Make this liberty eagle out of fondant
- Kim Simons
- June 25, 2020
- 2 mins
- Kim's Kitchen
- fondant july 4th patriotic
Originally published at: https://www.riverreporter.com/stories/make-this-liberty-eagle-out-of-fondant,38027
I have always loved birds—raptors, in particular. When I see a hawk in flight, I know I’m going to have a good day.
I have also always been proud of where I come from—Liberty, NY. My high school graduating class is still very tight; we’ll get together for a big reunion as soon as COVID-19 allows.
Growing up, I spent a great deal of time at the Clarence Hoyt VFW Post. My father, Jack Simons, was a Liberty High School graduate and a wounded Korean War veteran who eventually became the VFW State Commander. He and my mother, Carol, instilled a sense of community volunteerism in me as well as a desire to do some good in the world… which I hope I’m doing through my artwork.
As the United States approaches its 244th birthday, it’s no secret that we’re facing tough times. But thinking about our local bald eagles might provide us with some insight and maybe even some hope.
According to the website “American Bald Eagle Information”, “The bald eagle was chosen June 20, 1782 as the emblem of the United States of America because of its long life, great strength and majestic looks, and also because it was then believed to exist only on this continent” (www.baldeagleinfo.com). True to the eventual American character, not everyone was on board. Benjamin Franklin, for example, thought the bald eagle was a terrible choice. “He does not get his living honestly,” Franklin wrote. “You may have seen him perched on some dead tree, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the labor of the fishing-hawk, and when that diligent bird has at length taken a fish, and is bearing it to its nest for the support of his mate and young ones, the bald eagle pursues him and takes it from him” (www.baldeagleinfo.com). Franklin’s choice? The turkey.
For me, the bald eagle soaring over places like the Hawk’s Nest is majestic; I feel that they are pure spirits of strength and courage. We might also consider how farsighted and intelligent they are—qualities we need to hang on to today.
For these reasons, I chose to name this piece the Liberty Eagle. I hope you have fun making it!
Liberty Eagle
Sculpt a patriotic bald eagle from colored fondant with a navy blue field, red stripes, white stars, and textured feather details.
Supply List
Instructions
- Cover cake, cookie, or other base with white fondant.
- Roll out navy blue fondant to about 5” × 5” for the field; attach to top lefthand side.
- Roll three stripes of red fondant, 1 1⁄4-inch thick × 9” long. Attach with a little water, alternating with the white background.
- Roll white fondant and cut about seven 1⁄2” stars. Attach with a little water, alternating the rows.
- Roll white fondant and cut out the eagle head about 6” × 6” using a small precision knife. Attach with a little water in the middle of the piece.
- Roll a 1-inch ball of yellow fondant for the eye; attach with a little water.
- Roll yellow fondant and cut out the beak about 2” × 4” using a small precision knife. Attach with a little water.
- Add texture to the head by rolling strips and attaching with a little water to show flowing features.
- Using a clay tool, blend and add more texture to the head and beak.
- Roll a very small ball of black fondant and flatten it. Add a little water to the center of the eye and attach.
- Using edible colors, add shadow and highlights to the head, the beak, and around the eye.
- Using a very small amount of white fondant, add highlights and dust with edible paint.
