Showing posts with label motherhood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label motherhood. Show all posts

May 05, 2026

A Handmade Mother’s Day Gift Set with My Cricut Maker 3

For this year’s Mother’s Day, I joined the Cricut Philippines Mother’s Day Craft Challenge with one goal in mind: to create something as thoughtful and special as a mother’s love.

Instead of making just one item, I challenged myself to design a complete handmade gift set; something cohesive, meaningful, and filled with little details that show appreciation.
 
After a few days of crafting, cutting, and assembling, I finally brought my vision to life: a mom cake gift box, a “Happy Mother’s Day” cake topper, a heartfelt card, and a tea holder filled with tea bags, because Mom is simply tea-riffic.


The Inspiration
 
Mothers do so much, often quietly and without expecting anything in return. I wanted this project to reflect appreciation, patience, and gratitude; values that remind me of everything moms represent.
 
Each piece in this set was designed to feel personal and handmade, not just decorative. I wanted it to feel like a gift you’d keep, not just use once and forget.
 
What I Made
 
Mom Cake Gift Box
 
This is the centerpiece of the set, a beautifully crafted box designed to hold small treats. The design is by Dreaming Tree, and at first glance, I honestly felt a bit intimidated to try it. But I’m so glad I did.
To make it my own, I used an embossing folder and Distress Oxide to add texture and color, giving the box a more personalized and elegant finish.


Happy Mother’s Day Cake Topper
 
I actually made this cake topper back in March, and luckily, the colors matched perfectly with this project. Instead of recreating it, I decided to incorporate it into the set, saving time while still keeping everything cohesive.


Mother’s Day Card
 
No gift is complete without a heartfelt message. I created a matching card to tie everything together, using similar colors and patterns for a cohesive look.
 
I had previously shared this design, but since I made two versions of the paper craft, I repurposed one into a card for this set. 


Tea Holder (Tea-riffic Mom!)
 
Lastly, I made a tea holder filled with tea bags. It’s simple, functional, and adds a playful touch to the set.
 
The SVG file is designed by Katie Adams, but I customized it by using only the base structure and adding extra shapes so all sides of the holder feature patterned paper. This small detail helped elevate the overall look and made it feel more complete.





My Crafting Process
 
Using my Cricut Maker 3 made this entire project possible. It allowed me to cut intricate designs cleanly and consistently, which is especially important when working on multiple coordinated pieces.
 
This project took me a few days to finish. From cutting to assembling and adding final details, every step required patience and care. I used techniques like embossing and ink blending to add depth and texture, making each piece feel more premium and handmade.
 
Materials and Tools:
 
Cricut Maker 3
Cricut Deluxe Paper - Whimsical Garden
Cricut Scoring Stylus
Textured Cardstock
Smooth Cardstock
Foil Cardstock
Embossing Folder
Distress Oxide
Blending Brush
Glue
Velcro Dots



Final Thoughts
 
This project reminded me why I love crafting so much. It’s not just about making something beautiful; it’s about putting intention and emotion into every detail.
 
Every cut, every layer, and every piece of this gift set was made with love. And if it brings even a small smile to a mom’s face, then every moment spent creating it was truly worth it.

March 12, 2026

Mother’s Day Craft Projects: Handmade Cards and Cake Topper Ideas

 Mother’s Day Craft Projects
 
There are still two months to go before we celebrate Mother’s Day, but since the holiday is observed on different dates around the world, I thought it would be a good time to share some of my recent Mother’s Day craft projects.
 
Handmade cards and decorations are always meaningful because they add a personal touch to the celebration. Here are some of the projects I created using my cutting machine, stamps, and craft supplies.
 
Bee Mother’s Day Card


I found the Bee Mother’s Day Card design on Cricut Design Space, but I only used the file to cut the card base and the daisy flowers.
 
For the bees, I used my die-cutting machine, and I embossed the fence for extra texture. I also applied Sizzix Pearlescent Medium to the daisy flowers and the fence to give them a subtle shimmer.
 
For the sentiments, I used Lawn Fawn stamps.
 
This is the card that I made for my mom. I only shared the photo last month since she will be going home soon, so I didn’t need to ship the card.
  
Happy Mother’s Day Floral Card

 
The design of this card is also from Cricut Design Space. Instead of using it as an insert card, I edited the file and converted the elements into a drawing design.
 
I used my Cricut pen to draw the design and then colored it using Ohuhu glitter markers, which added a beautiful sparkle to the floral illustration.
 
Mother’s Day Card

 
I really liked the design of this card, so I recreated it in my own way. Instead of using the print-then-cut feature, I used my Cricut pen to draw the illustration of a baby holding a mother’s finger along with the sentiment.
 
