Felt Succulent Plants // New Line Launch

// Sage Succulent Plant //

Years ago when my mom pulled up some of her Sempervivum tectorum and gave it to me to plant in my own garden I didn't realize how prolific they would become. It's okay though, because I really love succulents! I've been able to plant them around my garden, and share them with friends. My husband even stuck a couple in an empty bean can and put them on our wide bathroom windowsill (the only spot in the house for plants that want a lot of light). I adore houseplants, but as our house is short on space and light we pretty much stick to philodendron and snake plants. 
 

// Hen & Chick //

Sometimes design ideas ruminate in my brain for what seems like a long, long time before they make their debut in the shop.  When I stitched up my first succulent hair pins I immediately knew that I wanted to translate the design into a potted plant. What a sweet addition they would make to my few houseplants! I wouldn't need to worry about watering them, or fret over whether they were getting enough sun. It was six months before I bought my first batch of terra cotta pots from the craft store, and almost two months more before inspiration met functionality and I sat down to work out the details.

// Moss Succulent //

They may have been a long time coming, but I think they were worth the wait! Each plant features carefully layered leaves with delicate color variation. The "root ball", or felt dirt, fits snuggly into the wee terra cotta pots, but is made so that the plants can be removed. Of course they are carefully hand cut and completely hand stitched.

I currently have one of each style brightening up my kitchen, plus another that's still in development. They may not clean my air, but they make me smile. I hope they make you smile too! They are now available in my shop here, here, and here.

// Felt Succulents are copyright Ordinary Mommy Design, and may not be copied or reproduced without my express, written permission. Thank you! 

Etsy Favorite Things :: 5.18.11

It's been raining here since Monday, and we aren't likely to see the sun again until Sunday. But I don't mind it terribly. I feel like life slows down a little when the sun isn't around to push everyone to go, go, go. Even if you're not one to enjoy the gloomies, here are some sweet things I've recently come across on Etsy that are sure to lift your mood!

houseplant clock :: decoylab

calico cat print :: gingiber

faceted hanging tray :: pigeon toe ceramics

sand - cotton scarf :: dear june shop

pleated embriodered gingham bag :: star bags

Around the Garden.

I'm so excited to see my Pieris shrubs blooming this year! They've been in the ground for a couple of seasons, and I guess they're finally rooting well enough to show off a little.
 

A couple of years ago, while browsing the garden center in our local Lowe's, we came across a poor neglected Alberta Spruce that was mostly dead. We plunked down our fifty cents and took it home. After some care, watering, and pruning it really began to flourish. I was a little distressed to see that a small section of it was dead after this past Winter, but the rest of it is growing just fine, and right now it has lots of bright green new growth.

It was February when we bought our house. We could spot some garden edging under the snow, and there were two Hydrangea bushes in the back yard, but it was evident that whatever had been there was now neglected. As the snow thawed and Spring rolled around we saw lots of bulbs emerging here and there: Crocus, Daffodils, Hyacinth, and Tulips. The Hyacinths were planted in a spot where they obviously weren't happy, so I moved a few of the bulbs last year and they seem to be blooming a wee bit better now.

My mom has been kind enough to share some of her garden wealth with me as well. Two of her contributions for Spring have been small cuts of Cat Mint and a few pieces of Hens and Chicks. Cat Mint doesn't take long to take over the area it has been planted; it becomes all tangled and bushy, and sports beautiful purple flower all Summer long. And those couple succulents my mom started me on? Well, they're huge and beautiful, and their offshoots are taking over. I keep finding myself in need of new places to transplant them! But I love them.

Happy Spring! Soon the Lilac trees will be in bloom!