Cake decorating.

[falcon]

I've developed an interest in cake decorating, for home use not commercial and I'd appreciate a few tips and advice on the basics I need.

Depends on what kind of cakes you are planning and what method of decorating. Fondant or piped royal icing. Basics are a good hand mixer, decent tins for the cakes themselves. Then the world is your oyster for cutters/embossers/textured rolling pins/ food colours/lustre dusts/piping tips etc etc etc. Try looking at a copy of websites to get a better idea.

Sugarcraft online

another of my favourite stores

I'd like to do both, but the idea of making fondant flowers is very appealing.

I want to use a stencil on a birthday cake, what's best to use for the purpose? Lustre spray/edible glitter etc?