When I first started my baking blog, I knew nothing. Scratch that. I knew less then nothing.
All I wanted to do was make pretty things and share them. I often ended each post, “Now go and make it yours!” I wanted everyone to be baking in their kitchen and finding joy in their successes.
When I am lucky enough to receive an email that says, “You have inspired me…” I am so humbled.
I think inspiration is such a gift, and knowing that I could contribute a small amount brought me more joy then I could imagine. Then to actual see when people would make rainbow pancakes or a faith cake or Christmas petits fours… well that has me grinning from ear to ear.
As my baking blog grew and the readership expanded, I started to notice my pictures on other sites. Sometimes I would be credited, sometimes not. Sometimes people would use my pictures and pass them off as their own.
Soon I felt compelled to add the ‘i am baker’ to each picture. And although its visually annoying at times, I feel like its a must at this point. I am learning.
Recently, I received an email about one of my cakes being on a big bloggers site. I was SO excited!! I ran over to check it out as fast as my little fingers would take me.
When I got there, I saw that the blogger has copied my cake exactly, down to the smallest (and intricately thought out) detail, and then supplied links to her own recipes for it. At the very bottom of her post she mentioned “inspired by i am baker”.
I was crushed. I asked her to please let her readers (who complimented her on her creativity and originality and design) know that she made her cake based off my design, that this cake was not her concept. She refused.
I kept asking myself, why does this bother me so much? I should be flattered. I should be happy for her that she is making so much money and getting so much recognition for my cake. I should be able to let this go.
What I realized was… I am still experimenting with recipes and have less then a hand full that I can call original. (an extremely sad admission for a food blogger) I do not take the best pictures and am in a constant learning mode when it comes to food styling. I do not offer the best tutorials and rarely host giveaways.
But I do offer ideas.
My ideas are what my blog is.
I offer them freely, with that hopes that people will be inspired and they will make it theirs, and if they do choose to copy me exactly, they will adequately and appropriately offer credit where it is due.
That’s not asking too much right?
Well, according to some very big names in the food blogging industry, it is. If I want to play with the big boys, I had better learn to roll with the punches. If I am going to post my pictures and ideas on a public blog, then I had better understand that things will be stolen, ideas will be copied, and words will be plagiarised.
So now I am left with… do I want to be a part of that?
Well, yes. I love baking. I love sharing. I love seeing the fantastic and amazing things other people share. (its one of the reasons I started an i am baker flickr group, for YOUR creations!)
I cannot control what anyone else does. But I can control how I react to it.
And I admit it, I was wrong in how I handled the ‘copied cake caper’. At least, I was wrong in how I let it affect me.
Being a well informed and aware citizen in the wake of an important election? That’s important.
Losing sleep over a copied cake? Not so much.
Understanding what is important and what is worth fighting for is something I am learning more about everyday. And although the blogging thing has had its fair share of bumps in the road, it has also brought me immeasurable joy and peace.
Tonight, as I finish this post, I realize that not only have I made the choice to forgive, I am happy about it! True forgiveness brings such freedom; a lesson that I seem to need to learn over and over again.
Except I really get it this time Ok?! 
UPDATED:
First, I just want to say thank you. I think you really understand why I was upset and taking it all so personal. There is a way I do things, and I was expecting other people to do it the same way. That is an unfair and unrealistic expectation and for that, I am sorry.
Second, a few of you found out the bloggers name and went to her site and left comments. Although I dont encourage that, I have to say, you are some classy ladies. With a captiol C. You found a way to mention a little tidbit about i am baker but still support, encourage, and uplift the blogger. In that moment, I felt so fortunate to know what amazing readers I have. You are such amazing and special people… you are blessings!!
And lastly, thank you so much for not mentioning the bloggers name. At this point, I wish her well! I do not want to bother her with my perspective in this anymore, she knows it and she is of a different mind. And that is Okie dokie!!
Although the issue is silly and just a speck of time in the big picture, I have learned SO much about myself! I honestly have to thank that blogger for showing me more about the kind of person I want to be.
Thank you all!!
Good for you. Besides the fact that you can’t copyright an idea, it’s fruitless to be stingy with your ideas. The really big names we saw at Blogher Food are all great examples of generosity, too. I don’t think that’s a coincidence.
oh wow. I am so sorry that happened to you. However, I love your spirit of forgiving. Just what God expects of us. Thank you for setting such a good example of this. Blessings to you and your family.
