I spent all day yesterday trying to make some 3-D figures. First I tried some gumpaste but it was probably too old and it was too dry. Next I tried a batch of fondant with tylose in it and that was too crumbly. I think they are messing with the marshmallows these days--making them cheaper!!!! Please tell me what you use to successfully mold the little people etc. as I was so frustrated I could have cried.
I will be so thankful for any help and also for info on good books or websites that show you how to do these things
Lily

I use a mixture of gumpaste and fondant. I buy CK gumpaste powder mix and make Michele Foster's Fondant recipe. The faster you want it to dry, the more gumpaste you want in the mix. HTH

I've used Michelle Foster's Fondant with tylose powder. Worked great!

fondant & gumtex or tylose.........if it was too crumbly then you used to much tylose!

Go to this website....it is awesome!!!
http://extraicingonthecake.com/#/onlinetutorials/4530759830

If you do a google search for sculpey clay tutorials you can find some good how to's!

is anie2 having a sale?!?!?! I don't remember them being that cheap last time I looked into doing one of her demos!!!

hey nickymom..I'm a nicky's mom too! haha

lilybird, I normally use Satin Ice Fondant with just a little Tylose Powder kneaded in. I used MMF when I first started modeling, but I found it to be pretty soft and it took it much longer to dry and I found my little sculptures looking a little fat and squishy!

Your fondant should not be dry and crumbly. If it seems dry, try rubbing a little Crisco on your hands when you are working and kneading the fondant, that should help put a little moisture back in to it. Make sure any fondant (or gumpaste), that you are not working with is wrapped to keep it from drying out.

Don't let yourself get frustrated and give up! Just keep working with it and you will eventually find something that works for you. Good luck, and keep modeling!

HTH, Jean

i use a mixture of fondant and gumpaste and have never had a problem

Hey lilybird! Sorry your having problems, takes the fun right out of it.
I used MMF mixed with just a little gumpaste for the cat in my avatar.
I posted a cake last week with ladybugs, I used Michelle Foster's Fondant with tylose powder.
Both worked fine for me. You dont have to add all that much tylose either.
But after you add some I noticed that it got stiffer after it sat a while, so maybe you added to much ?

One more thing to add to the other suggestions- for gumpaste (and I would think fondant too) - when it is too hard and is no longer easy to manipulate, I put it in the microwave for maybe 5-10 seconds at a time and it becomes so much easier to work with. I also always have a tiny bit of crisco on my hands when I'm kneading it.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful tips. You can always rely on the CC people.
Hi Fiddle--I see you use Michelle Fosters fondant. I always think thats a little too stretchy for what I like, but maybe I should give it another try. I have used the old MMF for so long with such success, but the last 2 batches I made stink. I would think there is something different about the marshmallows.
Take care and thanks everyone.

I use the cheaper wilton fondant mixed with gumpaste for my figures b/c most people don't eat them so they don't have to taste great. Also, I sometimes use modeling chocolate. It's really easy to make and to use, you just have to make it ahead of time. good luck-I hope your modeling goes better next time!!