Have you ever seen a “craft” or a DIY project that you’ve wanted to try so badly but were too afraid to even begin? I have. So for all of you out there that have tried and somewhat failed…I share this story with you as encouragement! It’s not about perfection, it’s about the process and the purpose behind what you’re attempting to do. So, I say, go for it!
OfficialBigHead via Reddit
Just recently, a little girl was celebrating her birthday and this non-profit organization, Icing Smiles, was asked to bake her an Elsa cake (from Frozen). Lisa, with Icing Smiles baked and decorated the cake on the right. The Elsa cake on the left is from McGreevy Cakes – a professional and highly talented cake decorator from NY.
So, no, it doesn’t look exactly like the professional cake decorator’s on the left, but so what? It made this little girl smile and that’s all that matters.
The cake baker and decorator, named Lisa, has been viciously attacked by complete strangers on social media regarding her results. But Lisa’s attitude has been one to recognize. She has accepted the criticism with laughter and kind comments in return.
This from Icing Smiles:
This is a very personal post for me. What has happened in the last few days as a result of a popular cake blog has caused me to ride a roller coaster of emotion. Unless you have been in a cave, you know that one of our cakes was unfavorably compared against the INSANELY talented work of McGreevy Cakes. It has gone viral and it broke my heart.
My heart broke for the baker because I know how much of herself she puts into her donations. My heart broke for the family should they come across the posts because it may take from their joy of receiving the gift. It broke for our team whose extraordinary efforts were used in this way. Our Sugar Angel wasn’t commissioned to copy Shawna’s work, she was asked for a Frozen cake for a sick child and she did just that.
I am well aware that all photos we publish are public domain but to use the efforts of volunteers serving medically fragile children as a source of humor is tasteless. I am well aware that my opinions are biased but I see the efforts, stress, tears and passion of our volunteers and I hate to see them lead to ridicule in any forum. In fairness to the original blogger, we do not know if they were aware of the source of the cake and as soon as it was brought to their attention, it was removed. (THANK YOU!)
When I finally got past the initial shock, I fearfully reached out to our Sugar Angel, Lisa to offer my sympathy and boy did she change my attitude. Her facebook page was loaded with comments to which she graciously replied with humor and self-deprecation. She even commented that she knew it wasn’t her best work and maybe Elsa was getting back from rehab. The best part was that she didn’t care because she made a child happy.
Lisa, I have the utmost respect for you. Thank you for all you do to make my vision come to life. I am proud to share this cake and claim it as ours! – Tracy (Founder)
And THIS from McGreevy Cakes:
I’m being asked by… everyone, what I think about the recent posts/articles about my Elsa cake and another baker’s Elsa cake being compared. So, I’m going to tell you what I think, though you may not love it, and then be done.
I know, guys, that no one means any harm, here. It’s just that… well… this is what I think- I think someone tried. I think someone had the guts to go for it… even when, I’m sure, they didn’t know if they could pull it off. They took the chance anyway and put themselves out there. And maybe it didn’t come out they way they were hoping, but it’s their WORK.
I look at it this way… what if it was done by one of my kiddos, or someone in my family who I love dearly? What if they really wanted to try this out, and were scared to, but decided to do it anyway, knowing they had to start somewhere? Would I be ashamed? Not in a million years.
‘Cause at the end of the day, they took a risk, and instead of hiding in their safe little comfy box, they stepped out of it for a second and gave it a go. And THAT’S what I think this life is all about.
I’ve had epic fails. LOTS of them. Am I hoping they’re never put in the spotlight for all of the world to laugh at? Yes.
So am I loving that my photo (which clearly has it’s own serious faults) is being used as a comparison to someone’s who decided to step out there and give it a shot?
Naw. Not really.
Again, not wanting to be harsh here guys… just wanting to keep it real.
Thank you Icing Smiles and McGreevy Cakes for sharing with us your story and your perspective. My hope and wish is that people everywhere will see this story as an inspiration. Be inspired to TRY whatever it is that you desire. Just Go For It and be proud of what you can accomplish! I know God is!
AND – Let’s try to be a little more kind out there. Just because you’re on social media, that’s not a free pass to be UGLY yourself!
HT News965