Isn’t that “forgiveness” word one of the hardest words to swallow at times? I know it is for me! I know that you have inspired me and while I don’t have near as much time to decorate as I would like right now, I still enjoy looking at all your beautiful creations!
The *big names* in the blogging industry may have told you to *get used to it* and *roll with the punches* and yes, crap is going to happen in the public domain. However, theft is theft and people who steal should be brought to task.
You are SUCH an inspiration to me. Even more so for posting about this. Truly. I really mean that.
What a great post. I am truly inspired, and admire everything you make. I always believe credit should be left. Sorry you had to deal with this, but thankfully you are the bigger person. God bless!
Well, you’re a bigger person than me. I would be ticked, even being a Christian. That was the fruit of your labor and I think it deserves a little more than just an “inspired by”.
Totally kidding!
But you’re right, what can you do? I know every time I post a picture of one of my kids or a photography pic I’m kind of proud of that it might get used without my permission. That is the danger of the internet. However, if it’s used by a fellow blogger, especially a more experienced blogger, I would hope they would ask for permission first and then the proper credit be given.
Just my thoughts.
By the way, that cake is adorable! Do you mind if I post it on my blog???
You are right Paula
I kept hearing that my ideas were not mine as long as I published them.
It was so hard to hear at first!
I went and looked up plagerism after a bit, hoping that it would lay my anxiety about the siutation to rest.
pla·gia·rism
1.
the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one’s own original work.
2.
something used and represented in this manner.
Even if the blogger wants to hide behind the fact that she can legally take my idea and claim it for her own, I can read that definition and know the truth about it all. And it really does bring me peace!! Inthe end, I think she really taught me an awesome lesson in humility. And of course, forgiveness!
Blessings!
I am shocked by this post. Even though I know this stuff happens that story is criminal. You know I am dying to know who ripped you off, such a creep. I would fume too, but I would continue with my passion
xxoo
well your ghost cake is MUCH prettier, anyways
hehe i know that is exactly the opposite of what this post is about…but i just had to let you know that yours was much better executed!
I’m sorry for what has happened to you but i think that people who copied your ideas or photos should firstly ask you for permission and then give you full credit for it with link to your website too. I always get really upset that people would just copy someone else’s without giving full credit esp, when they copied exactly to the tee without even giving it their own twist to it. Don’t they know that the person who originally thought of the idea spent sooo much time and effort in thinking up that particular design or idea?! The least is to give FULL credit to the person whom he/she is copying from imo.
Pardon me, but isn’t the ghost cake a Martha Stewart cake design anyway? I’ve seen it in every Halloween issue she’s done for at least three years straight.
(from Amanda)
***** Being very honest here, I had never seen that cake. The second this whole thing happened, I googled ghost cake and saw it… and its beautiful! But different. I HAD, however, seem many little meringue ghosts on cupcakes and cookies and that idea was NOT mine! If someone had used a single idea or concept it would be a different story all together, but the blogger copied the cake I created exactly. If you are of her same mind, then this issue is null and void!
Be blessed!
I love ya and I love that cute ghost cake! I should have made one for Ruby for her birthday, but I was all out of juice this week and went the easy route! I let her pick one out at the store! If we were neighbors I so would have had you make her one.
Any houses for sale next door?
I am sorry that you have had to deal with some of the bad side of blogging and bloggers, but I am glad that you can focus on the good and keep sharing your beautiful creations with us!
I’m so sorry that happened to you. Don’t let ‘em get you down. I’ve seen some photographers on websites put their name over the pic so you can’t steal it. Maybe that would help.
If someone took the idea and refused to give you credit .. well, it’s just pretty pathetic.
I am so sorry!
To be honest… I’m not sure any “big names” in the industry can claim that plagiarism isn’t a big deal (look at MckMama’s revoked advertising).
But more than that, I’m just sorry that you had to experience that. It hurts on a personal level, whether someone can legally get away with it or not.
I’m glad you chose the higher road and hopefully people will be inspired to come directly to your site for your original ideas!
(from Amanda)
**** You are right Rachel, I took it way to personal!! Thanks sweet girl!
I remembered seeing this earlier and went back and looked in google reader and saw it on ********. When I looked at it, she does have a link to your blog so to me it seems like she did the right thing there. Your cake inspired her to copy your cake. Right? I don’t know.
