I get to make a Dr. Seuss cake for Teacher Appreciation Week next Thursday, and I found this picture (from Sweet Pea Cakes

 in El Paso, TX) ...I would love to make something like this, however I have NO idea what technique she used...Can anyone tell me what this is so I can perfect it by next week? :)

...and after searching this site I see she was featured just a few days ago :)  So I see it's buttercream...are the characters/details fbct or something else?

The details appear to be fondant with painted highlights.

Details are most likely fondant or gumpaste.  they might be painted or, just as likely, finished with food coloring markers.  The pieces were probably cut with simple photocopied templates.  It is a lot of work, but pretty straight forward.

I agree, they look like fondant cut outs. Maybe she hand painted the details on. Why not try PM'ing her? She can tell you the technique better than anyone else :) good luck with it and post pics when you finally do your version.

I posted this in my excitement this morning after I saw it; She made it look so awesome I thought it must be something more advanced than fondant cutouts! Thanks for the responses to my apparently obvious question! Haha 

I hadn't even thought to search and see if she was on here, and when I did I felt silly for not checking first :)