Hi, this is my first attempt at making a rose, I have to make 8 in a few weeks and wondered if anyone had any tips on how I can improve them. Perhaps where I am going wrong or ideas on how to make them better. Anything would be great. Thanks.

http://cakecentral.com/g/i/2924209/a/3304450/birthday-cake-photos/

AGOING WRONG?!! girl they are GORGEOUS!!!

Hi Louislovesbaking,  For your first attempt that is a great rose! but if you want some more tips and demo's go onto youtube it has some great demos, here is one for you HTH:  

Here is another one:  

HAPPY MODELLING!!

Thanks very much both, I will def take a look at those thanks, x
 

I like this tutorial:

In case that link doesn't work..go to youtube and search for McGreevy's Cakes Rose tutorial.

Title of video on youtube: 

How to Make a Sugar Rose; A McGreevy Cakes Tutorial

Good luck!

Is that fondant you are using?

AHi, thanks for replies, it's flower paste, not an expensive one. I did think maybe I need to try and roll thinner?

First your rose is beautiful!  I have only been making for a little over a year.  And I have found that for me.. Using plastic spoons, a round cutter, and tooth pick and impression mat (optional for texture of petals) has given me a better rose than using "rose cutter"  It gave me more control of petal placement and I didn't get this big chunck of wasted gumpaste at the bottom of the flowers that you get when using a 5 petal cutter.

I watched a YouTube video of Ron Ben Israil (sp?) do it and it actually works really nice.

Many blessings and happy rose making!

Louise, that is a beautiful rose.  If that is your 1st you have nothing to worry about in making more.  How to make it better.  Your sugar paste (we call that gumpaste here in the US) might be a little dry or dried some before you ruffled the petals.  I can see some have some cracking.  Keep them covered before rolling them out.  Other wise you did a fantastic job!!! 

AThanks for advice all, ye I did wonder about it being a bit dry, I used cheap flower paste, I have used Mexican paste before for other things and it does have a.nicer finish but iv bought some more of the cheaper stuff for these roses so will try to keep it moist. I have bought individual petal cutters now which I didn't have for this rose, for the one in the pic I rolled out flower paste and used a shot glass to cut out end circle and the cut bottom edges off to make a droplet shape lol. Is it worth adding a little Trex (shortening in uk) to paste to help keep moist and flexible?

The other thing I was worried about which someone might have some advice about is I have to take off existing chocolate roses off a wedding cake and replace them with my cream ********** ones. I have been advised that royal icing would be the best thing to stick them on with. I am only replacing about 8 out of about 25 roses, I am a little worried about fitting them in and them being secure. Any tips on any of that? :)

dont know why it blanked out my word it was only *sugar*craft*.

To answer your ?? about the shortening (Trex) yes add a little then cover it before using.  There is a company that CC does not do business with, I can't remember the name but I think it might be that one. lol

AThanks for all your links, they really did help, I have done some roses and they are looking fab, very pleased with them. Will upload some pics and put the link on here after,

These were the finished roses, I did another 3 after these. I was very pleased with them considering its only my second attempt at roses. Thanks for all the links they really helped.
 

AWow such a difference!! They look fab! Xx

Thank you :) , They could still be better, I have seen some glorious roses on cake central but still can't seem to get them as good as those haha, but really happy with these for now. :) I am a little addicted to making them now, thats all I want to do haha.