AI know some have already discussed this but I wanted to go an idea out there and get advice anyways.

I am trying to create the character based on this picture: http://www.boulderwine.com/events/deschutes-brewery-store-tasting

My thought is to have a sheet cake covered in brown fondant that I have nothing to look like wood..... And create the round on top looking like the bottle cap.

I would love advice or ideas on how to imprint the letter images into the wood grain..... So far I'm considering rubber-stamps or just putting the letters over the fondant and using a tool to trace them...

Would you do it?

Thanks!!!

AI think stamps are the way to go. If you can find the clear silicone stamps that stick to a clear plastic block, those are really nice.

AI agree, then use a little gel color/vodka mix to paint inside the lettering to enhance it.

Cake is done!   He really liked it....

wow! amazing job! I love the wood! I used to used to have a mold like this  http://caljavaonline.com/collections/fondant-molds/products/mold-757 but somehow lost it a long time ago and have been hesitant to create anything wood panel like. But i really like how you painted the wood. I will definitely keep this in mind next time I make cake :)

How did you paint the cake for the woodgrain effect?  It looks great.  thanks.

I covered the cake with a lighter brown fondant and then tried a wood-grained impression mat over the top but I wasn't very pleased with the effect....didn't look enough like wood to me....

So instead I used a ruler to create the lines for the planks and my fondant tool to put a few holes and scratches here and there like you might see in rough wood.   Once that was done, I used a little brush and some black gel to mark the holes a little to create a little depth.   Once that was done I just painted the whole thing with a darker brown/vodka wash.   If you choose a brown that is darker than your fondant color it will settle into the lines and grooves you make creating the effect you want.

Viola!  Wood grain!    You can add more black here and there for more color variation, just don't over paint it when you add the brown or it will just mix them together... you kinda want it to smear the black a little but still be a little visible....

~H