HELP!!! <3 Making my Starter Kit

So it is funny, after reading post after post after post for the last few weeks you guys have finally convinced me! I am taking the dive.

Head first I might add!

Here is what I bought

(mostly all paradise 40g)
Dark Green
Green
Light Green
Dark Blue
Lagoon Blue
light Blue
Red x 2 (I am going to be making split cakes so that is why there is 2.. also, it looks brown?)
White x 2
Black x 2
Orange x 2
Yellow x 2 (Wolfe)
Purple
Violet
Light Pink
Dark Pink (Aqua Color)
Light Brown
Metallic White
metallic Rose
Gold

So here are all my questions!!! <3 lol
So I am wanting to make split cakes for sure.
I bought this bead thing they talked about from Micheal's with 18 slots and I have picked out some combos I want to put in it.

1. I would like to also have some BIG split cakes (using the old paradise container instead of the bead case). Like ones that I can use a sponge to pick up. Does anyone have any suggestions for what ones are a good idea or a must have? If you have a suggestion, tell me how I can use it (I am a newbee lol)

So far I am thinking

DarkBlue/Blue/Light Blue
Darkgreen/green/lightgreen
A Rainbow one
Light Purple/pink/Light Blue
Dark Purple/Dark Pink/White
Red/White/blue

For my small ones I have rummaged through all you guys have put up and have settled on 14 that I am going to put together.

I guess what I am afraid of is not making the right color combos? or the right sizes?
I am a totally green so any help or advice you have is very appreciated.

Congrats in taking the first dive! Don't forget to head on over to the introductions forum to introduce yourself!

Okay, for the questions...

don't worry about the Mehron red looking brown, it really is a beautiful red color once you add water and paint/sponge it on, it just looks funny in the cake. This is their new red and trust me, it confused me the first time I saw it too! LOL

Sounds like you've got a good start as far as what splits you want, just make sure you have enough paint, they take more than you might expect! I would also suggest a Red/Orange/Yellow cake with either black on the red end or white on the yellow end for a good flame colored look, I use that combo a lot.

I would also suggest a dark brown and a silver to add to that list of colors you bought... but not in Mehron.. their metallics are notorious for being dull, crumbly, inconsistent messes. I would highly recommend DFX, Wolfe, or TAG for metallics, they are all great.

Hope this helps!

I was planning on making a small flame split, should i make a big one too?

Also, I forgot to mention I bought a neon rainbow split. I was considering making a large rainbow split with the regular colors. I am for sure making a small one but wasn't sure if I should make a big one too.

The paradise red looks brown in the cake and paints on a pinkish color. The beach berry is more of an actual red. Just thought that I would let you know.

Really? My mehron red is just fine....

hmmm...maybe I just got a bad batch or something.