In this post, I’m going to show you a 3D Mother’s Day Exploding Paper Flower Craft! That has that WOW factor!
Mother’s Day Exploding Paper Flower Craft!
This year Mothering Sunday has come earlier than usual.
It will be on Sunday, 10th March 2024 in the UK.
So in speed, I thought of an activity that’s quick, easy and has a bit of a WOW factor!
I shall be showing a ‘Mother’s Day Exploding Paper Flower Craft!’
This has been a favourite of mine, because you get to use a lot of bits and pieces of colourful paper that are hanging around, and you can make good use of them!
For Mothering Sunday, how lovely for Mum to receive a bunch of beautiful flowers, the joy, and the anticipation it brings to a child in delivering her mother’s gift, and seeing how happy it makes Mum!
In response, Mum embraces her daughter for the beautiful bunch of flowers.
No matter how big or small her gift is, it’s the thought behind it, and Mum shows how grateful she is, with hugs and kisses!
LET’S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS!
Now is the time to get busy and hunt around for odd bits of coloured paper stock.
It could be anything, from saved scraps of coloured paper, greeting paper wrap, packaging paper, old greeting cards you held on to, or even newspaper or magazine papers!
Just think you are ultimately recycling held-on-to-paper stock, yay!
WHY THE CHANGE OF DATE!
In the UK, Mother’s Day will be on Sunday, 10th March. Mother’s Day date changes from year to year, although it’s always in March.
The reason for this earlier date will depend on when Easter takes place, and it will always be on the 4th Sunday of Lent.
WHAT IS LENT?
For Christians, Lent is 40 days covering the events leading up to and including the death of Jesus Christ, whose life and teachings are the foundation of Christianity.
This act would be devoted from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday, including forty weekdays.
So Lent is the 40 days preceding Easter devoted to fasting in commemoration of Christ’s fasting in the wilderness.
It is also said that Mothering Sunday was originally a day to honour and give thanks to the Virgin Mary, also known as Mother Mary.
SO LET’S FAST FORWARD TO THE PROJECT IN-HAND!
I came across this lovely video in honour of ‘Our Mums’ and thought it was nice to see how else ‘Mums’ hold a place in our hearts! Have your tissues ready at hand, it is a tear-jerker!
Because mum knows best…….
WE LOVE OUR MUMS!
We love our mums, right? And mums like flowers, so how about making a neat 3D flower card out of any paper stock you may have lying around?
RIGHT ARE YOU READY?
RESOURCES.
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Different coloured papers, plain or patterned.
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Glue stick/double-sided tape/PVA glue.
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Scissors/scalpel.
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Cutting board.
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A4 white/coloured card.
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A3 card/to fold.
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Glitter/your choice
HOW THIS WORKS!
The main part of this project, to make a Mother’s Day Exploding Paper Flower Craft, is to cut leaf shapes out of your coloured papers, and glue them in a circular pattern, to create a wonderful 3D flower!
WHAT SHAPE.
The leaf shape will be approximately 15cm long and about 4cm wide, although the size can vary.
HOW TO LAYER.
Start by laying the larger leaves in a wide circle, spacing them out, then add more leaves, slightly smaller, following the same pattern and keep building and filling up spaces.
HOW TO STYLE.
When you start your next line of leaves, push them in to bulge them out, giving a 3D effect.
LIKE THE REAL THING.
In the middle of the flower for extra effect, cut a spikey fan, which resembles the anthers within a flower.
EFFECTIVE LOOK.
Continue layering the leaves, largest then smallest, pushing each one slightly back and glueing it in place, until you end up with a 3D explosive flower.
SO LET’S SEE HOW THIS WORKS!
SOME TIPS!
HOW TO START.
- It might be easier to lay an A4 sheet of card horizontally, to start your flower, this way you can work from the outside of the A4 card working inwards.
CUTTING LEAVES.
- Cut approx. 15x4cm long leaf shape, work with this size and make the next row slightly smaller.
COLOURED/PATTERNED PAPERS.
- You can use plain coloured papers, or patterned papers, or mix both.
- The paper version is much easier to bend or shape than if you used thin cards.
GLUING IN PLACE.
- Use the glue stick a few times to get the paper leaf tacky, then hold it down until it adheres to the paper.
- You can style the colour wave how you like, depending on what papers you have.
- Lay out your pattern first, then lightly tack leaves into place.
PVA GLUE AND GLITTERING.
- PVA glue can be a bit runny, and if you want to glitter the leaves, design your pattern whilst the paper leaves are lying flat, then sprinkle the glitter onto the glue, shake off and allow to dry.
WHEN GLUE AND GLITTER ARE DRY.
- After the glitter has dried, you can shape the paper leaf and bowl it out, by pushing back and glueing it in place.
HOW TO FINISH UP.
