Handmade gift ideas for Mother’s Day

Brittany

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April 25, 2023

Handmade Gift Ideas to give for Mother’s Day

Personally, I love the idea of receiving a handmade gift from my child–it’s a great way to mark their skills as they get older too! Here are some great handmade gift ideas for Mother’s Day.

Handmade Cards

A handmade card is a classic gift that never gets old. Making a card yourself allows you to express your creativity and personalize the card to your mom’s liking. You can use various materials such as construction paper, glitter, markers, and stickers to create a beautiful card. You can also add a heartfelt message or quote to express your love and gratitude.

We have a variety of printable Mother’s Day cards as well as printable cards that are perfect for adding in a gift card. Our printable Mother’s Day collection, above, can be found here. Our printable gift card can be found here.

And this gift card one can be found here.

DIY Jewelry

If your mom loves jewelry, a handmade piece would be an excellent gift idea. You can make a necklace, bracelet, or pair of earrings using beads, wire, and other materials. You can also customize the jewelry by incorporating her favorite colors or birthstone.

This DIY handmade clay bead necklace is an easy one for all ages and looks great too!

Or try this DIY knot necklace. You can make it in any color too!

Printable Coloring pages for Mother’s Day

We have the cutest Mother’s Day Activity Pack to give as a gift. It includes a coloring page, certificate, prize ribbon, build-a-bouquet, and a few other fun fill outs. You can see more about it here.

As well as this beautiful Mother’s Day Coloring page here.

Personalized Photo Album

A personalized photo album is a great gift to give your mom to showcase your special moments together. You can select your favorite pictures and arrange them in a scrapbook. You can also add captions or decorations to make it more personal. We did this collaboration with Mixbook for a wedding book, but it could be customized to any holiday and the flowers would be so so beautiful for Mother’s Day!

DIY Candles

Candles are a popular gift idea, and making them yourself would make them more special. You can make candles using natural ingredients such as beeswax, essential oils, and dried flowers. You can also choose a scent that your mom would love and personalize the candle’s label.

We made these DIY twisted candles, which are a fun twist, pun intended, for a gift.

Handmade paper flower

Flowers always remind me of mother. We love a good paper flower around here and there are so many to choose from.

Paper flower hydrangeas

These paper flower hydrangeas are so stunning. Can you guess what they are made from? So clever!

Paper flower foxgloves

These paper flower foxgloves are my favorite. And I love the colors too! Put them in a stunning pot to keep them forever!

Paper flower peony

You can never go wrong with a peony. They are so lush and beautiful–they’re everyone’s favorites! Here’s how to make a paper flower peony.

We have a lot more paper flower options. Try here for more!

Pillows of you children

These small pillows were inspired by our family heirloom photo ornaments and I love them in a slightly bigger shape. My kids love having them too! Here’s how to make the photo heirloom dolls.

Embroidered brooch

If your mom loves sweets, homemade cookies would be a great gift. You can make cookies using your mom’s favorite recipe or try something new. You can also package the cookies in a personalized container or wrap them in a decorative ribbon.

DIY apron

If your mom loves to keep her home smelling fresh, DIY potpourri would be a great gift idea. You can make potpourri using dried flowers, herbs, and essential oils. You can also customize the scent to your mom’s liking and package it in a personalized container.

Handmade Pillow Cover

If your mom loves to decorate her home, a handmade pillow cover would be a great gift idea. You can use fabric and sewing supplies to create a unique design. You can also customize the pillow cover by adding a personalized message or quote.

This DIY bias tape pillow cover is a very cute one to try.

Or turn a scarf into a pillow case! Here’s how!

Or try a pillow in a fun shape like our flower shaped pillow!

Handmade gifts are a great way to show your mom how much you love and appreciate her on Mother’s Day. These gifts are personal, sentimental, and can be tailored to your mom’s preferences. Feel free to nonchalantly forward this post on to someone who might benefit from seeing it ;). Ha!

Paper flower wedding bouquets

Brittany

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April 14, 2023

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Paper flower wedding bouquets

Flowers are a traditional and popular choice for wedding bouquets, but fresh blooms can be expensive and not always practical for various reasons depending on the season and cost.. I’m not going to pretend like paper flowers are necessarily a cheaper options, because paper can be expensive, but the bonus here is that you can keep them afterward and even reuse them or recycle them. Plus, it’s a unique and personalized touch to their special day.

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A post shared by Brittany Jepsen (@houselarsbuilt)

When I was preparing for my wedding in 2010, I hadn’t ever seen or heard of paper flowers, but I imagined large oversized paper flowers for it. My mom was the one who got busy making mock ups and came up with using paper and we never looked back. Here’s the single oversized bloom she made for me:

Why paper flowers

First and foremost, paper flower wedding bouquets can be, but aren’t necessarily, a budget-friendly option. We use beautiful water color paper for my bouquet above and needed a few sheets. But because it was just one bloom, it wasn’t that much.

