I am making a cake for my dad for his birthday, and his favorite place in the world is New Mexico, US. I have a cookie cutter of the Indian bear and lizard, but i dont know how to include these into the cake. I was also thinking about putting some sand and the New Mexican flag. The only thing is i have no idea how to tie all of these together to make one design!

From someone who grew up in NM ... I would do an Navajo blanket type theme. Then you could add anything on it-- lots of turquoise and natural colors with the geometric shapes ... could even throw a green chile in there -- we love them!!!

Right away, I thought of a cactus. Have you seen these?

http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&meta=search&type=full&search=cactus+cake&album=-&search_user=

This already incorporates the sand, then maybe you could drape the NM flag over the top or around the bottom of the pot. Just an idea.

I was born and raised in NM, and it's my favorite place to be! I have always wanted to do a cake with the NM flag draped over it, hanging off all the sides. Zia symbols are a big part of our heritage. And this cake is one that I have had saved in my faves for a long time;

http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=524123

Good luck and I can't wait to see the result!