for your hand.
> Something like two stacks of books, bricks, etc. with a shelf board
> across them a half inch above the cake.

Yes. Practice.

Many, many years ago my mother had a kit for this kind of stuff, the fabric
cone and various size and shaped nozzles for the end. But what she and her
friends used them for mostly was making very tiny flowers on sugar cubes. I
can't imagine the labor cost for these decorated sugar cubes. It must have
been some kind of cult. I don't know what kind of parties required such
sugar cubes.

Mitch

In article >, says...
> Sheldon wrote:
> >
> > On Aug 17, 2:45?pm, "Pete C." > wrote:
> > > Sheldon wrote:
> > >
> > > > On Aug 17, 12:45?pm, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
> > > > > I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
> > > > > think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
> > > > > indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
> > >
> > > > > Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.
> > >
> > > > Actually it's not difficult, not with the proper tool
> > >
> > > > Artists, sign letterers, and cake finishers all use the same tool,
> > > > called a "mahl stick".
> > >
> > > >http://lindateachesart.typepad.com/l...05/12/mahl_sti...
> > >
> > > > If you're not good with freehand lettering there are cake decorator's
> > > > lettering stencils available.
> > >
> > > >http://www.bakedeco.com/dept.asp?id=208
> > >
> > > > Sheldon
> > >
> > > I don't think the stick would work well on a cake due to it's height.
> >
> > Professional cake finishers use a mahl stick all the time... you mean
> > you can't find an appropriately sized tin or box in your food
> > cupboard... you must be left handed, you haven't much mechanical
> > apptitude.
> >
> > Sheldon
>
> Actually, I am left handed. I also have extreme mechanical aptitude,
> perhaps look at a few of my projects: http://wpnet.us
>

Extreme doesn't quite do it justice. Nice projects - particualry the
wiring of the workspace.

On Fri, 17 Aug 2007 21:36:13 -0700, "Mitch Scherer" >
wrote:

>"Pete C." > wrote in message
...
>> Nancy Young wrote:
>>>
>>> I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
>>> think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
>>> indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
>>>
>>> Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.
>>>
>>> nancy
>>
>> Practice, practice, practice. Another thing that might help would be to
>> erect a scaffold of sorts over the cake to provide a rest for your hand.
>> Something like two stacks of books, bricks, etc. with a shelf board
>> across them a half inch above the cake.
>
>Yes. Practice.
>
>Many, many years ago my mother had a kit for this kind of stuff, the fabric
>cone and various size and shaped nozzles for the end. But what she and her
>friends used them for mostly was making very tiny flowers on sugar cubes. I
>can't imagine the labor cost for these decorated sugar cubes. It must have
>been some kind of cult. I don't know what kind of parties required such
>sugar cubes.
>
>Mitch
>

it might be worthwhile if the sugar cubes also had l.s.d. on them.

your pal,
blake

On Fri, 17 Aug 2007 22:57:04 GMT, unge (Little
Malice) wrote:

>One time on Usenet, "Nancy Young" > said:
>
>> I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
>> think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
>> indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
>
>Frosting is a tough medium to work with. :-)
>
>> Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.
>
>My niece, age 20, is learning to be a cake decorator at a local
>stupidmarket (Albertson's). I'm proud of her for finding a good
>way to use her art talent. (No money for college in her family.)
>She's also considering being a tatoo artist, but I think the cake
>thing is more stable. And nothing says she can't do both...

as long as she doesn't get confused.

