I usually roll fondant out on a thin layer of crisco or even a non stick surface.
When working with gumpaste you do want to only cut a few petals out at a time and keep them covered. Air dries gumpaste out quickly, so it is something you have to work fast with, or you will end up with crackes on the edges from it drying then you trying to soften and move them around.
I usually use a gumpaste and fondant mixture to make my roses since I find it much better to use. I always use my pasta machine but if I am going ro roll it on a surface, I would smear a thin amout of shortening on my surface and then roll my gumpaste/fondant. I sometimes rub a bit of shortening around my rose petal cutter and then cut the roses. I usually do a little twist. Once I'm done, I remove the excess fondant off and then I gently lift my petals onto the foam pad. I then dust the petal with a little bit of shortening/cornstarch mixture before I use my ball tool to make the edges thinner. This way, I always get perfect petals.
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