The quote on the card reads: “Mothers hold their children’s hands for a while, but their hearts forever.”
 
Mom Layered Floral Card


This project is also from Cricut Design Space. I edited the layers and resized the design so it would be easier to assemble.
 
Since the card has many layers, it turned out quite thick and heavy, but the dimensional effect makes the finished card look beautiful and detailed.
 
Mother’s Day Cake Toppers


These cake topper designs are from Bearly Art and have been on my project list for the longest time. I’m happy that I was finally able to make them.
 
I plan to use one of these as my cake topper this coming May. I’m still deciding between the Mother and Baby design and the Mother and Son version.
 
Chloe Greeting Card


The Chloe Greeting Card is designed by Dreaming Tree. This design is perfect for a soon-to-be mom and works beautifully for Mother’s Day, baby showers, or similar occasions.
 
For this card, I also used the print-then-cut feature for the message using the Baby in the Womb design from Cricut Design Space.

 
The message reads: This Mother's Day, I am snug in your tummy. But next Mother's Day,
I'll be in your arms. I can't wait to be with you.

This project was also my entry for Bee Happy Weeklies Week 11: Gifts for Mom.

Happy Mother’s Day Cake Topper

 
This topper features a layered design with a floral accent and the phrase “Happy Mother’s Day.”
 
I created the topper using three layers of cardstock cut with my Cricut Maker 3. Layering different cardstock colors helps the text and flower design stand out and gives the topper a dimensional look that’s perfect for decorating a cake or dessert table.
 
The design was cut from an SVG file from DIY Craft Tutorials, which works perfectly for layered paper crafts.

Floral Mother's Day Card


I created three floral Mother’s Day cards. The designs were sourced from Cricut Design Space and made using a draw-and-cut technique, which gave each card a beautifully detailed and precise look. I colored the floral elements using Ohuhu markers, adding soft blends and vibrant touches to bring the designs to life. To give the cards a bit of extra sparkle and elegance, I paired them with glitter cardstock for the card mats. Each piece turned out uniquely charming, and it was such a fun and relaxing project to work on.
 
Creating handmade crafts like these is a wonderful way to celebrate mothers and make the occasion even more special.

June 02, 2022

Mother’s Day Celebration in Norway

Time passes quickly and today is already second day of June so bago pa magFather’s Day, let me share our Mother’s Day Celebration in Norway last month. Mother’s Day is a yearly tradition worldwide, but unfortunately, May is not a Mother’s Day here in Norway. They celebrate it every second Sunday of February since 1919. Just like in other countries, they give cards, cakes, pastries, flowers, or handmade crafts. Children surprise their mom with frokost på sengen or breakfast in bed

I think Norway is the only country that celebrates Mother’s Day or Morsdag every February. And because of that, I was not able to celebrate Mother’s Day last May 2017 and May 2019. Well, it is not a big deal if I don’t have any celebration because I already accepted the fact that I won’t have my Mother’s celebration every time I’m here in Norway. 


Moving on, last February, I made this Heart with Mama and Happy Mother’s Day Cake Topper; I just gave it to my mom when we arrived here in Norway last March. Nagamit naman sa ice cream. :)



Fast forward to last month, my mom gifted me this “Jesus Calling for Moms” book by Sarah Young. 


We also went to Melissa restaurant to celebrate Mother’s Day. There are only a few restaurants in Ørland and one of their go-to restaurants is Melissa. I already tried this restaurant five years ago so I already have an idea of what to order. But still, I checked their online menu and they have an English menu too. 


It was past 12NN so the restaurant is not crowded because it is too early for their middag (dinner). Pero hindi ako sanay sa late na kain so I still follow the 11 to 12NN lunch in the Philippines. Gutom na ko kapag ganyan oras. hehehe! They served the softdrinks first, it is 45NOK per glass.




I ordered Black & White; a combination of beef and pork fillet with bearnaise sauce, pepper sauce, creamed potatoes, and vegetables for 335NOK


My mom ordered Crispy Fried Chicken with salad and chips 195NOK


My son ordered from the children’s menu, he ordered the same thing which is Mini Steak 175NOK, it has steak with bearnaise sauce, salad, and chips.  


As usual, they have big servings so it is hard to finish the food so we just took our time eating. Good thing that the food is good or else nakakahinayang sa presyo. If I will convert the price kasi nung order ko sa PHP, para na akong nagbuffet sa hotel. Waah! But it was Mother’s Day and my mom’s treat so happy tummy. 

Note: They have English Menu in the restaurant too, just request it. The staff will take your order but for payment, you need to go to the counter. 

