I've just begun this wonderful, addicting hobby. So, there is so much I need to know and learn. For starters, is there a tip to use that would look like wood? Well, I guess I mean branches of a tree, flowers or a clothesline pole.

Great reading. I spend entirely too much time reading!

Check out Wilton.com for tips. (They actually have whole books dedicated to explaining the use of the different tips.) Look under "decorating techniques" or in the online store under tips.

For branches you can use any round tip.

For flowers there are drop flower tips and you can also learn how to use multiple tips to make more realistic flowers.

There is a basketweave tip that you can use that might look a bit like a small 2x4.

Anothe option would be to use the flat side of a basketweave tip (like on this page http://www.sugarcraft.com/catalog/misc/tipusage.htm ) and then "score" it with a toothpick.

Try some out and see which gives you they look you want! Have fun playing!

Also look at www.atecousa.com under instruction, they have a great manual online of what you can do with various tips. Better than wilton IMHO.

Thank you so much for your responses. It just shows you need to know where to look. I appreciate it. Cassie