Valentine Cake

Used a checkering technique using Red Velvet, white and strawberry cake mix. Granted it didn't turn out like a checkerboard, but wasn't so bad for the first try. Made the candies on the cake (jewels and heart) Each layer is with a whipped strawberry frosting and the inner layer under the fondant was a buttercream frosting. "Lacing" was also buttercream frosting. The pink and red was painted with a spray food coloring. The shimmer was a golden metallic sugar powder mixed with an almond extract. This is the second fondant cake I did. After this I decided the fondant I been buying isn't going to be used anymore as it's taste is too sugary and not flavorful. Also (and it may simply be how I roll it out) it's somewhat dry.