I have searched all over and still can't make heads or takes of where to even start. DD's 2nd b-day is next week and i want to make her a frog cake. I really want to make a carved cake perferably 3D but I don't want it to be too big since there will only be about 10-15 people there. I'm also going to do it in buttercream since I'm not that good at fondant. Any suggestions of how to do this or where to start?

If you google "frog cakes" using the image button you will get tons of really good ideas.
You can easily cut one out of a sheet or use a bowl and a small sq (for legs). Here;s the link to just one of many I found: http://ac4.yt-thm-a04.yimg.com/image/3d6773a4f1b8b1c8

Debbie Brown has a frog cake in her party cakes book

Here is a cake that someone made on here using her instructions