Sorry your cake didn't turn out, Tropit. You are braver than I as I wouldn't have had the courage to even try it.
I liked watching Martha but would never try any of her ideas as I always felt I wasn't capable . Like Tropit said the ingredients were hard to source. I lived in the back of beyond when she was current so even ordinary ingredients weren't always available.
i hope you find a suitable alternative for your celebration cake and that it turns out the way you want.