Help With Gum Paste/fondant Figure Modeling!!!

Decorating By ButRCream Updated 5 Jan 2015 , 11:19pm by Emme07

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SensationalCakesAndMore Posted 26 Jan 2013 , 9:28pm
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FlourPots, thanks so much for all the tips.  When you are making figures to top a cake, how far in advance do you have to make them so they dry and hold their shape when you assemble the cake?  I'm sure it depends on the size of the piece, just looking for a general guideline - 1 day, 3 days, a week...

 

Also, how do you know when you need to add structural elements like tooth picks or skewers?  I am nervous about making figures that fall apart, and don't have time for a dry run!  dunce.gif

 

Thank you for your help!

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Goreti Posted 26 Jan 2013 , 9:52pm
post #122 of 154

I make mine weeks ahead of time. This way if I am not happy with the result, I have time to do another.  I am making a cake for my great-niece for Feb. 16 and I already have the figures done.

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PattyCakes4U Posted 31 Jan 2013 , 8:12am
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PartyFlours'   I was reading the posts and saw you use MMF. My first thought was... how nice you were to have answered and shared your knowledge. My second thought was... she gets MMF to behave? icon_rolleyes.gif    I also read about how nice your work is. My next thought was... and it looks great!?hat1.gifThen I read all the posts from everyone asking for the recipe and your notes! cowboy.gif  THEN I had to get a look at this.... detective.gif  THEY R ALL CORRECT... thumbs_up.gif  Your work is amazing and you used MMF! party.gif

... (you know what I'm going say next right?)  icon_lol.gif       "ME TOO, ME TOO!!!"  PLEASE send me the recipe and tips!  icon_biggrin.gif

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FlourPots Posted 31 Jan 2013 , 3:36pm
post #124 of 154
I apologize SensationalCakesAnd More....
 
Someone PM'd me a question and I came here to copy-and-paste the link to pg 7...that's when I realized this thread had gone past the 8 pages I knew about...
 
Since the makeover to this site, I stopped receiving email notifications about thread activity.
 
To answer your questions...
I start making FINAL pieces a week before I need them...
Any earlier and they start to lose their shine and look dull to me.
Weeks before that though, I'm planning like crazy, searching Google images (even when it's familiar items), and in some cases experimenting with spare fondant (if I think something will be too challenging).
 
As far as structurally...
I like to use toothpicks, but I don't like to use a lot of them in one piece.
With both pregnant women for instance, I used a toothpick to attach their heads, but nowhere else.
I'm not totally opposed to it though...if a limb was not staying put, I would definitely use more...
In fact, for the cats that go with my yarn ball cake, literally one leg on the black cat would not attach...I finally used half a toothpick to secure it, but none of the rest needed any help.
 
Also, using edible glue to attach parts, instead of water, is much better for stability.
I prefer to make a new batch for each new project since I don't make cakes that often.
I use one of the small Wilton (coloring) containers, cleaned out.
It's the perfect size.
I mix 1 Tb. of warm water + a little less than 1/4 tsp. of tylose powder
I shake it, and let it dissolve overnight.
(It sounds like a tiny amount, but it's more than half of the Wilton jar, and more than enough for one project).
 
 
PattyCakes4U...Thanks for the great post...I love all the little emoticons, LOL!!!!!!
 
The tips are on pg.7 and the recipe is on pg. 8
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SensationalCakesAndMore Posted 2 Feb 2013 , 3:06am
post #125 of 154

Thanks, FlourPots!  I have been the queen of procrastination so I'll be putting together three Pokemons to top a cake tomorrow for Sunday.  I'm debating whether or not to try to get them to do any standing on their own; more likely, I'll wrap Rayquaza (a snakey-dragon) around his Pokeball (sort of like an egg), sit up Deoxys against its Pokeball, and see if I can get Cobalion (looks kind of like a swedish horse) to stand on his four feet.  It'll be an interesting day, that's for sure!  I'll post it if I can figure out how... such a newbie icon_redface.gif

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lidanna Posted 11 Feb 2013 , 7:35am
post #126 of 154

Hi all, I'm a newbie in cakecentral.com...

I'm impressed with your work FlourPots, would you like to send me some tips too?

