I am trying to get a head start on a cake for this weekend and I was going to top the cake (baby shower) with fondant or gumpaste cowboy boots.  Looks real simple, right???  I have tried both fondant and gumpaste and cannot get either to keep its shape long enough to make the upper part (shaft) of the boot. 

I am considering resorting to making the shaft of the boot from rice krispie treats, then covering that with with gumpaste or fondant.  I would rather not do that if there is a trick someone knows. 

I would appreciate any and all suggestions!  Thank you so much for your help!!!!

Are you trying to make them in 1 piece? If so, try to make them in 2 pieces, to make the shaft, wrap it around a rolling pin or spatula handle to get the right size and shape until it dries. Then you can attach it to the "foot" part of the boot.