I've been reading different forums about covering a board in fondant AND how to make fondant look like wood. I'm doing a teacher's desk, and was wondering if it would be best to do the board way ahead of time so it can dry. The forums I was reading about covering the board was talking about doing it after the cake is place on it, so I am not sure about the best way to go....any advice?

I have a cake in my pictures that has a "wood" fondant covered board under it. It is the haybale and boots cake.

I covered the board in light brown fondant (before adding the cake to it). Then I scored the fondant to look like wood, mixed food coloring and alcohol and applied this to the board with a paper towel in the same manner you would stain wood. Get the paper towel wet and rub. The scored marks absorbed more "stain" therefore giving it a better wooden look.

It dried quickly.
HTH

Cool, that's the way I was planning on going...thank you!

I did my board for my toybox way ahead of time. I basically did it the same way as momtofourmonkeys, except I used a brush instead of the paper towel. Before brushing on the color I used a veining tool and drew lines and knots to look like woodgrain.

I did mine the same as the others, except I actually cut out strips for the boards. I use a toothpick for the veins. And I think I did mine a day or two in advance. I would never try to do it after the cake is on. Mine is the teapot cake in my pics. I think it is on the 2nd or 3rd page.

I use MMF, how long do you think that would take to dry?

A few days, but I wouldn't wory about it being completely dry.

Is that brown coloring or a mixture of colors?

I color the fondant with a small bit of brown, and then paint with the same brown. I use CK Chocolate brown.

I did the same as snocilla only with Wilton's brown.

Thanks for all of your help, I really appreciate it! I've got a week and a half until this cake is due, so I guess I will be starting on the board soon!

Perhaps the suggestion to do it after the cake was on was so that you don't waste time working on areas that are covered by the cake? Otherwise, it does not make sense to do it after the cake is on.

I suppose it depends on whether you want the wood to show as the cake is being cut, but if you have a plain cake board (cut to size) directly under your cake like most people would, then it doesn't matter, it wont show.