I am still a newbie at decorating and have seen some patterns in books, etc. that I think would be pretty on a cake. But have the slightest idea how to transfer a pattern or stencil on a cake. Can someone help explain how its done?

Thanks
Melia

You can do a butter cream transfer (instructions in article section) or you can trace the pattern onto saran wrap with a permanent marker then lay it on top of the frosted cake and go over the pattern lightly with a toothpick. Once transferred to the cake simply pipe over the pattern you traced.

Another way to transfer to a cake is rather than draw it w/perment marker, doit w/buttercream icing. When placed on the cake, run your finger over it so it stickes to the cake and peel off the plastic wrap. Now you can fill it in w/stars OR like a FBCT.
Something simple like a large initial can be stenciled. Cut the letter out of a rather large piece of wax paper; place that on your cake and using a cake spatula spread a different colored icing over the whole thing. Carefully pick up the paper, leaving your letter stenciled on the cake. It is better to use ready made stencils this way also. Just be careful there is ample plastic covering the part(s) of the cake yuou do not want in the other color.

Of course all of this must b e done on crusting b'cream.