My grandma and I have always been great friends. In fact, I chose my grandma as my first post-college roommate. It's true...as a new graduate I loaded up my little red Ford Escort with all of my wordly belongings and moved to....my grandma’s house! In Dallas Grandma and I were roommates, and cooked dinners and spent time together. Even though I only stayed at her house for three months, I was in Dallas three years. She was my biggest cheerleader in those tenuous years. I was homesick, Dallas was a little too big and shiny for this Kansas girl, and I was still figuring out what I wanted to do with my life. Grandma supported me in every way possible, and was even the first person to ever suggest I become a graphic designer.
And so, I packed back up the car and came back to Kansas City to go back to school for design. And now, Grandma is my family’s biggest cheerleader – from my kids to my husband – celebrating each and every milestone. When my grandma turned 88 years young last week, I created a gift I thought you might like to see, or even to make yourself someday.
A canvas thank you or birthday bouquet.
Mine is for my grandma's birthday, but the printable I've provided here, is a thank you for you to use for a special gift for anyone.
You need:
- An artist’s canvas
- A flower paper punch punch
- Stickable jewels
- Scrapbook paper for punching (I upcycled a Vera Bradley shopping bag with a flower print I loved)
- Glue dots
After designing and printing the “flower box," I attached it to the canvas with glue dots. I used lyrics from a song I love (Kind & Generous, Natalie Merchant) and I personalized it with Grandma’s name. But, I’ve created a generic version of the flower box here. You can print out this this version onto card stock if you don’t want to create your own.
Then, I punched 88 flowers for Grandma’s amazing 88 years (and yes, I counted twice...she’s an accountant and she would know if I made a mistake!) I adhered the box and each flower to the canvas with glue dots from the craft store. I added jewels to some of the flowers randomly. Ta-da! A whole bouquet of flowers that will never die!
With Thanksgiving tomorrow, here is one more way to say thank you to someone you love. And, happy birthday Gandma Joan! We love you!
Written by Lauren Goldman