Fresh flowers can be costly, especially if you want exotic or out-of-season blooms. With paper flowers, you can choose any type and color you desire without worrying about the price. Moreover, paper flowers can be reused or kept as a keepsake after the wedding, whereas fresh flowers have a limited lifespan.

Customize your theme to your flowers

Another benefit of paper flower wedding bouquets is that they can be customized to fit your wedding theme and style. You can create any type of flower, from traditional roses and peonies to exotic orchids and proteas. You can also choose the size and shape of your bouquet, whether you want a cascading or a round bouquet. With paper flowers, you have the freedom to create a bouquet that is truly unique and personal to you.

Flower bouquet inspired by royal wedding

For example, we created this paper flower bouquet inspired by the royal wedding in 2018. You can get the tutorial for how to make them in this post.

Not weather dependent

In addition, paper flower wedding bouquets are also a practical option for outdoor weddings or weddings in hot climates. Fresh flowers can wilt or droop in the heat, while paper flowers will remain in perfect condition throughout the day. This also means you can make your bouquets ahead of time without worrying about them losing their freshness.

Bright flower paper bouquet

For example, a lot of fresh flowers can’t even be used because they droop so fast like poppies BUT not so in paper! You can make whatever flowers you want! You can get the tutorial here for this bouquet.

Get the group together

Making your own paper flower wedding bouquets can also be a fun and creative DIY project. You can gather your bridesmaids and make it a group activity, or work on it alone as a way to de-stress from wedding planning. There are numerous tutorials and templates available online, and you can experiment with different paper types and textures to create a unique bouquet. Plus, making your own bouquet ensures that it will be one-of-a-kind and personalized to your taste.

This beautiful summer bouquet with dahlias would be a great way to bring friends together! Find the tutorial here.

Finding flowers in the right season

Another perk to making a bouquet with paper flowers is that you can make flowers that are out of season. Peonies are a fan favorite, but only in season in the late spring. Why not make them in paper? I made these for my sister in law for her wedding to my brother!

Make a paper flower peony bouquet, tutorial here.

What you’ll need for making paper flowers

When making your own paper flower wedding bouquets, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it’s important to choose high-quality paper that is durable and will hold its shape. Tissue paper, crepe paper, and cardstock are all popular choices for paper flower making. Secondly, it’s important to invest in the right tools, such as floral wire, floral tape, and scissors. These tools will help you create a bouquet that is sturdy and secure. Finally, it’s important to give yourself enough time to complete the project. Making a paper flower wedding bouquet is a time-consuming process that requires patience and attention to detail.

Obviously, making your own paper flower bouquet for your wedding can take time, but if you have it, it can be a long-lasting momento you’ll want to keep forever. If you do make your own, we’d love to see it! Tag us with #LarsPaperFlowers!

Easter Crafts

Brittany

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March 15, 2023

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Our Favorite Easter Crafts

We have so many Easter crafts that we’re just thrilled to share with you this year. Many of them are brand new, too! Need a new Easter Basket? We’re here for you. How about a fresh spring wreath? We’ve also got you covered in that department. Without further ado, here’s the list of our favorite Easter crafts!

Wreaths

I love a good wreath. And spring wreaths are some of my favorites! They’re a must have when talking about Easter crafts. This year we have a brand new Palm Leaf Wreath you’re sure to love. It’s delicate, colorful, and festive. Just the thing to celebrate Palm Sunday, Easter and spring all in one go! If you’re feeling more into eggs, try our ever popular Easter egg wreath, or this sweet Honeycomb Easter wreath. Both are lovely and sure to put a little spring in your step. Also, you can’t go wrong with a simple floral theme. This Daffodil Wreath is very appropriate for the season, as is this Lemon Wreath!

Easter Baskets

You can’t have Easter crafts without Easter baskets! And we have a brand new one for you to try this year. It’s our DIY Easter Basket, and the best part is that it doesn’t require any sewing. Another clever no-sew Easter basket is this Paper Easter basket. Just download, print, cut and assemble, it’s that easy! If you want to sew an adorable bag that doubles as an Easter basket and will be around for years to come, try this carrot shoulder bag! The bonus is it packs up easily and is equally cute.

If you’re looking for inspiration on what to fill your basket with, look no further than this Easter Basket choose your own adventure. We help guide you through the steps to picking your perfect Easter basket, along with everything to put inside it, like this Paper carrot treat box, carrot surprise balls, or this DIY stuffed bunny. You can also make some of these Danish Easter letters to tuck inside.

