Mini Picotee Begonias

Materials/Tools Needed:

white crepe paper
yellow crepe paper
green crepe paper
florist wire
scissors
green florist tape
green thread
clear drying glue
glass beads (for vase)
maple leaf or hawthorne leaf punch
red acrylic or poster paint
fine brush

    Begonias (tuberous) are popular for their beautiful flowers which grows well in shade. They come in red, orange, yellow,
    white, salmon and pink blooms may be single or double; they may be plain, ruffled or toothed; their petals may have
    margins, crests or blotches of contrasting color. They have rose-like blossoms. We are going to use the same tissue
    roses method to make this begonias.

    STEP 1: Roll the white crepe paper about 9 times and cut a piece about 2 1/2 cm long and 2 cm width for each
    flower. Then draw petal shape similar to the tissue roses method. Use a cloth's peg to hold the rolled crepe paper in
    shape plus you do not have to roll it repeatedly while you are cutting. Just move the cloth's peg up each time you cut.

    STEP 2: Put glue on one end of the crepe paper and insert a small florist wire for the stem. Roll the crepe paper tightly
    first forming the inner petals. Then gradually roll it loose. (Refer to flower image below for reference) Tie the flower tightly
    with a piece of green thread preferably. Cover the flower stem with green florist tape. Open and push the outer petals of
    the begonia flat downwards. Make about 3 white begonias and 3 yellow begonias.

    STEP 3: For the picotee begonias, dip a small brush in red acrylic or poster paint and line just the outer edges of the
    petals carefully. For the faded and crinkled flower blooms wet the petals with a brush dipped in water after lining the
    edge.

    STEP 4 : The leaves of begonias are varied in shape, some are serrated, others asymmetric heart shaped or angular.
    Use either a small maple leaf or hawthorne leaf punch to make the begonia leaves. Punch out 8 leaves. (If you do not
    have these punches, alternatively use pinking shears to cut the leaves freehand.) Place the flowers in glass bead vase or
    any vase. Then glue the leaves around the begonia arrangement. Push the leaves downwards after they have dried.

Note: Begonias are excellent for borders, rock gardens, or window boxes, hanging baskets and can also be placed in
containers on your dollhouse deck, porch or patio.

     For the hanging begonias, let some of the flower blooms to droop all the way down unlike a rose plant (see image below
     of real begonias). It looks really beautiful if you arrange varied colors like white, red, yellow and pink begonias together
     in the basket.

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