A few weeks ago my 15-year-old, Roxanne, and I checked out Handmade Houseplants: Remarkably Realistic Plants You Can Make With Paper (affiliate link) by Corrie Beth Hogg from our local library. This book was published in September of 2018 by Timber Press and we were excited to find it on the new releases table. Roxanne and I like to try out new crafts together and this book proved to be an ideal source of projects that are exciting and achievable for both of us.
To get started making plants you’ll need a few simple supplies: wire in varying weights (easily found at the hardware store), floral tape, cardstock and text-weight paper in various colors, markers, rubbing alcohol (to bleed the markers), paint, and paste. We were able to find everything we needed from supplies we already had on hand.
This book includes instructions to make 30 different plants. Corrie’s instructions are easy to follow and there are step-by-step visuals showing you how to create the leaves for each kind of plant.
I love that this is a totally new kind of craft. It’s not origami or quilling or really anything you’ve done before. Instead, it’s a combination of techniques put together in a clever way to make something entirely new and unexpected: plants you can’t accidentally kill!
I chose to make a pink plant which didn’t result in the most realistic-looking finished product, but I love my finished plant. I found a black ceramic vessel in the garage the formerly held a live plant I killed long ago. I’m thrilled to now fill it with something that will be more lasting!
Roxanne hasn’t yet put her plants into pots, but here are some in-progress shots of what she’s been working on.
Aren’t they neat? One of the things I love about this craft is that imperfections are totally fine. Plants have organic shapes and no leaf is perfect in nature so it’s totally fine if your cutting or painting is a bit wonky.
After our three weeks with this book was up we decided to buy it so that we can keep making plants. And I just picked up a fresh pack of assorted green paper at Michaels last weekend!
If you’re looking for a fun, relaxing craft, I highly recommend Handmade Houseplants. And be sure to check out Corrie on Instagram for more inspiring images of her beautiful creations.
I always love the books you suggest and this ones fabulous too. I first saw your book suggestions for Christmas gifting, wow. So thanks for the suggestions really appreciate them. And love your patterns!
This book is on my wish list! I love your pink plant! And thanks for the reminder to check my library.
Roxanne just finished putting her plants into vessels tonight and they look so awesome. My husband is taking one to work to put in his office! I honestly think this book is so brilliant. I hope you enjoy it, too.
I totally love this kind of stuff. So many things but not enough time! Wish I could do it all. Your plants look great.
Oh wow – I’ve made several paper plants in the past (a fern and a cactus) but I hadn’t seen this book. I’ve just put my name on it at the library, super excited to have a new project.