:laugh2:Those are not as bad as you think!!! I have a lot of the cutters that don't lay flat either. I use scissors after they are cool to cut off any parts that have spread out & the little nobbies. Great to do while watching TV. I like mine to look bumpy so I don't cook them as long as the BC instructions say. As for colors, are you using liquid dye? Hold them up to a window, the dark ones look cool!! Try using a little less dye to get brighter , lighter colors. Hope this helps you some!!