This is my 1st question on the "how to" board 
I just got an order from a customer who won a 9" cake in a raffle we did at Christmas time and she wants a motorcycle/hummingbird cake. It's a double birthday so that's why the combo 
Anyway, I've never worked with gumpaste before and keep putting off trying it. I've done fondant enough but I do have the gumpaste mix that I haven't done anything with yet. I really want to wow these customers because it's basically advertising for me. Do you think I could pull it off to make a hummingbird? Should I just do it in white and then go back and paint it or should I start with a certain color or what? Geez, I feel like a n00b on this all of a sudden 
As for the motorcycle, I have some cookie cutters shaped like motorcycles and was just thinking I could do an impression along the sides of the cake with that and then trace with frosting...or should I go gumpaste with that also!? 
patience...mondays are busy and many of us work in during the day (shhhh this coming to you from my classroom AFTER school!)
gumpaste --- your choice. tho' if want to do several colors and blend for more realistic look...then white and paint after.
remember, gumpaste like working in polyclay (if you've ever done that) -- only will dry out much faster.
motorcycle--sounds like a cute idea...
tho' I had visions of a "Harley Hummer" --- hummingbird in helmet, goggles, scarf riding on a harley hog!
HTH
patience...mondays are busy and many of us work in during the day (shhhh this coming to you from my classroom AFTER school!)
gumpaste --- your choice. tho' if want to do several colors and blend for more realistic look...then white and paint after.
remember, gumpaste like working in polyclay (if you've ever done that) -- only will dry out much faster.
motorcycle--sounds like a cute idea...
tho' I had visions of a "Harley Hummer" --- hummingbird in helmet, goggles, scarf riding on a harley hog!
HTH
hehe, that'd be cute but the lady ordering the cake sounded like she wanted them separate because the woman who likes hummingbirds wasn't happy to share the birthday with her son (the one who likes motorcycles) so I think having stuff on the same cake is bad enough
I was thinking that I might even use some luster dust to paint on the hummingbird after it's done...what do you think?
considering how iridescent real hummingbird feathers are
lay on the dust! lots of it.
they may be tiny but some seem to have delusions of grandeur and being fancier than a peacock!
I'm kinda nervous about doing this but I can always do a FBCT if it doesn't work out...in regards to the painting on the gumpaste, do you mix the color with something before painting on or do you dip the paintbrush directly into the paint? Maybe use a sponge or something? You mix luster dust with clear vanilla or the like, right?
re: dusts
can put them on dry for subtle effects
can mix them w/ lemon extract or alcohol (i use everclear) for stronger bolder effect
paints: (like food colorings) depends upon effect desired.
darker/bolder -- straight as is.
subtle -- thin down.
much like working w/ water colors
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