Cake decorators - a quick couple of questions for you...

[CakeNovice]

I need to make a mermaid for dd's cake. When I bought the block of fondant icing, the lady in the cake shop advised I put some gum tragacanth in it to make it stronger. So I have gum tragancanth and icing - now what! Do i just sprinkle some on the icing and knead it in? Do I need leave it or can I use it straight away? Should I colour the icing first, then add the gum tragacanth? Any advice would be great, thanks very much!

Anybody?

You need 1 x teaspoon per 250g fondant. Sprinkle the stuff on the worktop and knead it in. Wrap in cling film (I always double wrap) and store for 24 hours, tis then ready to use.

I colour the next day when I am using it.

Hi I;ve done this before and I just sprinkled some in and kneaded it as you said then coloured it....would recommend the gel colours over food colouring anyday too as you get a much better colour without having to add so much you make the fondant sticky

Thanks I have the gel colours, they are good!
Notapizzaeater - if I make it today and use it today will it still harden up ok? The bit I'm making (tail) doesn't need to be firm enough to stay in a position (iykwim) as it will be draped over the rock the mermaid is sitting on. I really wanted to get it done today if poss. (so I have chance to re-do if I mess it up!!)