I always giggle a little when someone asks, "Can you do a .... cake?" Fill in blank: graduation, super hero, random color choice, whatever. Sure, just because I haven't done that theme yet doesn't mean I can't.
However, I was stumped when the theme of Kentucky Derby came through my inbox. I was not sure how to convey both the elegance and sport of the KD with a baby shower.
So, lots and lots of image searching, IMing my cake consultant, Megan, calling my mom and day dreaming about this cake...and I am very happy with the final product.
The colors were coral and gold. I painted a cream gumpaste band with gum glue, then poured LOTS of gold shimmer dust on top to create a solid gold band. I will probably not do that again, unless for a small cake like this one. It was not hard, but you don't want to touch it because that can mess up the shimmer.
I found an image of a rose that I felt would be simple enough for the cake, but also pretty and something you could tell was a rose! The horseshoes were simple shoes that I lightly dusted with the gold shimmer dust before applying, to give it some golden sheen.
For the top, I loved the idea of a lady in a big hat as a silhouette. (Thanks MR for that idea!). I went with a dark chocolate brown to compliment the colors of the shower. And man, did the brown really tie it all together in what I hope would make anyone in attendance at the KD proud ;)
I think the reason I was so nervous about this cake all dates back to college. My kinesiology professor (for two semesters, even though I tried to NOT have him the second time around) was a HUGE Kentucky Derby fan and attended EVERY year...as in, he had permission to give his finals early so he could leave for a weekend trip to Kentucky. True story.
I guess remembering how much he loved it made me feel I had to do a really good job to pass his class, lol...even though that is not even close to the truth! But I think that random tie with that professor who made me nervous and pushed to hard spilled over into this part of my life.
Funny how things like that happen.