I need to make a sugar butterfly topper for a 6" cake and I have no idea where to start. I just know that I want it to be 3D, and not lie flat. If anyone has any suggestions or tips I'd really appreciate it! Thanks!

I would do the gelatin butterflies for it. (see the posts in the HOW DO I section by justdi) They are gorgeous, and you can make them glittery or realistic however you want them to look.

I have made butterflies out of gumpaste using a cookie cutter. To dry them I layed them on the inside fold of a greeting card to create a v-shape with the wings. Then I hand-painted them using gel colours and vodka. I just set mine on top of flowers but you could also insert a wire into them so they would stick out of the cake. I have a picture in my gallery (Elena) if you'd like to see them.

duplicate post see other for additional responses
http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-683813-.html

Okay, I think I've got some great ideas to start with. Thanks, everyone for your help!!