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  • Welcome to TPK! This is your first of 2 free articles. For unlimited access to tutorials and articles, join TPK Premium for less than the cost of a latte.

    8 Artistic DIY Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

    May 2, 2023

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    Gifts, Mother’s Day Cards, Roundup

    Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and there’s nothing like a DIY gift to make the day special. In this article, I’ve got eight artistic DIY Mother’s Day gift ideas that are sure to inspire you! From handmade cards to botanical letters and bookmarks, these ideas are perfect for any mother, not just your own.

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    DIY Mother's Day Gift Ideas
    Today, I’ll give you eight artistic DIY Mother’s Day Gift ideas. I hope that one of the ideas helps you to make this Mother’s Day memorable for someone!

    I’ve always been a believer in DIY Mother’s Day gifts, but now that I’m a mother myself, I appreciate them even more. Being a parent really shows you the value of time and energy, so when someone takes the time to DIY a gift for me, I love it. Today, I encourage you to think outside of the box for Mother’s Day. Every mom deserves to feel seen, so it’s wonderful to give a gift or a card to any mother, not just your own. Below, you’ll find eight fabulous DIY Mother’s Day gift ideas that are sure to inspire you!


    8 Artistic DIY Mother’s Day Gift Card Ideas: Video Version


    8 Artistic DIY Mother’s Day Gift Card Ideas: Written Version

    1. A Handmade Card

    A handmade Mother’s Day card is a gimme. It’s rare that you’ll find a mother who won’t absolutely love a handmade card with a touching message inside. That recognition and thoughtfulness is all many a mother needs; no other gift is necessary.

    Teapot-Themed Mother's Day Card Tutorial by Phyllis Macaluso
    Phyllis Macaluso wrote a fabulous tutorial over how to make a teapot-themed Mother’s Day card.

    There are several DIY Mother’s Day card tutorials on the TPK site. They include:

    • Quick Butterfly-Themed Calligraphy Mother’s Day Card Tutorial
    • DIY Mother’s Day Card Tutorial: Fabulous Filigree Leaves
    • Teapot-Themed Mother’s Day Card Tutorial by Phyllis Macaluso

    BROWSE ALL MOTHER’S DAY CARD TUTORIALS

    2. Botanical Letter

    A botanical letter “D” is my mom’s Mother’s Day gift for this year. Who doesn’t love a highly embellished version of their initial? I’m going to frame my letter before I gift it, but if you’re not sure if the mother in your life will want to display the letter, just give it to her as-is. She very well might want to put it on a bulletin board or, if you make a smaller version, keep it in her planner or propped up on her desk.

    This video course features two hours of video instruction plus printables that will teach you how to make a gorgeous watercolor botanical letter.
    One of my favorite DIY Mother’s Day gift ideas? A botanical letter. This is what I’ll be giving to my mom in a couple of weeks!

    LEARN HOW TO MAKE A BOTANICAL LETTER

    3. Bookmarks

    Yes, eReaders are convenient and en vogue, but we all have tangible books we use as well, like cookbooks. If you’re in a doodling mood, try making your favorite mom(s) a little stack of bookmarks. She’ll appreciate having a beautiful way to mark her spot … and the opportunity to think of you every time she sees your handmade bookmark.

    Gorgeous Black and Gold Bookmarks
    Feel free to switch up the color scheme of these bookmarks to reflect your recipient’s taste.

    LEARN HOW TO MAKE GORGEOUS BLACK & GOLD BOOKMARKS

    4. Pointed Pen Calligraphy Passage

    If the mother in your life has a favorite work of literature, use a passage from that literature to make a piece of pointed pen art. With the help of a light box, the project can come together in very little time!

    Shortcut Pointed Pen Calligraphy Passage Tutorial
    Write in a bouncy and casual calligraphy style, and you’ll find that your pointed pen calligraphy passage is quite quick to make!

    Last Mother’s Day, I gave my mom a passage written in calligraphy. It’s from To Kill a Mockingbird, one of her favorite books. She loved the passage, and it is now framed and “lives” on her bedside table, in front of a photo of my grandmother.