Also … I know you put i am baker on the pics but you could put it across it, is what I meant.
Sorry you are bummed … but she does have your link on there.
(from Amanda)
***You are of the same opinion as most Darla. Her link is enough and I should be thankful for that. (which I am) I am learning what the rules are and what is appropriate and what is not! Legally, she is in the clear.
If you use Microsoft Word, there is a watermark that you can put on your photos as a background and you can customize it to what you want to say. I’m sorry this happened to you. You have such forgiveness in your heart.
Wow, this story is incredible in both how awful this mystery famous blogger is, and yet, how gracefully you handled it. Anyone would be miffed and upset, but your choice to forgive and subsequent happiness is very inspiring. Thank you
wooooooow. I went to the site (“The Site”) and I am stunned. Just dumbfounded. She is defensive from the beginning: “I have seen SO many variations on this cake already, so it’s not really stealing when I copy this other person’s cake ENTIRELY and post it like it’s mine.” And then she says in the post that it was inspired by Martha — ok, fair enough, both cakes are granddaughters of Martha’s cake, but ONE cake here is being completely and totally ripped off. And THAT cake isn’t credited until a little, tiny, misleading footnote at the end.
You were fully justified in being offended and discouraged. I couldn’t possibly have moved on from that, and while no one could fault you for pursuing this, I am happy that you have moved on and let go of it, for your own peace of mind.
Here’s another little bit of peace of mind: Her cake didn’t hold a CANDLE to yours in the execution. It was a gloppy mess with stubby old fat, misshapen ghosts. The b*tch. (Sorry.)
P.S. Props to Bridget for making it clear in the comments whose cake it was, and for doing it without getting down in the mud. I wanted to leave a comment myself, but I knew it would get ugly (see above).
P.S. Thank you for not doing giveaways. I hate giveaways. (Really, that isn’t sarcastic.)
Sorry, I’m letting go after this, but seriously — she EVEN USED YOUR NAME FOR THE CAKE. Pathetic.
Uh… Wow. Ouch. and Yikes. All at the same time. In the one hand, yes, if you offer free material, ya gotta expect it’s gonna get taken. Welcome to the world we live in. But, if someone who’s getting paid to blog and who wants to keep their good name, chooses not to give credit where credit is due, well, again, welcome to the world we live in. But MAN! Come on people! Own up!
Lemme at her! Okay…with love and grace. But ouch, that’s so incredibly hard! I find peace in knowing that the only “good” things are purely because of the grace of God. Without it, we’re all prone to dishonest, selfish and prideful actions. It’s only the Spirit that guides us to do right! Love you for your forgiving and loving heart!
You know I love ya more’n my luggage, Amanda!
And I can see what you’re saying about her being bigger, and totally copying your take on the Martha cake and then just giving the little “inspired by” blurb at the end. I get it, I do.
But.
1) Her cake and pictures? Looks really, REALLY thrown together without any care. Read: sloppy. So while you were looking at that picture and being annoyed, I hope you were also feeling a little encouraged at how superior your own execution and photography were to this woman you see as a “Big Name.”
2) The writing in her post also shows that she’s gotten a bit slack, or did with this post. It was just thrown together, without much apparent thought or effort. All in all, the pictures and writing reminded me of my own disjointed blogging. And she’s a “Big Name” blogger. Be encouraged!
3) The “Big Name” blogger only got 49 comments ooh’ing over her cake. You, on the other hand got *94*. It might be time to re-evaluate who’s got the “Big Name” !! Obviously, people are recognizing and following your beautiful, hard work and lovely writing.
Soo I guess what I’m getting at is, it’s obvious whose work is superior and I agree with your conclusion: at the end of the day, it’s just cake. Keep doing what you’re doing with that shining light of yours and don’t let pride drag you down, as it’s wont to do.
Love ya!
Matthew 5:16
Do you know what your blog post was really written about? Not blogging, plagiarism and cakes, it was written about grace and you have truly shown yours today. Keep those tasty pictures coming!
I really admire this, I know how tough it is to forgive and forget, yet most of the time I’m not te best person to forgive.
I truly believe that forgiving is the best option, although I have a big problem in getting angry and not forgiving.
You are truly an inspiration and “The Blogger” should be deeply ashamed in not giving you the credit you deserve,beacause your baking is awesome!
