http://www.ffgc.org/designs/fun/spoon_flowers.htm
If you go to this link, it gives pictures. I don't know how Jalex gets hers in here, but I tried! These are really cool looking and you should check it out!
EC
MAGNOLIAS, DOGWOOD, AND WATER LILIES
Faux Flowers come to Life
Claudia Bates creates beautiful blossoms using plastic spoons
MAGNOLIA
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Materials needed: White Plastic Spoons(10-13) **
Dried flower/pine cone
Candle
A plastic disc cut from a milk/juice carton (aprox 2 1/2 " in diameter)
glue gun
dried/treated magnolia leaves or silk
Try to do this in an area free from any fans, AC, or breezes. Hold the spoon BOWL SIDE DOWN at an angle about 2 inches over flame. Any closer and you'll get black streaks from smoke and heat. After about 30 seconds - the spoon will start to "slump" - immediately remove the spoon from the heat and lay aside. You can shape them if they slump too much while still warm - just lift them and hold them until the plastic re-hardens(about 30 seconds). Cut the handles from spoons - save the handles for bracing if you need it.
Position five spoons along the edge of the disc - approximately 1/2 inch from the outer edge. Put hot glue on the cut end of the spoon and glue down to disc using a "star" as a guide - one on top and then the other four into the star pattern. The next row should take only four spoons - and you place them between the five spoons. Place the glue more toward the cut end so they will stand up at an angle versus the first row which are flat down. You might use the cut handles to "brace" the spoons in a more upward position. The last row can either be 2 or 3 spoons, depends on placement and shape. Liberally place the hot glue on the cut part of the spoon - carefully stand it up right outside the center of the "flower". You'll use either 2 or 3 for this. Again, use handles to brace spoons upright for 2-3 minutes until glue dries. Place either a small pine cone or dried fuzzy flower in the center with hot glue. Add leaves.
Some Ideas for using your faux flower
You can put a magnet on it for decoration or a clothespin to attach it to Christmas trees or for place cards for entertaining. Adding a magnet to the clothespin makes it a great refrigerator magnet to hold messages, notes, etc.
DOGWOOD
click on image for larger view
Materials needed:
Plastic spoons ** - 4
Candle
Hot glue
Plastic disc from milk/juice carton
dried yellow yarrow
Hold the spoon vertically over the flame - straight up with the bowl straight down over the flame about 2 inches. Watch carefully, and as soon as spoon starts to "curl or notch" in the center of the tip of the bowl, remove it from the heat. If you want it notched more - you can press against the warm (not hot) plastic and make the indentation more pronounced. Cut the handles off the spoons. You won't need them for bracing. Place hot glue on the back of the spoon and position on the plastic circular disc you've cut from the milk carton. Leave a space in the middle to accommodate several small dried yarrow clusters. This forms the yellow actual flower of the real dogwood. You can attach it with a clothespin and/or magnet for the same uses as magnolia.
WATER LILY
click on image for larger view
Materials needed:
Plastic spoons** - 13-15
Candle
Hot glue
Plastic disc
Dried poppy pod for center
You do not need to melt or slump the spoons for the lotus water lily. Just position the six spoons for the first row on the outside edge. Position 5 in the next row, bracing as you did for the magnolia - and finish with 3-4 in the inside row. Leave space for a dried poppy pod as the center.
**It is best to use white spoons from Wal-Mart and K-Mart that come 50 in a pack. The more economical brands and quantities do not shape or form well for the magnolia and dogwood flowers.
If using colors - sometimes hold the spoon bowl side up - some colored spoons shape better using this method.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE UNIQUE "FAUX" FLOWERS and E N J O Y ! !
A Regular feature by: Jan Sillik
JSillik@ffgc.org
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Those are gorgeous! I can't wait to try it.
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