February 13, 2019

DIY Valentine’s Gift for Kids

Last Monday, I’ve read my son’s assignment notebook and he needs to bring chocolates or flowers on Valentine’s Day. We have chocolates in the fridge but that was our pasalubong from the USA so ayaw ko i-giveaway. Hehehe! So yesterday I just went to the nearest convenience store and bought a pack of chocolate. Of course, I bought our favorite local chocolate which is Flat Tops.

There is no note what they are going to do with those chocolates or flowers but since it is Valentine’s Day, I think they are going to give it away just like last Christmas holiday. They sing Christmas carols and give candies. So since I was in the mood to do some craft, I decided to make DIY Valentine’s Gift Bag.

Just in time, Designer Blog sent me FREE Valentine Printables so I immediately downloaded the Valentine Bag Topper. I bought a Blog Template from their site before and from time to time, I received freebies. Anyway, you can do this project in less than 30 minutes.


Printable Valentine’s Bag Toppers
Small clear plastic or ziplock bag
Chocolates or candies
Stapler Scissors

1. Download, print and cut the Valentine Bag Topper.
2. Divide the chocolates and fill the clear plastic bag. I bought the ziplock bag at Daiso Japan.


3. Fold the Valentine Bag Topper


4. Put the bag topper on top of the ziplock and staple it. Don’t forget to write the name at the back of the bag topper.




That’s it! A simple Valentine gift idea that you can give to your kid’s friends, classmates or teachers.

February 10, 2019

School Field Trip 2019

Since last year my son kept on telling me that he will join his Field Trip on February and I kept on persuading him not to join his field trip because his daddy will have a business trip on that month. Mahirap magcommute ng madaling araw at gabi and we can visit those places naman kahit hindi field trip.

Then last month, the school gave the Field Trip form and when I read the itinerary, I still convinced my son not to join because I find the fee expensive, PHP1790. Ang mahal para sa Kidzania at National Museum, free lang naman yung ibang place. I even told him, yung P1790 na yun sobra pa sa Kidzania namin dalawa and whole day pa kami pwede magstay.

Kidzania Manila 
National Museum of National History 
McKinley Grand Canal - Walking Tour 
Shrine of Jesus WTL (again)

But he really wanted to join and my husband wants my son to join too so ako lang naman talaga ang kontrabida sa buhay nila. My husband always tells me, iba ang lakad with classmates at iba ang lakad with family. Good thing that my husband is available on that day so hindi ko na problema maghatid at sundo. So I paid the Field Trip fee bago pa magbago isip ko. Hehehe!

P.S. As of this school year, the chaperone is allowed na if grade 1 to 3 ang bata. Grrr! I’ve been waiting for them to change this policy, ngayon pa talaga binago. Grade 4 na anak ko so hindi ko pwede sumama. Hayz…

Fast forward to his field trip…

Me: Ethan, don’t forget your passport ha.
Ethan: How about my credit card?
Me: ATM lang yun.
Hubby: Bakit may passport pa at card, san punta niyan?
Me and Ethan: Kidzania.

Yes, may passport at ATM sa Kidzania. May driving license pa nga. Hehehe! I allowed my son to bring his smartphone in one condition “Take Photos”. While my husband and I were busy at PTAA Travel Tour Expo, my son sent one group photo at Shrine Of Jesus WTL so I felt happy at naalala ang bilin ko. So in my mind, this time marami na pictures anak ko sa Field Trip compared last year.


But I was wrong, after the field trip he showed me his phone gallery and guess what? Yung group photo lang ang may mukha niya. Puro painting sa National Museum. Waah! Nakalimutan na niya ang lahat ng bilin ko when they went to Kidzania Manila. So for the very first time, wala na siya tagakuha ng photos and videos. They stayed here from 1PM to 5PM and he was able to do 6 activities; Bank, Pit Crew Training Center, Cleaning Energy Center, Century Tuna Marine Research Lab, Driving, and Newswriter.  Check our Kidzania experience here.


Anyway, since Mckinley Grand Canal Tour is part of their itinerary. We decided to pick up our son at Venice Grand Canal Mall. So after our travel expo trip, we went straight to Venice. It was my first time there, so maganda naman pala. I remembered our trip in Venetian Hotel in Macau. There is a gondola ride but it is too expensive for my budget, P400 per person. Waah! Okay na ko sa tingin na lang, hehehe!






There are so many restaurants in Venice Grand Canal Mall and I saw the Isla Sugbu Seafood City and we’re supposed to eat here kaso sa pagod namin, gusto na namin umuwi agad. Maybe next time I can finally try this paluto all you can.



