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JSchaaf
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We celebrated St. Therese's feast day with a "Mass of the Roses" at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower here in San Antonio. It was truly beautiful. I've always had a feeling of affection towards St. Therese, but am starting to feel a true devotion towards her. Anyway, all the roses that surrounded the altar were blessed with holy water and prayers at the end of Mass, and then distributed to the congregation. I would like to preserve these, but don't know how? Is there a way to keep them looking "real"?
Thanks!
Jennifer
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JSchaaf
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I have to add that I did google it-but the links about using antifreeze or my kitchen microwave didn't sound safe (for me OR the kids!)
Jennifer
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stefoodie
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I watched a show once where the florist used silicone crystals/silica gel. She just put the flowers in a box and spooned silicone into the flowers' nooks and crannies. The flowers were completely submerged in the crystals. And I remember her saying something about "refreshing the crystals" in the oven once in a while when they've lost some of their drying ability.
Haven't tried this personally because I haven't researched any health hazards, but the process looks really easy and the results are unbelievable -- the flowers looked as fresh as the day they were picked! There's this florist in New York who sells to the big name hotels, etc. and this is the method she uses. Her arrangements are beautiful. Sorry couldn't remember the name just now.
more from the dollar stretcher
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alicegunther
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stefoodie wrote:
| I watched a show once where the florist used silicone crystals/silica gel. |
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I'm with Stef--silica gel would be my first suggestion to keep them looking somewhat real (although you would need to keep it well out of reach of the children).
Also, years ago, a friend of mine gave me a very special rose petal in a hard plastic individual baseball card holder. It is dried and a bit brownish, but much of the deep scarlet is still vibrant, and the petal hasn't shriveled up in over five years.
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Elizabeth
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You could also have them made into rosaries.
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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marihalojen
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I've seen roses dipped into wax. Might be another option...
Waxed Flowers- Melt some clear paraffin (we use the blocks of wax from the home canning aisles) over a double boiler. You want the wax to be just above melting temperature. Holding the rose by the stem, dip it into the wax one at a time, let the excess drip back, and turn it over before those little drips of wax form. While the wax is still warm you can shape the flower if you want. Let the wax harden, and you will have another beautiful rose. It can also be dipped into Ice water to get it to harden right away. This method takes some practice and patience, so don't give up.
They can be 'refreshed' if they get dusty or whatever, with a hairdryer.
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JSchaaf
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Elizabeth wrote:
| You could also have them made into rosaries. |
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OOOO...what a beautiful idea. I have a rosary made from rose petals that was made by Carmelite nuns in Spain. I'll google how I can used my roses to make rosaries, but do you have any suggestions on how to do this?
Thanks!
Jennifer
PS Please tell me you are posting on a laptop while nursing a newborn!!
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JennGM
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Here are some simple instructions I had found from a Dover book. A little old-fashioned.
I've done the silica gel for my wedding bouquet and flowers from my gradmother's funeral. It's extremely easy. You can buy the tubs at the craft stores.
BUT...they are dry and crispy, shed, and I don't really have a good place to put them. If you have plans for a flower box or something, I'd suggest that. But if they stay out...watch out for the mess.
I love Elizabeth's suggestion for the rose petal beads...it puts them to good use.
Another suggestion would be do a flower press of the petals. It wouldn't be the entire rose, but then you could take the flower petals and perhaps make a scrapbook page or frame all about St. Therese.
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christinalinz
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My favorite (and inexpensive) way of preserving roses is to hang them upside down until they are dried - a beautiful, muted look. There are books on "everlastings" (including mums)in some libraries. Here is an example.
Dental floss works well for tying the stems... you can dangle them from any accommodating coat hook.
Christina
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MaryM
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JSchaaf wrote:
| I'll google how I can used my roses to make rosaries, but do you have any suggestions on how to do this? |
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Some ideas on making rosary beads out of rose petals were shared in this thread in May. These were specific sites mentioned for bead instructions.
Making Rose Petal Beads
Rose Beads (w/history)
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Cay Gibson
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We have a Catholic hs family near us who makes rosaries from rose petals. They have a very fledging business but I can't locate a website. Not even sure if they have a website. I'll have to ask. Their last name is Caraway.
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Wendi DeGrandpr
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I have preserved flowers in borax and it worked wonderfully. I have done this with wedding bouquets and my girls use the borax to dry flowers to use in various crafts. Very easy.
You can also just hang them upside down in a dry room and they will retain their shape very nicely as well. I did to preserve the dozen roses my dh sent me the morning of our wedding and they were still very pretty (if not a bit dusty) after 20 years.
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: St. Therese and a ?
