I've just been asked to come up with a design for my nephews birthday cake. The theme is 'UNDER THE SEA' and my sister sent me pics of cakes she liked, of which all are fondant covered. HOWEVER. We live in Australia. The birthday is December 26th. Which translates to us having 30-40c days for a mth before hand, and I don't have an air conditioned kitchen.
The cake I made him last year had me in tears as the fondant kept melting off the cake and breaking as I tried to handle it.

So I'm looking for your gorgeous buttercream covered SEA themed cakes. Anyone got any pics they'd like to share?

To me butter cream would seem to be harder to do in the hot heat than buttercream.

Well, I'm a bit amateur, but this could maybe give you some inspiration:

http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2015163

this was my water I did on a Tiki cake - just to show it off - buttercream water

http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2074779

Could you make the cake w/ buttercream water and then add fondant sea life? I'll check to see if I have any saved pics that might be a help

ok I have a few ideas, not sure if they will help, but here it goes

http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1227806 - one big fish all BC

http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1926581 - turtle on the beach going into the ocean (great water!!!)

http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1150445 - "under the sea" all BC

http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2026853 - I LOVE this water totally different! I think it's BC

http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2012502 - 2 tiered looks like all BC or mostly

http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2012502 - super cool water vegitation / leaves / kelp?

http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1996591 - hand painting on smoothed fondant

Sorry ladies - I didn't receive any notification of replies!
You've all given me some great inspiration. I'm thinking I will use buttercream as the water and do some modelling paste and or fondant creatures. Perhaps do a cupcake tree with a bigger cake on top?

Ive only used BC twice andso far had no issues but then again I've never used it through Summer either :S