Wilton class update and Max's Birthday cake

It has been two weeks since I have completed the Wilton Cake Decorating class 1. I have not decorated a cake until yesterday, I made one for Max's birthday. I only remembered to take two photos during class so the following are what I have from class.

This technique is called the shaggy mum with the grass/hair tip. I got a kick out of this tip because it reminded me of a fuzzy monster. I don't think I'll be decorating any thing with shaggy mums, monsters and grass, but no shaggy mums.

This is the cake I designed and decorated for the final class. I thought I'd get a practice cake in for Halloween. I used Brach's pumpkin candies and Peep's marshmallow ghosts. Sure, I could have molded the pumpkins from marzipan or fondant, but this was decorating basics and didn't want to look like I shouldn't have been taking the class. Plus, with the time given to decorate in class, using candy was a great time saver. So what flavor is the cake? It was chocolate cake with peanut butter cream filling and frosted with vanilla butter cream icing (sorry Wilton, I could not use or eat the recipe given for your butter cream. I had to use butter in mine or the kids would not touch it. Although the Wilton butter cream recipe is excellent for practice, but again I could not bring myself to eat shortening.) 

This is Max's favorite plush. I thought not only would it be easy for me to translate to cake, but it is something that he sees everyday.
 

This is a browned butter banana and apple cake frosted with vanilla butter cream.

Max was super happy with his cake and he enjoyed eating it as well. How do I know? He asked for it by name! He did the baby sign for more and said "nana". Max had a wonderful party, I am less stressed. All are happy and now on to the next project. I'm thinking cupcakes again and work on decorating sugar cookies.