Easter Egg ideas

As it so happens, we have a lot of Easter crafts that have to do with eggs. Are you really that surprised? I mean, what’s Easter without at least one little nod to an egg or two. Just yesterday, we release the most lovely nesting Easter eggs! We love the little twist on original nesting dolls. Also try these Easter egg columns, which are a lovely way to decorate your home this Easter. Don’t forget about these Honeycomb Easter eggs, either! Make them into a wreath or decorate with the individual eggs. Either way they’re lovely!

Another fun variation on decorating Easter eggs are these dried flowers on Easter eggs, as well as our Pysanky Easter eggs (here’s the E-book of the Pysanky eggs, the profits of which will be donated to the Ukrainian relief effort). If you’re into more decorating, try our DIY pom pom Easter eggs! Or if you’re having a party, you’ll definitely want to take a look at our Easter egg name tags, Easter egg cupcake toppers, and Easter egg runner.

Felted Easter Eggs

New this year is a tutorial from Jessica Peterson all about felted Easter eggs. They’re a new classic! All the supplies are listed here!

For Kids

If you have kids, you’ll love these Easter-themed toys, accessories, and activities. First stop: these fun bunny party hats. Having a new baby this spring? You won’t want to miss these adorable DIY Baby bonnets! Or these Easter bunny twist ties.

Need a craft to do with your kids to keep them busy and happy? You’ll love these Easter Egg coloring pages, the profits of which will be donated to the Ukrainian relief effort. Then there’s our DIY stuffed bunny, which is a sweet little Easter toy. Plop it in your child’s Easter basket and you’re all set!

Easter printables

A great way to get crafty is with some printables, and we’ve got some great ones!

These Easter egg coloring pages featuring pysanky are great for older kids.

Along with our chick and bunny paper dolls and matching color pages.

Paper crowns

One thing is for sure, if I had a little girl, I’d be making a paper crown floral crown.

And we’ve got a few to choose from! These pretty blue, red, pink, and white flower crowns.

This printable spring crown.

And another handmade paper flower crown perfect for spring.

Easter paper flowers

While we’re on the topic of paper flowers, these Easter lilies are a favorite of mine. I think I’m going to try and make them again this year.

Easter Egg Column People

A new favorite of mine are these adorable Easter column people. I think they’d make a great tablescape!

Paper Flower Gift Topper

Brittany

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September 23, 2022

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Gift Wrapping with Flowers

You know me. I love gift wrap! Probably more so than the present itself. And even though my birthday is in June, it turns out plenty of people have fall birthdays, which means this paper flower gift topper will definitely come in handy. The best part is, since these flowers are paper, you can save them for plenty of birthdays and occasions for presents to come! I came up with this tissue paper flower gift topper as a fun way to add a dash of whimsy to a gift and it’s super easy. It’s based on paper poms, so if you know how to make those, you’re good to go!

Instructions

First, cut a piece of tissue paper 6″ wide and about 18″ long (depends on how large you’d like it)
Next, cut another piece of tissue paper about 2″ wide and 18″ long. This will be the center of your flower.
Now do an accordion fold up the tissue paper, about 3/4″ wide.
After the accordion folds are done, fold the accordion-folded paper in half.
Now staple the center of the fold.
Once the paper is stapled, cut a point at each end of the paper.
Next, glue the two ends of the paper together and fan out the blossom so that it spreads evenly around.
Using the template, cut out leaves from the green paper and fold down the center. Use whatever size you prefer for your flowers!
Glue the topper to the gift and glue the paper leaves underneath.

Voila! All done!

Photography by Trisha Zemp

More Inspiration

Loved this tutorial on our paper flower gift topper and need more ideas? We have plenty of gift toppers to choose from! See our popular bird gift topper here. Also check out these 3D paper flower gift toppers. Another classic is this prize ribbon gift topper. And call me premature, but prep early for the holidays with these classic paper holiday greenery gift toppers.

Paper Flower Garland

Brittany

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July 25, 2022

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Flowers Forever

Flowers can/should never go out of season, right?! Well, that’s my personal motto anyway. I came up with this paper flower garland tutorial and loved how it turned out. And you may not have noticed, but the technique is pretty much a riff off of a paper fan, so it’s easy! It’d be perfect for a birthday or garden party. I love having a supply of garlands on hand just in case I need to throw a party or shower someone with love for a day. It seems to happen more often than I expect.

How to Make a Paper Flower Garland

Making the Flowers

First, do a 3/4″ accordion fold with an 8.5×11″ piece of paper. Cut off any excess paper.
Next, fold the folded paper in half (use this fan tutorial to see how it’s done), then staple the mid point of the folded paper.
To form the petal design, cut the edges of the paper so that it forms a fun design (kind of like making a paper snowflake).
Repeat steps 1-4 to create a second one, then glue them together to form a circle.

