I posted a cake I made for my MIL this weekend. I'd like to know how to make my roses more lifelike. If you wouldn't mind, I would love any help you can offer. Thanks very much

http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1150828

I reccomend using gumpaste. You can roll it thinner than you can fondant. Some tips I learned in class to make them look more real is thin petals and make sure they flare at the end. Good Luck

first of all that cake is stunning............second of all if you want them to be more lifelike than you already have them you're gonna have to get ahold of some gumpaste (fondant can't be rolled as thin), you can roll it out super thin (almost transparent) and fold the petals back a touch so they look more natural!! You obviously know how to make the roses they look wonderful!!! I think you'll be amazed at how much more lifelike they'll be just by using gumpaste and getting the petals thinner!!

I have never tried gumpaste I want to but don't know where to start. Should I buy premade or make some?

The above is an excellent video on how to make roses. It is a two part video and definitely worth watching. I was taught to use 1/2 fondant 1/2 gumpaste and to roll it very thin. Then you use the ball tool to thin out the edges of the petals. Notice that she keeps the cut pieces covered because they will dry out very quickly.

I actually prefer the look of your flowers than to the more life-like ones.

I haven't made gumpaste roses yet but I didn't have any problems rolling the fondant thin enough to do it that way. I just roll my fondant thin enough that I can read my mat through it, then I spend a good amount of time thinning and furling with my ball tool along the edges of the petals.

Here's a pic of the fondant roses I did in Course 3:
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo_867483.html

And here's the cake they are on so you can see them all together:
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo_887393.html

I hope that helps a little!
Anya

Wow, I watched the video and it is very informative. I have never worked with gum paste either so this is very helpful. Thanks.

I watched part of the video too (thanks!) and I noticed that they are using a round cutter. is that how you make them or do you use a flower shaped cutter like in the wilton course book?

http://www.wildflowersbylori.com/Meet%20Lori.htm

This video shows how to make roses and other flowers. These are the most realistic sugar flowers I've ever seen.

I always make my roses from gum paste, I have about 4 different methods of making them, but basically, you need to get the petals to have movement & to be really thin. There are quite a lot of roses in my gallery if you care to look, there are different kinds of roses. That video is very good, I never wet my work as much as she does & I usually make my center darker than the rest of the rose & then shade with chalk , petal & luster dust etc. I use Vodka for sticking my petals .