Children love dressing up! Santa Rosa's Luther Burbank Rose Parade and Festival is a fine occasion for donning their favorite spring outfits -- and making a quick, easy rose garland to wear. When it dries, it's a sweet memento of a fine family parade.
The 116th Annual Luther Burbank Rose Parade and Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 15, 2010.
The parade steps off at 10 AM.
See the slideshow for 3 easy steps for making a wearable fresh rose garland from start to finish. Of course, longer rose bud garlands make lovely necklaces and shorter garlands can be worn like a bracelet. Rose Garlands are also lovely Mother's Day or baby shower gifts that children can make themselves. If you have many rose buds and eager children, make really long garlands now to dry and hang on the Christmas Tree this winter!
You'll need:
-
2 to 3 cups of fresh rose buds
TIP: climbing roses with small blooms work best; use Lady Banksia or heirloom Cecil Brunner -
dental floss for threading
TIP: floss is easier for kids to work with (and you probably already have some on hand); it's strong and the wax makes it less likely to tangle than sewing thread. -
Scissors (to cut the floss ends and trim rose stems if needed)
-
a 2" (or longer) sharp metal tapestry needle with a large eye
-
for younger children, needlenose pliers to pull the needle through
TIP: children under 7 may need help with pulling the needle through; if your child is having difficulty, let him poke the needle through and hand you the bud so you can hold it while he grasps the needle with pliers to pull it through.
Store your fresh rose bud garland in a covered container with a few drops of water in it in the refrigerator until you're ready to wear it. To dry the garland later, just hang it out of direct sunlight in a dry room.
See you at the Luther Burbank Rose Parade ...
