Cake Decorating Product Reviews

Reviews

***Buyer beware*** This book (and the others in the series) sells for under $5 in JoAnne's. Amazon is ripping you off at $10. Know why it's so cheap? It's only about 30 pages, and much of the book is advertising for their products. OK, it does have some good information and helpful photos, and you can learn how to do some tricky stuff with it, but don't assume the price is right at Amazon.

I have just completed Wilton's Course 1 through the local Michael's store and was preparing for Course 2. The kit includes oval cake pans, so I thought I would save money on the kit since I didn't expect to use those pans again. I was thrilled to find this via Amazon.com and expedited delivery would get it to me before the first day of class and still save money over buying in the store (even with their coupon!). When the package arrived I was like a kid on Christmas morning; couldn't wait to open it up. It was soft (whereas the kit in the store comes in a box). No problem, I thought. After all, it's used and I would just throw the box away. But when I opened it, I found I only received the BOOK - no course materials/tools! I've gone back to the listing and don't find any description of "what's included" (or not included) nor the word "book" in the listing indicating that's all it would be. It's certainly not worth returning, but I'm disappointed....and now I need to find those materials anyway at additional cost! On the positive side, the book is in pristine condition. I just wish the seller had been explicit in the listing.

This item arrived on time if not early. I have not had a chance to use this item but I would order from this seller again.

While browsing on Amazon.com, I found the Wilton method of cake decorating books. I ordered the Course II book and it inspired me to sign up for classes. I have found a new hobby. I love ordering on Amazon.com. It is so easy and the merchandise is in your possession before you have time to wonder where your order is.

This is a great book to follow through with all the lessons taught in course 1. Though I'm not interested in working with fondant, this book still has new techniques for me. I'm looking forward to learning enough to make beautiful cakes for special occasions.

Reviews

I've been looking for a cupcake stand for a few weeks, and most were expensive and I would need to buy several of them. This one is HUGE if you use all the tiers and can easily hold 100+ cupcakes. I like that I can decide how many tiers to use. Assembly was very easy, and the lace edging on the plates is nice as well.

Very pleased with the scalloped design around the edge. Sturdy...but I think I will mount it on a board to be certain it can handle weight distribution. Very excited to use it~ Glad I bought it

Extremely pleased. Well constructed. Looked great. Especially liked that you can adjust the amount of tiers to use.

i'm very happy with my purchase of my tall tier cupcake stand. I like the fact that i dont have to use all the tiers if i dont need them, and the height between plates is enough room so the cupcakes dont touch the top plate. i'm considering buying another for a family member. Love it.

I used this stand for a large wedding order of 150 mini cakes + a 6 inch cutting cake. It turned out beautiful. I did not use all the tiers for hieght reasons, but think it is a great product. The bride and groom loved their cake(cakes) and this stand displayed them beautifully.

Reviews

we purchased this set for our daughters wedding and when we received the item it was as nice as we had expected. Its a beautiful lenox set and we are looking forward to having our daughter cut her cake at her wedding in may.

I know most people are looking at this "Lenox Forevermore Silver-Plated 2-Piece Dessert Set" with a wedding in mind, but I actually got them for my wife as a Christmas present. She loves baking pies, and was wanted something pretty to serve her pies with. Our own wedding was very simple, without the big cake, so we didn't wind up with the nice serving set that most couples have. I was impressed with the quality of this set. For the bargain price, I was anticipating something of a little less quality, maybe a light hollow with a thin silver plating. Instead I got a nice heavy serving set, with a lush mirror finish that looks beautiful and cleans up easily. I have seen some serving sets where the decoration gets in the way of the functionality, but fortunately that is not an issue here. Because I wasn't buying this set for a "one time use" at a wedding then to be stored away forever, I wanted to make sure that they could actually cut and serve cakes and pies. The long knife is serrated, and cuts easily. It is about the same length as a standard bread knife and could be used as such in a pinch. The cake server has a slightly beveled edge to help cut away anything remaining and to get under the cake and pie slices. Both tools perform their kitchen tasks admirably, and look nice doing it.

I was extremely impressed when I received this package. I also ordered the matching guest book and pen and champagne flutes. The products are high quality and very elegant. I would highly recommend this set to any bride and groom!

