Crisco is a brand name for vegetable shortening… you can buy it in large tubs (think coffee can size) or packages of sticks for easy measuring. If making a flower out of icing then opt for a thicker icing (1/2 c. butter, 1/2 c. vegetable shortening, 4 c. powdered sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla extract and splashes of milk until you have frosting the consistency of thick mashed potatoes). You can make roses using a flower pick (available at craft stores in the cake decorating section), but roses are difficult to make and take some practice. You could also buy star tip for your icing bag (again, look in cake decorating section of craft store) and pipe flowers directly onto the cake. Go to www.wilton.com – they should have some tips and techniques for you.

Good luck!!