Adding the Flower Centers

Cut 1 1/2″ circles for the center of the flowers. You’ll need three per flower.
Paint a fun design onto the circles if desired for the center of the flower.
Glue the front circles onto your flowers, but leave the back circle off for now.
In the circles you haven’t attached yet, use your hole punch to punch two holes about 1/4″ apart in the center of your circle.

Making the Leaves

First, cut out your leaves using a Cricut maker or scissors, if you don’t have a Cricut maker (template here).
Now paint a fun design on them as shown.
After you’re happy with your design, cut two holes about 1/4″ apart in the center of the leaf with a hole punch.

Assembling your Garland

First, thread the string through the two holes in one of the leaves and pull the extra through.
Now thread the string through the two holes in one of the circles. Keep alternating, threading leaf, then circle, then leaf, until the whole garland is threaded through the string.
Once all the circles and leaves are in place on the string, go ahead and hot glue the flowers to the circles, so the circles you already glued on are facing towards the front.
Now all that’s left to do is pick somewhere to hang up your finished paper flower garland and you’re done!

Styling your garland

This is one of my all time favorite paper flower garlands. One of my favorite things about garlands, in general, is how versatile they are. Make them as short or long as you like, and hang them pretty much anywhere. My favorite places are around doorways or entryways, relaxed and drapey against a wall or over a table, on a mantlepiece, along bannisters, and so much more.

Enjoy! And drop any questions or comments below!

Photography by Trisha Zemp

More Inspiration

Loved this paper flower garland and want more where that came from? Try this lovely summer flower garland, our tea stained flower garland, or this eucalyptus garland if you’re feeling a little more leafy. Want more flower content? You won’t want to miss this compilation of all our paper flower tutorials, or our learn to draw: flowers course.

Bastille Day Roundup

Brittany

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July 11, 2022

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History of Bastille Day

But do you know what Bastille Day is, or its significance? Well, long story short, it’s France’s national holiday, marked by the storming of the Bastille prison. It was a pivotal day in the French Revolution, one that changed the course of the French revolution and eventually transformed the republic. Since 1880, the French have been celebrating July 14th as their national holiday. And it is well worth celebrating! See this article for a full history of Bastille Day.

Here’s our Bastille Day roundup from years past:

Bastille Day Roundup

July 2018 Desktop Wallpaper and Print

The blog’s first mention of Bastille Day, here’s our July 2018 Desktop Wallpaper and Print! This was the year we celebrated with fun, whimsical illustrations featuring quirky berets. They reminded us too much of France not to use to celebrate Bastille Day!

Printable Paris Crown and Invitations

These Printable Paris Crown and Invitations are another great blast from the past to celebrate Bastille Day! Who says you need to be in Paris to celebrate? Bring Paris into your own home and have a Bastille Day bash featuring these crowns and invitations.

Printable Parisian Placemats

What better excuse to eat a pile of delicious French pastries than Bastille Day? That’s where these Printable Parisian Placemats come in. They’re the perfect compliment if you’re in the mood for a few macarons or croissants. And really, does anyone not like those delicious pastries? The French knew how to do something else besides win revolutions: bake.

Paris-Inspired Design: A Bastille Day Bash

In 2020, we dedicated a blog post to tips on Paris-Inspired Design: A Bastille Day Bash. Because I’m not sure there’s a better day to talk about Paris-inspired design. Except really, isn’t every day a good day? Parisian design is that good.

Celebrating Bastille Day

Most recently, here are some tips on Celebrating Bastille Day.

We’ve reached the end of our Bastille Day roundup! And now, we want to hear from you: what are you doing to celebrate Bastille Day? Drop your answers in the comments below!

Paper Cake Topper Fireworks for the Fourth

Brittany

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July 2, 2022

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Paper Cake Topper Fireworks for the Fourth

Fireworks and the Fourth

Can we all agree that the best part about the Fourth of July is fireworks? I am always mesmerized by amazing firework shows–the colors, the lights, the sparkle! I could do without the loud noise (not to mention stress of toddlers and babies around fire!) but there are pros and cons to everything. Well, if you’re like me and are not so crazy about mixing real fireworks with your kids and their all-too-eager hands, these paper cake topper fireworks are for you. It gives you a beautiful, festive display without the noise or the worry!

Perfect for your Fourth of July celebrations, these red, white and blue fireworks are a stunning scene when arranged atop a cake. All you’ll need to make the magic happen is colored paper and some skewers. Cut them on your cricut maker or by hand, these little beauties will be the stars (or should I say fireworks?) of the party this Fourth of July.

