OK, so I am still VERY new at this, and I need to know what kind of frosting to use on cakes- just for frosting. I currently use my mom's recipe that uses crisco and confectioner's sugar- which works really well for the fristing part, and I've had no complaints.
HOWEVER- when I am adding decorations (piping, writing) I feel like I am going to wind up in the hospital with carpal tunnel (sp?)!!! It is so hard to work with. Any suggestions?
Oh, and one more thing- if I follow one of the many recipes here on CC for frosting/icing, when do I add color?
Thanks so much for the help!!! I am in awe of the talent I see here! I only hope to be half as good as you all!!! 
When you are piping writing, the icing needs to be thinner than what yo iced the cake with. Adding a little water or milk to the icing to thin it out would work. As far as adding color, if you are using the color pastes, add it when the icing is ready to spread on the cake. Just remember to add a little at a time so you don't end up with something too dark. If you are using the air brush spray-on colors, you'll want to ice the cake first then spray on the color in thin layers; 2-3 coats usually does the job. When working with fondant, to add color, you'll want to simply add a little paste color to the fondant and knead the color in.
reenie answered all your questions; I'd just like to add a comment
There was a CC member who said her Mom's Crisco frosting recipe was giving her wrist strain to pipe.... so she asked for different recipes.
Here are some that you might like to try:
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-2006-Dreamy-Cream.html
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-2375-Brite-White-Buttercream-Icing.html
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-2123-Buttercream-Dream.html
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-901-Whipped-Cream-Frosting.html
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-2110-Marshmallow-Creme-Buttercream.html
HTH
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