Gift ideas for mothers

A memory book is an easy and lovely gift to make for mother's day.

All you need to start with is a pretty blank journal.

Select some photographs, Mum's favourite recipes, old letters, quotes and poetry, and any other "memories" you want to include. Paste these into the journal, together with your own notes, explanations, and reminiscences.

But, if you enjoy paper crafts and you have some time, why not try your hand at making your own paper (or purchase handmade paper) and binding it into a special album yourself?

Handmade paper

To make paper by hand you need a paper making frame (deckle) which you can purchase as a kit, or make yourself. Use a picture frame, or even an embroidery hoop, with a sheer fabric such as chiffon stretched across the outside. It is usually easier if the fabric is removable, rather than trying to tip the paper out of the frame. Experiment until you find a method that works for you.

Soak scrap paper in water, then mash the paper up, or run it through a blender.

Press a layer of pulp into the frame using a large bowl or basin to catch the excess water. Let as much water drip out as possible at this stage.

Gently release the formed paper onto a towel to dry. You can set up layers of paper with a towel in between each layer to soak up the water. Change the towels when they get too wet, so that the paper dries fully.

Bookbinding

Decide whether you are going to fold your paper in half, getting two sets of pages for each sheet (called a folio), or keep it full size.

Stitch your inner pages together, down the middle of the fold if you've folded them, or along one edge of you're retaining the full size sheet. (Retain two leaves for pasting onto the inner covers later).

Create a book cover backing by cutting cardboard to size. You will need two sheets of cardboard slightly bigger than the final size of your pages, a strip of card for the spine (measure the thickness of your inner leaves - the spine can be thicker than these, but not thinner), and two thinner strips for the area between each cover's fold and the corner of the spine.

Glue or stitch your inner leaves onto the cardboard spine of the book

Glue the card sheets, spine (with the attached leaves), and strips to a large sheet of handmade paper (you may need to purchase a larger sheet if you are unable to make bigger sheets of paper. You can also experiment with joining sheets by gluing them to the card, and gluing on ribbon to hide the join.

Paste a clear, bold photograph (black and white works well) or simple picture onto the front cover of the book, then recover the book in chiffon or organza fabric.

Glue the sheets of paper you retained onto the inner cover, to neaten and hold the chiffon cover in place.

Now add your memories for a gift that's too pretty to wrap.

Image by Tub Gurnard, Flickr.

I love this idea - these book boxes just look so stunning. You could make something like this yourself if you have the time, simply glue the pages together carefully.

Make something really special for Mum this Mother's Day - a portrait created by you of your favourite "Mum and me" photograph. Here are some easy steps to producing a lovely work of art, which you may or may not wish to confess to using. Depending on the time you have available to you, and your artistic talent, you may need to use more or fewer of the cheat tips below.

Start by choosing the photograph you wish to use. Ideally, this should be a close up, head and shoulders shot. The more detail in your photograph, the longer it will take you to create your artwork. Likewise, the bigger the end product you create the more time you will need, so take this into consideration when you plan your work.

Portrait on paper or board

Print out your photograph, sized and cropped, onto the paper or board you wish to use, or alternatively, arrange for it to be copied and/or printed by your local copy or photo centre.

If you're painting and using paper, dampen and stretch it as you would for watercolour painting by taping it securely to a board. Use whichever paint media you're comfortable with, and paint over the printed photograph, using the shapes, shades, and tones of the printing to guide your colour choice and application.

If your ink is likely to run, use a thicker card and paint with acrylic colour straight from the tube. If the card curls, press it between two heavy books once the paint is completely dry.

Chalk or oil pastels, or even coloured pencils in a good range of colours can also be used to create a coloured drawing, with no need to prepare the paper in any special way. You may wish to use a draft quality print of your photograph so that the ink is lighter and easier to cover.

To create a black and white pencil drawing, I suggest tracing your photograph onto tracing paper and then transferring to good quality paper, rather than attempting to draw over a print out.

(Photograph by Otaviano Chignolli)

As with the painted portrait idea above, select a photograph to work from.

Use an iron on transfer product or a liquid transfer medium, (available from your local art supply store) to transfer a print of your photograph onto an embroidery, cross stitch, or tapestry canvas.

Use the colours and shading of the transferred graphic to select your thread colours, and stitch closely over the transfer.

Finish off by turning your canvas into a wall hanging, cushion, or whatever you think your mum will appreciate.

Beautiful gifts for Mum this holiday season

You still have plenty of time to organise a personalised gift - Engravable Gifts has a nice range of gifts to choose from (jewellery, wine glasses, coaster sets, picture frames, vases, trinket boxes, and more).
Engravable Gifts have been personalising gifts for 12 years.
Allow 2-5 business days for shipping. (US only)



Titanium Concepts Earring Set #2 - $ 59.00
Titanium earrings from Titanium Concepts.
These titanium earrings are approximately 5mm in diameter and can be made longer or shorter for no extra charge.
Earrings have 2 thin square shaped grooves on the bottom.
All pieces are made personally by Titanium Concepts owner, Wes Waddell.
Allow 3-5 business days for shipping. (US only)

Show Mum how much you care by treating her to some luxurious lotions - it's this sort of thing she doesn't bother to buy for herself, but a little endulgence will make her day.

Flowers are a beautiful gift, and quick and easy to organise through an online ordering company.

Are you in another country and running out of time to buy and post a card? If Mum is in the US, try Astonishing Cards for personalised greeting cards printed and mailed for you. Upload your own photograph to make the card extra special.

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