30 something ways to show Mum some love!

There are many ways to celebrate Mum on Mother's Day from making her breakfast in bed to giving her flowers.  This year put a cute twist on old favourites or create something totally new she will love for years to come.  You can get crafty by making something from scratch or buy something from the talented people I have featured.

I've hopefully covered all budgets, tastes and gift ideas for all those different types of Mums from crafty to sentimental. If in doubt Coffee, Wine or Chocolate (or all three!) usually work too.
It’s also been my experience that significant others tend to need to be reminded that Mother’s day is coming up. If you’d like to be recognized this Mother’s Day, email this list as a reminder to someone special.  

Tell Mum how much you love her… 

Whether it's a keepsake, card or a heartfelt letter, tell Mum how special she is to you with a few meaningful words.

1. Felt Envelope
2. Handprint Mother's Day Card
3. I love you to the moon and back keepsake heart
4. You a Super Duper Tea Towel from Flora Waycott

Say it with flowers…

Let the moment live longer than a week when the flowers expire and give Mum the gift of everlasting flowers.

1. Crochet flowers
2. Thanks a Bunch Mum! card
3. Felt Hearts flowers
4. Paper Flowers

Breakfast in Bed

This only works if a. she is left alone to eat her breakfast in bed and b. the kitchen is left spotless by the time she gets up!

1. Reading the Paper
2. Mother's Day Breakfast Menu Printable
3. Message on Toast
4. Mother's Day Tray Cloth Tutorial

Winter Warmers 

Mum would probably appreciate something warm this time of year, we all know by now that Winter is definitely on it's way, if not here already!

1. Beanie from Giggles & Curls
2. Wool Crochet Gloves from apricot
3. Crochet Slippers from maisemakes
4. Hottie Cover from baby bird

Support her Hobby

If your Mum loves a little crafting then support her in this by gifting her some supplies, project ideas or help to organise the ones she already has.  If Mum has limited space to craft I'm sure she would appreciate a little breathing room to create.

1. Craft Supplies in a jar Tutorial
2. Make by Cath Kidston 
3. Craft Storage House
4. Make her a little Pincushion, this one made by yours truly!

Make her a special cuppa

We all know Mum deserves probably more than a cuppa but these super cute ways to present her with one were just too cute to ignore.

1. DIY Love you a latte Tutorial
2. Sharpie Mug Tutorial
3. You're Tea-rrific Card
4. Mother's Day Tea Tags Tutorial

Baking up a storm

If Mum throws together a pretty good banana cake then chances are she loves baking up a storm so some new supplies wouldn't go amiss in her kitchen, especially ones as cute as these.

1. Whip it Good Recipe Cards (Set of 12) from iDear
2. Thanks for Raising Me Card from iDear
3. Loves to Bake Kit
4. Cupcake Cookie Cutter from Making It!

Give the gift of time out

Sometimes it's the simple things like some time out which is a special enough gift especially for busy Mums who don't have time to think.  I'm no psychic but I bet most Mums would have this at the top of their wishlist for Mother's Day.

1. DIY Mums Time Out Basket idea
2. Cartoon Source
3. Make a Mum's Nook
4. Pedicure at Home Tutorial

Jewellery. Simple.
There are no words really.  Mum's like pretty shiny things, preferably lots of them but anything pretty and shiny will do.

1. Home is where your Mum is Necklace
2. Mother Bird Necklace
3. DIY Fingerprint Pendant Tutorial
4. Tessellation Necklace from Pandemonium

For more ideas and inspiration, check out my Pinterest Board Mothers Day

1. A Tessellation Necklace from Pandemonium.
(for the Mum who likes to look good)

2. Make by Cath Kidston from Fabric Fixation
(for the Mum who likes to craft)

3. Pincushion Cutie from justalittlebitcute.
(for the Mum who likes to sew)

4. Beanie from Giggles & Curls.
(for the Mum who likes to look good and stay warm)

5. Cupcake Cookie Cutter from Making It!
(for the Mum who likes to eat cookies)

6. Hottie Cover from baby bird
(for the Mum who likes to stay toasty)

To be in to win one of these special Mothers Day prizes, I am asking for nominations. Just leave a comment either here or on the facebook page telling us why a special mother in your life deserves to be honoured. Anyone can enter. You can be a child nominating a parent, a husband nominating a wife, a friend nominating a fellow mother or friend…hey, why not nominate yourself?!