- When you have completed the exploding paper flower, and it’s stuck securely on the A4 card, trim around the flower, so it’s in the centre of the card, turn it upside down and run double-sided tape along the four edges, flip over.
A3 CARD.
- Fold the A3 white card in half, turn it horizontally and carefully stick the flower on the trimmed card onto the folded A3 card.
OVERALL SIZE.
- The finished size of the paper flower card will be approximately: 21x27cm or near to that.
- Creating a paper flower on an A4 sheet of card, and once stuck down on a folded A3-size card, will have more of an impact and will look great!
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No need to put it in an oversized envelope, hand it over as it is, but hide it behind your back, or say ‘close your eyes’……..
This is a great activity to do for any occasion, and almost be a keepsake too. All you need is to write your message inside the card, and you’re done!
You could spray a nice fragrance over the flower to add that personal touch, too.
When you click links in this post and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the craft projects shared on this website.😀
(Affiliate disclosure)
If you like the look of exploding images, just like the one we have done within this project, then Etsy stock just that!
There you will find an array of special pop up box cards!
Etsy have many beautiful pop up flower cards, although this one caught my eye……..
This could be an additon to your Mother’s Day Exploding Paper Flower, crafted one, a flower and butterfly pop up box, by ‘PollysPopUp Cards’ shown here ⇒
Are you tempted? Of course, the whole point of any of my posts is for you or your kids to craft something special out of your recycling, and I will always complement my projects with similar, ready-made ones, so you have the choice, or better still, compare your fabulous creations! 😀
Or…how about something tasty?
Have you ever thought of a personlized yummy gift?
Trading Chocolate Co. offer beautiful, elegant Mother’s Day gift boxes. These are luxury chocolates and truffle selection boxes.
With the highest quality chocolate of 100% pure cocoa butter, reduced sugars, natural flavouring and no additives!
Sounds good, doesn’t it?
Chocolate Trading Co. offer an option where you can send a personalised gift box, with your very own message on the sleeve of the gift box!
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You choose a design.
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From a choice of gift boxes.
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Then you add your message.
Hey Julia,
I know Mother’s Day was yesterday but my friends and their daughter would absolutely love this article, so they could work together on making Mother’s Day crafts.
I am going to share this with them and I am going to encourage them to share their thoughts. If they have any issues or questions then I will advise them to get in touch.
Thank you for sharing and keep up the great work.
All the best,
Tom
No worries Tom, this kind of project can be done at anytime! It’s an idea to keep aside, for when you would like to impress someone!
This kind of project can be used for any type of celebration, like, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Engagements, Weddings and thinking of you kind of card. The only thing you need to consider is the type of paper you can use, the colours, and embellishments.
Also this exploding flower card, would make a super show-piece, and one to talk about!
Great to hear you are going to share this with friends and their daughter, I am sure they will have lots of fun making this 3D card and with a final WOW!
Happy Crafting!
Julia.?
What a delightful and creative craft idea for Mother’s Day! I must say, I’m thoroughly impressed. The step-by-step guide is wonderfully detailed. I appreciate the emphasis on using simple materials, which not only makes this project accessible but also encourages recycling and sustainability. This craft not only offers a chance to create something beautiful and heartfelt but also provides a wonderful opportunity for family bonding. Thank you for sharing this lovely idea!
Hi Enxhi, I am so glad you liked this project, and found it easy to follow. My aim is to re-use what we have and try to upcycle it into something different and at the same time making it a fun activity for kids as well as adults to do. This particular Mother’Day exploding flower card, has that WOW factor when it’s completed, and makes a super keep-sake gift. Also as you mention doing an activity like this with your family offers a chance to have that special time together in-hand strengthening their relationships.
So thanks for your excellent comment.
Happy Crafting.
Julia.?
Hi Julia,
What a delightful idea for Mother’s Day! Your detailed instructions make it seem like even I could craft a beautiful 3D exploding paper flower. I appreciate the resource list and the step-by-step guide—really helpful for a novice like me.
I loved the reactions in your video! Can’t wait to try this! In fact I may get the grand kids to help me make a gift for their mom!
Question for you: Do you have any suggestions for personalizing the flower card even more, perhaps adding unique touches that reflect the relationship with our moms? Excited to give this a try!
Hey Chas, MMMMMM, you got me thinking here, if you want to personalize the card further, how about makeing prints of Mum and cut them up instead, with a mix of coloured papers, and do the flower that way?
Or the backing card could have a print of mum and somehow add the flower near to it.
You can spray Mums fragrance over the flower, or glue her favourite chocolate in the centre of the flower.
I mean its limitless what little touches here and there you can add.
Another suggestion is to do loads of love hearts, kisses with lipstick and kiss the paper that way, and personal words on to some plain paper and make the flower using personalized graffiti on it?
Whatever you go with, I am sure you will have a lovely reaction.
Once again thanks for your kind comment and I am happy to hear you liked this Mothers Day project!
Happy Crafting.
Julia.?