    Mother's Day calligraphy passage

    LEARN HOW TO MAKE POINTED PEN CALLIGRAPHY PASSAGE ARTWORK

     5. Watercolor Map

    Can you think of a place that your favorite mother loves? Celebrate it with a watercolor map! Watercolor maps are a time investment, but the results are worth every bit of the time you put in. You can learn how to make a map step-by-step in TPK’s Watercolor Illustrated Maps 101 eCourse, or read a general overview of the process in the How to Create an Illustrated Watercolor Map tutorial.

    Making a Watercolor Illustrated Map 101: An eCourse
    Is Paris one of your gift recipient’s favorite places? Make a map of Paris with me — and learn how to make other maps, too — in the Watercolor Illustrated Map 101 eCourse.

    MAKE A WATERCOLOR MAP

    6. Lettering Map

    If you’re not up for making a map with illustrations and watercolor, try putting together a lettering map. In a lettering map, Lasso Lettering characters and flourishes come together to form a favorite state or country. It’s a great DIY Mother’s Day gift idea if you only have a couple of hours to make something cool!

    Lasso lettering is great when incorporated into artwork like this!
    You don’t have to include a country’s colors in your lettering map, but bonus points if you do!

    LEARN HOW TO MAKE A LETTERING MAP

    7. Family Tree

    The vast majority of mothers will absolutely love receiving a family tree. Family trees are a wonderful reminder of the vital part a mother plays in her family’s history, and the connection that all family members share. Give yourself plenty of time to make the tree, though! It requires careful planning and problem-solving, plus the actual calligraphy and illustration process.

    How to Make a Gorgeous Calligraphy Family Tree
    A family tree is one of the best DIY Mother’s Day gift ideas ever: it’s pretty, celebrates family, and emphasizes a mother’s role in her family.

    LEARN HOW TO MAKE A FAMILY TREE

     8. Illuminated Letter

    Whenever I think “handmade gifts”, illuminated letters immediately come to mind. If Instagram is to be trusted, many TPK readers turn to the Easy Illuminated Letter Tutorial when they need a cool, easy, and fairly quick DIY gift. (My mom has this illuminated letter — a birthday gift I gave her a couple of years ago — on display in her living room.)

    The Cheater's Illuminated Letter Tutorial

    LEARN HOW TO MAKE AN ILLUMINATED LETTER


    There are more DIY Mother’s Day gift ideas to browse on TPK (see all gift-appropriate tutorials here), but the eight that I listed today are what come to mind immediately for me! If you’re pressed for time, consider ordering from the TPK Supplies Shop. The The TPK Modern Calligraphy Starter Kit makes an awesome gift for a mom who wants to learn calligraphy, or consider a Lettering Composition Ruler Bundle or a set of pearlescent watercolors. We wrap up everything beautifully and send it on its way promptly!

    I hope that you find some inspiration in today’s roundup. If you have additional project ideas or suggestions, please feel free to contribute them in the comments. Thanks so much for reading, and happy (almost) Mother’s Day!

    Warmly,

    Lindsey's Signature | The Postman's Knock

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About the author

Hi, I’m Lindsey Bugbee, the illustrator, calligrapher, and author behind The Postman’s Knock (TPK). Since 2012, the TPK Blog has been a vibrant creative space filled with tutorials and lessons on modern calligraphy, hand lettering, and illustration. After publishing The Calligraphy Book, I wanted to elevate the quality of content even further—so I launched TPK Premium. You can join here to receive access to some of the internet’s best creative inspiration and project tutorials.

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45 responses

  1. Yolanda Avatar
    Yolanda
    May 16, 2023

    Lovely! I want to make the family tree and the tree letter!

