CARNATIONS AND ROSES

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Making the rose

1. When making roses the centers need to be dry, therefore prepare them in advance. Make a hook in a 22/24 gauge wire. Mold a cone shape of flower paste and dip the hook into gum glue before inserting into the cone, securing well.

2. Finely roll out the flower paste and for a full rose cut out 3 of the five petal shapes. Place onto a firm foam pad and soften the edges with a Dog Bone modeling tool. Cover with a container until required.

3. Paint one petal lightly with gum glue. Thread the wire through the center of the paste and wrap the first petal tightly around the cone. Attach the remaining petals in the following sequence, No3, No5, No2 and No4. To ensure that the rose does not become to tall pinch off and remove any excess paste at the base of the cone.

4. Before attaching the remaining layers turn the shapes over, this will ensure that the softened edges will be curving outwards. Thread the bud through the paste. Lightly paint one side of the first petal and attach to the center. Repeat with each petal in turn. Glue and attach the other side of the petals, overlaping each one into place.

5. For the outer petals soften the edges further to obtain a stronger shape and thread the center through the paste. Lightly paint the base of the first petal and secure in place, stretching the paste if necessary to achieve the correct height. Attach the remaining petals in turn, creating an open or closed shape as required. These petals do not have to be overlaped and additional shaping can also be created using the finger tips. Complete by adding a rose calyx.

SPRAY CARNATION - DIANTHUS

1. Mexican Hat Technique - Mold a ball of paste into a cone shape, pinch out the fat part of the cone and then continue to extend the paste using a small pin or paint brush handle.

2. Place the cutter over the cone and cut out the shape.

3. Add additional detail by placing the carnation shaped paste onto the Multi Flower Veiner and cover with the plain mat before pressing firmly to emboss the veining.

4. Frill the edge of the paste by using a cocktail stick, rolled from side to side. Open up the throat of the flower using a cone modeling tool.

5. Attach 2 stamens to the end of a 26 Gauge wire. Thread through the center of the flower, securing in place with gum glue. Neaten the back of the flower and complete by adding a calyx.

TRADITIONAL CARNATIONS

1. For these flowers attach either a small piece of paste to a hooked wire or bind the end with florist tape. This will ensure that the wire does not cut through the flowerpaste.

2. Roll out the paste finely and cut, vein and frill the flower.

3. Paint the center of the paste with gum glue. Thread the wire through the center of the paste and fold the paste gently in half.

4. Using the finger tips gently push one side of the paste to the center allowing it to gather and fold into a random shape. Repeat for the other side. Squeeze the base of the flower into a cone shape. Allow the flower to dry a little before adding on additional layers and a calyx.

Rose and Carnation Calyx

1. This can be prepared either from a rolled and cutout piece of paste or cut using the Mexican Hat technique.
2. Additional detail can be created for a rose calyx by cutting fine feathers into the petals and dusting one side of the paste with white pearl powder color.