We ordered this set to cut the cake at our wedding reception. When they arrived, they were perfect. They are heavy duty, look classy and elegant, and work beautifully. We shopped around quite a bit for everything we purchased, and I could not find a better set at a better price. The heart design is beautiful, and the set is worth every penny!

This product was used for my son's wedding. It is probably the nicest quality serving set for the price on the market. It is simple, elegant, and has a very nice weight to it. Doesn't feel cheep, like so many other sets that I found. I know that our new bride and groom will be able to use this during their lives together for special occasions. A fantastic deal with amazing quality.

Reviews

I have really enjoyed listening to these CDs with words to Classical Music. Being a trained classical musician this is such a fun way to teach Classics to the younger generation. Keep it up!!!

Believe the people who say this one is not as good as the first. The whole thing just seems like rejects from the first volume. And the reasons they were rejected become clear. None of the songs on this CD, or any of the others that follow, impart the same type of info as the first CD. You can listen to this one for months and still not know the composers or the real name of the pieces. Only the first CD does that--and does it well!!

The whole family loves this CD! It's a fun way to introduce the kids to classical music.

There are just as many great sing alongs in this CD as in the first. Most of the tracks are very singable (the Brahms piece is difficult). Lots of fun and plenty of goofy lyrics.

My kids absolutely love this. They could listen to it over and over. I like it as well. A great, fun way to learn to love classical music.

Reviews

these cd's are very interesting. Saint saens aren't the greatest composer that existed but his music is aways very clear and elegant. Collard is a great player mainly of French music.

This is a great way of getting all of the Saint-Saens piano concertos. I have been happy with these CDs. I have not liked the 1st piano concerto, but that is not the fault of the performance. My only problem with the performance would be that the 2nd concerto's fast movements are played too slowly. The sound (recorded 1985-1987) is quite good. Piano Concerto No. 1 in D major Op. 17 1st mov. - 12:30 2nd mov. - 9:35 3rd mov. - 6:50 Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor Op. 22 1st mov. - 11:14 2nd mov. - 5:55 3rd mov. - 6:31 Piano Concerto No. 3 in E flat major Op. 29 1st mov. - 14:13 2nd mov. - 8:55 3rd mov. - 7:47 Piano Concerto No. 4 in C minor Op. 44 1st mov. - 12:53 2nd mov. - 13:36 Piano Concerto No. 5 in F major Op. 103 1st mov. - 11:41 2nd mov. - 11:14 3rd mov. - 6:03 "Wedding Cake" Caprice-Valse Op. 76 - 6:18 "Africa" Fantaisie Op. 89 - 10:48

This two-disc EMI Classics recording includes all of Camille Saint-Saëns' numbered Piano Concertos (1-5), and also includes his shorter "Wedding Cake" and "Africa" piano concertos. I've been enjoying this two-disc set immensely, and the recording quality is excellent. Even though the piano concertos do not follow each other in sequential order (Nos. 1, 2 and 4 are on Disc 1 & Nos. 3, 5 and the rest are on Disc 2), they do make sense. There are other complete Saint-Saëns piano concertos sets on the market, but I think that for a price of less than $12 - you will be hard pressed to find any recording that gives you more bang for your buck. Enjoy!

The reviewers before this one provide excellent discussion of this set, and I would agree that it is a top-notch set of recordings and performances. We love this set, play it often, and would not part with any recording upon it. The two versions of the popular and lovable Concerto No. 2 that are compared, those of Jean-Philippe Collard (this set) and Cecile Licade, are certainly different. Collard is decidely gentler, a bit slower and more "laid-back" in common parlance. Licade's is spritelier, a bit faster and of slightly higher energy. Does this make one better than the other? Subjectively it may, but it really depends on the person listening, and both performances are technically excellent and completely satisfying. If I *had* to pick one of the No. 2s, I would pick Licade because of the higher energy, but I would sorely miss Collard - and Collard comes with 4 other splendid concertos and a handful of other delightful pieces, while the Licade is paired with two other Saint-Saens concertos (violin and cello, both superb by the way) that are available elsewhere. In any case, please do not feel that you are missing out on anything in Concerto No. 2 by purchasing one or the other - both are fine performances and beautifully recorded. None of these recordings or performances require any apologies.

