It is suppose to be a hibiscus. The leaves will just spin. I have it taped . I have been working on these for a week and have nothing. When I ruffle my petals the ruffles just come out. Having trouble posting. Also the ones in the back are easier. How do they look.

Anyone? Your ideas?

I don't think the petals are big enough. They should be wider, fuller.
If the petals are spinning on the wire you can try adding a thin layer on the very bottom of the petal to help hold it.

To my first glance and then a longer second glance, I can say they look delicate. Which I think is the biggest bummer in flowers - well, at least from a viewing perpsective. Thick bulky flowers DO NOT look natural at all. I'd say you're doing good.

I think they are pretty. Anyone viewing the cake with little sugar flower experience will think....those are pretty. I can picture them clustered together...all the different little delicate varieties. Pretty.

As far as technically correct & construction issues...look to the PRO's. I know how it feels to want it how you see it in your head & can't quite live up to your own standards. Hope you get the help you want. I still say - they are pretty.

Are you having trouble wiring the petals together when they're dry already? You could try putting them together when they're still damp, then supporting them with tinfoil to keep the shape of the flower and plastic wrap to separate the petals on the edges. Hibiscus overlap at the center, so the petals don't look as narrow at the center. The petals are also ruffly all the way down the edges, so you could do some ruffling all around the entire petal and that might give it some body. As long as the petals are thin on the edges they'll look realistic, it's the ones that are thick on the edges that look clunky. You could thin the center down some, are you rolling it onto a piece of wire? If you thin that down and put the pollen stamens along the sides of the center instead of the tip of it that will make a big difference too.

With most flowers you can pick out the one trait that makes it specifically that flower, and for the hibiscus it's that center stamen. If you work on that it will make it look more the way you're thinking you want it to, I bet.

I made the centers this way because I just liked it better, This is a gift cake. They will be thrilled no matter what. These are my latest ones drying. Sharon Zambito always says at the end of her dvds. Have fun and don't be too hard on yourself. Which I am guilty of. I keep starting over and I am running out of time. I am just going to go with what I have.

That arrangement of the petals looks good, I'm sure they'll love it.

I think they look good. Maybe add a little petal dust to liven them up..

Petal dust defiantly to give them depth.