Pink Ranunculus & Chocolate!

My pleasure! Thanks!

You are most welcome!

Thank you so much! Let's see, for the ranunculus, I made the centers first - using the green coloring that Jacqueline uses in her course. I formed a ball about the size of a large pea (or small marble). To make the indentation in the center, use the end of your ball tool, then I used graduating sized piping tips to press into the gum paste and make the "circle" marks around the indentation made by the ball tool. Very important to affix this to your cloth covered floral wire and let dry completely!! For the petals, I used circle cutters. I used my pasta roller, to roll out the gumpaste as thin as I could get it. Placed the circle on foam pad and used the end of my small roller (or large ball tool) to cup the circle slightly (not frilling), then I set the circle in a former (or in a spoon if you don't have any formers) to let dry / set for about 3-5 minutes. Enough time so that when I pick up the circle, it doesn't flop around - holds its shape. On some of the circle, I experimented with making marks for the petals - I ended up making very light veining on the petals using a petal veiner I had. I think Jacqueline makes hers more pronounced, but I don't know what she uses to get the effect. The main trick (for me) to get the delicate, almost see through effect that I like, is to roll the gumpaste as thin as you can, cup it, let it dry a bit -- it should not flop when you pick it up--- AND THEN!!!! when you are ready to place petal on the flower center, barely use any water - - just DAB a DOT at the location on the petal that will be touching the center. I tried adhering the petals to the center like I would a rose petal, using more water around the edges of the petal, etc. - - but I did not like the look. I wanted more "space" between the petal and the center and between the petals themselves once I started to layer. Using that extremely small amount of water in one spot made the difference for me in all my experimentation. I also tried placing 3 petals around the center versus 4 petals around the center, I liked the 3 petals around the center best. Once you've placed the first 3 petals around the center, hang upside-down to dry. I was making quite a few ranunculi, so I had an assembly line going. By the time I finished the 3 petals on all the centers, the first one I did was ready for the 2nd row. I used a toothpick maneuver the petals so that there was space / air between as I liked. Use the size circles as your flower gets bigger, so that you have 3 petals going around as much as possible. I made some smaller and some larger just depending on what I liked and to make sure I had choices to fill spaces in the topper that I would not anticipate, but end up with anyway! The only other suggestion I have is to search Google for a YouTube tutorial. I only found one, but wasn't the "look" of the flower I wanted, but was good for getting some suggestions and mechanics to start with. Please let me know if this helps or if I can try and clarify more. Good luck!

Thank you!

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you AND thank you so much for your kind comments!!! As to the size cakes . . . I usually use a 10 inch round x 2 inch deep cake pan on the bottom and a 6 inch round by 2 inch deep on top. The 10 inch bottom layer consists of two 2-inch layers. I torte and fill each layer . . . by the time I get the bottom layer filled between the layers - stacked - ganached on the outside - and then a covering of fondant, it measures a bit shy of 5 inches tall. As to the top layer, I like it to have a bit more height, so I usually use two 2-inch deep layers AND just one torted layer from a third 2-inch deep pan. Does that make sense? So, in other words, the top tier measures (by the time it's filled, fondant, etc.) about 6 inches tall. If you don't like the look of a deeper ledge between the tiers or simply don't need one, I have used an 8 inch round for the bottom tier - but still the same number of torted layers as I outlined with the 10 inch round pan. Just depends on what you like, how many servings you need, and what sort of decorations you'll be placing on that "ledge" between the bottom and top tiers. Hope this helps! Happy Caking!

Jacqueline has such a gift for teaching! I am not a "craftsy" person - never have been! So, It's so much fun for someone of my (shall we say) limited artistic talent ;-) to be able to create something pretty!! Thank you for taking a look and taking the time to send me a note!!

Thank you!!

Just dive in!!! Thank you so much for your compliment! As soon as you've completed your first arrangement of what I'm sure will be LOVELY sugar flowers - Post your pics!!! Would love to see!

Thank you!

Thanks!! Maybe next year!! ;-)

Thank you!

You won't be disappointed!!! So many great tips, Jacqueline is such a wonderful teacher on and off video. I was lucky enough to attend one of her classes for the very same flowers that are taught in her class, she did a fabulous job recreating and covering all that she did in her class. As a matter of face, as I stated in the project details, I tried my best to replicate one of her many awesome designs.

Reply to this comment...Oh! Thank you for taking a look at my work and compliment!!

Thank you sooo much and I can't say how much I appreciate that you take time out of what I know is a super busy schedule to look at our work! AND, I'm happy to announce, this cake won the 3rd Annual Golden Spoon Award at my daughter's school dinner auction to raise funds for a new school bus!! My name will be engraved on a small metal rectangle that will be adhered to the trophy base that has a wood spoon (spray pointed gold) perched atop of it. This trophy will be kept in the school display cabinet My daughter (10 years old) could not be prouder!!!! :-)

Thanks for taking the time to look and comment!!

Thank you!!

Thank you!!