DIY Mother’s Day Paper Flowers On Canvas – The Perfect Handmade Gift

I was finishing up my Mother’s Day post where I share those FREE printable card toppers and inside sentiments for handmade Mother’s Day cards ([insert link to previous post]), when inspiration struck! As I was scrolling through Pinterest and YouTube (as one does when they should be cleaning their craft room, am I right?), I thought – why not create a “quick” DIY project making paper flowers and displaying them on canvas?

Well, let me tell you about “quick” crafts in my world! What started as a simple afternoon project turned into a two-day craft marathon. Picture this: me in my pajamas at midnight, muttering to my Cricut as it stubbornly cut the same piece of cardstock for the third time, surrounded by scraps of paper, with hot glue strings literally EVERYWHERE.

And don’t even get me started on trying to get vinyl to stick to canvas – whoever said that was easy clearly lives in a different humidity zone than I do! Two days, three cups of spilled coffee, and one minor hot glue gun burn later (badge of honor, right?), I finally had a finished piece. Was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY. Was it quick? Not even close!

Why Paper Flowers on Canvas Make the Perfect Mother’s Day Gift

As Mother’s Day approaches, I’ve been thinking about meaningful gifts that truly show how much we care. Sure, store-bought presents are lovely, but there’s something extra special about creating something with your own hands, isn’t there?

Paper flowers on canvas make such a heartfelt gift because:

• They last so much longer than real flowers (no wilting or watering required!)
• You can customize the colors to match Mom’s home decor or favorite palette
• They showcase your creativity and thoughtfulness
• They create a lasting keepsake that can be displayed year-round

Plus, this project is perfect for crafters of all skill levels – even if you’re just starting out!

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What You’ll Need for This Project

Let’s gather our supplies! One thing I love about paper crafting is that you can often use materials you already have on hand.I found most of these supplies in my craft stash, but you can easily pick them up at your local craft store or even order online if you’re planning ahead!

Nice-to-Have Extras:

• Bone folder for shaping petals
• Pencil or stylus for curling paper
• Embellishments like rhinestones or glitter
• Ribbon for hanging or decorating

Let me make your crafting life a little easier by sharing links to everything I used for this project! (Because we all know the frustration of seeing a beautiful craft and then spending hours trying to hunt down the exact supplies, right?)

Essential Materials:

• Cricut Maker – This is the machine I used, but any Cricut will work!
• Cardstock Paper Pack in Spring Colors – These colors were perfect for Mother’s Day
• Canvas 10 x 20 – I love this brand because the canvas is tight and smooth
• Mini Hot Glue Gun – The smaller size gives me better control for delicate projects
• Premium Glue Sticks – These create strong bonds without those annoying strings!
• Black Vinyl– I am loving Teckwrap brand lately
• Rose Gold – LOVE this color, another fabulous Teckwrap favorite!

Optional Extras:

• Floral Wire – Great for creating bendable stems
• Acrylic Paint Set – For painting your canvas background
• Bone Folder Tool – Helps create realistic curves in paper petals
• Rhinestone Pack – Adds sparkle to flower centers

The Cricut Design:

• Layered Flower Design in Cricut Access – This is the specific design I used (requires Cricut Access subscription)

Remember, you don’t need everything on this list to create something beautiful! Use what you have and get creative – that’s what crafting is all about. I’d love to see your variations on this project!

Preparing Your Canvas

Before jumping into flower-making, let’s get our canvas ready! This step is so important – it creates the perfect backdrop for your beautiful blooms.

1. Choose your canvas size – Think about where Mom might display this. A smaller canvas works well on a desk or shelf, while larger ones make a statement on walls.
2. Paint your background (optional) – I left it white for a clean look, you can do a soft watercolor wash in blush pink, or use patterned paper as your background.
3. Plan your arrangement – I like to loosely arrange my flowers before gluing them to get the composition just right. Take a quick photo with your phone so you remember your layout!

Choosing Your Color Palette

This is where you can really personalize your gift! Think about colors that would make Mom smile:

• Her favorite colors – Always a safe bet!
• Colors that match her home – Neutral tones for a modern look, or vibrant hues for someone who loves color
• Seasonal palettes – Spring pastels are perfect for Mother’s Day

For my project, I went with soft pinks, teals, and purples with touches of green for the leaves. This combination feels fresh and springy without being too overpowering.

Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to mix in some patterned paper! I used solid colors for most flowers but added a few floral patterned paper blooms for extra visual interest.

Paper Flower Techniques Using Cricut

For this project, I used my trusty Cricut to make the flower-cutting process SO much easier! After fighting with fussy cutting for years (and the hand cramps to prove it), letting my Cricut do the work is a game-changer.

Don’t worry if you don’t have Access! There are plenty of free flower designs available in Design Space, and I’ve also found some amazing options on Creative Fabrica find my affiliate link here.

When selecting a design, look for:

1. Layered flower patterns (these give the most dimensional look)
2. Designs with different petal sizes and shapes
3. Files that include leaves or greenery elements

Cutting and Assembly Tips

Once you’ve selected your design:

1. Choose cardstock in your preferred colors (65-80 lb weight works best)
2. Make sure your cutting mat is sticky enough (I refreshed mine before this project)
3. Use the “More” pressure setting for clean cuts
4. Assemble layers from largest to smallest
5. Shape petals by gently curling them with a pencil or bone folder
6. Secure each layer with a dot of hot glue

Don’t stress if your flowers don’t look exactly like the preview image – each handmade flower has its own personality, and that’s what makes your gift special!

If you don’t have a Cricut, you can absolutely create beautiful paper flowers by hand. There are tons of templates available online that you can print and cut with scissors. The process might take a bit longer, but the results are just as lovely!

Adding Special Touches

Once your flowers are attached to the canvas, consider these finishing touches:

Personalized Messages

Add a sweet message with a paint pen or attach a small tag with your sentiment. Something simple like “Love you, Mom” or a favorite quote about mothers works beautifully. I found a quote that I liked and used, “a mother is like a flower, each one beautiful and unique”. I used Black and Rose Gold Vinyl see materials list above for links to the products I used.

Dimensional Details (Optional)

If you love adding little touches like:

• A few rhinestones in flower centers
• A touch of glitter on select petals
• A small ribbon bow at the bottom of the arrangement

Presenting Your Gift

The presentation of a handmade gift is almost as important as the gift itself! Here’s how I like to package my canvas creations:

1. Wrap in tissue paper with a pretty ribbon
2. Include a handwritten note explaining that you made each flower with love
3. If possible, give it in person so you can see Mom’s reaction!

Final Thoughts

This paper flower canvas is one of those projects that looks so impressive but is actually quite simple to make. It’s the perfect way to show Mom how much you care without breaking the bank or spending days on a complicated craft.

I’d absolutely love to see your creations if you try this project! Tag me on Instagram or share in the comments below.

Happy crafting, friends!

❤️ Susie

P.S. Looking for more Mother’s Day inspiration? Don’t forget to check out my free printable card toppers from this post !

FAQs About Paper Flower Canvas Art