Time to create your Christmas Cake decorations.

 When I’m making sugarpaste decorations you’ll find me in my happy place. I can sit for hrs and get totally absorbed in creating new designs. I am aware that some of you wont have the luxury of that much time so I have created some simply designs that will get you started. I apologise now if you find this blog very basic but I wanted to ensure that everyone could follow my instructions, young and old.
 
The photos below show the basic tools that I use for any modelling I am doing but for todays decorations you can get away with a chopping board, a sharp knife and a pair of scissors. I always keep a packet of water wipes handy as you will find the fondant can sometimes get a little sticky.

Next is to consider the fondant you wish to use for the models. I use a wide range all for different tasks, for the purpose of these i have created decorations that you can easily make with simple coloured fondant that you can buy in all major supermarkets.

This is basic fondant which can be coloured with food colouring paste. I would use this for covering cakes that i want to have a smooth finish. Its is quite soft and easily pliable. It will take quite a while to dry out.

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Renshaws are my preferred brand for covering cakes with coloured fondant. I find I hardens slightly quicker than the supermarket brands. 

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Saracino sugarpaste is my preferred option for modelling. Once soft your models are less likely to crack, it gives them a lovely smooth finish. Saracino comes in a wide range of colours.

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Flower modelling paste does exactly what it says on the packet. It is ideal for making flowers as you can roll it out extremely thin and it sets hard very quickly making it perfect for small details.

Creating out Christmas cake decorations. 
Today I hope to show you how to make the Christmas tree in the initial photo.

1. Start by taking your greed fondant and knead until it is nice and soft and if you stoke it its appearance is nice and smooth and shiny. If you create a ball with the paste then gently rub it between your hands putting pressure on one side it will roll into a cone shape like the one in the picture.

2. Next take a pair if scissors and cut into the fondant, creating  little points.
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3. Now create little tiny balls of different coloured paste and place them randomly around the tree. If the fondant has started to harden simply use a paint brush and lightly brush water on the balls before placing on the tree.
4. Roll out your preferred colour icing for the star, you can buy cutters to create star shapes but i cut mine with a knife. The beauty is if you don't like your original shape simply roll it up and start again.

5. Next we are going to make the presents for under the tree, you can make as many here as you like and change the shape to suit your tree.
Take some fondant, remembering to knead it and warm it up first, roll it into a ball then squeeze the sides until you create it into a simple square / rectangle. Place to one side. 
Now roll out some fondant in a complimenting  colour to about 1 millimetre thin and cut thin strips. Take each strip in turn and place around the present. Cut two little pieces to represent the end of the bow. I cut an upside down v shape in the end to create the end of the ribbon. For the bow simply fold over one end of the strip then the other so that they meet in the middle creating two loops, place on the centre of the present where the fondant crosses over.

6. Now to create Santa's sack and pressies.
Start by kneading your brown fondant until you create a nice smooth ball. If you have brought your fondant from the supermarket you can simply mix some red, yellow and a small amount of green together and you will be able to create a brown, if you add black to darken it make sure you add a small amount at a time or the black will dominate.
Taking the ball in your hand you need to create a hole in one end. I would simply push the ball tool into the fondant , you can do the cake with and pointed object including your baby finger. Once you have made the hole gently rub the side to create what will be the opening of Santa's sack. 
Now holding the sack between your two hand gently rub below the opening of the bag to create the illusion that the sack has been pulled in tight.(See pic below).
​Finally as you did for the present ribbon, create a ribbon that you can place around the neck of the sack.

7. Creating your presents.
Next create a candy cane. Take a small amount of white fondant roll it between your hands until you have created a thin snake. The repeat the same again with red fondant. Take the ends of both and squeeze together the twist then until they create a cane cane effect. Now cut to the appropriate length that allows it to stick out of the sack.
Finally take a small ball of light brown fondant or any other colour you would like your teddy to be. Place the ball into the opening of the sack next to the cane. Roll out a further two small balls one will form the head. Cut the last ball in half an each half can form the teddies ears, simply place on the side of the head.
Using. pin mark where you would like the eyes and noes to go and add tiny pieces of fondant to create the finished effect. Now place his head on top of the original ball to create a finished teddy poking out of the sack. Finally in a different colour add a little neck tie.

Now you can simply bring them all together to make a display for the top of your cake. You can store them away now in an air tight box until your cake is finished and you are ready to decorate.

I hope you enjoy making your decorations, Please remember to share your photos with me. Tomorrow we will move on to creating out Chocolate Logs until then have a wonderful day. x