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 18, 2023

      I hope that you do! Best of luck! 😊

      Log in to Reply
  2. Erna Avatar
    Erna
    May 15, 2023

    You always have such excellent ideas! Thank you!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 15, 2023

      Thank you so much! I hope that you try some of them out! 😊

      Log in to Reply
  3. Marie Avatar
    Marie
    May 14, 2023

    What lovely ideas! These would make great gifts for Mother’s Day or any occasion 😊

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 15, 2023

      I agree! Thank you for enjoying! 😊

      Log in to Reply
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TPK’s calligraphy starter kit was just featured TPK’s calligraphy starter kit was just featured in @newyorkermag’s “A Holiday Gift Guide: Treasures That Are Old, or Old at Heart”. 🎁 I agree that it makes for a *fabulous* gift ... and it is the gift that keeps on giving, since your recipient will develop the skills to create all sorts of beautiful and satisfying projects. We’re talking gorgeous envelopes, frameable quotes that make a home feel cozy, place cards, sketchbook pages, family trees ... there are a lot of possibilities (and tutorials for those possibilities can be found on the TPK Blog)!

To get a kit, visit the link in my bio and navigate to the “SHOP” tab. If you buy a kit as a gift, let me know right after placing your order (lindsey@thepostmansknock.com). Be sure to tell me your recipient’s name, and I’ll be glad to include instructions for them over how to enroll in the Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course, which comes with the $125 kit option. ✍️ Happy holidays! 

#thepostmansknock #tpk #calligraphy #moderncalligraphy #calligraphycommunity #calligraphypractice #calligraphytools #calligraphyset #calligraphykit #giftguide #holidaygiftguide #newyorkermag #smallbusinesslove #shopsmall #makersgonnamake #creativegifts #handmadegifts #artgifts #artsupplies #stationerylove #snailmailrevival #envelopecalligraphy #learncalligraphy #artistsontiktok #creativeprocess #holidayseason #giftideas2024
✨Chic Inky Poppies Mail Art✨ – This inky poppy ✨Chic Inky Poppies Mail Art✨ - This inky poppy motif is one of my all-time favorites for filling blank space with drama and elegance. To make it, you use dark ink smudges, loose leaves, and airy petals to build a border that looks intricate but comes together quickly. My go-tos for this style are sumi ink and a touch of gold watercolor for warmth. 

Want to try it yourself? Visit the TPK website (link in bio) and search for “Chic Inky Poppies Mail Art Tutorial.” Happy creating! 🌸🖋️

#thepostmansknock #tpk #mailart #mailartideas #envelopeart #snailmailrevival #snailmailing #snailmailart #envelopecalligraphy #calligraphycommunity #calligraphypractice #pointedpencalligraphy #moderncalligraphy #sumiink #goldwatercolor #penandink #creativeprocess #creativemail #illustrationart #papercraft #stationerylove #artistsoninstagram #artreels #calligraphyreels #mailartreels
✍️ There’s a fresh addition to the TPK Catal ✍️ There’s a fresh addition to the TPK Catalog: The Graceful Ballerina Calligraphy Drill Worksheet 

This ballerina is unique among TPK calligraphy drills in that it’s really not that complicated. After a few simple loops, a flourished tutu, and long strokes to make the legs, you have, well, a ballerina! 🩰 The most difficult part is getting the outline right; but even that isn’t too bad because you’ve got a traceable outline included in your worksheet set.

The beauty of the flourished ballerina? She makes *anything* look elegant: cards, envelopes, gift tags, whatever. My recommendation is to feature her on your next envelope. She’ll add a “wow” factor and allow you to left-justify the address, which is always a relief (no need to bother with centering)!

To find her, visit the link in my bio, then navigate to the Blog!

#thepostmansknock #tpk #calligraphy #calligraphydrills #calligraphyworksheet #moderncalligraphy #pointedpen #pointedpencalligraphy #calligraphypractice #flourishing #flourishedart #mailart #snailmail #envelopeart #envelopecalligraphy #handlettering #creativeprocess #artistsoninstagram #balletart #ballerinadrawing #ballerinaart #inkdrawing #calligraphycommunity #stationerylove #letterwritersalliance #penandink #calligraphyinspiration #learncalligraphy #artistlife #creativeplay
✨I’ve been making these little calligraphy Chr ✨I’ve been making these little calligraphy Christmas trees for years. They’re a go-to whenever I need a quick gift tag, envelope flourish, or something festive that doesn’t require a whole afternoon.

