i want to make my own initial cake topper like i've seen from this site. how do i do one? do i pipe royal icing and let it dry? i want one of those large cake toppers.

something like this...

I'd suggest 1/2 and 1/2 gum paste/fondant mixture and form the letters in the style you want. Allow to dry. You may want to add wire to them as part of the forming process so you have a way to attach them to the cake. HTH

I have only done one of these (in my graduation pics) but I used gumpaste. Print & size the font you want off the computer & lay wax paper taped down on it. Get some slightly bendable wire and work th gumpaste around the wire. I also inserted 3 toothpicks into the bottom when I got it formed to dry so I could insert into the cake. Give it several days to dry. Also, I made 2 of them in case of breakage. HTH

I have wanted to try this also. Can anybody tell me how long it would last? For instance, could you make it a month or more ahead of time? Thanks

I don't know if gum paste breaks down, but if the item is protected from light, it should last a very long time. I made the Ark, and then the party was postponed for nearly 8 weeks. I needed to spray sparkle on it, because it had become dull, but other than that, it was perfect.

I made mine probably 6-8 wks ahead and when it dried I just wrapped some plastic wrap over the top of the box so it wouldn't be dusty! I think the gumpaste would prob keep forever!

does anyone have step by step pictures on how its done?

a tutorial will be great