I love house plants to death. I saw a beautiful jade plant at Trader Joe’s last year and brought it home to live on our kitchen table, under the window. I admired it every morning at breakfast, I watered it frequently. Too frequently. As its leaves began to drop off one by one I was so sad.
I bought Roxanne a miniature cactus at Home Depot on a whim. It had this amazing red blossom. I put it in her room figuring I’d forget about it in there and therefore would let it live. But no. I kept visiting it and watering it. And one day it was so water logged it fell over in a heap. But I can’t help myself!
A few weeks ago the editor at Lark books offered me a review copy of Big Little Felt Universe by Jeanette Lim. The email she sent included a few images from the book. And one was of was this little cactus in a pot. A beautiful felt cactus. A cactus that you cannot kill. When the book arrived, that is the project I chose to make first.
I made this project today, Wednesday, because Stella doesn’t have school on Wednesdays and Roxanne is home at noon. This schedule means I usually I can’t do any kind of sewing on Wednesdays because I need the machine to sew. But all the projects in Big Little Felt Universe are sewn by hand. And they are so appealing. Perfect Wednesday projects.
I love my cactus. And the kids can’t keep their hands off of it. They are begging me to make them the felt laptop. And there are more houseplants! An african violet and bamboo!
Check it out. You can take the plant out of the pot! Can’t do that with a real cactus. Or maybe you can, but then you would kill it.
Jennifer says
So cute! I am also an indoor plant-killer with the best of intentions. I recently brought a lemon tree into the home. I’m hoping it’s sturdier than the other plants that have sadly gone to the nursery in the sky. If you’re into felt projects, I’m giving away two copies of Felt Friends from Japan on my blog….. http://www.meremade.blogspot.com Here’s to hoping I don’t need to felt an entire lemon tree!!!
Joyce says
I love felt plants for that very reason. I have been making flower sculptures for a while and giving them as gifts and have even been thinking of setting up an Etsy shop to try and sell them.
I had not thought of a cactus so I will definitely have to find this book to learn new techniques.
Thanks for sharing.
Susan says
Well, this book is going right on the wishlist! I do well with plants but Lizzie, my cat, eats ’em. These will function as both plants and cat toys, lol!
I love the dirt cube that goes into the pot.
Melissa Crowe says
Ooh–you just reminded me that I’m supposed to be reviewing this book, too! And the cactus is my favorite project. Can’t wait to try it.
oldschoolacres says
I am jealous! This book is also going on my wish list! I love the African violet and the bamboo. CUTE!
grrlandog says
this is lovely!
Know what you mean about killing plants – I ended up with succulents too.
Silvia says
This book looks great! I love this cactus!!
rachel says
I want one! These are adorable!
Linda says
I like that book! and your samples. I bought a grafted pussy willow at Trader Joe’s months ago and love watching it thrive in the kitchen bay window. Joe’s cactus do TOO well there also and he is always having to transplant.
Vicky@coffeesandmilkies says
I kill all known houseplants (and some outdoor ones) too.
plushpussycat says
This book looks amazing! Cute stuff! Thanks for reviewing it here–I just ordered it!
dawn says
I just picked up this book last week and I love it. My favorite though is the whole camping set. I may have to make the lantern as a giant sized pillow for my brother’s cabin in Northern Saskatchewan.
Las Flores del Sur says
oh, I LOVE this cactus!! I would have one of this in my window 🙂 I adore Jeanette Lim´s tutorials… they are amazing!!