did this cake for a good friends wife who is very ill. was a first attempt at royal icing and i have to say it was a nightmare lost track of how many attempts it took to do the number 5 was so difficult all you who use royal icing to such amazing effect i am truely in awe certainly an art to it, the sides are decorated with a vine and leaf pattern. flowers are forget me nots and roses modelled from sugar paste. the cake is a moist vanilla sponge with vanilla pod buttercream. was really glad to do this cake that ment so much to my friend