Tuesday, August 07, 2012

My New Fiber Forest ~ If You Cannot Grow Them...Make Them!


Happy Tuesday everyone!

One of the reasons I enjoy Summer so much is that it is the perfect time to use up my yarn stash on FUN projects that float into my head to create.

I recently killed 3 more plants that I had growing in these whimsical pots I found at Lowe's for $3 each, and decided to make some crocheted plants that will never die to fill them up!


The first pot I filled up with succulent plants that I made from Planet June's wonderful Succulent Pattern.

I love making these little plants! 

They are so fast and fun to make!

I like to "plant" them in dry coffee grounds and pebbles to make them look real. 

Here is a link to the first batch I made earlier this year. :)


For the second and third pots I thought it would be FUN to  not follow any patterns and create freeform crochet bonsai plants to "grow" without risk of killing them. :)

Freeform crochet is so whimsical and freeing. 

I find it refreshing sometimes to just see what shows up instead of following a pattern stitch by stitch to create art.

Last Summer my freeform project turned out to be an underwater world with sea creatures and corals!

I think it is great that this years' project is to create earthy plants!



Here is my ficus bonsai complete with a sprout coming from the trunk.


...and here is my money tree with its braided & twisted trunk!

To make it, I single crocheted my favorite Lion Brand Amazing Yarn around a pipecleaner so that I could bend it.

I also pulled out my french knitter and made some I-cords to weave into the structure.


I love how big and willowy it turned out!



Here is a 3rd bonsai I made to fill yet another empty pot. :)



I decided it would be fun to use the technique I learned with the wool roving vessels to make a smaller one and stuff it and shape it to look like a tree base.

I think it turned out wonderfully organic and life like!


Ta Da!



...and last but not least, I made this little cheery flower to put in the last tiny pot in "my empties collection". :)

What a FUN Summer project!

I have a few more Summer projects I am working on before sweater vest, dog hat and neck warmer season begins.

I am so excited to show them to you as I finish them this month.

I am also designing a new Fall Collection of vests, hats and neck warmers to show you that I know the pups will be proud to wear!
What FUN things are you doing for these last doggie days of Summer?
Are you traveling or enjoying some needed time at home?

Please leave us a note and let us know!

We cannot wait to hear all about it!

xoxoxo
Melissa & Archie

8 comments:

What Remains Now said...

So hard to believe that these are easy, they look so wonderfully detailed and complicated. I went back and looked at the sea creatures...so wonderful!

Meredith LeBlanc said...

Plants that we can't kill! What a great idea. These are beautiful Melissa.

♥♥♥
Meredith & Scarlet

Sketching with Dogs said...

What can I say - you are a crocheting genius!
Your plants and bonsai are just superb and I have already told you a million times how much I love your undersea world, LOL.
Beautiful!
Lynne x

Mare said...

Melissa, this might be the only kind of houseplant that can survive this new kitten! I have a green thumb and can grow just about anything. But i cannot be in all places at the same time and Hannah Pearl is a Master of Disaster when it comes to anything on a windowsill! I love these little "no kill" plants! :)

Molly the Airedale said...

Your mom is so clever and so creative, Archie! We love to see all of her fun projects.

Love ya lots,
Mitch and Molly

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Gosh , we cannot believe that you have crocheted all these beautiful plants. They are soooo beautiful!
You are such an inspiration to all of us--- to create art.
When we see what you do,,,
it makes us feel good!
love
tweedles

marianne said...

These are fun! I wonder where you get all the time from? Does your day have more hours? :)
What a great idea these plants I am bad in taking care of plants .....maybe I should paint some?

Kirsty @ Bowerbird Blue said...

they're just awesome, I'm a keen gardener but have not mastered the art of the indoor plant.