I am making my first gumpaste or fondant figure for a cake in a couple weeks. I have to make a Dora the Explorer. Does anyone have any tips to make it go smoothly?? I really don't know what I'm doing

Search YouTube for tutorial videos, as there are so many, and its great cos you can actually see what they're doing, rather than reading it in text.

Afaik, you need your fondant, an edible glue (or just water) and some tylose powder (so it hardens properly) and off you go. Maybe get a book on modelling clay techniques, as its the same priciple

Good luck!

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-672099.html

This is on the "How Do I" Forums.

Lots of information in here. Maybe not specifically on Dora, but a good read!

I just made my first figurine (alien) last week. I used homemade mmf and tylose powder. Easy peasy. I was very happy with how it came out.

I have used MMF for modeling in the past. I know it works and alot of people use it, but in my opinion it's a little soft to work with. I like using Satin Ice with a little Tylose powder kneaded in. I agree the polymer clay books are a good source of information for someone starting out. Good tools to have are a veining tool, ball tool, pin tool, small rolling pin, exacto knife, small paint brushes. Have fun with it!

This is a great post. I was about to ask a similar question. I'm in the same situation. I have to make a model of my daughter's favorite stuffed dog for her birthday cake next Tuesday. I had thought of using modeling chocolate, and bought some, but found it to be a bit hard, and crumbly. Is that normal, or did I end up with an inferior quality? I'm not as concerned with the process of sculpting it since my husband is an artist and will do that part. I just need to get him good material to work with. So it sounds like maybe I should switch to using fondant instead.