Rosette iced cake

I have seen this cake floating around the internet since last spring. The first and 2nd times I encountered it was on a web forum I frequent, from 2 different posters.  I have since seen it crop up on some other blogs as well - and it was something that I wanted to try.

Yesterday, I was craving chocolate cake, so I decided that I would make this recipe (I have linked to the recipe directly, but I actually found it on another blog - you can check it out here, she has lots of great ideas!)
I have made this a few times in the past, for a get together I was hosting, my MIL's birthday cake, and Kyle's birthday cupcakes - it is really quite simple to make, and it tastes DELICIOUS!

I then prepared my bag, I painted stripes inside the bag with my gel colour to create a streaky look on the icing, as I didn't want a solid colour, and then I filled my piping bag with my white buttercream.

Then, I piped out rosettes on the side, and then the top. I filled in with swoops of the same streaky icing, and this is my finished product.  I am pretty pleased with it - it's kinda messy - as I was working quickly to avoid a 4yr olds help.... so from the time I started piping to finishing, was about 5 minutes (give or take a bit).  Next time, I know that if I take my time it will come out much more finished looking , and I will be able to fill in the open spots too.!

Now, onto pictures - please don't mind the fact that the cake was cut into before pictures were taken.... I could not remember where I had placed the camera.....

Top of Cake

the icing colour effect I was aiming for