The little details:

- one comment per person

- you must live in New Zealand

- giveaway closes on Wednesday 7th May

-prizes will be randomly drawn in order of this list

- make sure there is some way for me to contact you! Please leave an email, or have your name clickable to a profile or something.  If there is no way for me to reach you then I'll have to draw another entry!! This has happened previously, so I wouldn't like to do this and disappoint someone!

My Inspiration Monday - Making it!

How did your business come about?

‘Making It’ was started because my partner (Josh) and I (Cynthia)  like making things. We started thinking about things we could design, make and sell from home - things that would showcase our design talent. We purchased a Makerbot 3D printer and started exploring what we could make.

What is 3D printing?

3D printing, also called additive manufacturing, means making things layer by layer according to a 3D design file. This differs from traditional manufacturing, such as machining, which often involves subtracting a material in order to achieve a certain shape.

How long have you been making cutters for? 

We made our first ladybug cutter for my daughters 1^st birthday at the start of 2013, we had a ladybug party theme. Our friends and family loved the idea, so I started designing more cookie cutters.  We then started making cookie cutters for sale in mid 2013.

I signed up to have a stall at the Bambino Market to test the popularity of our cookie cutters. Then I got busy designing and printing cookie cutters. Each cookie cutter takes 1.5 to 2 hours to print, so I had the printer going everyday for a few weeks. I started getting requests for custom cookie cutter shapes too (mostly corporate logos and characters for birthday parties so far).

Where did the name come from? 

The name 'Making It' was kinda made up on a whim. I started making kids coats (upcycled from woollen blankets) and appliqué kids t-shirts after having trouble finding a warm coat and interesting t-shirts for my daughter. The name fits in with the wide range of things we make.

Where does your inspiration come from?

I make cookie cutter designs that my daughter and I would like. Since she has started talking and loves animals I get lots of inspiration. I also get asked for certain shapes, especially since having stalls at a few craft markets.

What do you love about what you do? 

I love that I can use my graphic design and illustration skills to produce something my customers like and enjoy using.

Where do you find time to craft? 

My daughter has started daycare a few days a week and she still has an afternoon nap. And I find time to create more cutter designs between freelance graphic design projects.

What’s next for you? 

We would like to explore other things we can print on our 3D printer. I'd like to design a website to sell our cookie cutters directly and especially promote the fact that we can create custom designed cookie cutters. 

Our cutters are available in the HAPA store in the Re:Start Mall and I would love to see them in a few more crafty/gift stores.

You can find more of Making It! here on their facebook page and here on Felt,  Make sure you have a look at all their designs.  And keep an eye of this little guy who will be part of our Easter giveaway -

And it wouldn't be a post about cookie cutters without a cookie recipe!  Check out Cynthia's Gingerbread Cookie Recipe - 

Gingerbread Cookie Recipe

This is the yummiest Gingerbread Cookie Recipe I have found, and I've tried lots. :)

Ingredients

125g butter

3/4 cup golden syrup

1 cup sugar

3 cups flour

3 Tbsp ground ginger

3 Tbsp ground mixed spice

1 Tbsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

2 Tbsp milk

Method

Preheat oven to 170°C.

Melt the butter, golden syrup and sugar in a large pot and bring to the boil. Boil rapidly for several minutes and stir as it boils.

Sift the flour, ground ginger and ground mixed spice into a large bowl. Pour melted butter mix into the dry ingredients and mix to combine.

Mix baking soda and milk in a cup and pour into the dough, stirring until it is well combined. Rest dough for 5-10 minutes covered in cling film. (I find the mixture is really hot and I put it in the fridge)

Roll out on lightly floured board (5-6 mm thick). Use cutters to cut various shapes. Put onto baking paper and bake for 10-15 minutes.

Recipe altered from www.greggs.co.nz

Images used with the kind permission of Cynthia Packman