Btw, I loved your comment on “The Bloggers” cake post. “Great job!It looks exactly like mine!” I actually lol’ed at this!
Thoughts to you and your family!
Unfortunately I’ve seen this happen too many times to count, not only on food blogs.
Amanda, once again, you hold true to your beliefs and stay strong in your faith, and once again, you graciously rise above! You know in your heart what is “right”.
Forgiveness is very powerful. However, so is our conscience.
Blessings…
I saw that cake on her blog when it was first posted. I was like hey I recognize that cake, its Amanda’s! I was surprised when there was just a tiny link under it and not much else said about your amazing work.
Amanda~
You are doing the right thing by forgiving, I am sure it is very hard. You are a caring person and would never dream of stealing anyone else’s ideas, that is why it bothers you. These creations are full of your heart and soul and it shows. Keep up all the great ideas…you are AMAZING!!
Amanda! I’m sorry that this happened to you! Imitation is the highest form of flattery- and one of the “big names” (as you say…) copied you!! I say that makes YOU one of the big names
(You already are in my book!)
Your baking blog is one of my favorites and I always love coming back to it and seeing your awesome ideas (and using some of them too!) My family, as a result, loves your blog too!
Thanks for sharing your ideas!!
I wish you would have outted the blogger. Other than you, I won’t really keep up with other cake blogs. It isn’t fun when people just copy your stuff, it might have been nice if she would have said, this recipe was inspired by …. you.
On the upside, Kudos on the cake
and your blog.
I just wanted to mention the word inspiration means that you use someones design as a base and create something that is truely unique and in your style.
After looking at Marth Stewarts cake it became clear that Amanda had used the it as an inspiration to create something uniquely diffferent.
Something I think looks classier.
This blogger did not use Amanda’s cake as inspiration she just recreated Amanda’s orginial design.
She needs to change the Inspired by link at the bottom to say Cake Design by I Am Baker.
The it would be okay.
Not just your readers are classy, Amanda. And while she may not take responsibility for it now, one day she will have to give an answer for her actions…and I believe she’ll be regretting not going the easier way and being classier to you…
It may be “acceptable” in the blogging world, but to make a name for oneself by using someone else’s full idea(s) is not becoming a legitimate “big name blogger.” And honestly? Even if she would come up with something original now, who could believe her?
Stay classy, stay true, and thanks for the excellent way you handled this!
I love your honesty about your feelings.
I love that you sat in them for a while before jumping the gun and calling her out.
I love that you are so humble and I love that you are so real.
You ARE an inspiration, Amanda!
Yours is cuter. Just sayin.
You’re a classy chick. And you handled yourself and the situation beautifully. Now please excuse me, one of my jobs this week is to find some recipes for Christmas baking for the site I work for. I’m heading over to have a look
(I will make sure to credit you fully if I use anything)
I love you girl. I think you’re innately kind and generous xxxx
Ahhh. I love that God doesn’t waste ANYTHING. Even using this circumstance to grow you.
He is good!
Your Halloween cake is….so cute. Your ideas are just…fabulous. Thanks for sharing them!
I think you have handled this beautifully and with grace.
Hugs
This literally makes my stomach turn and more than that makes my heart hurt. I don’t know the blogger that stole your cake, but I think it’s shameful. I agree with who ever said maybe look into watermarking your pictures, pretty darn hard to steal those.
Love you girl and think it’s awesome how Christ is shining out of you through this incident. You can be bitter or better and you chose better!
Ok so my curiousity just took over and I found “her”. Your cake is by and far more amazing and the fact that although inspired by Martha, you made it your own by like oh 1000 times. I find it sad that on the side of her page she has: Copyright Information
© *****, 2007-present. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to **** and ***** with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
But doesn’t follow that herself. You’re awesome and I’m humbled at how you have forgiven her, I’m ticked at her and it’s not even my creation!!
Yours looks much better than hers anyways. Much Much cleaner!!!
Hang in there. It sucks when people steal your work and pass it off on as their own. I guess you should try and take it as a compliment. 
I believe I know which blogger your talking about, because I came across the cake and was thinking oh, they copied Amanda. The good thing is I knew were the original came from, but other readers didn’t. Like you said there is nothing wrong with someone being inspired by you, but give me my credit. You worked hard on creating that idea and there is nothing wrong with expecting to receive your credit when its due!