Appreciate your help, thanksss icon_smile.gif

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sweetheart1978 Posted 11 Feb 2013 , 3:36pm
post #127 of 154

oh wow FLOURPOTS!! i've just seen your pics! AMAZZZZZING!!! This is what i'm looking for right now! plz plz plzzzz can you also PM me the modelling reciepe, would really appreciate it! xx

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sweetheart1978 Posted 14 Feb 2013 , 1:18pm
post #128 of 154
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeniseNH 

I agree. To get the gumpaste to meld together and stop forming cracks, microwave your lump of gumpaste for just 8 to 10 SECONDS, then with shortening on your hands, knead it warm from the microwave and you won't have a problem. There's also a homemade gumpaste out there that came with my Cake Silhouette program from Linda McClure that's different from any other gumpastes I've touched - more tylose powder and gelatin in it - it's more "rubbery" and won't crack. Another good one is Platinum Paste from England but it's wicked expensive. Linda's recipe mimics Platinum Paste. Hope this helps.


Is gumpaste and sugar paste the same thing? i need to make some upright standing models and am confused which one to use. Plz help xx

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sweetheart1978 Posted 14 Feb 2013 , 1:24pm
post #129 of 154
Quote:
Originally Posted by FlourPots 


Then I add all 5 cups of PS into the bowl (I never sift)

Hi there, may i ask what PS is please?

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FlourPots Posted 15 Feb 2013 , 10:56am
post #130 of 154
Hi and Thanks so much!
 
The tips and recipe are on pages 7 & 8 of this very thread.
 
 
PS is powdered sugar...
 
Gumpaste and sugarpaste are not the same thing...
Sugarpaste is just another word for fondant...regular plain fondant that you could cover a cake with.
Gumpaste dries rock hard and is used in making flowers (since you can roll it really thin), and figures and things, but you would never try to cover a cake in it.
 
Many decorators mix fondant with gumpaste 50/50 because it's easier to work with than straight gumpaste.
This still would only be intended for sugar work.
 
You can make your own form of gumpaste by mixing fondant with tylose powder, which is what I prefer.
 
 
(SensationalCakesAndMore....would love to see your Pokemon figures!)
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daisyann15 Posted 4 Mar 2013 , 4:48pm
post #132 of 154

Hi !

 

I follow your receipe and instructions to made this figures yesterday. I know I need to practice more to get perfect finish product but its my first time modeling and I'm veru happy. Thanks a lot for your tips

 

I made this figures following Flourpots receipe and instructions. Was my first time modeling and need to practice more buy I'm happy to tried. Thanks Flourpots for the tips

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FlourPots Posted 5 Mar 2013 , 8:52am
post #133 of 154
WOW!! Those modeled pieces are simply incredible SensationalCakes...
Excellent details!
The entire cake is so neat and clean, I love it!
(LOL that link IS weirdly long)
 
daisyann...first time?! Wow...I would've never guessed that by looking at your pieces...they're so well done, every single one!
You did an amazing job!
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daisyann15 Posted 5 Mar 2013 , 12:31pm
post #134 of 154

AThanks FlourPots!

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dolphfan Posted 18 Apr 2013 , 6:39pm
post #135 of 154

Hi do you have a recipe that you would share for making figures?  I want to use fondant but find it doesn't hold its shape as well as I would like.

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milkmaid42 Posted 18 Apr 2013 , 11:47pm
post #136 of 154

Hi, Dolphan, 

 

I just read this post and thought I'd post the recipe for fondant figures that I really like. While I use gumpaste for all my flowers, I recently started making figures from Elizabeth Marek's recipe. It is a modified MMF and is incredibly easy to work with. I found her video on making Christmas elves and it is all I use for figures now. Here is the recipe: (Incidentally, this is the only reason I'd ever use Wilton fondant as I am a confirmed Michelle Foster Fondant fan!)

 

 

                      E LIZABETH MAREKS’S FONDANT  (FOR FIGURES)

1 lb         Bag Marshmallows,  (Cheap brand)

½  C.       Shortening

3 T.         Water

2 lb.        Powdered sugar, sifted

1 ¼ lb.   Wilton fondant

 

Microwave marshmallows about 1min 30 seconds.  Check after 1 minute see if mostly melted.

Stir, heat 30 more seconds. Stir until completely melted and puffed up.   

Add 3 Tablespoons of water and place in KA bowl with dough hook.  

Add ½ C. shortening. Turn mixer on low and add  Powdered sugar, 1 C. at a time, till almost clears bowl. About  90% will be mixed. There will still be some remaining in the bowl.

During this time soften Wilton fondant in microwave. 

Turn into large bowl with remaining powdered sugar and into the middle, place Wilton fondant.

Knead well. It is ready to use at this point.

 

Add a little tylose for figures,  (faces to dry quickly)

 

This cake I made recently after using this recipe. I had no difficulty, even when applying over an armature as in the horse.

