I want to know how to achieve the look of the peeling fondant (don't know how to describe it) like this picture:
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo_1445468.html
Great cake! On the sides of the elmo, it looks like the Elmo cake out ripping the fondant. I want to do that. Do i not put buttercream on the top of the cake and after i have put the fondant ,i make cuts on the top and peel it?or is there some other way?
TIA!

Well, easiest would be to ask the OP

But I did enlarge the photo - it is optical illusion that the layer of fondant is ripping. The "spikes" are made separately and put on the finished cake. Look carefully on the one left next to the center triangle - you can see the curled edge.

The cakes are usually made easier than we think. Nobody will examine the cake so exactly as we can

Yes, each triangle is made separately. Left to dry while draped over something to get the curve. Then "glued" into place.

I agree with PP. I wouldn't peel back the fondant. I would cover the cake normally and add the faux pieces to get the look. Actually peeling it could be a mess and would be much harder to achieve the same look. Good luck!

When I made this cake (my 2nd cake ever):

http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=66810

I put a layer of fondant on just the top of the cake, then covered the whole cake as normal. I then carefully cut an asterick pattern (to create the spikes) in the top layer of fondant only and folded back the spikes.

Thanks a lot every one. Yeah it does make more sense than what I had in mind [/img]