Disclaimer: You {I} can't make just one !!  

I told you last week that I found a photo of an Anthro looking flower vase made with a plastic spoon {!} Luckily, I have lots of plastic spoons and had to give this little idea a try.

 I first used a candle to melt my spoons.  It takes just a few seconds for the melting to begin, and once it does, I took it away from the flame and let it curl and cool for a second. Then I would flip it over and heat another section. Just like in nature, they are all different and there is no right way to form the petals. The candle does leave a soot residue, some which wipes off, but some is permanent. It's not a big deal, it covers up with paint.  

The little bits are the ends of the spoons and they become the stamens.  With hot glue, I stated forming the flower from the back , one petal at a time, working inward and finishing with the stamens. You have to hold the petal in place until the petal 'sets' because it wants to slide around when it is hot. I blew on the hot glue while holding it to quicken the cooling and setting.   

I also experimented with some transparent gray spoons and using my gas stove top. The stovetop eliminates the sooting and has a different more spread out heat which causes a different melting reaction. The gray spoons were more heavy duty and therefore took a bit longer to melt and they were more pliable. You could actually manipulate them a bit with your fingers when they cooled a second.   

I loved the way the gray ones looked, so I didn't paint them. But all of the other ones got several coats of spray paint, making sure to turn them over and cover all the little grooves and crevices.

All of these vases came from the Dollar Tree. They also got several coats of spray paint. 

And see the blue guy in the rear? That crazy daisy is actually a spork flower! The forks are really fun to watch melt because they curl and bend slowly.

And because every little photo shoot ends with my helper making sure everything smells just so, I thought you might enjoy seeing some 'behind the scenes' shots.

These would be great Mother's Day or Graduation Gifts! 

*** Update: I have had several concerned readers contact me that plastics release toxic chemicals when heated, including dioxin, benzo(a)pyrene, and polyaromatics hydrocarbons which are known cancer-causing agents. Please make sure that you wear a mask and do this craft outside. Thank-you to everyone who was concerned enough to look out for me and all of my other readers!

Just when I thought that the dancing funny lady, Ellen, couldn't be any cooler, we get a peek into her Santa Monica Ranch and find out she has a passion for decorating!

When Ellen and Portia first became the new owners of the 26 acre property in 2009, it had served as a private residence, a monastery, a rehab center and then a horse facility.  It was not in the best condition and had 8 cabins throughout. It served as just the major decorating challenge Ellen needed.

Each cabin has it's own identity but all share a combination of impressive antiques and flea market finds. The couple have lived in almost every cabin. How much fun would it be to to be to have that opportunity??

I would say these are the luckiest horses around. Pretty nice digs.

To see more and to read about each cabin, visit Elle. The May magazine hits the stores next week.

{all images by photographer William Abranowicz via Elle Decor Magazine}

I always assumed that the idea of using carpet in ones bathroom was a trend that left us when the 80's did.  It's hard to even fathom that people chose to do this {right, mom??!}, but they did. How about this -- have any of you ever gone to take a shower and thought 'I know what would make shampooing my hair sooooo much better! If only I could have carpet under my feet!! How great it would be to have wet, plush, soggy fibers squishing between my toes...'  

Just saw the commercial for this, folks. No joke. With their BOGO offer that is currently in effect, you can get pretty darn close to wall to wall carpet in. your. shower....

I can't think of anything I would like less... 

Hope your weekend was wonderful! We had loads of warm sunshine which led to lots of happy dogs running laps through the neighborhood. We aren't quite to 'barefoot grass running' yet, but I think we are so darn close. And you know the best part of the week after Easter??? Cadburys are 50% off!! I just can't explain how happy Cadbury Eggs make me and I'm certainly not going to admit how many full-priced Cadburys or how many half priced Cadburys my lips have enjoyed in 2013. Let's just say that I have a few more hidden in the house and just that knowledge makes me incredibly happy.       

Know what else makes me incredibly happy??The amazing talents found at The Black Apple.

Peony Print

Pansy Print

Shirley Poppy Print

Emily Winfield considers herself a 'curiosity peddler and picture scribbler'. With several published childrens novels, custom dolls, and paintings in her portfolio {not to mention over 23,000 sales in her etsy store!}, I say, she's quite amazing and incredibly humble. Last month she released her newest series, Out of the Woods.

Boy and Bee

Little Mr. Beekeper is from this collection and it may just be my favorite. How adorable is that rosy cheeked little sweetheart ?? {and take a look at the bee wallpaper behind that cutie}. Don't you just want to take him to get some ice cream and ask him about his day??? 

Masked Evaline

Wild Rose

To see lots more of Emily's artwork, visit her etsy store here, and to read her blog, click here.

{Fyi--my spoon flower turned out so great!! I need to run to Dollar Store to get a vase and then I will show you the final product.}