 

<a href="http://cakecentral.com/g/i/2918797/a/3301268/for-my-grand-daughters-5th-birthday-she-wants-to-be-a-cowgirl-so-this-was-her-theme-although-it-doesnt-show-in-this-photo-she-is-wearing-a-fringed-buckskin-skirt-and-a-buckskin-jacket-with-fringe-on-the-sleeves-the-cake-is-a-simple-7/"><img src="http://cakecentral.com/image/id/7187772/width/400/flags/LL"></a>

 

I hope this helps you. Have fun with your figure making. thumbs_up.gif

 

Jan

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SensationalCakesAndMore Posted 20 Apr 2013 , 1:59am
post #137 of 154

Thanks FlourPots! (It only took me 6 weeks to check back, LOL! I'm not busy or anything!) ;)

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mena2002 Posted 29 Apr 2013 , 7:00am
post #138 of 154
Quote:
Originally Posted by FlourPots 

Thank you so much...really.

If you only knew how unworthy I feel, LOL )


PM's are on the way icon_smile.gif

Can you PM me too? You are truly talented!!

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Madu85 Posted 21 May 2013 , 4:18am
post #139 of 154

Hi

 

 

I love your work....... Can you pls pls send me the recipe??? Im from Sri Lanka and its extremely humid here. I tried a batch of sugar paste with Nicholas lodge recipe but the figures were all gooey by the morning :( Pls help

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FlourPots Posted 21 May 2013 , 12:15pm
post #140 of 154

Madu...the recipe is on pg 8...

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Madu85 Posted 21 May 2013 , 1:03pm
post #141 of 154

Hey Flourpots,

 

Thanks a million for the msg. I tried replying to you but I have exhausted my msg quota for the day :P

 

We don't have that Marshmallow brand here in Sri Lanka. Is there a particular quality that I should look for??? I have tried the MMF with tylose before and they started sweating and melted away :(  My figures never dry properly. Could it be becos I microwave it on high???

 

 

I have to make a teddy bear by friday and don't know what i'm gonna do next   :( :( 

 

 

You are exceptionally creative and I looooooooooooooooooooooove your work.......

 

 

Thanks again xx

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FlourPots Posted 21 May 2013 , 4:50pm
post #142 of 154
Hi...Thank you!
 
I would say to try to work with a brand name vs. a store brand, if possible...I didn't like the texture of my fondant when using store brand marshmallows...
 
If your figures didn't dry with tylose, you probably didn't use enough...I don't think it was because of over-microwaving...I've done that accidentally, and once it cools, it should still behave normally.
 
Do you have access to Wilton's fondant at all?
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Madu85 Posted 30 May 2013 , 6:55am
post #143 of 154

Hi Flourpots,

 

 

 

I made the cake with a teddy bear. It wasn't super neat but it was presentable icon_sad.gif

 

 

Made it with MMF and mixed tylose powder as I went along. Should try another batch later.....

 

 

Thanks again for all your help :)

 

 

Madu

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Lizziescakes Posted 30 May 2013 , 1:26pm
post #144 of 154

FlourPots your work is perfection. Please send me your recipe and tips. Thanks.

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FlourPots Posted 30 May 2013 , 1:54pm
post #145 of 154

No problem Madu85...

 

Thanks Lizziescakes...the tips are on pg 7, recipe on pg 8, of this thread.

 

 

I wanted to mention here that I've recently begun experimenting with Wilton's fondant...

A decorator I admire (& stalk on FB), Lesley Wright  (Royal Bakery), swears by Wilton brand for her figures and accent pieces, AND she doesn't add any tylose!

 

I've only worked with the red and white so far, but I loved it.

Lesley says she would never cover a cake in it, and I wouldn't either, but for figures and things, it's great.

(of course it's also very affordable with a store coupon)

 

I don't know if I'll ever switch over completely...I like my recipe, and it works well for me, but I'm glad to know I have another option, should the need arise.

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dokmitch Posted 6 Jun 2013 , 2:18am
post #146 of 154

AFlour

Original message sent by FlourPots

Certainly...

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dokmitch Posted 6 Jun 2013 , 2:20am
post #147 of 154

AMe also i need tips fr great bakers like you. Thanks for sharing. God bless u more..im from the phils..

Original message sent by FlourPots

Sure...

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dokmitch Posted 6 Jun 2013 , 2:23am
post #148 of 154

AMe too flourPots, need some tips from a great baker like you..God bless u more.

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FlourPots Posted 7 Jun 2013 , 3:41am
post #149 of 154

The tips are on pg 7, recipe on pg 8, of this thread.

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mrsgreshcakes Posted 9 Jun 2014 , 7:24pm
post #150 of 154

Can I jump on this request thread FlourPots and ask if you can send it to me also?  I've been struggling with my figures drying out or cracking and have tried so many different techniques!

 

Thank you!!

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