I'm making a farm birthday cake and was going to make the animals out of MMF. The problem is that I don't know much about it. How long in advance can I make the animals? Do you wet it like fondant to attach the heads and stuff like that? Is it very hard to work with? I really want the make the animals for a special touch instead of buying them! Any help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!!
Hi:
I like to add a bit of Tylose powder to fondant to help it set up better for modeling. For glue I use a couple of things: 1T gum arabic mixed with 1T water or about 1/2t Tylose to 1T water. It takes a while (maybe overnight?) for both mixtures to dissolve completely. Use a paintbrush to dab it wherever you need glue. Keep it refrigerated after using it.
I've modeled animals and stuff a week or more before I decorate and they do great. I just put them in a tupperware container and store in a cool dry place.
I'll also add a toothpick to the head so it'll stay in place on the body... just cut it a bit so it isn't so long. HTH 
Looking fwd to seeing your cake!
Melanie Mc.
I can't remember if I've ever used MMF for making figures, but have done many w/straight fondant or fondant w/tylose mixed in.
I am sure it would be the same using MMF. Yes you can use a dab of water for glue however it is much better to take a pea size ball of fondant & mix that into a couple of tablespoons water; slowly add the water while working the fondant until it is like thin mud. This can be kept in the frig for many wks. Another great way to make a glue: when you have an empty tylose jar fill i t w/water and shake well. Again, keep in the frig for weeks.
I've used mmf with some tylose for modelling, too; works great!
The only question I have is, why does my gumpaste 'crack' sometimes? I will be doing fine, and then all of sudden, it seems to want to crack. What's up with that?
susan
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