With spring now upon us, I had the honor of being hosted by West Elm Saturday to teach a DIY workshop on Mexican Paper Flowers.  It was a cool Saturday afternoon here in Austin and a perfect class to teach the day before Easter.  It’s always a pleasure working with the West Elm team.  I’d originally partnered with West Elm in November to do a photo shoot for my Kitchen Aid post on gluten-free entertaining and was happy to be working with their team again.

I had a steady flow of customers coming into the store stopping by my DIY workshop.  Guests were served orange basil water, gluten-free coconut macaroons, along with chocolate and lemon flavored meringues.  Guest also took home a swag bag that included a recipe and take-home instructions to create their own paper flowers.  The best part about the day was that so many customers and individuals who follow my blog said the DIY workshop “took them back to childhood” and one little girl told her mom “she wanted to make the flowers at her birthday party.”  I couldn’t ask for more really.  It’s so incredible how making hand crafted items is such a touch stone for all of us.

Here are some photo’s I took to promote the in-store event.  I have a design background (and have to confess am a total design junkie).  I love mixing hand-made items like these paper flowers with high-end items and items I find from second-hand stores. I hope these photo’s can provide inspiration for you in your home.  Thank you again to the staff at West Elm and to Allie Kandel my right hand girl!!  It was the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon.