Hypnotic Sound

As usual, the biggest challenge in making this year’s Threadcakes entry was finding the time. I was so glad the contest was postponed until fall when I’d have a bit more time on my hands. I had a really cute kids’ design picked out to make that I was going to use as a Back-to-School treat for my children, but two days into the contest, someone else posted the exact cake I was going to make! On to Plan B. With free time at a premium, I decided to pick a design that could serve as my grandmother-in-law’s birthday cake.

I started by using a pin to trace the outline of the bird on the darkest shade of fondant. The fondant was a bit dry (I think because of all the dye) so it was brittle, and I realized I would have to add all the curlicues and fine bits at the end, once it was on the cake.

After the base was made, I cut the ‘feathers’ out freehand, and attached them. When I started, I had thought the bird would be the most time-consuming part, but I got it done in one day. That’s when I realized how much had to be done after it was on the cake.

The next day I baked a scratch chocolate cake, filled it with vanilla-coconut frosting (yum!) and then iced it and covered it with fondant. I made the background pattern using a (well-cleaned) screwdriver bit dipped in lustre dust. The next day, I attached the bird and went about adding all the curlicues and music notes – which were so finicky!

All in all, I had a blast and think the cake turned out well, but next year I’m going to try and work in a larger scale.