Mother's Day Gift Idea. How to Make a Photo Memory Box.

Mothers Day is a special day for honoring Mothers through out the world. The Mother's Day holds great significance for all of us. Mother's Day is now celebrated in many countries around the world. Australia, Mexico, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Belgium, Russia, China, Thailand, all have special celebrations to honor Mothers, but not in the same way or on the same day as the United States.

I have an opportunity to congratulate my mother several times a year. In March I do it according Russian tradition, as in Russia women are honored on International Women's Day which is always celebrated on the 8th of March. By the way, this tradition was initiated as a socialist political event by an important German Socialist Clara Zetkin and originally it was a celebration for women's economic, political and social achievements as well as a token of their independence (emancipation).

Later on this holiday lost its political flavor, and became simply an occasion for men to express their love for women in a way somewhat similar to a mixture of Mother's Day and St Valentine's Day.

Now that my mother lives with me in USA, I pay my tribute to her on Mothers Day celebrated in America, which falls this year on May 9^th (2010).

Usually, the most popular custom of this day is taking mothers, wives, daughters (women!) out to eat.

This is a very nice tradition, as women are freed from cooking for a family this day.

Besides going out to eat in a restaurant we also give presents to our mothers on this day.

Here we can go endlessly with different ideas and resources.

When I was little, it was very popular in Russia to make and give as gifts memory boxes made out of post cards.

Those boxes were very strong and picturesque.

If you put together two colorful cards front side out, you’ll get just a wall.

If you take one card of a bigger size, the wall will be with volume.

All sides of two cards are then stitched together. Even better result you’ll get if you use a crochet hook.

Then you assemble a box out of the parts, by stitching them together through stitches.

But now I am going to suggest to you a better idea for an old-fashioned Russian postcard box.

Make a memory box for your mother out of photographs.

Take pictures of yourself and your mother, or pictures of her grandchildren, or pictures of her favorite pets.

Take whatever pictures you think are suitable for the occasion.

The inside part of the box may be made from just plain white or colored Bristol, or you may even put some fabric over the Bristol and stitch fabric to Bristol.

Bottom of the box and a bottom of the cover- two of each (item #1)

Inside parts of the box- four pieces (item #2)

Base- eight pieces (item # 3)

Outside parts of the box- four pieces (item #4)- this piece should be slightly higher than item # 2 to make the box look "belly like"

Upper parts of the cover- four pieces (item # 5). If you wish to male the box stronger, you will need eight pieces (to double each piece)

Inserts for the box’s corners- four pieces (item #6), or eight to strengthen it.

You will have to figure out the exact sizes of the pieces by yourself, going with whatever pictures you have and whatever size of the box you plan to make.

When a child I always was making my gifts for my mother. It used to be just a hand drawn card, or a toy made out of paper. Then it was a special cake that she loved.

Let's make a memory box using old cards and pictures this time.

It will be a simple box, not the pot-belly one.

You'll need 6 pictures (four for the outside parts and two for the cover); six cards (the size should be fitted for the size of the pictures; a ruler; a pencil; a strong needle and yarn.

From all the heart we say "Happy Mother's Day" to all mothers, wives, sisters, grandmothers, aunts; to all women!

Let you be happy and content in this life!

Happy Mother's Day!