This English-style rose is a beautiful combination of a delicate round center, surrounded by two layers of petals that are open and relaxed. You can easily add a few additional layers of outer petals to create a heavily bloomed flower. The classic soft peach tones are a perfect mix with green hydrangea and rose leaves, but these roses are also stunning in shades of pink.
1. Glue a 11⁄2in (4cm) styrofoam ball to a 20g wire.
2. Mark a circle on the top of the ball with a 7⁄8in (2.3cm) circle cutter and cut off that portion with a sharp knife.
3. Use a craft knife to cut an “x” shape across the flat top, about 1⁄2in (1cm) deep and then cut around the edge of the circle at the same depth.
4. Use a small spoon to lift out the quarter pieces of styrofoam and press down on any rough spots with your fingers. The hole created in the ball does not have to be perfectly smooth, just clean enough to fill with petals.
5. Roll pale peach paste very thinly to 1⁄12in (1mm) and cut eight 3⁄4 x 7⁄8in (2 x 2.3cm) rose petals.
6. Thin the petals on a foam pad with a ball tool and lightly ruffle the top edges to give them movement. Continue to step 7.
7. Apply sugar glue to the reverse side of the petals, and place four petals evenly spaced around the inside edge of the hole in the styrofoam center.
8. Prepare the remaining four petals in the same way, and then roll them up into open cones and pinch them at the base.
9. Apply sugar glue to the base of the rolled petals and place them randomly into the opening to fill the center of the rose. Use the round end of a brush or small Celpin to secure them in place. Make a few more petals if you need them to fill in any gaps. Don’t fill the center with too many petals or it will look heavy. Allow space between the petals so the center looks light and airy.
10. Cut five 3⁄4 x 7⁄8in (2 x 2.3cm) petals and thin the edges with a ball tool. Apply sugar glue to the entire surface of the petals and place them, evenly spaced, around the center so they cover any edge of the styrofoam opening that may be visible.
11. Cut five 13⁄8 x 15⁄8in (3.5 x 4.3cm) petals and thin the edges with a ball tool. As you did with the smaller petals, apply glue to the whole surface of the petals and evenly space them around the center, laying them flat on the ball. Pinch the petals at the base to help them conform to the round ball shape. Trim off the excess paste with scissors and smooth any seams with your fingers.
12. Repeat the same process with another five petals of the same size, overlapping the joins of the petals in the previous layer.
13. Lighten the paste color you are using by at least 50 per cent by mixing in some white paste. This will help give the rose center some depth and dimension, and will make the outer petals look more delicate. Roll the paste thinly and cut five 11⁄2 x 17⁄8in (4 x 4.7cm) petals. Thin the edges with a ball tool and press in a rose petal veiner.
14. Cut a 1⁄2in (1cm) slit into the base of the petals with scissors.
15. Smooth the petals into a 2in (5cm) cupped former, crossing over the two tips to help the petals conform to the cupped shape. Allow to dry for 1 or 2 minutes until they hold their cupped shape.
16. Apply a small amount of glue in a v-shape along the inside left and right edges of the petals. Attach them, evenly spaced, around the rose center with the petals slightly open at the top, tucking the last petal under the first.
17. Repeat the same process with a second set of the same size petals. This time when you attach them, make them a little bit more open at the top.
18. Cut five 17⁄8 x 21⁄8in (4.7 x 5.3cm) petals, thin the edges and press in a rose petal veiner. Prepare them in the same way, cutting a slit in the base, crossing the tips, and laying them in the 2in (5cm) cupped former until they hold their shape. Continue to step 19.
19. Apply a small amount of glue in a v-shape along the inside left and right edges of the petals. Attach the petals, evenly spaced around the flower, and a bit more open at the top. This will finish the rose center.
20. Make two more of the same size petals, as in step 18.
21. Apply sugar glue in a v-shape along the inside left and right edges of the petals and attach them to the flower so they are approximately opposite one another, and more open.
22. Cut three 2 x 23⁄8in (5 x 6cm) petals, thin the edges with a ball tool and press them in a rose veiner. Add a bit of ruffle to the top edges if desired. Lay them in a 21⁄2in (6.5cm) cupped former until they are just dry enough to hold their shape.
23. Apply glue in a v-shape to the left and right edges of the petals and attach them to the flower, filling in spaces and making them a bit more open. If the petals are too long, trim them at the base with scissors. The trick here is to not make the finished flower too round or symmetrical, but instead to offset the round center. Additional open petals may be added as desired. Hang to dry, placing small bits of foam or tissue between the outer petals to keep them open and in position.
24. Roll green paste thinly and cut a 3in (7.5cm) calyx shape.
25. Thin the edges with a ball tool on a foam pad.
26. Make additional small snips into the calyx with scissors, creating delicate edges.
27. Roughen up the edges of the calyx by going over them with a small ball tool until they begin to curl and look a bit ruffled.
28. Turn the calyx over, apply sugar glue to the center and sections of the calyx, and then attach it to the base of the flower. Let the flower dry completely.
29. Dust the center petals of the rose with very pale peach dust, leaving the outer petals as they are to keep them light and delicate.
30. Dust moss green on the calyx, and spread a bit of the color around the base of the rose. Steam to set the colors (see Getting Started) and allow to dry before using.
To help find the right fit and look, try holding the outer petals in different places before adding the sugar glue and attaching them to the flower.
