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Short on Mother’s Day ideas? Try these quick and easy DIYs for a personal gift

07 May 2024

If you’ve run out of time or have a small budget this Mother’s Day, try making your own gift. Not only is it cost effective, but it’s more thoughtful and personalised, and something that Mum will cherish for years to come! Check out these three easy ideas that you can do in no time!

Tote-ally gorgeous 

Mum’s can never have too bags - there are bags for groceries, general shopping, library books and much more.  With personalisation on trend at the moment we guarantee Mum will love this idea! Choose her favourite colours to make it even more special.

You will need:

  • 1x Canvas tote bag (we got ours from Kmart)
  • Resene testpots in Mum’s favourite shades. We used Resene Wonderland, Resene Polo Blue and Resene Green Pea
  • Fine paintbrush
  • Testpot brush
  • Pencil
  • Cardboard to go into the bag while you are painting so the paint doesn’t seep through

Step 1: Pop the cardboard inside the bag for ease of painting.  Draw your design in pencil onto the fabric.

Step 2: Paint your design onto the bag following your pencil marks. You can also paint the handles if you want to add more colour. We used Resene Wonderland, Resene Polo Blue and Resene Green Pea.

Step 3: Wrap up and give to mum for Mother’s Day or simply surprise her by adding it to her coat rack.

Wall painted in Resene Half Spanish White and coat rack in Resene Wonderland.

 

Mum’s masterpiece

There are lots of special words to describe your Mum so why not let her know how special she is with this DIY word canvas this Mother’s Day.

You will need:

Step 1: Paint your canvas in your chosen background colour. We used a neutral shade of Resene Half Spanish White.

Step 2: Paint your frame in an eye-catching colour. We used Resene Teak.

Step 3: Paint your letters in another of your chosen paint colours. We used Resene Sandbar.

Step 4: Glue your letters to your canvas then use a fine paintbrush to paint out your special words around the letters.

Step 5: Put your canvas back in its frame then hang it on the wall for Mum to see on Mother’s Day morning. Or you could wrap it up to give to her as a surprise.

Wall and console table painted in Resene Half Spanish White, tealight holder in Resene Sandbar and vase in Resene Papier Mache.

 

Picture perfect 

Picture frames can be pricey to buy, so why not upcycle one from home or your local charity shop and turn it into a designer looking frame with some beads and paint. Pop in a favourite photo of you and Mum and give to her on Mother’s Day.

You will need:

  • An upcycled or inexpensive picture frame
  • Sandpaper (if needed)
  • Wood glue
  • Wooden round beads
  • Paintbrush
  • Resene testpots in Mum’s favourite We used Resene Havelock Blue

Step 1: Remove the glass from the frame and give it a light sand if needed. Then, paint your frame in your chosen paint colour using two coats for best coverage. We used Resene Havelock Blue.

Step 2: Paint your wooden beads. We used Resene Havelock Blue to match the frame but you could use another colour, or many colours, to make your design as vibrant as you like! 

Step 3: Glue your beads to the outside of the frame and wait to dry.

Step 4: Put the glass back in and add a picture of you and your Mum. Hang it on the wall or wrap it up to give to her on Mother’s Day.

The wall and console table are painted in Resene Half Spanish White and plant pot in Resene Havelock Blue.

projects Vanessa Nouwens

images Bryce Carleton

Published: 07 May 2024