Tips Decoration
Frequent Cake Decorating Terms
If you are new to cake decorating, then you can be confused by the many phrases for cake decorating. While these phrases may be intimidating at first, if you take the time to get familiar with them, then you will approach them with sureness. Presented below are many of the most common cake decorating terms, and their meanings. After you master these terms you will likely be inspired with your own cake decorating ideas.
Airbrushing
Airbrushing a cake is a rapid method to add a picture or setting onto a cake’s surface with food coloring. Airbrushing is accomplished with an artist’s paint gun that uses an compression air pump.
Border
The border of a cake is a constant thread of icing that ornaments the top, sides, and/or bottom edges of a cake.
Buttercream
Buttercream is a rich icing created by mixing either butter or shortening (or both) with icing sugar, and beaten until smooth. Buttercream is an all-purpose icing, easily made, that can be used to both decorate and cover a cake
Decorating Bags
Decorating bags are also known as icing bags, frosting bags, or pastry bags. Decorating bags are small, triangular shaped bags that are made of parchment paper, cloth, or plastic. The bags are equipped with embellishing tips and filled with frosting and used to pipe decorative items such as icing flowers, edges, scrollwork, and lacework patterns.
Decorating Tips
Decorating tips are sometimes called decorating nozzles. Decorating tips are used to produce decorative items such as basketweave patterns, icing roses, and shell borders. Tips come in varying shapes, and are used with an icing or pastry bag full of icing. When the bag is squeezed, the frosting or cream is piped out in the shape of the tip. Drop flowers are created with a single squeeze of the icing bag, while rose petals are made with masterful maneuvering of the tip and icing.
Flower Nail
A flower nail is shaped like a nail with an large, oversized head. A flower head is used for piping royal icing and buttercream flowers that are transferred to a cake after drying.
Frosting
Frosting and icing are often substituted for each other. Americans tend to use the phrase “frosting” for the creamy, sugary substance that covers a cake, while those in other English speaking countries tend to use the term “icing”. In the U.S.A., “frosting” typically refers to the icing that is spread over the cake, while “icing” normallyrefers to decorative icing, such as piped borders and icing roses.
Fondant
Fondant is also called sugar paste. Fondant is an frosting sugar dough that can be manipulated in much the same way as pie dough. Fondant can be rolled into smooth sheets, then draped over cakes, producing a smooth, perfect finish.
Ganache
Ganache is a velvety smooth icing. It is prepared by melting either dark or white chocolate, then mixing it with heavy cream.
Gumpaste
Gumpaste is an eatable, clay-like dough. It is prepared by blending glycerin, gum Arabic, and icing sugar. Gumpaste is used to mold edible flowers and designs. Gum paste can also be rolled exceedingly thin and used to make intricate ribbons and lacework, as well as delicate flower petals.
Marzipan
Marzipan is a doughy almond substance. It is made from the identical ingredients as almond paste, though marzipan has more sugar, less almonds, and has a smoother consistency. Marzipan is frequently used for modeling cake decorations, and as a base covering underneath fondant.
Piping
Piping is a embellishing technique where a decorating bag or tube is filled with icing and outfitted with a decorating tip. Piping takes place when the bag islightly squeezed to produce shaped dots and ribbons of icing toadorn cakes and other baked goods.
Royal Icing
Royal icing is a sweet white icing that is created by whipping icing sugar with either fresh egg whites or dried egg whites and meringue powder. Royal icing makes distinct icing borders. It is ideal for piping complex writing, edges, scrollwork, and lacework on cakes. Royal icing dries very hard and preserves indefinitely if stored in a cool, dry place, but is susceptible to softening and drooping in high humidity.
About the Author
Cake decorating fanatic Julia Johnson
Tips Decoration
Room decoration tips?
I’m looking to do some low budget decoration on my walls, because they’re technically bare. 3/4 of the walls are darkish yellow and 1/4 is kind of a dull blue. I want ideas on what to put on the walls, other than pictures, etc.
Okay, there are tons of options here so don’t worry. Mirrors make the room look bigger, so they’re great for walls. Don’t be fooled by ridiculous prices. There are cheaper mirrors for sale at Marshalls, Burlington Coat Factory, Michael’s Crafts, Hobby Lobby, Wal-Mart, Target, or even Dollar General believe it or not.
You can also put unlikely objects on your walls that serve as decoration. At a garage sale, I found some plastic butterflies (badly colored) with hooks on the back and I spray painted them gold. I get compliments on them all the time. They literally cost me 10 cents each. You may not like butterflies, but you get the idea. A lot of metal or plastic art is on sale when it’s badly colored- think spray paint!
Another option is sconces (metal things that hold candles). They usually look classy and are sold anywhere. Pier One can have some great deals on things like this.
Another fun thing to do I saw on tv was to take a decorative tissue box holder, paint it, and hang it on the wall as a cube shaped shelf. It can hold CDs, candles, or artsy figurines and statues.
Be creative! Even if you don’t paint, you can buy canvasses for cheap and put leaves on them and spray paint over the leaves leaving a leaf shape on the canvas. Michael’s or Hobby Lobby is a great place to brain storm.
