Soccer Ball

This was my first attempt at making a soccer ball, and I learned a few things along the way.  1) Physics does work against you, and 2) If you can't fix it, HIDE it.

So this cake was a nice moist yellow cake (first problem) with buttercream frosting.  I neglected to cut a small sliver off the bottom of the cake (second problem) to create a flat bottom.  I used creatively attached plate pegs to keep it from moving, and thought I could forgo making the bottom flat by doing this... guess not!  So as I started decorating... actually, as I was almost FINISHED decorating... the bottom layer started to give.  The quick-fix was to fix it with icing as best as possible and then put it in the fridge to allow the buttercream to set and hopefully help hold things together.  When that seemed to prevent any further damage, I was left with the task of trying to HIDE the injury.  I made a banner out of gumpaste and tacked it down with lollipop sticks attached with candy melts.  Here's the finished product (name on cake board blocked for anonymity):

Doesn't look too bad from the front (pardon my fridge contents)...

As long as you don't look TOO closely, it seems fine!

But the side view shows a little of the amorphous quality that the ball was trying to take...

While the client was very pleased with the final cake, I will forever have this lasting image... and the thought of "It came from beyond..."  Hmmm... maybe if I were going for a helmet...

Note to self- a little less oil in the batter will provide a firmer cake without affecting the taste or overall texture, and cut a dang slice to make a flat spot!!