Robin VanHoozer
Alstroemeria
(Lin Cook’s Soft Method)
Supplies:
Platinum Flower Paste*
Flower Glaze*
26g wire, white
33 g wire, white
Alstroemeria cutters
Alstroemeria veiner
white tacky glue
brown textured pollen powder
petal dusts; bright/dark green, yellow, pink, aubergine
Jem petal veiner
rolling pin
smooth paper towels
floral tape
small paint brushes
tweezers
clear spirits (Everclear, gin, vodka etc.)
Note: Alstroemerias are found in many varieties and colors, including white, pink, yellow, salmon, red, lavender, orange, bronze as well as bicolors. There are 3 narrow petals and 3 wide petals. Two of the slim petals are close together, and usually have more dashes than the third.
Make 6 stamens by dusting a hooked 33g wire with bright green petal dust. Dip each hooked end into white tacky glue, then in brown textured pollen powder. Set aside to dry. Tape the stamens together onto a 26g wire using ½ width floral tape. The finished center should be approximately ¾ the length of the petals.
Roll paste thinly, and allow surface to dry slightly. While the paste is drying a bit, make 6 “twiddles” using 33g wire. The twiddles must be the same length as the petal cutters. Cover the twiddles with plastic to keep them from drying out.
Flip the rolled out paste over and cut 3 wide and 3 narrow petals. Flip the petals back over so that the moister side doesn’t dry out before the twiddles are attached. Press a twiddle down the center of each petal’s soft side. Vein, pressing firmly.
Dust the tip, front and back of bases, and the ridge down the back of each petal with bright green. Dust the three narrow petals front and back with yellow, starting at the base and stopping before the tip. Dust the rest of the petals pink, brushing from the outer edge inward. Frill the edges with a Jem petal veiner, if desired.
Dip each petal in the glaze and drain off as much as possible. Blot each petal immediately with smooth paper towels. Park the petals until they can be handled and are no longer sticky.
Pinch each petal to form a sharp tip. Bend each petal 45 degrees at its base. Use ¼ width floral tape to attach two narrow petals in front of one wide petal. Add the completed center, and tape in the third narrow petal. Add the remaining two wide petals, and tape down the stem.
Shape and position each petal to create a natural look. Make paint for the dashes by adding a drop of clear spirits to a pinch of aubergine petal dust. Use a fine detail brush to add the dashes to the narrow petals.
Attach a calyx by placing a small ball of paste behind the flower. Pinch six vertical ridges with tweezers. Color with green dust to match the stem.
*Available from Avenues Sweet Choices 6825 Golf Lakes Court B, Bay City, MI 48706 (989) 667-4511