I'm new to cake decorating and decided to play around tonite with some new techniques. I have two questions for all of you:
1. How do you keep your cake board clean??????? I have smudges of icing here, there, and everywhere. Perhaps this improves with time???
2. At what height do you put your cake to decorate it? I had mine on the lower section of my island but could see that my back would hurt if I was there for long periods. I'm thinking I need to invest in one of those cake 'lazy susan' things(sorry the name escapes me right now).
Well back to decorating! 
I use strips of parchment under the edges of the cake while I am decorating, and before I put the final border on, I slide the parchment out carefully. Sometimes you need to use the spatula so the icing doesn't pull away with the parchment.
I use a turntable and usually sit at my kitchen table to decorate. I don't like my feet to hurt 
If I do a tiered cake I just stand up when I need to.
Hi lakaty -
I think I have a couple of weeks on you regarding the newbi thing, but keep reading and posting... you'll find all the answers here!
I like question 1...
I plan to follow the thread so I can figure out how not to be so messy with my icing. I too get icing everywhere. 
The first couple of cakes, I cut the board down to the size of the cake and put it on another board because of the mess... I'm sure with time and practice, we will both improve our icing skills!
Invest in a lazy susan or wilton turntable and sit at the kitchen table. I have even used a ceramic cake stand my MIL gave me to put my lazy susan/turntable on for height when I need to decorate the side of my cake.
Hope this helps!
Thanks ladies!
Mizshelli, I'm going to try the parchment next cake I attempt! It makes sooo much sense.
Ladysonja, cutting the cake board down is a good idea to start with.
I just finished the cake(it's just for my family since I wanted to play around tonight with decorating). I have to say that I'm pleased with the result. It's FAR from perfect but I achieved a border on the bottom and the top, it's fairly level, and doesn't look my 3yr old decorated it.
I've got another practice one to decorate tomorrow. I think I'll make it for my dayhome provider. She's always so appreciative of treats!
Now I need to work on smoothing the buttercream. I tried and tried but still have some noticeable lines in it.
Any other suggestions????
You are welcome LAKATY - 
Without starting a whole new discussion about the pit falls of New Crisco vs old Crisco and BC icing, I recently tried the Viva Towel trick after the BC icing crusted for about 5-10 minutes.
It looked great. Although my papertowel had a bit of a print, but it looked much better than fighting with a warm knife or any other technique. I have heard of using the towel, but changing it parchment paper.
Give that a go!
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