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So ... how good are those "brick" impression mats?

post #1 of 17
12/12/10 at 7:17am
Thread Starter 
I'm going to have to be doing a large amount of brick detail on a building cake here shortly, and was wondering if anybody had any insights as to which brick impression mats worked best. I'd hate to have to do every brick by hand, but I very well could if I don't have an easy time with them ... turns out, I've never used an impression mat (just haven't!), and I'm wondering how easy it would be to detect fondant stretching on a cake with such a regular pattern as bricks. Any suggestions?
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post #2 of 17
12/12/10 at 7:23am
for a building, I'd probably put the sides on as separate panels to reduce the stretching.....

I've got the brick mat from Earlene's website, and it works wonderfully. I find that if I leave my fondant a little bit thicker than normal, I get a great impression.

Also, you could cover the cake first, then use the impression mat. I've had success with that method too.
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Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket.

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post #3 of 17
12/12/10 at 7:42am
Thread Starter 
I didn't realize you could use the impression mat after the cake was covered! It just seems a bit tenuous, like I would ruin my perfect corners (HA! Like my corners are ever perfect! icon_wink.gif). I did my Indiana Jones temple cake by hand, and would love to avoid that again icon_smile.gif.

But I LOVE the idea of the panels ... as a matter of fact, if I make panels like for the gift box cake and let them dry in that fashion, I could conceivably do the elements of the cake way ahead of time and put them together right before! It's going to be right during New Year's week, and I'm working the three nights prior to this birthday party, so I'm swamped as it is. You've given me some great ideas, thanks so much!
Mommy to Eric Anthony, Anya and William.
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post #4 of 17
12/12/10 at 7:53am
ive used impression mats with good success.
ive done it both ways on the cake and as a side panel.
both have worked out fine.
make sure you press hard enough to get a full impression.
to me i notice after the fondant dries you loose some of the impression. if i cant go back over it. i take a sharp knife and outline what i lost.
HTH
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Wilton Method Instructor. If you're lucky enough to be on a beach...you're lucky enough.
DANCE as though no one is watching you, LOVE as though you have never been hurt before, SING as though no one can hear you, LIVE as though heaven is on earth...souza
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post #5 of 17
12/12/10 at 7:56am
I'm in the process of doing the sides of a large building cake for this Saturday, and I've been making sections of red brick using candy clay and a brick impression mat. The candy clay is easier to move around than fondant, and it sticks to the sides of the cake just fine. It also takes the impression of the mat without springing back and losing the design like fondant can. I'm doing more to them than just that, but that's essentially it, and I'll be adding the panels to the walls at the last part of the assembly process.
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post #6 of 17
12/12/10 at 7:59am
I have had pretty good luck with making the impression and then applying the fondant and applying the fondant then doing the impressions. Both methods have there own challenges, but nothing to bad.. I like the idea of doing it in panels, I may try that next. Let us know if you do that, and how it worked for you! icon_smile.gificon_smile.gif
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post #7 of 17
12/12/10 at 7:59am
costumeczar : what is candy clay? Are you talking about modeling chocolate?
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post #8 of 17
12/12/10 at 9:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by SandyBrandon

costumeczar : what is candy clay? Are you talking about modeling chocolate?



Yes, but if it's the candy melts I don't call it chocolate because it isn't chocolate! icon_biggrin.gif It works the same way, though.
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post #9 of 17
12/12/10 at 1:17pm
Thread Starter 
I've never worked with modelling chocolate or candy clay, but I love the idea of doing little sections of solid wall at a time and then piecing it together. Please post a pic when you're done, costumeczar! I won't be working on my cake for another couple of weeks, and would love as much input as I can get before then. I know there's tons of info here for it, but do you have a favorite candy clay recipe?

TIA!!
Mommy to Eric Anthony, Anya and William.
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Mommy to Eric Anthony, Anya and William.
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post #10 of 17
12/12/10 at 1:47pm
I make panels and use an impression mat. There's little to no distortion of the design. It's easier to paint, dust, and add details to the panel while it lies flat and then attach it to the cake.

Good luck with your cake and please post pics. icon_smile.gif
Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, a touch that never hurts.
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Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, a touch that never hurts.
Charles Dickens
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post #11 of 17
12/12/10 at 2:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by emiyeric

I've never worked with modelling chocolate or candy clay, but I love the idea of doing little sections of solid wall at a time and then piecing it together. Please post a pic when you're done, costumeczar! I won't be working on my cake for another couple of weeks, and would love as much input as I can get before then. I know there's tons of info here for it, but do you have a favorite candy clay recipe?

TIA!!



Go to my facebook page, under the discussions tab there's a page with the candy clay recipes www.facebook.com/acaketoremember
http://www.acaketorememberva.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/acaketoremember
http://www.youtube.com/karabuntin
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http://www.acaketorememberva.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/acaketoremember
http://www.youtube.com/karabuntin
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post #12 of 17
12/12/10 at 6:21pm
I used a brick impression mat for a while, but it was never defined enough. I bought a brick rolling pin, the acrylic kind that is laser cut, and it is amazing!

I always thought the pins were super expensive, but now that I see the difference it was worth every penny. thumbs_up.gif
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post #13 of 17
12/12/10 at 8:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaylani

I used a brick for a while, but it was never defined enough. I bought a brick rolling pin, the acrylic kind that is laser cut, and it is amazing!

I always thought the pins were super expensive, but now that I see the difference it was worth every penny. thumbs_up.gif



Where did you get that rolling pin? I've never seen one with a brick cut.
To find "THE RECIPE LINKS ARE HERE" thread, click on "Forums", then "Recipes" and it's the first sticky. Latest updates are on (the bottom of) page 10 here: http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopic-625803-135.html
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To find "THE RECIPE LINKS ARE HERE" thread, click on "Forums", then "Recipes" and it's the first sticky. Latest updates are on (the bottom of) page 10 here: http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopic-625803-135.html
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post #14 of 17
12/13/10 at 10:10am
Cal Java sold it in their booth at the OSAS. icon_biggrin.gif One of the best things I bought that weekend!
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post #15 of 17
12/13/10 at 10:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaylani

Cal Java sold it in their booth at the OSAS. icon_biggrin.gif One of the best things I bought that weekend!


I just checked their website, it's not up yet. Drats!! Thanks for letting us know though, I appreciate it! icon_biggrin.gif
To find "THE RECIPE LINKS ARE HERE" thread, click on "Forums", then "Recipes" and it's the first sticky. Latest updates are on (the bottom of) page 10 here: http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopic-625803-135.html
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To find "THE RECIPE LINKS ARE HERE" thread, click on "Forums", then "Recipes" and it's the first sticky. Latest updates are on (the bottom of) page 10 here: http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopic-625803-135.html
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