Upset? Rightfully so, I believe. I have put ideas out there meant to inspire as well, meant for others to try them out, enjoy the fruits of their labors as well, but not to take full credit for the idea.
You are a classy lady. Quite the reminder I need right at this moment, to decide what is important enough to hand onto and what I should let go and forgive, fully.
When I originally commented on this post I mistakenly understood that the blogger STOLE your picture of the Boo-tiful Halloween cake and posted the picture as her own. Hence my comment *theft is theft…*
I only just realized now that she had made the same cake. So, in light of this, yes…once you post something such a beautiful as your original cake (s) cookies, etc., you can expect people to want to try to make them and I cannot fault the blogger for trying to make her own version of your cake. To have someone see what you have created and they enjoyed it so much that they want to re-create your idea (s) themselves is actually a compliment to your creative abilities.
She could of however, mentioned where her inspiration came from and linked back to your site in addition to giving you the small credit she did at the end of the post.
That is a TOTAL bummer. If I borrow someone’s idea or recipe I try to make sure their name and a link to either their website or the original post is one of the first lines of my post. It’s just the right thing to do. We all like to share ideas, but it really doesn’t seem right to only give a little link in the “disclaimer section” at the bottom of the post. It may be legal, but it’s not how bloggers do it.
With that said – I’m glad you’re able to let it go and move on! We love you all the more for being such an amazing person and doing the right thing
Others have said what I was going to say, but I’ll say it anyway – I saw her cake. Yours is better! Better photo, better execution… It’s the original and hers is a copy.
I don’t think it’s plagiarism though, since she didn’t use your words or your photo. But I think it is a form of intellectual theft, to take someone’s idea and pass it off as an original. Very bad on her. But very good on you to be able to handle it as you have.
I would have been upset as well. Your honesty is refreshing. And–> your points are well taken by this new blogger! God bless you!
You’re a classy lady Amanda! There is so much to be learned in “the land of blog”. Your work is outstanding and you put it into the world with intentions to inspire and uplift. You always hit your mark. There is no doubt that you have and will handle yourself in the most positive, loving way possible. I would hope that others will also be inspired by you in that regard as well. Keep on keeping on.
It is frustrating when people copy the essense of your idea and don’t give credit. Seriously. Any way you slice it, it works that way. I think you were right to feel the way you did. One thing is for certain I bet with that particular person it doesn’t happen again.
you handled it well, friend. it’s a tough call. i mean, she mentioned you as inspiration, but it was more like copying. good for you for at least trying to contact her about it.
i would be bothered by it too!! i mean, it was your idea, right?? good for you for forgiving her. that’s tough to do.
by the way, yours looks WAAAAAAAAAAAAAy better!!!
oh, and to keep people from stealing pictures, maybe you could put the watermark “i am baker” across the picture more. cuz if i copy your picture, i could just crop off the bottom corner and make it my own… just a thought
I’m so late on this post, but saw your tweet and just wanted to leave a quick comment.
I’m so sorry this happened, but honestly I think you handled it perfectly. You post is so honest and I truly think it’s a great example of humility and learning to forgive. Not a lesson I’m sure you wanted to learn (who does), but I love that you shared it with us
I have to be honest and say that this also would upset me (I can definitely be too prideful at times!), and I read that other blog and would have expected more from her. You’re right in saying it’s not about the legality of it, but about being a good person. I’ll try to be as good as you and not judge her and just forget about it…thanks for your example.
I think there is such a difference in how to go about crediting a blogger for an idea. When I first started blogging, I was *so afraid* to mention a recipe/idea had come from somewhere else. I probably did a poor job…
As I kept blogging and reading other blogs, it occurred to me that we can all help each other. Like you & I have discussed before….we’re a community. And that just gives me the warm fuzzies.
So instead of a tiny note at the very bottom of a post “source: so-and-so”…I try to go the other direction. As in “I tried to recreate this fabulous cake from so-and-so. Have you been to so-and-so’s blog? It’s fabulous!….” It’s a win/win on my opinion. Share the love, baby!
And OH! Using pictures from someone else’s site and passing them off as your own. That IS copyright protected!!!
I still think you ought to teach Food Blogging 101!