How to Make Paper Cake Topper Fireworks

I love how easy these paper cake topper fireworks are to make. They’re the perfect solution for a last-minute craft that definitely doesn’t look it. Here’s how to make them:

First, cut out the firework templates using scissors or a Cricut Maker. We use our trusty Cricut Maker for everything!
Next, layer the larger fireworks to give them some dimension and glue together. To recreate our cake toppers, see the photos for reference!
Now glue a skewer onto the back of each firework. Vary the heights of your skewers.
Last, arrange atop your cake and enjoy the view!

More Inspiration

Loved this tutorial on how to make cake topper fireworks and interested in more Fourth of July crafts? Step right this way! Try this other variation of our cake topper fireworks for the Fourth! Need more decoration ideas? You won’t want to miss 3 bunting ideas or this brand new Fourth of July wreath! Also see this compilation of Fourth of July projects. Then head to our shop to check out our Fourth of July content!

Retro Florals Backdrop

Brittany

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May 16, 2022

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Floral Backdrops from the Archives

We love our floral backdrops! This isn’t the first time we’ve dabbled in a floral backdrop. Remember our peonies, hibiscus/tropical leaves, daisies, tulips and poppies? Well, we though it was high time to revisit backdrops, this time in the form of my favorite phone case of all time: Retro Florals!

Retro Florals Backdrop

The best thing about this backdrop, besides being absolutely adorable, is that it’s incredibly quick and easy. It’s the perfect backdrop for a spring birthday, baby or bridal shower, or just because you’re in need of some extra color. Just grab your cricut maker (or a pair of scissors), some paper and something to stick it to the wall and you’re all set!

How to Make a Retro Florals Backdrop

First, download the Retro Florals Backdrop template found here.
Next, upload your template into the cricut design space. If you don’t have a cricut maker, you can just print the template out and use scissors to cut them out.
Now all you have to do is get cutting! Cut out as many as you need to fill your wall, in a variety of colors. If you’re stumped on colors, you can use our photos (and phone case!) as a guide.
To stick them to the wall, use either tape that won’t remove the paint or poster putty. Tip: We would recommend putting the design on the wall as you go. That way you can keep track of what colors you need to cut out next.
When you’re happy with the amount of retro florals you’ve added to your wall, you can stand back and admire. You’re done!

Casetify-Inspired Fabrics

The fun doesn’t stop with this backdrop. You may have noticed the dress we made out of custom retro florals fabric! Well, we have a whole host of other fabrics for you to choose from that are largely inspired by our Casetify collections. Click here to peruse the options!

More Inspiration

Need more colorful crafts to fill your home this spring? You’ll probably love our new papier-mâché vase! Interested in more paper flower projects? Head to this post, where we’ve compiled all of our paper flower tutorials. Wanting to start a garden of real flowers this year? Head over to Lars’ Gardening Essentials for some tips!

All Our Paper Flower Tutorials

Brittany

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May 11, 2022

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Blooms for Bouquets

There are so many things you can do with paper flowers, but you need to make them first! Mix and match these flowers for bouquets or let them stand alone. Either way, you can’t go wrong!

Find paper flower tutorials here: Sunflowers, Parrot Tulips, Peonies, Poppies, Morning Glory, Hydrangeas, Eden Rose, Daffodil, Paper Flower Bells, and Narcissus.

Lots of flowers have stamens, and here you can make your own floral stamens for paper flowers.

Bouquets

I’m a big fan of paper wedding bouquets because they are long-lasting reminders of your big day. There’s no wilting here! I have loved making paper flower tutorials for all these bouquets.

Find tutorials here: Spring Wedding Bouquet, White Peony Bouquet, Royal Wedding Inspired Bouquet, and Cinco de Mayo Inspired Bouquet.

Paper Flower Accessories

Flowers add delicacy and magic to your fanciest events, but I’m all for wearing them in between big parties, too! These paper flower crowns and this corsage will have you searching for events because they’re so fun to wear! You can find paper flower tutorials for the accessories below.

Find tutorials here: Shamrock Flowe r Crown, Paper Flower Bridal Hairpiece, Flower Girl Crown, Spring Paper Flower Crown, Paper Flower Corsage, Paper Flower Graduation Tassel, and Paper Poppy Pin.

Home Decor Flowers

Wreaths

When I started adding paper flower wreaths to my doors, I made a huge discovery. Coming home to something beautiful makes a big difference! So add paper flower wreaths to your doors and start feeling OVERJOYED when you get to your home. I promise, it works for me!

Wreath tutorials here: Daffodil Wreath, Lemon and Blossom Wreath, Wallpaper Floral Wreath, Rainbow Flower Wreath, Paper Poinsettia Wreath, Palm Leaf Wreath and Pink Paper Blossom Wreath.

Chandeliers and Mobiles

I absolutely love what chandeliers and mobiles do to fill the empty space in a room. And come on, they look adorable. So do yourself a favor and hang one over your new baby’s crib! It will surely give you and baby some much needed delight amidst the lack of sleep.

