State Fair 2014: Water Feature

My submission to the 2014 Minnesota State Fair has been finished and submitted! I'm very proud of my creation and I hope that I at least score better than last year. Because I had another cake project this week and I didn't want to get bogged down, I made my water lilies, lily pads, and chocolate rocks ahead of time, as well as baking the cake ahead of time as well. All I had to do this past Friday was make the frosting and put it all together. 

I had a little tiny problem - make cake was taller than my cake box! This was easily fixed, because I am the daughter of an engineer and I know how to solve problems. A slit cut into each corner of the box with a stiff card inserted into the slit created a place for the lid to rest. 

We arrived at the Creative Activities building right at 11 when the submissions opened. As you can see, lots of people got there early. We waited in line for just under an hour, sneaking glances at other entries. All of the baked goods get turned in on the same day, and many people enter several categories. One woman had a rolling cart with at least 7 different entries!

I was Skyping with my sister Katie while I decorated the cake. Much to my delight, she was taking snapshots of the action the whole time, which I have included below for the amusement of all. Fun fact: she couldn't hear me due to microphone issues so it was silent film style cake decorating. Take note of her facial expressions, they're pretty great.

Frosting the cake with my fancy new frosting tip.

Katie is impressed but confused by the magic she is witnessing.

I was showing off each tool as I used it for the full cooking show effect.

Building a pond with chocolate "stones".

Me: "You should take some snapshots while I'm working." Katie: "I already have been!"

Adding the blue frosting to get the watery effect.

Swirling the blue frosting.

Tasting the blue frosting.

Andrew was brought in for a conference on the addition of piping gel to make the water look more watery.

Katie thinks the water lilies are adorable.

She can't handle how cute my cake looks.

Et voila! Finished cake!

Giant spatula to get the cake from the turntable to the cake board and box. 

Note to Katie: Sadly, the frogs didn't turn out.