They also have metal vases that hang on the wall that you can put dried flowers or fake flowers into. Clocks look classy. Also, just plain wood can be painted and turned into shelves. You can put books, a stereo, frames, candles or whatever you want on them.
In general, look at rooms you like the look of (online or in a store). Take note of what they used on the walls in the room you liked and create a cheaper alternative using the resources you have. If you have any trophies, diplomas, certificates, or even invitations from an important event these can be showcased. Vintage metal signs look cool and can be found at flea markets and antique stores. You can find old budweiser or coca cola ads that look awesome.
Check the first link for an idea of what ordinary tissue holders could look like if you take the top off of them and hang them on the wall. Additionally, you could hang an attractive quilt on the wall. Another idea is to put sea shells, pine cones, or things that are free inside your tissue box holders (shelves) on the wall or on the wood planks (if you decide to make shelves out of them). Remember anything can be decoration- even a helmet, an autographed baseball with a stand, or even tiles or plates that can be hung! Plate hangers can be purchased at Michael’s. Also, they sell stands for tiles or plates if you want to put them on a shelf. I sincerely hope I helped!
The springy gold things an the second site are what plate hangers look like. The third link show you what tile and plate stands look like in case you are searching for them at Michael’s. If you want to hold quilts or other fabric to the wall for display, use a drapery rod (sold at wal-mart or even dollar general) there’s a link to what a good drapery rod could look like (not at that price). Consider the last link for letter shaped decor you can place on a shelf or hang. Spell out your name or just an initial. Or, if you really want to save, use a stencil and spray paint the letters on the wall.
REMEMBER the sites are only to show you what they look like. You can find these objects much, much, much cheaper at local stores. (especially if badly colored and you intend to spray paint) You can also spray paint a mirror’s frame if you don’t like it and find it for cheap.
Oh, and one more thing I just thought of. I once saw a display where they had bought old, old books from a garage sale (hardback), spray painted them bright colors, and painted fake titles on them that were really funny. They put these on shelves on the wall. It was really entertaining. I stood there reading the funny titles for a long time. Titles like “Prison escape a how to guide”, “turtle racing”, “Sin: a nun’s guide”, “Solved mysteries”, “assault with batteries”, “whale breeding” or “fugitive trees” are all ideas. There’s a link to funny title ideas as well.
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12 Color Nail Art Tip Design Glitter Powder Decoration $1.00 |
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50 Cane 5000pc Fruit Slice Nail Art Decoration UV Tips $4.49 |
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12 x Glitter Decal Sticker for Tip Decoration Art Nail $4.49 |
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12pcs Color Glitter Dust Powder Tip Decoration Nail Art $1.00 |
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12pcs glitter Sticker Decal for Nail Art Tip Decoration $0.90 |
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12 x HEXAGON GLITTER NAIL ART DECORATION TIPS TOOL 421 $19.06 |
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12 CRUSHED SHELL GLITTER NAIL ART TIPS DECORATION #419 $13.59 |
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Nail Tip Polish Paints Decoration Dryer Machine 687 $14.92 |
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12 x Glitter Sticker Decal for Nail Art Tip Decoration $7.29 |
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1 Wheel of Nair Art Creation Decoration Tip Beads NEW $0.90 |
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12 Colors Glitter Flash chip Tip Decoration Nail Art $4.55 |
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12 Color Shinny Fashionable Nail Art Decoration Tips $8.48 |
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12 Colors Glitter Flash chip Tip Decoration Nail Art $4.55 |
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sliverColors Glitter Restone Tip Decoration Nail Art $4.55 |
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120 Nail Art 3D Dangle For Tips Decoration Fruit Slice $1.00 |
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20 Nail Art 3D Dangle For Tips Decoration Fruit cane $1.00 |
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120 Nail Art 3D Dangle For Tips Decoration Fruit Slice $1.25 |
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20 Nail Art 3D Dangle Fruit canes For Tips Decoration $1.25 |
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30 Canes 3000ps Fruit Slice Nail Art Decoration UV tips $0.99 |
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12color Rolls Nail Art Tip Decoration Striping Tape #57 $0.99 |
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240 Blink Nail Art Glitter Tip Rhinestone Decoration F9 $0.99 |
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Nail Art Tips Glitter Rhinestone Decoration+Wheel 2400p $1.00 |
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12color Rolls Nail Art Tip Decoration Striping Tape #57 $0.99 |
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120 pcs NAIL ART 3MM FLOWERS TIPS DECORATION FL2 $5.99 |
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120 pcs NAIL ART 3MM FLOWERS TIPS DECORATION FL1 $5.99 |
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Fimo Nail Art 120 Pcs Tips Wheel Tools Decoration V5 $3.99 |
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12color Rolls Nail Art Tip Decoration Striping Tape #57 $0.99 |
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240 Blink Nail Art Glitter Tip Rhinestone Decoration F9 $0.99 |
