need to make a zebra print cake... I always use buttercream ..can you paint the stripes on buttercream?? and how do you make a topsy turby square cake...

I've never tried painting the stripes, but I have done them in buttercream on buttercream. I used the straight side of the basketweave tip, then smoothed it out a bit. Here's a pic:

http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1476158

I didn't find it all that difficult, and I did like the effect.
HTH

I've painted floor boards on a couple of buttercream cakes. I used clear orange extract mixed with americolor.
Your buttercream has to be crusted for it to work. And, you have to use a light hand with your paintbrush too!

You can check out the floorboards on the pics below. HTH

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2222/1689617178_c7909a8dc1.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2407/1689618840_038daff4d9.jpg

joyfull, I love your cakes!

I've painted on several buttercream cakes. The cow's spots were painted as well as the skateboard cake in my pictures. I use airbrush paint though. It is already thin, so I don't have to add anything.

Thanks SandiOh!