I love all the awesome things I see that you guys do with gumpaste. I bought some gumpaste and I have tried a few basic flowers (bought the wilton book and cutter set) I would love some ideas on good books and or pics of things made with gumpaste to get my ideas flowing. Anyone have a favorite book for gumpaste or some pics of neat things you've done with gumpaste that you'd be willing to share?

Thanks so much!

oh,yes please share, I love how these flowers look

I just bought the kit as well, although I haven't taken the time to experiment yet. I'd like to know how people make the flowers that aren't in the book (like hibiscus, dogwood etc) do you just look at a picture and improvise, or are there instructions somewhere? Thanks for posting this topic, I'll be watching!

I have posted before about polymer clay books and instructions. They are great for teaching you easy ways to "sculpt" figures and cute things from gumpaste , chocolate clay or fondant. Most craft stores have sculpy or polymer clay books. Here are some web sites with ideas and instructions also. I find it easier to color the fondant first rather than try to paint it later.
Some of the cute ones are http://www.sculpey.com/Projects/projects_BabyBlocks.htm
http://www.sculpey.com/Projects/projects_unclesam.htm
http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/xmasbaby.html
http://www.marcysclaypen.com/msuband/msuband.html
http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/masterindex.html#lessonsprojects

scroll down to SCULPTURE and check out some of the other projects too

http://www.sculpey.com/projects_AllProjects.htm

You would be surprised how many ideas and directions you will get from here.
Just make differant clothes for the santa baby or cover in a blanket and it's great for a baby cake or to put with a baby block cake.
Once you learn the basics you can just search polymer clay websites and look at cute figures, animals and things and you will be able to figure out how to do them.

Also my daughter posted a how to on roses but I'm not sure if you can find it by searching her name here (pastrypuffgirl) If you want I can have her send you the directions with the photos.
Enjoy!

Thanks for sharing.

I would be getting my gumpaste kit from Wilton too and will start experimenting with Gumpaste flower making. I would love to learn making those real like flowers!! They're gorgeous!

I know, they are stunning, aren't they? That's my project for next month is to learn how to make these.

Abbey,
I love your cakes. I look into your photos and they are so wonderful. I hope I get as good as you. I just started doing cakes. I still am not brave enough to try and do them for someone else yet.
I have a lady that wants me to do one for her little girl, but I am scared it wouldn't turn out right and I don't have a clue what to charge. Help?

A very good book is Cakes by Design by Scott Clark Woolley. He includes directions for just about any flower and some insects. The book is very informative and gives step-by-step directions. I checked it out of my local library and copied the pages that I wanted.

Kathy

Thanks for the name of a book, I'm going to go to my library this weekend and see if it has it.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I have played around a little with my gumpaste and I am struggling with flowers. Mine never look real. I guess I'll keep practicing. I love all the clay links. There are a lot of great ideas there. I am pretty comfortable with modeling. (I still love to play with playdough, now I have a good excuse!) I hope to check out the book you listed Krazy.

Have any of you guys taken a gumpaste class or did you teach yourselves how to do it?

I've worked some with gumpaste and loved working with it... in my photos, you'll see the cake with the purple crocus .. those are from gumpaste.. the one thing I will say about it is, it dries really really fast.. work with very small pieces and try to work with them as quickly as possible .. good luck and post pics for us to see!!