Just thinking out loud today........I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but in an effort to learn to make "life-like" flowers I have been amazed at the interpretations of the Southern Magnolia. The main thing that I have seen is there have been too many petals. A real Southern Magnolia only has nine petals. I have been looking for examples in gumpaste and fondant and have found so many that are almost to the extent of Peonies with a Magnolia center. I know many times I have made flowers that are not particularly any flower except that of my imagination. It really does pay to spend some time looking at the reality of nature before just copying someone else work. After the time I have spent looking for gumpaste Magnolias, I am forevermore thankful I spent the time also looking at the real thing before trying to make them in sugar.