ok i know there are a lot of old posts on this topic but my computer is acting up when i try to go to the next page. Any how, this is my question, I am planning on making this lady bug cake for my daughters 1st birthday party. I have a regular cake pan and a bowl i am going to use to make a hill type cake for her to sit on. and then i have the wilton sports ball cake pan for her body, and a 4x4 pan im going to use for her head. I am wondering if yall have any tips for me when covering this in fondant and decorating her face and intenas. I planned on using gum paste for her intenas and letting them harden and then putting them on, but im a little worried about how to do her face and make it look good. Also would you do the 1 in gum paste and let it dry too?http://www.cakepicturegallery.com/d/24470-2/Green+first+birthday+cake+with+ladybug+on+top.JPG

Sounds like you pretty much have it figured out! The one could be done in fondant or gumpaste or a 50/50 mix & yes, I would let it dry before placing it on the cake. As for the face, trace your 4" pan on paper and practice painting the face there first. When you have it the way you want it, then you'll know you'll nail it on the cake. Also, notice the ladybug is slightly raised off the "hill" & the feet are tucked under. I'm not sure how that was done on this cake, but I would probably attempted to attach another cake board one size smaller than the cake on the bottom and then attach that to the "hill" cake. Just be sure it's really dry and before trying to move it around too much! I'm sure someone else on here has a better idea. The feet should help stable it, especially once they are dry. As for the antennas, you could wrap the gum paste around wire if you are concerned with them being stiff enough, but I don't know if it's necessary. Have fun & I'm sure it's going to turn out adorable!