Leaf Roses
Fold the colors of autumn into a beautiful new bloom.
Adapted from Nature Art Workshop, published by Walter Foster Publishing, an imprint of The Quarto Group. quartoknows.com WHAT YOU’LL NEED
10-20 autumn leaves per rose
Floral wire or small, sturdy twig
Floral tape, brown or green Non-yellowing clear acrylic gloss spray
DIRECTIONS
1. Start with smaller leaves, increasing size as you go. Fold the first leaf in half so the tip and stem are aligned, with the colorful side facing out. Roll the folded leaf, keeping the folded edge on top.
2. With the first rolled leaf in one hand, fold the next leaf in half and roll it around the first. 3. Continue adding leaves in this way, turning as you go to maintain a consistent size. If the center of the rose begins to poke up a bit, gently push it back down.
4. Stop adding leaves when you’re happy with the size. As you near completion, place each of the final few leaves slightly lower on the rose. This will help hold all the layers in.
5. Gently slide a 9- or 10-in. piece of floral wire or sturdy twig into the rose as far as it will go without displacing the layers.
6. Holding the rose in one hand, place the end of the floral tape under your thumb, and turn the rose gently to wrap the tape around the base, stretching it as you go to keep it tight. Wrap 7 to 10 layers of tape around the base.
7. Continue wrapping down the wire until you reach the end; cover the end in tape, and wrap back up the stem tightly.
8. Allow a few days for the rose to dry, then spray with non-yellowing clear acrylic gloss to help preserve the rose and lock in its color.
TIPS
As you work, do not set the rose down. This will cause it to unravel.
Depending on the leaves you select, you can create roses of all one color or multicolored ones.
Leaves with stems attached will create a sturdier, longer-lasting rose.