I'm working on making a bow out of gum paste and I'm finding my gum paste is getting crumbly as I'm working with it. Does this mean I need new gum paste (it's store bought) or do I simply not know how to work with it?? Please help I have to have this cake ready for the morning!!!!

Add som crisco to it and need it in!

Try warming it in the microwave to soften it up and then knead in some shortening.

It may be old and not useable.

If you can knead it so that it doesn't have hard bits in it, I'd try adding some fresh fondant, maybe 2/3 gum paste to 1/3 fondant and see how it works.

Rae

Are you rolling a bunch out and letting it sit while you are working on making loops? If so, it is probably drying out sitting out. Only roll enough to work with in a few minutes and keep everythind covered up well when not in use.