Could you let me know the details of the book to which you are referring - I'm very keen to learn more too. In the meantime here is info on making bubbles out of gelatine:

I learnt this technique at a workshop by Mary-Ann Gonsalves. Her notes can be found in the Australian Sugar Craft Magazine December 2008 Vol 20 No 2. Sorry they keep blocking part of the title here - if you want the reference I will email it to you as this is the 5th time I've tried to put it in the text here for you. My notes incorporate her technique and a few of my interpretations. Gela Boons: Dissolve 1 part gelatine (Davis) to 2 parts hot water in heat proof bowl - deep enough to dip a balloon that is the size of gelaboon you wish to achieve. Gently stir (to avoid creating bubbles) until gelatine is dissolved. Can place bowl in baine marie or use microwave to heat/reheat. Can include colour as desired in water measurement. Use Qualatex helium balloons for the least amount of explosions - if you get a mess let it get tacky then peel off otherwise BIG difficult mess to clean. Have your balloons inflated ahead of time. Use a balloon pump (for hygiene) to achieve desired size and tie a knot. Attach balloon to cup and stick. Have an oasis ready (my hubby made me a plank of wood with holes drilled) to stand the sticks in - with enough space so balloons don't touch. Once covered in gelatine the ballons get heavy. Mary-Ann Gonsalves recommends lightly and evenly spraying the balloons with oil (i.e. canola) and then blotting the surface evenly and gently with a paper towel before dipping into the gelatine. I didn't use oil as I had a lot of trouble achieving a full coverage of the balloon with gelatine. WIthout the oil it takes a little more encouragement to release the balloon. Dip balloon in gelatine (make sure it is comfortable to touch and not hot or "bang"). Use a rolling/ twisting motion to get full coverage. With a larger size balloon you may need to pour the gelatine over. With a sweeping motion remove the balloon and stand upright and allow to dry inserted in oasis. Do not drip the excess gelatine back into the bowl as you will get millions of little bubbles. You can actually achieve deeper colour and stronger gelaboons by dipping two or three times - this should be done after allowing the gelatine to "dry" until tacky - then redip using same method. Depending on the weather and number of layers the gelaboon will dry hard overnight or over several days. To remove balloon, remove gelaboon from stick and gently remove cup. Pop the balloon with a pin or scissors and remove. Trim gelaboon with scissors to tidy the hole - this can be disguised with the use of royal icing or fondant.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/yen4cakes/4589289850/
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Oh, Must have Book; Must have Butterfly sheets; Must have Everything! Wow, can't wait until I get these. Thanks!

OK, where do I go to order this book? Would like a copy asap. Thanks.

Go to www.CakeConnection.com and Di will set you up.

I have been trying to figure out how to use this technique without the use of wires. Thank you so much for sharing... I would love to use these ideas for a wedding cake. By the way do you know how these will hold up if placed directly on buttercream?

Brandee Beavers

Just wondering would melted chocolate work in attaching the bow to fondant?

Brandee Beavers

I attached my bow/bows/ribbon to fondant with a blob of BC. It held pretty good. Then I was able to wipe off the BC to keep the bowl. I gave it to my aunt so she could see how neat it was. I was going to insert a picture, but don't know how.

I keep trying and trying but I can't get a smooth texture. I ended up pouring the gelatin onto a plastic lid and stood in front of my heater moving the lid up and down back and forth spreading the gelatin. IF it turns out then I should have a nice piece that doesnt have 'paintbrush lines' in it.
I need a large piece to make my dragon wings.
Will let you know how it turns out. I might keep practicing the brushing technique though...

Julisa - GORGEOUS!!! Thanks for sharing it! I never tried to air brush one, that is good info too that it didn't melt the bow.

What was used to form the body of the butterflies? i just love them, im trying to get the sheets to do them.

You can either use the mold that they sell for them at www.cakeconnection.com or you can make them out of icing, either way will work.

Julisa - your cake is beautiful!!!! I love the gel ribbon and gel streamer and gel bow. Did you use the "tin roofing" from the hobby store to make this ribbon/streamer and bow? What a great idea! It came out so great!

I was finally able to try this technique and I love love love it!!!! It is so fun. Thank you everyone for all of your posts because if it wasn't for all of your posts I would have never been able to even attempt to try this. Here are some photos of the cake I made with the ribbons, bows, flowers and butterflies. I used the knox gelatin mixed with sugar free strawberry banana jello.

Those are BEAUTIFUL!! Thank you for sharing...and glad that all of our posting helped make the technique work for you!

Do you add the colors to the mix or could you paint it on later?

I added the pink to the mix then airbrushed with super pearl dust.

I made the gelatin out of strawberry banana sugar free jello and knox jello which gave the ribbon a pink color and then I used piping gel to lightly coat the edges and used the disco dust in magnolia. I pretty much just followed the instructions for ribbons and bows that is in the book that cakeconnection sells.

So I just got all of my impression sheets and tried this over the weekend. I'm guessing I spread it on too thin and will have to play around some more. Just wanted to double check if there were any suggestions or just how thick it really needs to be spread on.

I took me 3 tries before I "got it" on how thick it needed to be. You know your first one was too thin, so thicker next time - but don't go too thick (which is what I did the 2nd try!)

Wow- I just found out about this technique and can't WAIT to give it a try!! Hmmm... I think I have some Know in my pantry

So I have tried again and I think I got it thick enough. My other question with the butterflies - do you put the different colors on the designs or just do clear and paint the colors on after?

Wow this really looks beautiful!
I would love to buy those sheets but is it possible to ship to Belgium?

Get ahold of Diane or Michaele at cakeconnection.com and ask - I am sure they will do what they can for you.

Hey all, I was wandering around in Michael's the other day and saw that Duff (Ace of Cakes) has some really neat texture sheets out. He has bricks & wood grain and stones and a few others that I've forgotten but it gave me some good ideas for the geletin sheets. now I just gotta figure out how to make a brick red color hmmm