Sometimes the design requests we get are very clear in what they want, and sometimes we're given the freedom to do whatever we feel at the time with little specifications - which are both fine with me. It is always interesting to hear some of the requests though. There have been times where I thought it wouldn't work out. Either the idea was too complicated, or too big, or "how am I going to make that look nice on a cake?" haha. Here's a couple challenges I had that turned out pretty cute.
This Michael Jordan cake was probably one of the hardest cakes I've done. It was right after only my first decorating class and I think I was in way over my head. After so many hours (and close-to-tears moments!), I got it. I was excited how this one turned out. Both shoe and shoebox are cake with buttercream icing. 
I learned after this that it takes a ridiculous amount of black dye to make black icing, and it also runs into the other colors. I try not to use black icing much now.
You should have seen my kitchen when I was done! This cake is the reason I do the majority of the cakes at my parents' house because they have more room and counter space! ...and Mom helps clean up ;)
These next two cupcake designs were requests I just had no idea how to do. I wanted to use butter cream icing, so I was just winging it with Snow White. She doesn't have a face, but looks cute anyway. I think the apple next to her was a nice touch - I think it was one of my sister's ideas.
The elephants were a very pleasant surprise. I love how they turned out! They're so cute, don't you just want to eat them up? ;) I saw a picture of elephants like this online and decided to try it out. I did it much like the clowns they teach you in class but used a round tip instead of the star. For the ears I used a rose tip.
This one by far was probably the strangest request I got for a cake, and I wasn't sure how I would be able to keep it classy...
...But I think the toilet cake for a Birthday Potty came out pretty cute. I made the toilet while my sister rolled the toilet paper out of fondant. It was surprisingly not that hard and was a lot of fun to make.
Worst part: falling down my stairs afterwards!
To quote Vector from Despicable Me:
"Curse you tiny toilet!"
