Peony Flower from $2 homemade cutters...who said you need expensive equipment ;-)

Wanted to do a Peony without having to purchase expensive cutter, if you have a peony set you can use them for this but the larger cutter makes for a bigger Peony so you may want to use your cutter for the 4 smallest petals then use the largest cutter in this set

This is a $2 Set of heart shaped cutters 5 hearts in total using a heavy set of scissors(they have sharper edge) bend the top edge to the shape of petals as shown, petals are perfect edges so does matter just similar shapes to shown place the cutting side down on the bench and shape so the cutter sits flat…these cutter you’ll need to use upside down to get a clean cut

I use a 1.5" Polystyrene ball and thread a 20 gauge wire through it bend wire over & thread back through ball & secure by twisting & add a little hot glue (sorry forgot to photograph the twisting & gluing)

Roll out your gumpaste very thin, I’m using Satin Ice Gumpaste coloured with Rainbow Dust ProGel “Ruby (I love these colours) turn your smallest cutter over so the cutting side is facing upwards place rolled gumpaste over it & roll over cutter to get a nice clean cut you’ll need 11 of the smallest petals, roll over petals using a stick veiner (I use the Jem veining tool or see bottom photo for alternate method using a skewer) then using the other side of the dresden tool don’t know the name press down on the edges of the petal & drag outwards to thin & ruffle the petals.
using edible glue(add a little tylose to water 1/4tsp to 4Tbsp Water & zap in microwave 30secs) place 1 petal on the ball as shown then add a petal each side then 1 oposite so you have 4 petals overlapping at the top of the ball, then add the remaining 7 petals evenly around the ball overlapping eachother I find turning the ball over & working upside down easiest…allow to dry hanging upsidedown for 1 hour

Using the next size up in the cutters, cut 8 petals vein & ruffle edges & add evenly around ball overlapping each as you go, repeat this set again so you have 2 layers of 8 petals this size…allow to dry hanging upsidedown for 1 hour

Using the next size up in the cutters, cut 8 petals vein & ruffle edges & add evenly around ball overlapping each as you go….allow to dry hanging upsidedown for 1 hour, should start looking like a peony

Using the next size up in the cutters, cut 8 petals vein & ruffle edges & add evenly around ball overlapping each as you go hang upside down & insert tissue or cut sponges to hold petals out a little to create a fuller Peony

Using the next size up in the cutters, cut 8 petals vein & ruffle edges now the petals are larger I use the donebone tool or you could use a small ball tool or cel stick end & place all petals evenly in a circle as shown gluing the petals where they overlap, Place on tin foil former to dry(I have used a 2.5KG Empty Satin Ice tub) then add glue to the center 2” diameter add your peony bud poking the wire through the foil, add a few tissue to lift the petals & add movement & character to your flower

Using the largest cutter, cut 8 petals vein & ruffle the edges place then in a circle as the previous layer place on foil add a little glue & add the peony, by now it is getting quite large, add cut pieces of sponge or tissues to seperate & lift petals to get movement in your flower, so you don’t get flat petals, allow to dry for 1 day, then remove from your former & hang upside down for another 2 days be careful you weigh down your other side of your drying stand & secure the wire as the flower & now heavy & will fall off or topple your drying stand (I reuse my empty Satin Ice bucket on the other side of my stand about the same weight)

This is the result sitting on a 8" cake Dummy
Having Flower making….ps the largest cutter could also be used to make my statement flower Tutorial :-)

Alternate veinging method using a skewer roll over your petals it will give you this effect