Know your tools!
Knowing how to use your tools before you start a job is pretty essential really if you want a stress free morning. Recently I decided to decorate a birthday cake which I had made for a friend. As the only cake she eats is Victori cream sponge (but only in small quantities!) I cut a circle from a bigger one.
This meant I hadn't much room to play with to put 'Happy Birthday' but having a alphabet letter press i thought the job was going to be a piece of cake!! - pardon the pun.
Is it me? Am I slow on the uptake? I couldn't fathom how to get individual letters cut out of the sugarpaste. I could do one letter but when I came to put the next letter alongside I managed to superimpose more letters.
Becoming more & more stressed I changed 'Happy Birthday' to 'Fran' and did each letter on a new piece of rolled icing, joining them up on the cake - what a let-down.
Luckily my friend is easily pleased but I definitely need some tuition on the letter rule - I bet it's as easy as pie to use once you know how!!
Sylvia
TUTORIAL - Using Alphabet Cutters
Sylvia is not alone with this problem, but there is a simple solution to this. Regardless of which style or make of alphabet strip cutter you use, the technique is still the same.
Roll your sugarpaste out then use a sharp knife or cutting wheel to cut long strips the width of your cutter. With one strip in front of you at a time, (with the piece vertically in front of you), place your cutter across the strip, so you achieve a cross shape. Easy! Cut the letter or number out and then work your way down the strip of sugarpaste, using more strips if needed.
If you work quite quickly then there is no need to cover up the excess pieces of sugarpaste while you work, but if you are a little slower then cover-up the sugarpaste so it doesn't dry out, as you can easily roll out more pieces when needed.
Top Tip: Dust the cutters with a cornflower bag to help the shapes be released easier, you may also find wiggling the cutter when you pres it in to the sugarpaste also helps get a clean edge.
Finally if your letter gets stuck in the cutter carefully use a cel stick or flower/leaf shaper to poke it out. Leave the letters to dry before attaching to your cake with cooled, boiled water.
Best of luck!
