Hi all...I tried to use the search function, as I'm SURE this has been discussed in the past, but it's not cooperating. Today I registered for the Austin Cake Show! I'm excited, but so-so-scared. I have an idea that looks great in my head...hopefully I can do it justice!
Anyway, I'd like to cover the cake board with fondant, but I've never done it before, so I was wondering if anyone had any tips or advice. Do you only put the fondant on the top or do you cover it as you would a cake? I've also seen some fondant boards with neat cut-outs in them, as if there were two layers of fondant? Does anyone know how that works?
I need to pick all your brains! Help! 
Cutting out the hole for the cake or dummy to fit into has 2 benefits. The cake sits flatter and more secure and also, you don't want the fondant under the real cake to soften if you are keeping the cake for any length of time. I measured the board where the cake would be centered, drew a line around it (I used a cake pan as a pattern) thinned clear corn syrup with a bit of water and brushed it lightly on the board outside of the pencil line with a small paint brush. Then laid the rolled fondant on top and smoothed it carefully in place. I don't tuck any fondant under the cake board edge, I just cut to the edge and later glued a narrow ribbon around to cover the edge. The royal icing bead border at the base of the cake will cover the inside edge where you cut away the circle of fondant. I have a friend in England who does a pretty gathered fondant on the board, it looks like fabric. I have also seen cakes where the fondant over the cake and on the board appear to be one solid piece, no seam at the base of the cake where I would have cut out the circle. It looks beautiful, but tricky to me to get the fondant on the cake, down the sides and over the board with no wrinkles.
Yep I agree with Shirley also. Just cover the whole board cut round the edges so the fondant is just on top the board, then place a board same size as the cake will be on top in the position you want the cake to be and mark round. then cut out that piece as the cake will sit in there just right. The fondant edges can then be decorated or crinkled as you want. Good idea to put a piece of parchment for the cake to sit on as some cakes can react with some cake boards.
Good luck. Let us know how you get on! 
cheers
Jan
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