Are the IMBC and SMBC icings the right consistency for decorating (piping) or are they just used to ice the cake?

Yes! I don't pipe flowers ever, even if it wasn't SMBC, but it works great for the borders, dots, and scrolls that I have done.

Hey, I'm with Jamie. SMBC is all I use. If I frost a cake with what most people call Buttercream, my friends and family would have a heart attack. I've doctored my recipe over the past few years to be pure heaven on a slice of cake. And, someone already said this, but it does come down to preference I think.
My chocolate frosting is the typical beat butter, add cocoa, powered sugar, etc. And I hate hate HATE cleaning up the powder sugar mess. I'll stick o my SMBC, thanks.
To the person that said "ONE cup of sugar to THREE sticks of butter?," I say FOUR cups of sugar to TWO sticks of butter? It's preference.
PuffCake, piping and decorating with SMBC is great. But, I don't usually pipe my flowers (like roses - I couldn't make a rose w/ BC to save my life, no matter the recipe )

YAY!! I'm so glad people answered me! Thank you all for the great recipes and advice! I am going to be in the kitchen all weekend trying them out. And now the kids won't have to see me cry, lol.

Anywhere..I am i need of a vacation..
Edna

Edna your more than welcome to come here if you like (especially if you need a vacation right away) but if you want to wait then we can do it in Houston. I promise I won't pester you too much if your needing a vacation !

When I make BC, I use Wiltons recipe. Which I have made my own changes to it. I double the recipe and i use 1 1/2 cups crisco and 1/2 cup of butter.( instead of 1 cup butter 1 cup crisco) I also use butter flavor instead of vanilla. I find it easier to smooth and taste better.