They look fancy, but they’re really just simple strokes stacked in different patterns. Truly: once you get the rhythm down, you can make a tree in under 30 seconds. 🎄 

If you want to try them (there are six styles!), the tutorial is on the TPK Blog, and it’s called
“6 Simple Ways to Make a Calligraphy Christmas Tree.” Feel free to google it, or visit: thepostmansknock.com/6-simple-ways-to-make-a-calligraphy-christmas-tree/

It’s very beginner-friendly, video-based, and a great way to get some creativity in during a busy season. I hope you love it as much as I do. 💛

#calligraphy #moderncalligraphy #holidaycalligraphy #calligraphyart #creativelifehappylife #christmascrafts #holidaycrafts #giftwrappingideas #diychristmas #christmascards #calligraphytutorial #finetec #metallicwatercolor #papercrafts #creativepractice #thepostmansknock #holidayinspiration #blackandgold #christmasideas #holidayideas
🎁 These printable gift tags are one of my favor 🎁 These printable gift tags are one of my favorite free printables on the TPK site. Just download, print, cut them out, and — if you want to — reinforce them with a bit of cardstock.

Inside the PDF you’ll find four designs: Festive Frida, Flourished Tree, Pine Boughs, and Merry & Bright. They’re all hand-drawn, and they make even the simplest wrapping look bespoke and artistic. 🎨 

Pro tip: If you’ve got a bit of extra time, add a pop of watercolor or some gold dots; and consider mounting the tag on a contrasting piece of cardstock for extra oomph.

They’re free to download at: thepostmansknock.com/free-super-cool-hand-drawn-printable-gift-tags/ (or visit the link in my stories today). Happy holidays!

#handdrawn #gifttags #printablegifttags #freeprintables #holidayprintables #christmascrafts #holidaygifts #papercrafts #snailmailinspo #mailart #creativegiftwrapping #diyholiday #diygifttags #artistsoninstagram #illustrationartists #thepostmansknock #tpkcommunity #calligraphycommunity #stationerylove #creativecommunity
There’s something extra fun about a card that do There’s something extra fun about a card that doesn’t just open … it comes to life. ✨ This little stand-up tree might look fancy, but it’s totally approachable — relaxing to make, satisfying to embellish, and (my favorite part) it folds up perfectly to pop in the mail. 💌🎄

If you’re looking for a holiday project that feels creative and doable, this is *such* a good one. The printable template does half the work for you, and you can customize the rest with flourishes, white ink, ornaments, or whatever feels festive to you.

The full step-by-step tutorial is waiting for you on the TPK website; just head to the link in my bio and tap “Blog.” I think you’ll have as much fun making this as I did. ❤️

#calligraphy #calligraphytutorial #holidaycalligraphy #flourishedcalligraphy #moderncalligraphy #calligraphycommunity #calligraphypractice #calligraphyart #letteringcommunity #letteringart #papercraft #papercrafting #diycards #handmadecards #holidaycards #christmascards #christmascrafts #snailmail #snailmailrevolution #snailmaillove #creativecommunity #stationerylove #makersgonnamake #thepostmansknock
I love it when I can make simple pointed pen pract I love it when I can make simple pointed pen practice on cardstock ... and it magically turns into a festive card! Find instructions + a printable template for making this “Loop-de-Loop” tree in the TPK 2025 Holiday Calligraphy Worksheet set. 🎄 (Link in bio, then navigate to the Blog!)

#pointedpen #calligraphy #calligraphypractice #pointedpenpractice #holiday #christmastree #treedrawing #doodles #goldwatercolor
Every November since 2016, I’ve looked forward t Every November since 2016, I’ve looked forward to sitting down with a cup of something warm ☕️ and sketching out ideas for the TPK holiday worksheet. This year was no exception, and I think you’ll be pleased with the motifs! They’re designed to bring calm, beauty, and (sneaky) pointed pen practice to your holiday season. 🎄Visit the TPK Blog (link in bio, then navigate to Blog) for details!
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