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12 Color Glitter Powder Dust Nail Art Tips Decoration $1.00 |
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60pcs Color Glitter Dust Powder Tip Decoration Nail Art $0.99 |
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120 Nail Art 3D Dangle For Tips Decoration Flower Slice $2.99 |
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120 Nail Art 3D Dangle For Tips Decoration smile face $2.99 |
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120 Nail Art 3D Dangle For Tips Decoration Flower Slice $2.99 |
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120 Nail Art 3D Dangle For Tips Decoration smile face $2.99 |
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12color Rolls Nail Art Tip Decoration Striping Tape #57 $0.99 |
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12pcs Glitter Sticker Decal for Nail Art Tip Decoration $1.06 |
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12color Rolls Nail Art Tip Decoration Striping Tape #57 $0.99 |
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New Nail Art Decoration Tips Dangles Rhinestones Wheel $8.99 |
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12color Rolls Nail Art Tip Decoration Striping Tape #57 $0.99 |
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Bling 50 Canes Fruit Nail Art Decoration UV Gel Tips $4.49 |
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50 Cane 5000pc Fruit Slice Nail Art Decoration UV Tips $1.00 |
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Red Nail Art Striping Tape for Nail Decoration UV Tips $2.14 |
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12pcs glitter Sticker Decal for Nail Art Tip Decoration $0.90 |
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Wilton Uses of Decoration Tips Book $9.99 Decorating tips are more than the basic tools of decorating. They’re the decorator’s means of self-expression. This book will broaden the artistic range of all decorators. It familiarizes you with an extensive array of decorating tips, many of which you have likely never used, or haven’t used in the ways shown here before. The trims and borders featured in the book will add hours of fun to your de… |
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Wilton 4 Piece Decorating Tip Coupler Ring Set $1.49 Use Wilton tube icings with your standard size metal decorating tips thanks to these plastic couplers…. |
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Rubber Ducky Ducks Duckie Q-tip Cotton SWAB HOLDER Organizer Canister $8.99 This little Cotton Swab organizer is both decorative and practical. Great for baby’s nursery or ducky theme bathroom. Made of clear acrylic, with flip top lid. Measures 4″L x 2″W x 2″H. Q-tips shown in photo are not included…. |
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Holmes on Homes: Holmes for the Holidays $7.04 Studio: Bfs Ent & Multimedia Limi Release Date: 10/14/2008 Run time: 60 minutes… |
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The Martha Stewart Wedding Collection – Martha’s Wedding Ideas $2.98 Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 05/30/2006 Run time: 185 minutes Rating: Nr… |
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Fun To Know¿ House Cleaning Tips $14.23 Studio: Victor Multimedia-05 Release Date: 12/19/2006… |
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Electrical Safety Tips with Safety Man (Faster than a circuit breaker. More powerful than electrical current. Also includes ‘operation decoration’) … |
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Set Of 70 Flame Tip C5 Clear GE Constant On Christmas Lights – Green Wire $14.99 Set of 70 Clear Constant On Christmas Lights By General Electric Item #61846 Color: Clear bulbs on green wire Bulb Size: C5 Flame tip style lights are faceted for a sparkling crystal look These lights stay on even if one bulb comes loose, burns out, or is even pulled out! Extra bright bulbs Bulbs are 70% brighter than standard miniature bulbs, provides more light for brighter decorating. … |
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Set Of 70 Flame Tip C5 Multi-Color GE Constant On Christmas Lights – Green Wire $14.99 Set of 70 Multi-Color Constant On Christmas Lights By General Electric Item #61845 Color: Multi-Color bulbs on green wire Bulb Size: C5 Flame tip style lights are faceted for a sparkling crystal look Multi-Color bulbs consist of: Red, Purple, Green, Blue and Yellow These lights stay on even if one bulb comes loose, burns out, or is even pulled out! Extra bright bulbs Bulbs are 70% brighte… |
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Feit Electric Co BP40ETC/CF B-11 Incandescent Torpedo Fan Bulb 40w Clear (Pack of 6) $11.99 “FEIT ELECTRIC” CEILING FAN LIGHT BULB Medium base – straight (torpedo) tip |
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Herb Pharm Feverfew/Lavender (1 oz) $11.99 Plant Part Extracted: Feverfew leaf & flower (Tanacetum parthenium Meadowsweet leaf & flower (Filipendula (Spirea) ulmaria) Periwinkle flowering tips (Vinca major) Lavender flower (Lavandula angustifolia) The herbs used to prepare this compound are Certified Organically Grown without the u |
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Herb Pharm Passion Flower (1 oz) $11.99 We prepare our Passionflower Extract from the flowering tips (leaf, flower & succulent stem) of Passiflora incarnata vines which are Certified Organically Grown without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides To assure optimal extraction of Passionflower’s bioactive compounds, w |
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Herb Pharm Periwinkle (1 oz) $10.99 Botanical Name: Vinca major We prepare our Periwinkle extract from the leaf & flowering tips of Vinca major plants which are Certified Organically Grown and/or Custom Wildcrafted? in their natural wild habitat. To assure optimal extraction of Periwinkle’s bioactive compounds, the plants are ha |