I've heard Ciccolini's and Hough's sets of these concerti, but this is my favorite by a wide margin. Hough's has been highly praised elsewhere, and I certainly agree that his technique is astounding. He plays these concerti faster than anyone, and that is precisely my complaint. Hough seems so busy moving through these works at warp three hyperdrive that he takes just about NO time to stop and smell the roses--and there are plenty in this music. Not that Collard is slow. He can glitter just well as Hough, but he also knows when to seduce--listen to the second theme of the scherzo of No.2--the way he and Previn teasingly hang on to a note just a microsecond before playfully plunging into the phrase itself. They don't make a big deal of this, and these performances are NOT "mannered," but the listener is drawn in, and the sensation is almost physical. This is only one instance of the felicities of agogics and phrasing in these performances. I have not heard the Licad performance so esteemed by another reviewer at the expense of Collard's. Personally, I've never heard anything by Licad I've liked. Her CD of Gottschalk was panned by FANFARE. Of course, that doesn't mean she couldn't be good in No.2, but there's nothing wrong with Collard. It's just a pity this couldn't have been rounded out to a trio of CD's to include the Rapsodie d'Auvergne and Allegro appassionato also recorded by this team. I own both this set and Hough's, but I listen to this one a LOT more. Also, the price is certainly more attractive than Hyperion's, although for me that is NOT the issue.

Reviews

Darcy gives tips on making a marble cake with mixes. She doesn't give instruction on scratch cakes. She gives clear instructions. The background information she gives about equipment is helpful. The video is reasonable quality.

The dvd was fine but i expected a little more indept instruction my fifteen year old a beginner baker loved it so all is not lost.

Darci Decorates Volume 1 is just....okay. I don't know what else to say about it. I learned more about cake decorating on youtube videos. I'm a beginner so I appreciated that she took everything super slow, but sometimes it was TOO SLOW and boring. It's like they didn't have an editing department over at the Darci Decorates office. It sort of dragged on a bit. She shows you how to make various cakes, but somehow, they all ended up looking the same. She never introduced any new or interesting borders. It was always the shell border. I would have loved to learn more about different variations on more imaginative borders and maybe something other than ALL WHITE icing. I liked how she shows you how to "dirty ice" or do a crumb coat, but when it came to actually icing the cake, sometimes it looked sloppy. The borders she did were sort of sloppy as well. I expected her to have more of clean and elegant approach to writing on cakes like how to space things evenly and how to avoid atrocious empty white spaces or conversely, how to stop writing from looking smushed and crowded. This video felt like I was sitting in the kitchen with a friend and she was just showing me how to do some simple every day bakery cakes...but not very well. While I do appreciate learning something from someone who isn't absolutely perfect (so that I don't feel so overwhelmed), I felt that I could have learned more from other sources--like when I watch Cake Boss or Ace of Cakes on television. I may be speaking prematurely and maybe my criticisms are a bit harsh if this is part of a series and there will be some other things introduced in the future. I just felt that she lacked imagination at some points, HER CAKES LOOKED GENERIC, and she could have done some things in a less sloppy way. I know I might be nit picking, but it really bothered me that when she made her rainbow cake, she didn't do the colors in the correct rainbow order. She did red, orange, yellow, green, purple and then blue. Um...last time I checked blue comes after green. Like I said, it's a small thing, but it really bothered me. Another thing that bothered me were the camera angles. CAMERA MAN, I CAN'T SEE WHAT SHE'S DOING WHEN YOU'RE NOT FOCUSING ON IT! It wasn't her fault, it was the director's fault, who supposedly is highly acclaimed....really? Wow. Quite interesting. If you're a total beginner, you might like or hate this video. I can't really say either way. I'm a beginner,but I expected a little bit more from it. But then again, this is just my opinion. :)

I really enjoyed this video. There was alot of good tips. I am a first time cake decorator. Looking at books for techniques can refresh your memory, but when you've never done these things it makes it so much easier to actually watch her hands and how she moves them to get the icing to "work" for her. I am looking forward to buying more of her products. Sincerely Diana Klunk

THIS DVD IS VERY GOOD FOR THE NEW DECORATOR AND DARCI IS A FANTASTIC TEACHER!

