Every summer when I was growing up, I would fly North to Ohio and Michigan to visit my my Dad and grandparents. One of my favorite parts of the trip was visiting Grandma Fisher. She was an antique collector, flamingo lover, creative soul and mu-mu wearer. Her yellow two-story house tucked in the middle of Toledo, Ohio was the first place I ever saw a cicada molt, my first time using a laundry chute and her front porch is the reason I love hens and chickens! She had a big terra cotta pot with holes in it (maybe a strawberry pot?) that she tucked the cute little succulents in. I just loved the waxy green leaves of the "hens" and the mini "chicks" that would grow to eventually spill out of the pot.
So this year, when I decided that I wanted to do a rustic, garden-ish "GROW" theme for my Spring decorating, succulents were the first plant that came to mind. But since my green thumb is non-existent, I decided to recreate my favorite little plants with felt! These succulents will definitely survive through the Spring at my house. And the soft leaves of my felt succulents just make me smile every time I see them!
Now, since I am obviously not a gardening aficionado, I took a bit of creative license when making these felt succulents. I did a quick Google image search for succulents and literally sat in front of my laptop and cut petal shapes from felt. So, while I don't have a template to share, my gift of gab and handily labeled pictures should be enough to walk you through the process if you want to make your own felt succulents.
The supplies are minimal: felt, sharp scissors and a hot glue gun with glue sticks.
For the green felt succulent, I cut long rounded petals and began hot gluing them in a circle. I layered two more layers of gradually smaller, similar shaped petals. Then, I rolled a scrap of felt and hot glued the three smallest leaves around it and glued it in the center of the layered leaves. Finally, I "planted" the felt succulent in a shallow metal dish filled with river rocks I picked up at the dollar store.
For the brown succulent, I used the same method but cut thinner petals/leaves with a pointed end. Once the succulent was hot glued together, I shaped the leaves upward and tucked it into two two white bowls that I filled with rocks and stacked together.
And now, for the little cream colored beauty. These petals are a little shorter and more curvy. Since I didn't want to burn the heck out of my finger tips with the hot glue, I rolled a piece of 2 inch wide felt to glue the petals around. I started with the smallest petals and worked my way to the largest petals. I left the felt "stem" intact so I could tuck it in the river rocks that fill a white egg cup.
Don't worry about perfection ... nature, after all, is not perfect. I don't think a single petal is exactly the same shape or size. What is perfect is the fact that I don't have to water these guys at all. Felt succulents: the perfect plant for the gardening impaired!
There are so many different shapes, colors and sizes of succulents ... so don't be afraid to be creative! Brush paint on the leaves to alter the color, add small beads for texture or add a length of pom pom trim to mimic the trailing tendrils. I would love to see your version of these quick and easy felt succulents!
Don't tell the others, but I think this one is my favorite!
I can't wait to share my Spring Hutch with you! I am finishing up a few quick projects but I should be posting it soon! How are you decorating for Spring this year? Can you fit in a few little felt succulents?
This project may be shared at these link parties:
Amy W says
Oh my lordy. I am obsessed with succulents and these are so adorable! I will absolutely have to make some now. Please stop by and share at our link party!!
http://www.delineateyourdwelling.com/2014/02/link-it-or-lump-it-party-number-twenty.html
Jodi Stuber says
this is such an awesome idea 🙂 I cant seem to keep anything alive inside the house.. what a great alternative!
Auntiepatch says
Very cute!
Gwen says
Now, aren't you a smartie-pants! That would be one I might not kill!
Seriously...so flipping awesome!
Cindy Eikenberg says
Keri, I just absolutely love these! What a fabulous idea and thank you so much for sharing - pinning! Have a wonderful week!
Jessi @ Practically Functional says
OMG too cute! I think the little brown one is my favorite. 🙂
Carol says
Since I can kill even silk plants, these might just be the thing for me. So cute!
Erin says
Shut the front door!!! These are ADORABLE!!! Thank you for sharing 🙂 Signed, Erin (aka, someone who has killed a cactus and always wants plants but can't grow them ever.)
Vanessa says
Eeeee, these are so stinkin' cute! Everyone says succulents are almost fool proof but I've seriously kill so many. These are right up my alley!
Heather {Woods of Bell Trees} says
These are so stinkin' cool! AWESOME idea!