Mobile tutorials here: Paper Maidenhair Fern Mobile, Paper Flower Chandelier, Scandinavian Paper Mobile and Midsummer Dala Horse Mobile.

Centerpieces

Another way I love to incorporate flowers is through centerpieces. Because isn’t having company over the perfect excuse to make something with paper flowers?

Centerpiece tutorials here: Paper Flower Branch Candelabra, Spring Tulip Centerpiece, Rainbow Paper Flower Tablescape

Potted Paper Flowers

I love me a good potted paper plant. These little beauties are the perfect addition to any room, so what are you waiting for?

Find tutorials here: Paper Orchids, Paper Foxgloves, Easter Lily, Christmas Cactus, Medinilla Plant, Pansies, Hollyhocks, Paper Flower Bells and more Paper House Plants.

Parties!

Cakes

Another impeccable excuse to incorporate some flowers, do yourself (and your guests) a favor! If I had to guess, I’d say these flower-centric party decorations will do the trick perfectly.

Cake topper tutorials here: Floral Number Birthday Cake Topper, Paper Flower and Kumquat Cake Decoration, Midsummer Pole Cake Topper and 3D Paper Flower Gift Toppers.

Backdrops

Backdrop tutorials here: Crepe Paper Peony Backdrop, Tropical Leaf and Hibiscus Backdrop, Paper Daisy Backdrop, Paper Tulip Backdrop and Paper Poppy Backdrop.

Garlands

Isn’t spring the perfect time for a floral garland? Well, for your convenience, we have some lovely options that transition right into summer, too!

Garland tutorials here: Paper Flower Garland and Summer Flower Garland.

And don’t forget this Daisy Party Hat tutorial!

Holiday

Holidays are the perfect time to get making a few flower-centric decorations. To help you out, here are our favorites:

Valentines Day

Wear this Valentine Flower Wreath on your head or decorate your door with it. Either way, you’ll be feeling festive and ready for the spring blooms that will pop up not too long after Valentines Day with this wreath!

Halloween

Chrysanthemum Mom and Kid Costume

Hannukah

Paper Flower Menorah

Christmas

This Christmas you can make holly large or small, as well as these really exciting poinsettia blooms.

Poinsettia, Crepe Paper Holly, Giant Paper Holly Decoration and Amaryllis.

More From Our Shop!

Find more floral Lars materials on our shop. Here’s our Flowers Coloring Book, this sticker sheet, a whole collection of floral art prints, and more!

Our Learn To Draw Flowers Course

And don’t forget about our learn to draw flowers course! It’s the perfect companion piece to all these paper flower tutorials. And the great thing is, if you don’t have all the materials handy to make the tutorials right now, you can learn to draw them first! By the time your materials come in the mail, you’ll be a pro at drawing flowers and will be all ready to start making them.

Inspired by Cinco de Mayo

Brittany

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May 5, 2022

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Nadia Aguilar Cates

Last year I talked to my friend Nadia Aguilar Cates about Cinco de Mayo and some of her plans to celebrate it. She explained that “Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday that commemorates the battle of Puebla. It’s not Mexico’s Independence Day but a common celebration in the United States.” –Nadia Aguilar Cates, @Casa_Palomi

Last year Nadia and I worked together to make a COVID-safe drive-by Cinco de Mayo party. This party was complete with cardboard mariachi instruments for kids and a giant papel picado backdrop. If you missed it last year, it’s not too late to get ready for this year’s festivities!

We also interviewed Nadia last Fall. Everything she does to preserve and celebrate her Mexican heritage is so inspiring. Check out her interview here! Oh and definitely keep an eye on Ella Rises, the organization Nadia created to empower Latina youth.

History of Cinco de Mayo

As Nadia said, Cinco de Mayo commemorates an important Mexican victory in the Battle of Puebla, which took place on May 5, 1862 in the city of Puebla. The battle, in which the Mexican army defeated French troops, marked a turning tide in the fight for Mexican sovereignty. It also signaled Mexico’s strength to the rest of the world, which tended to underestimate their power.

Because The House that Lars Built is located in the United States, where anti-Mexican racism is still a pervasive problem, we’re using Cinco de Mayo to reflect on the importance of listening to and celebrating Indigenous and Mexican stories. In true Lars fashion, this means I’m highlighting some of my favorite Mexican artists and designers!

Lars Loves Mexican Artists

Frida Kahlo

Where would we be without our Queen, Frida Kahlo? She’s probably one of the best-known Mexican artists, and for good reason! Her work explores her Mexican Indigenous heritage in bright colors and with psychologically rich symbolism.

