I've never used fondant a lot for anything but decoration/figurines. I usually use crusting buttercream. But my best friend asked me to make her baby shower cake, and she likes fondant. I decided to try Satin Ice, since I've read so many good things about it. Boy was that a mistake. Its been a nightmare. The first round was ruined when it got stuck to the counter. I had combined 2 colors to make a giraffe pattern, so I couldnt even reuse it. The second time I tried to avoid the sticky problem by using powdered sugar on the counter as the package suggests. Not only did it make ugly powder discoloration in the fondant, but by the time I rolled it out, the edges had already dried so much. As I tried to lift it and lay it on the cake it all cracked and crumbled to pieces no matter how much Crisco I used.
Since the shower is tomorrow, and the stress and mental breakdowns are putting me (and my pregnancy) in a place I dont want to be, Im running out of options. I'm thinking of salvaging what fondant I have left and using it for decorations to add to the buttercream iced cake. Not as colorful since one layer is chocolate b/c, but it will have to do.

Get Wilton and mixed it with Satin Ice. it would be a better combination.

To make the giraffe pattern, cover the cake in the main color and cut out the spots from a second color. Apply the spots to the cake with a dab of water.

If you kneaded the current fondant together so that it's one solid color, will it be an acceptable main color? If so, set a bit aside and color it the shade you need for the spots.

If the color would be too dark once you knead it into a solid color, knead in some white fondant to lighten it.

If powdered sugar or cornstarch is making your fondant too dry, switch to shortening on the counter and your rolling pin instead.

If you have a piece of vinyl around, you can roll the fondant on that, lift it up, gently flip it onto the cake, and then gently peel off the fondant. Make sure the vinyl doesn't have any texture to it, though. Additionally, tablecloth vinyl is preferred as it's closer to food safe than other vinyl.

I have had good luck mixing Satin Ice with Fondarific. Alone, I don't like either product,, but together the consistency is pretty good.

I think you might just need some more practice with fondant. I had problems the first time I tried to cover a cake with it. I agree that Wilton fondant is much easier to work with for beginners because it is less stretchy than Satin Ice. Keep practicing, you'll get it!

Don't give up! I have never used Satin Ice; however, your experience sounds exactly like my first couple of tries at fondant. I vowed never to bake again!!!! I have since taken a deep breath & tried again & it gets better each time I work with it. It went so smoothly the last 2 cakes I made that I told my DH it scared me & I was waiting for the whole thing to fall apart or some other catastrophe! Alas, it all went went well. So just practice, practice, practice & be glad that your first attempt was for a good friend.

I was just reading in the forums that Satin Ice has had some bad batches due to a new formula. I like working with Wilton because its cheap, and easy to work with. The taste isn't amazing, but better then it used to be. At least for just starting out, IMO. Good luck