A few people were asking how I made the fall leaves for a wedding cake I did... I learned to make these in a class taught by Nicholas Lodge.

I bought the cutters and veiners from Nicholas Lodge.. www.nicholaslodge.com I'm not sure the brand, but they're called grapevine leaves (C612) and the veiner is grape/ivy/maple leaf veiner(T165). I used the following petal dust: lemon yellow, orange, cocoa brown and flame.

I started with cream colored gumpaste and rolled it with my pasta machine fairly thin... I lay the leaf on the veiner and use a makeup sponge to press the paste onto the veiner. I then lay it on some crumpled tinfoil to give a realistic look. Let them dry.

When I dust them I start with the lightest color and end with the darkest. I just brush most of the leaf yellow, and a little orange here and there and then dust the brown up the center of the leaf. The last color I add is flame and that just goes around the outside edge. Steam to set the color. I do color the back if the leaf is turned up and you can see the backside.

That's it... Pretty simple. I think the coloring is what makes them look so real!!!

TamiAZ,

They are so pretty. It sounds easy too. Do you mind giving details about how to steam them?

Very nice, I would love to make leaves that look that good.

Incredible job!! WOW!
I will have to try one day! thanks for sharing!

Thanks for the details! They are beautiful!

OMG I thought they were real!! You did such a great job!!

They're great! They do look real.

Debbie

OMG ... those leaves are absolutely amazing!!! They look SO real!!! I am very impressed!!!

I can't wait to try to try and make some!!!

You did a perfect job!
Hugs Squirrelly

TamiAZ, you did such a beautiful job! You said you steamed them to set the color. How did you do that?

Diane

Wow - amazing work!

Those are beautiful!

Your leaves look so realistic! Thank you for sharing your techniques!

I found that VICKY posted this on another thread "I used my petal dusts mixed with vodka and after they dried, I steamed them over a boiling teapot and allowed them to dry. It really makes a difference in making the color come out and making them shimmer. Check out www.cakesbygeorge.com. He has taught me a lot!! Good luck!!"

..they have to be the best looking leaves I have ever seen! Fantastic job! The steaming does make a difference...it not only "stes" the color but also adds a little sheen to them!

But gumpaste is not edible, right??? Would the same technique work with rolled/dried fondant?

If gumpaste is not edible, why go to all the trouble? Why not just buy them (silk)?

Just curious...