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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: Julia's Nana
Date: 04-05-2005, 05:51 PM (1 of 15)
I brought back one of the beautiful center table decorations from my son's wedding. It was full of beautiful white roses. I know if you hang them upside down they will dry out but where do you hang them for the best results? I assume a cool, dry place but should they be in a dark spot or can it be light. I have them hanging in my kitchen garden window and it is a great spot. They aren't in the direct sun as we have a covered patio. Anyone have any experience in doing this? Any suggestions would be welcome as I really want to save some of these, even if I just have a bowl full of rose petals.

Thanks,

Norma
User: Julia's Nana
Member since: 08-28-2001
Total posts: 361
From: MaryW
Date: 04-05-2005, 06:27 PM (2 of 15)
My daughter does this all the time. She hangs them upside down out of direct light. I have a rose from Mother's Day two yrs. ago that still has a lot of its color.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: Julia's Nana
Date: 04-05-2005, 06:37 PM (3 of 15)
So Mary, do you think I should take them out of the window and find a darker spot? Too, I have them in bunches, does this matter? I remember seeing them in home dec things hanging in the window but they might have already been dried out........... :whacky:

Norma
User: Julia's Nana
Member since: 08-28-2001
Total posts: 361
From: shirleyp
Date: 04-06-2005, 12:06 AM (4 of 15)
Hanging to dry works, spray with hair spray when dry, helps the petals from falling off and then you use a hair blower to dust them.
User: shirleyp
Member since: 02-12-2002
Total posts: 352
From: MaryW
Date: 04-06-2005, 08:48 AM (5 of 15)
Yes, hang in a not so bright spot. Hairspray works great for keeping petals intact, like Shirley said. I don't think they have to be separated, I have never had to do that.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: SummersEchos
Date: 04-06-2005, 11:49 AM (6 of 15)
When my dad dies last year we took the flowers home. We picked all the roses out and hung them to dry. The rest of the flowers we picked off the petals, let them air dry, then made bags of potpourri, included on the bows a rose that had been hung to dry. Each of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren got a bag. The rest we kept for mom. The family liked the idea, my daughters who do scrapbooking pressed some of the flowers for a scrapbook page. I know that sooner or later all this will be thrown out and that is fine.
Summer
Summer

FREE FALLIN
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004
Total posts: 884
From: Julia's Nana
Date: 04-06-2005, 06:02 PM (7 of 15)
Thanks everyone...........I didn't know about the hairspray. I moved a couple of the bunches, still looking for another place for the others. I don't know that white roses will stay white but they should be close.

Summer, that was a wonderful keepsake for your family. So often I have seen all these beautiful expensive flowers that just go to waste after the occasion. When my father in law died most all of us were from out of town so there was no way we could take them. It was wonderful for you to include everyone and I am sure they were treasured.

Norma
User: Julia's Nana
Member since: 08-28-2001
Total posts: 361
From: mamahoogie
Date: 04-11-2005, 09:10 PM (8 of 15)
My daughter's friend asked me to dry some rose petals for her wedding - I have about 37 rose bushes so she knew she was at the right source.
I went to Wal-Mart and bought some silcone beads and just followed the directions....takes minutes in the microwave. Now she wanted petals only so I took them apart first but the directions also say you can put whole flowers in. I also dried some pansys for me for my hand-crafted cards and they turned out great....nictotania did not! The heartier flowers dried better then the limp, thin ones.
Violet
I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002
Total posts: 461
From: Julia's Nana
Date: 04-18-2005, 05:46 PM (9 of 15)
Ok, another question.................they are pretty dry so how do I know when they are completely dry enough to spray with hair spray? Some of the roses weren't very open and there are a lot of petals wrapped really tight. The green leaves on the stems are so dry they crumple if you touch them. I know this sounds like a simple thing but........................ :nc:

Norma
User: Julia's Nana
Member since: 08-28-2001
Total posts: 361
From: shirleyp
Date: 04-19-2005, 12:06 PM (10 of 15)
You can spray right now. The hair spray is too hold the outside together which in turn holds the whole flower. I usually spray outside.
User: shirleyp
Member since: 02-12-2002
Total posts: 352
From: Julia's Nana
Date: 04-19-2005, 06:10 PM (11 of 15)
Thanks Shirley.......I am going to spray them tonight. I am afraid if I let them hang too much longer the green leaves aren't going to make it. They really look great................thanks everyone!

Norma
User: Julia's Nana
Member since: 08-28-2001
Total posts: 361
From: SummersEchos
Date: 04-21-2005, 12:02 AM (12 of 15)
I know it is to late for this, but you can also use wax to keep the flowers in beautiful looking condition.
Summer
Summer

FREE FALLIN
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004
Total posts: 884
From: shirleyp
Date: 04-21-2005, 01:27 AM (13 of 15)
How do you do that. Do you melt wax and then dip the flowers in?or...............
User: shirleyp
Member since: 02-12-2002
Total posts: 352
From: SummersEchos
Date: 04-21-2005, 08:59 PM (14 of 15)
You use beeswax. You remove the stamin's, and then dip or brush on. If the wax is to thick you can thin it with mineral oil. You have to be careful, and the flowers do not need to be dried out. Picked at their peak is the best. We did it with pansies one year to use as napkin ring holders. It went with the whole theme of the brunch.
Summer
Summer

FREE FALLIN
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004
Total posts: 884
From: shirleyp
Date: 04-22-2005, 01:32 AM (15 of 15)
What a neat idea. I would have to try this. Does it preserve the colours of the flowers better?
User: shirleyp
Member since: 02-12-2002
Total posts: 352
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