<p> <b><i>A professional sugar crafter shows how to make exceptional sugar flowers for any occasion.</i></b> </p><p> <b><i>Sugar Flower Skills</i></b> is a beautifully presented catalog of 25 fabulous blooms in a range of styles and degrees of complexity, with all the information and guidance needed to recreate them. Many are ideal for beginners and home bakers. </p><p> The book opens with a comprehensive section on materials, recipes, equipment and core techniques, which are demonstrated in step-by-step photographs. Special techniques specific to a project are shown in the 124-page flower directory, which is organized into decorative categories and by progressive skill level. </p><p> The topics include:<br> <ul> <li> <b>Pulled Flowers and Foliage</b> -- Simple and advanced hand-modeled for beginners with basic equipment</li> <li> <b>Piped Sugar Flowers</b> -- Traditional royal icing piping</li> <li> <b>Simple Unwired Cutter Flowers</b> -- Useful filler flowers to accent large focal flowers</li> <li> <b>Pressed Sugar Flowers</b> -- Realistic edible flowers using powder food colors</li> <li> <b>Wedding Flowers and Foliage</b> -- The essential bridal flowers: roses, lilies, peonies, orchids, plus unusual flowers and foliage</li> <li> <b>Wild and Garden Flowers</b> -- Interesting, seasonal projects for celebration cakes</li> <li> <b>Fantasy Flowers</b> -- Instant touches of fun, fantasy and glamour.</li> </ul> </p><p> Each flower design is explained in a four-page unit, which includes a full-page photograph of the finished bloom. Detailed step-by-step instructions and close-up photographs demonstrate how to make and assemble the components. </p><p> The delicate work of decorative flowers is the last and most intimidating frontier of cake decorating. <b><i>Sugar Flower Skills</i></b> breaks the complexity into concise units with clear instructions. For novices and skilled decorators alike, the result is a repertoire of stunning realistic blooms for any cake. </p>