wildrose Report post Posted June 13, 2008 My 3 yr old SON wanted purple, so purple it is....I think if he'd said pink, my husband would've put his foot down on that... not that I would've cared...I painted his room yellow 'cuz he wanted it that way... ps if anyone wants the pattern, I still have it. I can't post it publicly (it's by Tandy) but will email it to you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CitizenKate Report post Posted June 13, 2008 Those are beautiful! The purple looks almost iridescent... what kind of dye did you use? Kate Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolvenstien Report post Posted June 13, 2008 A rose by any other name...... I made one or two... but neither turned out as nice as yours..... What do you use for the center piece to pull the leather down onto the wire through the holes? I used beads, but the colors stick out and attract away from the rose.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Colman Report post Posted June 13, 2008 WOW! The color and detail are Great. Johnny Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stan Report post Posted June 13, 2008 Beautiful flower. Tandy has a free handout re a similar rose, but yours is wayyyy better. By the way there's nothing wrong with the color. My wife raises nearly black irises. Stan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildrose Report post Posted June 13, 2008 Actually, mine are made using that very Tandy handout...I'm flattered by the compliment It was alot of trial and error. I use leather anywhere from 4/5 to 6/7, lighter is easier of course. I'd like to try them smaller some time - my best friend used to do little ones as pins. I've used both dyes (Fiebings) and acrylics on them. This one is a metallic purple (FolkArt) I bought at Michael's craft store. I'm pretty cheap when it comes to stuff like this - the less expensive materials, the better. Roses are a good use of scrap leather! The bead in the center is a clear pony bead I also got in a 100-ct bag at Michael's. I find the clear ones can be a challenge to get, but they work best in all color roses. I bend the stem down over the bead with needle nose pliers. I'll take some more pics and post 'em... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildrose Report post Posted June 13, 2008 Here are some pictures of a rose in various stages. Sorry some are fuzzy, was trying for some shots of the bead part. Here's how I did it: 1. trace and cut each piece. Punch hole in center. 2. dunk a piece in water, remove immediately, shape to desired form. At this stage, what I've taken to doing is to assemble the rose and place it down inside a paper/plastic cup to dry. 3. dye or paint with acrylics (I think the acrylics leave it with a better/leathery smell). 4. using needle nose pliers, bend the tip of the wire around a bead 5. put the pieces on, smallest (bud) to biggest petal piece. Finish with leaf piece. 6. put another bead up the "stem". Wrap the stem with florist tape to keep everything in place at the top. The way the instructions call for to assemble them --- well, I've not been able to get it to work. And neither did my 4H group, I should add. So I just do them this way and they look just fine to me! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pip Report post Posted June 13, 2008 Here are some pictures of a rose in various stages. Sorry some are fuzzy, was trying for some shots of the bead part. Here's how I did it: 1. trace and cut each piece. Punch hole in center. 2. dunk a piece in water, remove immediately, shape to desired form. At this stage, what I've taken to doing is to assemble the rose and place it down inside a paper/plastic cup to dry. 3. dye or paint with acrylics (I think the acrylics leave it with a better/leathery smell). 4. using needle nose pliers, bend the tip of the wire around a bead 5. put the pieces on, smallest (bud) to biggest petal piece. Finish with leaf piece. 6. put another bead up the "stem". Wrap the stem with florist tape to keep everything in place at the top. Beautiful roses.... i must give them a try for my partner. The way the instructions call for to assemble them --- well, I've not been able to get it to work. And neither did my 4H group, I should add. So I just do them this way and they look just fine to me! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hiloboy Report post Posted June 13, 2008 Those are so cool.. thanks for the how to and pictures Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spider Report post Posted June 13, 2008 I'd agree with your hubby but this is real pretty. Don't tell mywife I said that word.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildrose Report post Posted June 14, 2008 LOL Spider! I'm wondering if the love of purple can be genetic: my mom-in-law, mother, sister, niece, and now Ethan are all nuts about it. On the other hand, my dad, nephew, and I are all crazy for orange. What causes a color preference after all? And thanks to all for the compliments. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