I think you have a right to be upset. it does make me wonder if i have been giving you credit recently. I made the rainbow cake and the cross cake. I know at one point I did but now i need to go back and make sure I have on all the cakes. if I have not please forgive me. I would be upset. you take a lot of time in your cakes and recipes and then you share them with us. I appriciate it more than you know. please keep up the good work.
I’ve been food blogging for 5 years. It might be “legal” to do what she did (provide a small link at the end of the post), but it’s not standard practice. Standard practice is to credit the inspiration up front, talk about how cool it is and why you were inspired, and then come up with your own photography ideas. When you’re complimented on your clever and innovative post, you say thank you and share the credit with the originator. It thankfully happens this way all the time; in fact, among the hundreds of great blogs that I read, I’ve never seen anyone do something like this before – it stands out as egregious. You’re kind for saying that you were in the wrong, but you weren’t. Blog on, baby!
Thinking of you and thinking of how much you rock and are just plain fantastic. I love that you addressed this issue and I admire all the support you have.
Keep on baking!!
Amanda:
I read that particular “unnamed” blog daily, and when I saw that cake, the first thing I thought of was that it was exactly the same as yours.
I’m a bit surprised that you think of that blog as a “big” blog, because I consider YOUR blog a “big” blog!! Your blog is every bit as wonderful as that one. In my opinion, at least.
I know what some people mean by saying that when you have a blog and share your creations, they are no longer your own. HOWEVER, I do feel like there is a sort of “code” among us bloggers. For instance, I do not expect a mommy at a bday party who made my cupcakes to announce where she got the idea to all her guests. I DO expect a blogger to make it perfectly clear though, if they decide to share it on their site. I think that “inspired by” means something completely different than what happened. All it would have taken was a “look at the awesome cake Amanda made!! When I saw it I loved it and just had to recreate it!!!”, along with a link, and I think you would have found that entirely appropriate.
That is what I love about the blogging world. We lift each other up. We cheer each other’s successes.And those of us who see an opportunity to throw a little traffic over to someone less well known who had a fabulous idea, do so. That is what is so disappointing about this situation. There was a clear opportunity for you to be lifted up, and it was denied in order to do the bare minimum “technically” required.
Whatever. The situation could have turned out much more rewarding for that person, and it is their loss.
First of all, you are incredibly talented. That cake (yours) is beautiful and inspiring. Shame on that person. It just shows that they lack originality. I too have had experiences with big companies stealing my ideas. Just keep doing what you do. You will prevail.
I can well imagine how upset you’d be and understand it as well. I think that’s normal in these circumstances. The hard part is shaking it off and moving forward.
I don’t see any reason why you can’t post a note about copyright infringment etc and I also know there is some technical thing you can do to your images so people can’t right click them.
I absolutely love your ghost cake BTW. It’s amazing.
Where did MckMama get her idea for the Rainbow pancakes she posted last week? You? I wouldn`t doubt it.
I’m sorry she chose to misrepresent her work and overlook crediting you appropriately the way she did. What an encouragement to see your response and effort to repay with kindness.
Amanda, you are a woman of pure heart!
Your posts were indeed inspiring.. ;p
The header of your page reminds me a story entitled Life is a 3 ring Circus by Jose Quirino… I hope you can find time to read it… It’s really a good story. Have a great day always.
I think perhaps the “big names” in the blogging industry might want to rethink a few things…a somewhat big name blogger just had her Blogher sponsorship pulled because of plagiarism.
And cookies…and blog…
Mands…sorry to hear that someone stole your idea and didn’t give credit appropriately. I think you handled it perfectly and I’m even more sad to hear that she refused to give proper credit even after you approached her.
Love ya and love your cakes.
This is so sad. But I am so inspired by your response.
Now that I have gained ten pounds looking at your cakes, I am back to comment on this.
First, boo on the person who gave you lousy credit for the cake. That is pretty obviously your idea and they could have been more gracious about it.
Second, those ‘big’ bloggers who are telling you to get used to it…yeah, they didn’t. They fight back every time they see stuff and some have been known to loose the flying monkeys to thrash people they think did something against them/their content.
Third, you have the BEST flying monk…er, fans. The comments are the other site are, as you note, an all too rare example of class on the part of the offended. Brava, ladies.
Now it’s back to the cakes. Your approach of making designs inside has my brain running extra cycles, though I will be sure to credit you appropriately if/when I post things you inspired.
