Let me start by saying I am no way a professional.  My son is turning 3 and I am planning on making this cake for his party:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cakesbyelisa/6345285782/in/faves-suzydoescakes/

I plan on making this cake using dummy cake boards just for pictures and will serve a simple home made chocolate cake-this way I do not have to worry about my cake being featured on "cake wrecks" :)

Anyways, I would love to get some help on this cake:

1.  What size are these dummies and the bottom cake board?

2. How much fondant do you anticipate for this kind of cake and decoration?

3.  What kind of stencil is used to write " Happy Birthday"

I am sure I will come up with more questions but this is all I can think of now. Any extra tips would be appreciated!

TIA!!

the bottom board is 6 to 8 inches larger than the bottom cake--so i'd just go 7" larger -- the cakes are two inch difference in size-- could use 4x6x8 or 5x7x9 or 6x8x10

--there are charts to determine fondant amounts--i'll find you one --

I think the stencil is a cutter--i'll brb

http://www.wilton.com/decorating/fondant/fondant-coverage-chart.cfm

and those letters could be made with fmm alphabet cutters-- they are available on amazon and from different cake deco places esp online places--i'd reckon them to be about 1" tall give or take

but you could get a stencil from hobby lobby if you are in the states

Thank you so much for answering my questions.  I have one more question:

I have these Icing colors from Wilton:

http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?id=3E30C98D-475A-BAC0-5187E9B047CE5077&killnav=1 

Can I use these to color my fondant?  If not, what brand do you suggest for fondant colors.  thanks!!

sure you can--those are perfect--

best baking & caking to you--your son is a lucky boy--

love to see a picture and please post if you have more questions

thank you thank you thank you!! :)

The party is in 3 weeks.  I will keep you posted!