Tasha as a Mermaid

This cake is for my god daughter and Niece- Lilly Rose. A few weeks ago, I was over at her house and we were playing with Barbie’s. She was talking about her friend’s birthday party. I asked her about his birthday cake- she got quiet and just looked at me, then in this little voice she said "Aunt Amy, will you make my birthday cake". OF COURSE I WILL! Little does she know how tightly I am wrapped around her little finger.
My sister then gave me the news- she wants Uniqua and Tasha as mermaids on her cake. No small task, but after some searching I figured out that I could copy a coloring book page with Tasha as a Mermaid, so it was a compromise, but I think she will be happy.
I practiced transferring the pattern using Piping gel over a reverse scan of the coloring book page. I didn't feel like making a cake so I just did it on the reverse side of the cake pan on saran wrap. I played with some spray food coloring I just discovered. I'm sure one day I will have an airbrush system, but for now this will work.
I a picture of my practice to my sister and she liked it... so- I was in business.

Today it took me about 6 hours to make this cake. I hope I can get faster one day...
I started out the morning making a new "crusting" butter cream icing. I really like it and will probably use it as my standard recipe. I used a viva paper towel to flatten it once it was on the cake. I love the viva paper towel method- works much better then wax paper.

When I frosted the layer between the cakes I played with the blue food color spray. I made an effect that looked like water and was pleased. Of course when I did it on the layer that counted, I didn't like it as much, but I can live with it.

After frosting the top layer, I transferred the pattern with piping gel-Tip 1 and then outlines with the appropriate colors thinned with piping gel- using tip 2. I then filled in with tip 16. I used tip 13 on the brown and the next of Uniqua. Overall, I'm happy with the way she turned out. My hand is killing me but hopefully that will get easier with time.

I hate writing on cakes. I used the script outline and still was shaky and uneven. I guess it could be worse, but I'm not happy with it... I did a shell or squiggle around the bottom of the cake. I placed it crooked on the stage so I couldn't go all the way around, but oh well.

This cake did break in two spots, you can see the indentations. Hopefully it won't crake more on the transport tomorrow.

Overall, I'm very happy with Tasha (who I thought was Uniqua for the longest time, just can't get the names straight)

:)