your pal,
blake

T wrote:
>
> In article >, says...
> > Sheldon wrote:
> > >
> > > On Aug 17, 2:45?pm, "Pete C." > wrote:
> > > > Sheldon wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > On Aug 17, 12:45?pm, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
> > > > > > I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
> > > > > > think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
> > > > > > indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
> > > >
> > > > > > Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.
> > > >
> > > > > Actually it's not difficult, not with the proper tool
> > > >
> > > > > Artists, sign letterers, and cake finishers all use the same tool,
> > > > > called a "mahl stick".
> > > >
> > > > >http://lindateachesart.typepad.com/l...05/12/mahl_sti...
> > > >
> > > > > If you're not good with freehand lettering there are cake decorator's
> > > > > lettering stencils available.
> > > >
> > > > >http://www.bakedeco.com/dept.asp?id=208
> > > >
> > > > > Sheldon
> > > >
> > > > I don't think the stick would work well on a cake due to it's height.
> > >
> > > Professional cake finishers use a mahl stick all the time... you mean
> > > you can't find an appropriately sized tin or box in your food
> > > cupboard... you must be left handed, you haven't much mechanical
> > > apptitude.
> > >
> > > Sheldon
> >
> > Actually, I am left handed. I also have extreme mechanical aptitude,
> > perhaps look at a few of my projects: http://wpnet.us
> >
>
> Extreme doesn't quite do it justice. Nice projects - particualry the
> wiring of the workspace.

Thanks. I generally refer to myself as a "certified jack of all trades"
as it seems to be most applicable. I don't consider myself an expert at
anything, but pretty good at a lot of things.

Pete C.

On Aug 17, 12:45?pm, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
> I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
> think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
> indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
>
> Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.
>
> nancy

It's not that hard once you get use to it. I actually write better
with icing than I do with pen or pencil. Maybe if they made pencils
as fat as decorator bags I wouldn't get writer's cramp. Anyway, the
first thing you need to do when getting ready to write on a cake is to
picture the writing on the cake before you even start. That way you
won't start out writing a word like "congratulations" only to find you
can only write "congratulati" before reaching the edge of the cake or
running into a rose or something. Second, make sure the icing is free
flowing. If it's too thick it'll break off in the middle of writing a
word. Third, if your hand isn't steady use both hands. If you're
right handed, use your right hand to grip the bag and to do the actual
writing. Use your left index finger to help hold the tip of the bag
steady. Fourth, if the icing comes out in squiggles it means you're
squeezing the bag too hard.

>
> It's not that hard once you get use to it. I actually write better
> with icing than I do with pen or pencil. Maybe if they made pencils

One of the tips I got in the decorating class I took was to make the
first letter as nice/fancy as you could, then the rest would kind of
blend in or not be as noticeable if it wasn't perfect.
--
Queenie

*** Be the change you wish to see in the world ***

On Aug 17, 12:45 pm, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
> I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
> think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
> indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
>
> Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.
>
> nancy

The sad end to a budding graffiti artist

John Kane, Kingston ON Canada

On Aug 17, 2:30 pm, The Truthful Assh0le > wrote:
> On Aug 17, 11:45 am, hahabogus > wrote:
>
>
>
> > "Nancy Young" > wrote in news:b8qdnYZ-
> > :
>
> > > "Pete C." > wrote
>
> > >> Nancy Young wrote:
>
> > >>> I didn't think it was as easy as it looked. (laugh) I didn't
> > >>> think it would be so difficult. Nothing like smearing
> > >>> indeciferable squiggles all over a perfectly nice cake.
>
> > >>> Note to self: Leave it to the professionals at the bakery.
>
> > >> Practice, practice, practice.
>
> > > Unfortunately (fortunately?), this was the first and final attempt.
> > > Luckily the stuff scraped off with the back of a knife leaving an
> > > unsightly smear. Beats Mjkjmms Smiejadsf.
>
> > > nancy
>
> > you spelt Smiejadsf wrong...it has 2 j's
>
> Spelled is spelled, "spelled."
> Spelt is a grain that health food folks use to make bread.
Only in the US is the past tense of spell written as "spelled" and
it looks very funny. In fact my Canadian spell checker flags it as an
error.

> Actually, spelt is still OK, though a bit archaic.
I suppose you even spell colour as color.

However back to food: Have you ever tried cooking spelt? I bought a
small bag but never got around to using it.

John Kane, Kingston ON Canada