Wow, I saw your cake on another blog and the blogger must have credited you properly which is how I found your site in the first place. I got curious after reading your post and did a little digging on the web. I found the fake cake and I must also admit yours definitely looks better. I think it is the appearance of your chocolate, it’s really glossy. The fake cake looks as if the chocolate seized. With that being said, keep inspiring others to do what you do.
Way to handle this yucky situation!
Nicely done.
I don’t know who the blogger is, but when it is something of this nature that was infused with your creativity, you have a right to be pissed. Just sayin’
Hi!
I made your cake. Thank you for sharing your idea with us. I initially saw it on the “other” blog and followed the link here to you and followed your specific instructions.
I did not blog about the cake per se but did post a photo of my finished cake on my blog. I hope that does not offend you. It was not my intention.
~ingrid
You are one classy lady. Classy with a capital C like a wise woman I know once said.
I like you ghost cake.. Mouth watering goodness.. Yummy!! Lol
That is so unfortunate that someone would do that. Kuddos to you for trying to take the higher road!
I know I am a little behind on this, but I honestly think that other blogger is plain RUDE! I started reading her blog and really liked some of the recipes until I asked a question… mistake.. she answered as if I was some idiot…
She is ALWAYS saying not to copy her work her pics etc, but as soon as I saw her halloween cake I knew it was yours!
Your cake looks WAY more professional anyways!
Keep your chin up and keep up the good work!
Not sure what planet I am from – but I just found your blogs today and what a treat. Clothes did not get washed, beds did not get made, dinner did get cooked
but I had a day of curling up with my laptop and perusing both your blogs. What a vision your treats are. I have NEVER made the attempt to do anything that creative food wise and am VERY impressed. After reading about the “copycat” blogger it took all of 10 seconds with a well worded google to find the blog. Hmmmm have to say that it is kind of like the world of knock off clothes, purses, shoes etc – never as good as the original. Bravo to you for your creativity.
Check this out, another “adaptation” of someone else’s idea
http://annies-eats.net/2009/03/10/lemon-poppy-seed-cakes-with-lemon-mousse/
and the original:
http://www.tarteletteblog.com/2009/01/lemon-poppy-seed-cake-with-meyer-lemon.html
just put adapted in the search box on her site…
I’m appalled: The changes if any are mostly minor and she doesn’t even use different words in the directons! I do think there is and should be a sort of food-blogger-netiquette – and that consist of more than just putting up a link…
Why doesn’t she start out with:
(…) So, today I wanted to try out X’s recipe for lemon poppy seed cake… what do you all think, how did I do?
That would show what she is doing: trying out a recipe that is based not on her own creativity!
On a different note:
You’re doing a wonderful job! Because of you I no longer shy away from “big baking projects”! Talk about a confidence boost!
Thank you so much and God bless, Anne
I’ve been blogging for nearly 2 years and I’m still trying to figure out the exact rules for crediting people. I always rewrite recipes in my own words and use my own pictures, but typically just cited my source at the bottom of the recipe. If I have something nice to say about the blogger, or if it’s a blog I read regularly I sometimes mention them in the text of the post as well. Hopefully no one’s been offended by the way I cite things – I’d definitely change it if that happened!
As for the blogger, I know exactly who you’re talking about and it doesn’t surprise me at all. If anyone dares ask a question in her comments they get a very snide and curt response. I know we’re all busy and it’s frustrating when someone asks a question that is answered in the recipe, but it doesn’t take anymore time to respond to someone politely.
Your spirit of forgiveness is very inspiring! But at the same time, I would have been totally happy if the other blogger had posted that I inspired her to make the cake and linked back to my site, after all, isn’t that the whole reason for you blog?
I’m a cake artist and live in the Greenville, SC area. Another local cake artist copied one of my original cake designs,posted it on her blog and website and is passing it off as a “custom cake” misleading others to believe that SHE is the designer. I posted a very nice comment on her blog saying that I see that she recreated my original cake design, “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”, explained what the occassion was that I designed the cake for, told her that she did a nice job, etc. I was hoping she would get the hint and give me credit and link to my site. Instead she just deleted my comment! Am I just being petty? I wonder what the *big* cake artists do when others copy their designs and don’t give them credit? Maybe we should ask Colette Peters? 
Oh goodness! So sorry that happened to you. It sounds like you did the right thing, embraced the “spirit of forgiveness” as you said.