If you’re looking for more Frida in your life, check out our Great Artists course for kids, which will teach your little one (and you) more about Frida’s work. You can also look at these DIY projects inspired by Frida and this roundup of Frida Kahlo-inspired decor.

Luis Barragán

Luis Barragán was an incredible Mexican architect and designer, whose geometric buildings are breathtakingly colorful. His iconic San Cristobal Stables was one of the most memorable parts of my trip to Mexico City a few years ago.

Michelle Franzoni Thorley

Michelle Franzoni Thorley is a local-to-me painter and family historian whose work explores her Mexican heritage and the power of knowing about our ancestors. She also is an anti-racism educator and all-around powerful human being. So make sure you follow her on Instagram @florafamiliar!

A painting of women in mountains, a desert, and a cemetery holding onto a red ribbon that connects them. — Ancestresses by Michelle Franzoni Thorley

Cinco de Mayo in the Archives

Paper Fan Garland

Along with last year’s drive by party, I wanted to share more Cinco de Mayo inspiration from years gone by. One of my earliest projects was this paper fan garland decoration.

Honeycomb fruit

Another early project was this collection of DIY honeycomb fruit ornaments.

Cinco de Mayo Bouquet

I was also inspired by vibrant Mexican design when I made this Cinco de Mayo paper wedding bouquet! You don’t have to be a bride to make this, though! Putting together this bouquet would be such a great way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo while simultaneously gearing up for Summer blooms.

Fiesta

If you’re looking for full-on Cinco de Mayo party inspiration, look no further than the fiesta I threw a few years ago! You can find great decor, lots of delicious recipes, and links to tableware that will make your party a true fiesta!

Mexico City Travel Guide

Maybe I’m getting carried away, but I also want to share my travel guide from Mexico City. In 2018 I went to Mexico City and it was absolutely dreamy. In my Mexico City guide you can find my favorite places to go and things to see, as well as (perhaps most importantly?) where to eat. I can’t wait until I can go back and experience even more of Mexico City, because it’s truly a magical (and huge!) place, with so much to do and see.

I came home from Mexico City feeling so inspired by the color and design that I put together a roundup of fashion and design that reminded me of my trip! I’m itching to go back, but looking through these travel-inspired objects is satisfying a bit of my wanderlust…for now!

Viva México!

More Inspiration

Looking for Cinco de Mayo decorations, or just some spring decor to freshen up your home? Look no further than our shop for the templates to get you going! Try the Cinco de Mayo bouquet template and e-book to make it a lovely centerpiece. Also, here’s the template for those Cinco de Mayo streamers we mentioned. You’ll probably also love this paper flower garland or this boutonniere! You may want to check out this house plants e-book as well, along with our flower and leaf garland e-book.

Things To Do For Mom

Brittany

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April 28, 2022

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Give her breakfast in bed

Breakfast in bed is the classic Mother’s Day gift! But this year you can make it even more unique by cutting out fruit in the shape of flowers. It’s a simple way even the little kids can feel like they’re contributing to help make mom feel special. To get you started, give her a hot cup of tea in this speckled loopy mug from our shop, or add a twisted candle in a flower candle holder.

Here are some more supplies to help prep for the perfect breakfast in bed:

Make dinner

Growing up, my dad would make dinner for my mom every Mother’s Day. Most of the time, he did a pretty spectacular job (though I still remember the time he forgot the cheese in the lasagna). Don’t worry, if you’re not feeling confident enough in your cooking to take on a whole meal yourself (I understand, I really do–I’m the queen of not knowing how to cook), enlist the help of siblings and friends and make a day of it! There’s also no shame in a few store-prepared elements to your meal (Harmon’s and Trader Joe’s are my favorites).

If your mom loves to cook, some great gifts we mentioned in our Mother’s Day gift guide this year are our recipe cards and this adorable new checkerboard apron!

Here are some other great kitchen supplies to make the dinner extra special and beautiful:

Give her a beautiful card

A Mother’s Day card can never go wrong. It’s simple, but something every mother loves. Luckily for you, we have a whole host of Mother’s Day cards and stationary like this Scandinavian one to get you started!

Something handmade

What mom doesn’t love a handmade gift from their child? Head straight to our blog for tons of great DIY projects that double as great Mother’s Day gifts! For example, try these photo transfer dolls, or this beautiful clay necklace. This lovely embroidered brooch is another great option your mom can wear. For the kids, check out this post with tons of great Mother’s Day ideas kids can help with!

Flowers

Of course we couldn’t forget flowers. You know we love flowers, here at The House that Lars Built. Why not make some paper flowers for your mom this year? Some of my favorites are peonies, foxgloves, and hollyhocks. It’s a bouquet that stays looking fresh long after Mother’s Day!