Grade 3 Field Trip
Grade 2 Field Trip
Kinder Field Trip
Pre-Kinder Field Trip 
 Alice in Wonderland
 Gardenia Plant Tour
 Manila Ocean Park 

June 01, 2017

Summer Vacation is Over, We’re Back to the Philippines

Hello. It’s been two weeks since the last time I updated this blog. I just have no time to blog because I was busy packing and unpacking for our Iceland trip and of course, Philippines. Yes, after two months, summer in Norway is already over and we’re back in the Philippines.


It took me a while to fight my jetlag and adjust to the warm weather. Now, I’m busy preparing for the coming school year and I’m not yet so ready. Good luck to me.

 Anyway, before going back to the Philippines, my husband asked me if I’m excited to go home and I said no. No, because… 

1. I like the cold weather and fresh air of Norway. 
2. I don’t iron clothes in Norway because we always wear a jacket. I dislike this chore. The only time that I ironed clothes was when we were going to Iceland. 
3. I will miss the dishwasher of my mom. Ang dali ng buhay pag may dishwasher. 
4. I will miss the food, especially salmon, cake and ice cream. 
5. I will miss the nature. 
6. I will miss the water, yung hindi na bibili ng mineral water because I can drink water from the faucet. 
7. Going back home means vacation is really over, as in back to school na kami.
8. I was so scared of flying back home because this was the first time that my son and I would travel without hubby or companion. First na, long haul flight pa, so napaparanoid talaga ko.

But of course, I also miss my husband, it’s been 5 weeks and for the record, this is the longest time that we’ve been away from each other. He always teases me na “Malnourished” na daw siya at wala na siya tagaluto. Hehehe! Well, two weeks lang naman niya na feel na wala kami sa bahay because he was also out of the country for three consecutive weeks. 

As I mentioned, I was so nervous flying back home and I really prayed hard that everything would be okay. Our flight was really tiring because we’d been traveling for 3 days. 

Thursday Reykjavik Iceland to Trondheim Norway 
Friday Trondheim Norway to Oslo Norway 
            Oslo Norway to Bangkok Thailand.
Saturday Bangkok Thailand to Manila Philippines 

We arrived from Iceland last Thursday and we went straight to Radisson Blu Hotel since we had an early flight the following day. My mom booked this hotel last April. I already blogged about this hotel because my husband stayed here too but I will share my personal experience on a separate post.

Read: Radisson Blu Hotel in Trondheim Norway


Even though the hotel was just a few steps away from the airport I was thankful that my mom accompanied us at the hotel and airport. I have two luggage and 3 hand-carry and I can’t rely on my son. 

Trondheim Airport 

My husband did the online check-in so we have the middle seat, as per my request. Ayaw ko kasi mag-excuse or may mag-excuse pa if we need to go to the lavatory. Check-in was easy and wala din pila sa security check. Thank God! This is one thing that I dislike in traveling, ang dami security check. Nakakapagod maglabas at magbalik ng gamit. I already instructed my son kung paano kami sa security check and make sure na mauna siya para abangan gamit namin sa dulo. 


We were two hours early for our flight and I could not connect to the free wifi. I’m not sure kung dahil nagamit ko na ba siya kahapon and wala pa 24hrs. We rode SAS airplane, with no complimentary food and drinks.

Oslo Airport

My husband went home first so he was able to take photos of the landmarks that I needed to remember so going to the next boarding gate was not a problem. The Immigration Officer advised us not to enter yet and to be back 2 hours before our flight because there was nothing to see inside. 

Read: Glimpse of Oslo Airport


We had 5 hours layover in Oslo, so we bought pasalubong and ate lunch at Fiskeriet Seafood. I just ordered Fish and Chips NOK169 and NOK35 for bottled Coke. 


We rode Thai Airways from Oslo to Bangkok, I was happy because our flight was only 10 hours compared to our Bangkok to Oslo which is 11 hours and 30 minutes. My dilemma is I could not sleep again, waah! I really appreciate the flight entertainment and they have a list of new movies.






Bangkok Airport


Upon arrival to Bangkok Airport, ramdam ko na ang init. I was happy that we arrived early because I had enough time to transfer to our next boarding gate. But when I checked the information, “delayed” agad ang nabasa ko. So from 1 hour and 25 minutes layover to 3 hours. Security check was smooth, with no long lines. 

We rode Thai Airways again. 



When I heard the announcement “I do apologize, we could not land yet because of air traffic and we’re at number 11…” ramdam ko na nasa Pinas na ko. Nasa ere pa lang, traffic na. Hehehe!

Finally, we were home and I was so thankful for the smooth flight. Achievement unlock, yehey! Nakabiyahe na kami ng malayo.

Read: Trip to Norway
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