For the cover

To make:
Album
1. Fold all the A4 sheets in half lengthwise and cut the mulberry bark sheet in half.

2. Punch four holes along the folded sides of all the sheets and through one long side of each mulberry bark sheet. Work carefully to ensure that all the holes line up.

Cover
1. Cut two 15,5 x 22cm pieces and two 14x 22cm pieces from the cardboard. Paste a 14 x 22cm piece onto each 15,5 x 22cm piece, aligning the 22cm sides.

2. Punch four holes in each cover on the single thickness side. Ensure they line up with holes punched into the sheets.

3. Glue the handmade paper to the two covers using spray adhesive, and punch the holes through the paper.

To assemble
1. Place the back cover on a flat surface and place a sheet of mulberry bark on top, then all the folded sheets, the remaining mulberry bark sheet and finally the front cover.

2. Thread a 2cm length of cotton onto the needle. Starting at one of the centre holes and leaving a strand to make a bow later, bind the book by weaving the cotton in and out of the punched holes to the end and back, repeating until the album is firmly bound and a length of thread is left at the centre to tie the bow.

3. Paste photo corners on each page. Glue the pressed flowers onto the cover and some album page. Place a heavy weight on the album for a day or two to press it.

GROWING GIFT

Recipe for textured paint:
Add two tablespoons (30ml) of fine sea sand per cup (250ml) of ordinary acrylic paint anf mix well. Paint the pots with this mixture and leave to dry.

To assemble:
Line the painted tomato crate with a double layer of old newspaper and arrange the painted pots (with plants) in it. Water lightly.

PHOTO DISPLAY

Use sturdy handmade paper in mom's favourite colour when making the display

You will need:

To make:
1. Fold the paper in half lengthwise. Measure and draw five evenly spaced columns one side. Fold into a concertina along lines and then erase the lines. Use one side for display.

2. Photocopy eight pictures in black and white. Reduce or enlarge to fit. Cut out neatly.

3. Position the pictures and cut small diagonal incisions to insert the corners of the pictures. Glue the pictures in position and decorate the display with stamps (we used silver paint) and add tiny gemstones for glitz.

4. Use Modge Podge to paste serviette cut- outs and paper flowers (used in card making) on the display for a sweet, feminine, touch.

BATH BLISS

You will need:

To make:
Flower filled glycerine soaps
1. Measure out enough soap base to fill the moulds. Put into a glass jar and place in a saucepan half filled with boiling water to melt. (Do not stir the soap otherwise it will form bubbles)

2. Pour into moulds and carefully push a fake flower into the mould, covering it with melted soap. Allow set.

Fragranced opaque soaps
1. Measure out and melt opaque soap base (as above) and add a little water to ensure it melts.

2. Melt until it is like very thick batter. Add vanilla seeds and a drop of vanilla essence or essential oil.

3. Pour into moulds, ensuring no bubbles form, and allow to set.

Wrapping
Wrap each soap into a square of cellophane and twist the ends like a sweet wrapper.

Decorating
Edge a small square with running stitches and sew on a daisy motif with embroidery thread. Glue onto wrapper.