No time to make a bouquet? Here are some lovely flower-centric options to try:

Go on a mom date

Take her out to her favorite restaurant, go get manis/pedis, get massages or do a full spa day, get a yummy treat, go on a walk amidst the blossoms, the options are endless. The one thing we know is that she’ll love getting to spend some quality time with you.

Here are some spa items you could incorporate into an at-home spa day:

Clean for her

Every mom appreciates a little help with the cleaning. Growing up, I remember asking my mom what she wanted for birthdays and she’d always mention cleaning. We can all relate! No matter how on top of the chores you are, it’s nice to take a break and let someone else take care of it for a change. The best part about this is that all ages of children can do a little something to help. Your mother deserves it!

Oh, and to top off your cleaning, why not light a deliciously scented candle? Mmmm, I love a good candle, and I bet your mom does, too.

More Gift Ideas

Still stumped? Check out our 2022 Mother’s Day gift guide!

Floral Favor Boxes

Brittany

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March 23, 2022

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Floral Favor Boxes

We love these floral favor boxes. They’re the perfect thing for so many occasions! Does someone you know have a spring birthday? Instant party favors. Of course, they’d also make adorable additions to a floral tea party, bridal shower, or wedding. There aren’t a lot of situations where these sweet little boxes could go wrong!

Instructions

Prepping the Box

To create a closed bottom on one end of the tube, make four evenly spaced slits at the bottom of one end, about 1″ deep. This will give you four flaps. Fold the flaps under the tube and glue them together.
Fill the tube with candy or a small gift.

Finishing Touches

Lay the tube on one end of the strip (the long side of the tube should be parallel with the short side of the strip). Position the tube so about one inch of crepe paper will hang below the closed bottom. Roll the strip around the tube. Tuck the overhanging crepe paper at the bottom and glue it under the tube.
Tie a piece of twine around the crepe at the top of the tube and cinch it. Slip in a paper leaf before tying it off. Flatten the crepe paper at the top and fold it in half vertically. Cut a leaf shape through all the layers down to just above the twine to make petals.
Unfold the crepe paper. Separate the petals and gently stretch the center of each to make a cupped shape.

We hope you enjoyed this tutorial, courtesy of Jodi Levine. We would highly recommend checking out her new ebook, Toilet Tube Treasury, where you can find other clever ways to repurpose toilet tubes!

More Inspiration

What did you think of Jodi’s toilet tube tutorial on floral favor boxes? We loved it! If you did, too, we’re guessing you’ll also be interested in some of our paper flower tutorials. Have you seen our new paper orchid tutorial? Also try our DIY Paper Hollyhocks, or these Poppies, Peonies, and Posies. Have a spring or summer wedding coming up? Here, here and here are some beautiful bouquets to choose from. You can also check out this holiday flower roundup if you’re interested!

paper flowers

Handmade Gift Ideas to give for Mother’s Day

Handmade Cards

DIY Jewelry

Printable Coloring pages for Mother’s Day

Personalized Photo Album

DIY Candles

Handmade paper flower

Paper flower hydrangeas

Paper flower foxgloves

Paper flower peony

Pillows of you children

Embroidered brooch

DIY apron

Handmade Pillow Cover

Paper flower wedding bouquets

Why paper flowers

Customize your theme to your flowers

Flower bouquet inspired by royal wedding

Not weather dependent

Bright flower paper bouquet

Get the group together

Finding flowers in the right season

What you’ll need for making paper flowers

Our Favorite Easter Crafts

Wreaths

Easter Baskets

Easter Egg ideas

Felted Easter Eggs

For Kids

Easter printables

Paper crowns

Easter paper flowers

Easter Egg Column People

Gift Wrapping with Flowers

Instructions

More Inspiration

Flowers Forever

How to Make a Paper Flower Garland

Making the Flowers

Adding the Flower Centers

Making the Leaves

Assembling your Garland

Styling your garland

More Inspiration

History of Bastille Day

Bastille Day Roundup

July 2018 Desktop Wallpaper and Print

Printable Paris Crown and Invitations

Printable Parisian Placemats

Paris-Inspired Design: A Bastille Day Bash

Celebrating Bastille Day

Fireworks and the Fourth

How to Make Paper Cake Topper Fireworks

More Inspiration

Floral Backdrops from the Archives

Retro Florals Backdrop

How to Make a Retro Florals Backdrop

Casetify-Inspired Fabrics

More Inspiration

Blooms for Bouquets

Bouquets

Paper Flower Accessories

Home Decor Flowers

Wreaths

Chandeliers and Mobiles

Centerpieces

Potted Paper Flowers

Parties!

Cakes

Backdrops

Garlands

Holiday

Valentines Day

Halloween

Hannukah

Christmas

More From Our Shop!

Our Learn To Draw Flowers Course

Nadia Aguilar Cates