Vodka, Just A Drink - Or Paint Thinner!?
Decorating By mom2rascals Updated 5 Jan 2009 , 1:46am by jlsheik
I have never painted on fondant before, but I intend to very soon . . .
I have read some other forum posts and understand that vodka works better than lemon juice or other extracts.
Does anyone have any tips they could share with me? like ratios, brush size, techniques, do's/don'ts, etc.
Thanks
I've never done this so I dont have info for you. but i will give you a BUMP.
Vodka works great! Because of the alcohol content it dries fairly quickly. I also use it to make home made vanilla extract. YUM!
ETA: I'm sorry, I missed your questions at the end there! Use just enough alcohol to thin the food color down to a painting consistency. The more you add, the lighter the color. Obviously if you wanted a more water color effect you'd add a lot more than if you want vibrant colors. Nice soft brushes work best in my opinion. I use art brushes from the art store. Obviously the brush size totally depends on what you're doing. Get yourself one of those sets of 6 or so different sizes, that's your best bet. Also... DON'T TOUCH IT!! Hahahah. Once you paint it, don't put fingerprints on it. I've had people do that to me and it horks me off! And... multiple coats for super dark color is preferred to painting it on super thick and having it run, mottle, and not dry. Light touch... be patient! 
Wow! Tonnes of info. for a beginner, Thank you. Could you please tell me how you make your own vanilla extract? any others you can make?
Well, first you have to purchase vanilla beans, let me know if you want a 'hook up' for getting good beans at a seriously crazy low price. Then, you buy a bottle of vodka (doesn't have to be the good expensive stuff, just the cheap junk) slice the beans in half lengthwise and slip 'em intot he bottle and let it sit for a few weeks in a dark cupboard. Shake it up every couple days or so. How many beans you use totally depends on the size of vodka bottle! I did about 30 beans in a half gallon of hooch so that it's wicked strong!
Oh I make my own also ! I like to let it sit extra long so its more like extra strength! Good stuff!
I had no idea!! Thank you ladies for enlightening me . . .
My pleasure!
And for those who have requested the information... http://stores.ebay.com/Vanilla-Products-USA
I PMed those of you who PMed me asking for the info, but thought I'd share with anyone else who was interested. I have personally ordered from them and was happy with my results. It's on ebay, but you don't have to 'bid' and 'win' anything. It's a 'buy it now' type of situation. Be sure that you spend $25 if at all possible when you order because then you'll get some free beans! Yay! And, they are really reasonably priced! At the grocery store you get a bag with three beans in it for like $6-$8, but on this site, depending on what type you're looking for, you can get a pound for under $10!
Yah, it's nice! I mean, not like it's free because you have to buy the hooch, and the beans, but it's not THAT expensive, and it's good stuff. And you can control how strong you want it too! For me, the stronger the better... you just use less, ya know?
Whoa ho ho . . . How do you MAKE peppermint schnapps??? Do share 
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 16−oz. bottle light corn syrup
2 cups 80−proof vodka
2 teaspoons peppermint extract
1. Heat the corn syrup and sugar in a 2 quart pan over medium heat.
2. Make sure that the sugar completely dissolves. You can stir occasionally for about 5 minutes.
3. Add the vodka to the mixture when the sugar has dissolved. Stir the vodka in well.
4. Turn off the heat and make sure that the mixture is tightly covered. Set aside to cool.
5. Add peppermint extract. Store in sealable container until ready for use.
Edited because the verbiage of the recipe was goofy! 
OMG Melvira . . . is there anything that you DON'T know? You are soooo wise, my Master! (please reply to "my oven is driving me crazy!" thread if you have any advice there . . .)
Can you make other schnapps using this recipe? I like my red hot cinnamon schnapps too, oh and there's peach, and licorice, and . . .
1. How to get my husband off the couch and working in this house.
2. How to get rid of the baby weight without having to give up all the great food.
3. Why anyone on earth thinks Brittney Spears is talented. 
Ok, I am watching a movie, then I'll go searching for that thread, OR... you can PM me a link and that will speed up the whole process.
Well I do know that if Hubby is watching tv ( football right now ). 
( And I take the remote, and walk by the tv and push the OFF button he has to at least get( jump) up ( in major panic of course) and walk over to the tv to hit that power button ... Oh yah I have done it... 
But at least it gets his blood flowing again 
Hi, I am going to try making my vanilla too, if Melvira makes it it HAS to be good. What color is the final product? Also, the few times I have to paint fondant I have used clear vanilla, but is a small size thing. A friend of mine from Mexico uses alcohol, plain Isopropyl alcohol that you can find at HEB or any store. Is that safe? Has anyone heard of that before? He says is safe because the alcohol evaporates and you can't even taste it. I don't know. I have tried it on dummy cakes and it works really good, not large areas, small ones. Also, when you say lemon extract, do you mean the one you buy at the store or you squeeze the lemons, or which one? I LOVE this place and reading from all of you, I can't never get enough, it is really addictive.
jlsheik, can you substitute the peppermint extract with other flavorings to make other schnapps?
Thanks Tonedna, that is right. Also Melvira, I feel like I'm imposing here, after so much information you share , but I have to ask, I am looking at the vanilla beans on the website you posted and they have 3 different ones, which one do you use? They have Tahitian Gourmet, Madagascar Extract Grade and Madagascar Gourmet. I really appreciate all the help everyone posts here.
Do you like Butterscotch schnapps? Use Lorann butterscotch flavoring. Mmmmmmmm. jlsheik I can't wait to see your recipe! This one just heats it up to melt all the sugar. I love seeing different recipes though. Please do share when you have a minute.
The home made vanilla turns a gorgeous super dark brown color. And it smells like heaven. 
Isopropyl alcohol, really?? WOW! I am shocked by that one. I use it as an almost final step for cleaning my jewelry. Hehehe.
Thanks Tonedna, that is right. Also Melvira, I feel like I'm imposing here, after so much information you share , but I have to ask, I am looking at the vanilla beans on the website you posted and they have 3 different ones, which one do you use? They have Tahitian Gourmet, Madagascar Extract Grade and Madagascar Gourmet. I really appreciate all the help everyone posts here.
No problem at all! I'm happy to help!
I use the Extract Grade to make my extract, then I use the Madagascar Bourbon Gourmet for cooking, custards, etc. And don't forget, after you scrape a bean pod to use in something you cook... take the 'shell' and either put it in the extract bottle, or throw it in a mason jar full of sugar to make vanilla sugar! Oh, and I have used the Tahitian Extract beans as well as the other and I cannot tell a difference. I think you are pretty safe no matter what you get! They are all awesome! I belive the Tahitian ones are the ones you will get free with a $25 purchase, so I ordered the other ones as my paid purchase, that way I had some of each.
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