Reviews

So I bought season 3 a few weeks ago from a certain "Bullseye" Big box store, where I found it completely by surprise. Season 2 just came out on DVD just a few monthes back and just landed on the Charm City Cakes site not to long back. So I emailed Charm City Cakes asking why I could locate no information on Season Three on their site or Food Networks Site. I received an Email back from Mary Alice, one of the stars of the show saying they had no idea what I had and it must be a bootleg. So I emailed the pictures of the item and she was completely flabbergasted at it being out and noone at the bakery was aware of its existance. As of this post its still not listing on their site or Food Networks. The Season is just as awesome as the first 2 and we are anxiously waiting for more seasons. So to Duff, Mary Alice, Geoff and the rest of the Ace of Cakes crew, keep up the good work, and to everyone else PLEASE buy the dvds so they will keep putting out more!

Reviews

Seeing David Sutcliffe dancing with a cross dresser was worth it!! I love him, and I love Heather Graham in this movie. I'm only disappointed that I've only seen it on tv and don't own the actual movie. I've taped it off my DVR, but am going to buy it, because I love it that much. Her drunk looking for her bra after her friends wedding is priceless!

I am a Sandra Oh fan so I bought this movie because of her and Taye Diggs. It was fun to watch and I enjoyed it.

Ok, so this movie is not going to be on any great movie lists, but I still enjoyed it. Sometimes you just need a movie where you don't need to think, you just watch and have fun. I liked the plot, and all of the actors (Heather Graham, David Sutcliffe, Taye Diggs, Sandra Oh) did a great job with their roles. A great chick flick for movie night!

Director Nisha Ganatra and writer Tassie Cameron seem to have most of their experience in TV movies so this little slice of the industry is a change for them. Would that it were wholly successful because it seems as though both had a fine idea for something to say but just didn't know how to make it work. And again, blame the PR folks for making a cover for the DVD that not only seems silly, it has little to do with the story inside. Pippa McGee (Heather Graham) is a travel writer, a hedonist, and an independent woman who avoids relationships like the plague. The film starts with a goofus dash for a wedding in which she is once again a bridesmaid on the run. After the ceremony she jokes with her best friend Lulu (Sandra Oh) who is equally against long term relationships beyond a quick shag, and she also meets one Ian (David Sutcliffe - Under the Tuscan Sun, Testosterone, Happy Endings etc), a handsome if shy young man who though attracted to Pippa, sees her as dangerous territory. Pippa soon discovers that her father Malcolm McGee (Bruce Gray), a wealthy successful owner of a magazine conglomerate, is ill, has a heart attack, and though the father and daughter have had a negligible relationship, Pippa offers her help. Of course, her assignment is to be editor of 'Wedding Bells' magazine her departed mother started, and Pippa takes on the epitome of everything she loathes about relationships and marriage and tries to make a go of it. She discovers that Ian is her father's vice president and thus in charge of her new and loathed assignment. Pippa partners with the handsome magazine photographer Hemingway Jones (Taye Diggs), has a fling, and becomes close friends and partners in an attempt to change the look of the wedding magazine. There are far too many subplots to discuss, but suffice it to say that changes occur in the personalities of everyone involved and the ending, while entirely predictable, has enough humor and warmth to make a good evening out of a shaky story. Heather Graham handles her 'challengingly bad' role with great aplomb: she is a delight to watch. The remainder of the cast does their best with the lines they're given. This is a bit of fluff, aimed at the 'chick flick' devotees, but it has its moments. Grady Harp, July 06

I love "chick flicks"(as my husband calls them). This movie will not be winning any Oscars but I found it romantic, funny and entertaining. Heather Graham's character was likable and enjoyable to watch. I would recommend this movie.

Reviews

These are very cute, but for the price they are too small & the actual gloss doesn't smell as good as I had expected.

very very cute and perfect for a prissy little girl. they smell great and the cupcakes are the perfect little size to fit in a purse or little backpack.

I bought these to put in my daughter's stocking this year. I love how sweet and cute they are, but still give my DD 9 a grown up feel.

These lipbalms are so cute i do not dare to use them...although they have an irresistible scent!

Reviews

This review is coming up under toy for some reason so I'm not sure how to fill out the rating on this; But, these initials are perfect on a wedding cake. They looked cheap when I took them out of the box. But, they looked beautiful on the wedding cake and I received a few compliments as well.

Perfect. We needed a topper that was beautiful, reasonably priced and one that could be shipped quickly. This item met all our needs. It looked lovely on the cake and photographed well. Our daughter and her new husband will enjoy it for years to come.

Not sure why it is described as a toy. But I used these Items on my wedding cake and loved them. Very simple and elegant.