Mandy @ Sugar Bee Crafts says
Such a fun project! thanks for linking over at Take-A-Look Tuesday - I featured you today, woot woot! And also pinned it for you - thanks!
Mandy, SugarBeeCrafts.com
Lauren @ The Thinking Closet says
I am so in love with these, I want to marry them. That is all. 😉
Stacy Risenmay says
Darling! Off to pin. Thanks for linking them up!
RaChil Luke says
Just perfect! as I've recently killed my last batch of plants! I too don't have a green thumb, thanks for sharing!
Krista Winters says
These are so adorable and creative! What a cute idea!
Lucy says
These are so beautiful ...I would have never thought of using felt ..they look amazing ...xo
Kelly says
Super cute idea, Keri! Thanks for sharing at the par-tay. HUGS!
tammy @ the colored door says
These are so cute! I may need to give them a try, I won't be able to kill these.
Lisa @ greylustergirl says
I pinned your felt succulents a few days ago and am finally popping over to see them! They are adorable. Plus I love the containers they are in. That little white egg cup?! Too cute.
Allison @ The Golden Sycamore says
Your felt succulents are adorable! What a creative idea!
malia says
WOW Keri! Awesome idea!!!
Heidi Kay says
Hi! Fantastic project! I shared a pic on my blog and linked it back to you. Thanks for coming up with such a great idea!
Samantha says
I love these! Besides having a "black thumb", I also work at an independent senior living community. I think we are going to make these for our May craft! What a great idea!
Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
You've got to be the cleverest ever! I 've seen these featured a few times now and I just realized they were made of felt! I couldn't even tell and was wondering why succulents kept being featured ha ha. You sure fooled me! I love this idea and I love that it's an ode to your Grandma! XO
Tammy says
I couldn't help but come over from Oh my Creative when I seen these featured, these are so cute love them! Would like to invite you to come over and share at One More Time Events http://www.onemoretimeevents.com/2014/02/natural-jute-twine-designed-lamp-shade.html
Ricki @ The Questionable Homesteader says
I just wanted to tell you that I really loved this post. Not just because the "succulents" are fabulous and I can't kill them, but because I'm not the only one that has the problem with killing plants that others say are really easy to care for.
I loved the post so much that I featured it on The Sunday Faviorates
http://thequestionablehomesteader.com/sunday-faviorates-11/
I'd love for you to check it out along with some of the other great features and grab a button.
Mary Beth|Cupcakes and Crinoline says
Oh how I love these....and I'll bet if I tried really hard I could keep them alive! 😉
Jocelyn@Brucrewlife says
What a fantastic idea for those of us who just don't quite have that green thumb!! 😉 I need some of these little lovelies in my house!!
Connie Idyllwild says
OMG! I'm obsessed with these! the minute I have time I'm making a dozen, posting them on my blog and linking back to you!!! FYI, it will be very soon as I can't live with out these in my life for much longer.
Susan @ Oh My! Creative says
Love Love Love these! I featured them as part of my Whimsy Wednesday link party features this week. You can see the feature here http://bit.ly/1bENM8Y
Have a great day!
Susan
Claire says
Oh my they are so cute! Love, love! They give me so many ideas for how to make cute little fabric plants for my nursery class in our garden centre topic. Thanks for the lovely pics and idea!
Cx
RaChil Luke says
These are amazing! I must make some immediately as my succulents died in the polar vortex. Thanks for the great tutorial! Found you at the Link it or Lump it Party 🙂
Katie says
Oooh!! I saw these over at Muslin & Merlot. REALLY cute! Pinning them 🙂
Katie
Crystal @ Sew Creative says
You inspire me! Thank you so much for linking up at Wonderfully Creative Wednesdays last week. I picked your project as one of my favorites and featured it. You can see it here:
http://www.sewcreativeblog.com/diy-craft-and-recipe-link-party-week-9/
Best Wishes,
Crystal
Aimee @ItsOverflowing says
You've got to be kidding me Keri, this is the cutest thing EVER!!! I'm always so impressed by you sweet friend and am excited to feature you tomorrow! XO, Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com
Rachel says
These are seriously adorable! <3
Rebeca says
Ficaram lindas, parabéns!
Em says
I can't count the times I got "bitten" by cacti when I was a little girl. Some of them looked so soft that I had no idea they were full of spikes! lol
These ones I could live with! =D (safely lol)
Rosie says
So cute!! Ill have to find the right color of felt. I love cacti! Thanks for sharing.