Hi Everyone! Today I'll be sharing a special birthday cake that I made just a few months ago. I made this cake for my boyfriend, Mike because he is a very avid hunter and loves nature. This cake took me about six hours total. There are many small details that went into it. This cake is perfect for any outdoorsman(or outdoorswoman!) First, I made two 9x13in cakes using camouflage cake mix...you can purchase it here: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Duff-Goldman-Camouflage-Premium-Cake-Mix-18.25-oz/35679938 Using this type of cake mix is optional, but it definitely adds something extra to the cake. After baking the cakes according to the instructions on the box, let them cool completely. Next, start making the crusting buttercream. I used this recipe here: http://iambaker.net/the-perfect-crusting-buttercream/  I would personally double this recipe. It does make a lot of frosting, but if you have frosting leftover, it does keep well. After making the crusting buttercream, apply a white crumb coat to the cakes, after stacking them on top of one another. Applying a crumb coat makes the final decorative application of colored frosting look immensely neater. Next, you'll want to create the colors used for the camouflage on the sides of the cake. The Wilton Color Right Performance System. You can get it here:  http://www.walmart.com/ip/45453879?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227032949560&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=66579638432&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=130447662032&veh=sem
   In my opinion, this was the most challenging part of the project. A good video that will help you greatly in this step is here: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/405535141424910578/ The foam roller is also an optional step, but it does give the frosting a fondant-like appearance. After this step has been completed, I would recommend doing the pond first. The pond is frosted using a bent icing knife to give it a wavy texture. Your pond can vary in size, if desired. Next, I'd recommend frosting the meadow of grass. I used Wilton tip 234.  http://www.wilton.com/no-234-multi-opening-decorating-tip/402-234.html#q=grass+tip&prefn1=contentType&prefv1=shop&start=1 Next, I did the decorative brown borders around the cake. As you can see, the top is darker than the light, you can make them match if you'd like. I used Wilton tip no. 35. http://www.wilton.com/no-35-closed-star-decorating-tip/402-35.html#q=shell+tip&prefn1=contentType&prefv1=shop&start=27 After completing this, you'll want to add the trees next. The "trees" are made of sugar cones. I took a regular sized sugar cone and carefully sawed it down to make it "fun sized". Then, I made an evergreen colored frosting and applied that to the sugar cone using tip 35. You'll also note the hunting decorations I used for the cake. I ordered these from Amazon for approximately $11. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058TVK52?keywords=hunting%20cake%20toppers&qid=1456506481&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1 And there you have it! I hope you found this decorating idea interesting and hopefully you'll even try it if someone in your family is into hunting. Happy creating!

~Em