My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Make a Phalaenopsis Orchid from autumn leaves

Score the outlines of the two petals

Score the outlines of the two petals on to a fall leave

Score the outlines of the sepels

Score the outlines of the sepels...

Score the outlines of the stigma and lobe.

Score the outlines of the stigma and lobe on to a thicker orange leaf. Flip the leaf over to score the dull side.

Cut out the lobe leaf and trace a second lobe

Cut out the lobe leaf and trace a second lobe, this time use a thinner leaf of similar colour.

Extend the lobe on the thinner leaf before cutting it out

Extend the lobe on the thinner leaf before cutting it out

Cut out the score pattern.

Cut out the score pattern.

Cut out the second lobe

Cut out the second lobe.

Wiring the lobe:

Make a small loop and twist the wire

Make a small loop and twist the wire

Make another loop to make a bow

Make another loop to make a bow

Bend one leg of the wire up and twist a loop

Bend one leg of the wire up and twist a loop. Bend the wire down and twist two longer "legs"

Match the wire to the lobe and adjust

Match the wire to the lobe and adjust where needed so that it follows the shape perfectly

Evenly spread floral adhesive on the leaf lobe.

Evenly spread floral adhesive on the leaf lobe.

Glue the wire to the leaf

Glue the wire to the leaf

Spread glue on the second lobe.

Spread glue on the second lobe.

Sandwich the two leaves

Sandwich the two leaves

Press the edges to bond.

Press the edges to bond.

Bend the column over

Bend the column over

Curve and bend the lateral lobes

Curve and bend the lateral lobes

Curve and bend the labellum.

Curve and bend the labellum.

Assemble the orchid:

Glue two tiny stems to the underside of the petal leaves.

Glue two tiny stems to the underside of the petal leaves to slightly lift the petals when glued.

Glue the petals to the sepels

Glue the petals to the sepels

Press the concection point to bond flat

Press the connection point to bond flat and fold the petals slightly up

Glue the lobe in the center

Glue the lobe in the center

Dried fall leaf orchid

Design note: I loved the way this leaf orchid dried.

Every week I add a new design with related tutorials. Be sure to subscribe to receive an email notification with design inspiration.

Tutorials

6 September 2011 Autumn leaf Roses

I used to make baskets full of these when I was a little girl. We had a big Acasia thorn tree and I used to spear my “roses” onto the tree pretending I was the fairy responsible...

18 September 2013 Autumn leaf ballet slippers from scratch

Pick up a few fall leaves to glue on paper to make fairy slippers

30 August 2011 Removing Oasis Floral Adhesive glue spills

The finish of every design should be flawless. Make sure there are no bits of glue visible in your design by carefully removing all traces of spills.

28 February 2011 Paper flowers

You can use any type of paper to make flowers. I use tissue paper, Crêpe paper, cardboard, newsprint and coffee filters (new and used) to make sweet peas, carnations, paper...

Related Designs

25 September 2013 All that glitters is gold

Phalaenopsis Orchid made from Autumn leaves

23 March 2016 Celebrate!

A closer look at my design at the 20th anniversary of Canada Blooms and The Toronto Flower Show

15 July 2020 Pass it on

A cascade of orchids growing over a slice of wood. Easy to design... and even easier to maintain!