Dragonfly, leaves and flowers.....oh my!

Creating a a two tone dragonfly.

For the body I used CakePlay purple isomalt nibs mixed with a few of the CakePlay pearl isomalt nibs.  Carefully pour down the center of the mold.

Then using the pearl nibs pour in the wing area.

Go back and fill in the body.

To remove the dragonfly, turn the mold over and peel back off the isomalt.

Creating a quick flower!

Using the 5 petal flower mold, pour the isomalt into the half that is concave.

Fill it approximately half full.  This one is a little under filled.  Play with the amount of isomalt you use to get different looks on your flowers.

Place the top onto the mold lining up the notches.  Gently press down on mold.  If any isomalt oozes out use a bamboo skewer to knock off the excess.

Allow the mold to set for approximately  3-4 minutes.  Gently lift the top off.  The isomalt will stick to one side.

Whichever side the isomalt sticks to, pick it up and flex the mold to remove your flower.

Blurry photo -- it did not want to focus on the pearl sheen.

Creating some leaves.

Pour the isomalt onto one half of the leaf mold.  You can go thin or thick on this....again, just play with different amounts.

Coax the isomalt to the edges of the mold.

Lay the second half of the mold on top and gently press.  Knock off any drips that ooze out of the mold.

 Timing will depend on how thick you poured the isomalt.  I like to pull it out while it is still soft so that I can shape it a bit.

If you place it on its side you can then shape and let them cool.

DTC Products Used:
Dragonfly
5 Petal Blossom
DTC Alstoermia Leaf Veiner

CakePlay Products Used:
Purple Isomalt Nibs
Green Isomalt Nibs
Pearl Isomalt Nibs

Beautiful Marbled Koi Fish

To create this cute koi fish we used CakePlay isomalt nibs in orange,pearl and a black.  Start with the orange and pearl, melt the two colors in separate cups in the microwave.  Start in 15 second increments stopping to check the progress and stir with a bamboo skewer.  After the isomalt is removed from the microwave, give a few quick stirs.  If the isomalt was boiling wait until it cools a bit before continuing.  You want the isomalt to flow well but not be so hot the two colors blend into one solid color.

Drizzle in the orange isomal in random spots through the mold.  It should flow well but not immediately all pool to the bottom. See the drop staying in place on the edge as well as the parts on the "fins"?  If it is too hot they flatten more and flow to the bottom.

Then alternately pour in some of the pearl,. in random locations.  Repeat back and forth with the pearl and orange until the mold cavity is full.  

Set the mold aside to completely cool.  I use the end of a skewer to test the isomalt, if it dents it is still too warm.

Invert the mold and remove the koi fish.  

In a small cup meld a few black nibs then using the end of a bamboo skewer, dip the skewer into the isomalt to get a small amount.  If the isomalt is too hot at this point it will drip right off the skewer.  Once it has set a bit, use the skewer to dot a small amount of black onto the eye area of the koi.   

DTC Products Used:
Koi Fish

CakePlay Products Used:
Orange Isomalt Nibs
Pearl Isomalt Nibs
Black Isomalt Nibs

Isomalt Log using Texture Mats

Today we are going to show you how to make a textured log for your next isomalt scene.

Remember when working with isomalt to take precautions against getting burned.  The sugar gets very hot!  Wear gloves and keep a bucket of ice water handy in the event you get sugar on you.

I'm going to use my Oak Tree Bark texture mat.  You could also use the  Pear Tree Bark texture mat.  For the first step I am going to pour the isomalt onto the back side of the mat.  You may use any smooth silicone mat or silpat type product for this step.

I used clear and white isomalt nibs from CakePlay.  They were melted in the microwave in 30 second increments until fully melted.  Then I added a few drops of brown food coloring until I reached the desired color; using a long bamboo skewer to stir the mixture.  

Pour out a portion of the isomalt onto the back of the mat.  Use a skewer to keep it from oozing off the sides.  

As it starts setting keep folding the mat over folding the sugar onto itself.  

Once the sugar forms together use your hand to roll the isomalt back and forth forming a log.  ** Remember to do what I say and not what I'm showing -- please wear a glove as the sugar may still be warm enough to burn. **

Continue rolling until you get a round log of the desired shape.  Times will vary depending on the amount of isomalt in your log.  The larger log below took almost 30 minutes to cool where the small one only took about 10.

Make sure they are solid and cold before you continue or the log will become misshaped on the next step.

Now heat up your brown isomalt again.  You will pour this onto the textured side of your bark mat.

Pour out an amount that is larger than your log.  Use the skewer to flip the extended ends back over itself as they start to cool.  Allow this to set until it is firm but still slightly soft.  Bend the mold, if it cracks it is too cool, you may use a blow torch to soften the top surface.

Once softened, place the log onto the middle of the area.  Fold the mat over the log.

Roll the texture mat around the log center.  I then used rubber bands to hold in place.

Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes.....

DTC Products Used:
Oak Tree Bark Large Texture Mat
Pear Tree Bark Texture Mat

CakePlay Products Used:
Clear Isomalt Nibs
White Isomalt Nibs