At the risk of sounding like a complete amature...which I am lol... could someone give me step by step instructions on how to mix the gels with the lemon extract to paint on a cake?

Also, how do you get the wood grain look? I'm doing a Harry Potter cake this weekend and I'm needing to use that technique.... Any help is GREATLY appreciated!

It's pretty simple, just put some gel color in a small container and add vodka or extract. Stir. Test on a scrap of fondant. If color is too dark, add vodka. If color is too light, add more gel color. Stir and test again.

I've heard that you can use a wood graining tool from the hardware store to make a wood grain look, but I've never tried it.