Looking for a creative and heartfelt teacher appreciation gift—or just a unique craft project?
This DIY magnetic greeting card doubles as a bookmark and is a fantastic option for crafters of all levels, especially if drawing isn’t your strong suit.
Why This Plan Works
- It’s beginner-friendly and doesn’t require drawing or advanced tools
- The end product is reusable as a magnetic bookmark
- You can personalize the card with colors, patterns, and embellishments
- It’s a thoughtful, handmade gift perfect for teachers or book lovers
- It uses everyday materials and scrap paper you likely already have
What You Will Need
- Colored card stock (small scrap pieces in yellow, purple, pink, green)
- A pencil and a skewer (for wrapping)
- Colored paper clips (red, yellow, green)
- Markers
- Scissors (decorative scissors optional)
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Needle nose pliers
- Toothpick
- Magnet strip or magnetic business card
- Metal piece (like the center from a floppy disk)
- Ruler and cardboard (for measuring and work surface protection)
Step 1. Prepare Your Card Base and Flower Pot
Start by cutting your yellow cardstock to 3 ½” x 7 ¾”. This will be the base of your greeting card. Fold it neatly in half to form the card shape.
Next, cut a square from the purple cardstock to represent the flower pot.
Use a marker to define the rim and base, giving it dimension.
Step 2. Create the Grass Layer
Cut a piece of pink cardstock, also 3 ½” x 7 ¾”, using a ruler for precision. Then, take a small green rectangle and clip its top edge into narrow strips to create a fringe effect—this will mimic blades of grass.
Set these aside for layering later.
Step 3. Add Magnetic Closure
Open the card and glue the magnet strip and metal circle to the inside. These will allow the card to double as a magnetic bookmark later.
Ensure the magnets align when folded, and let the glue fully dry before moving on.
Step 4. Make the Flower Petals
Grab a red and a yellow paper clip. Wrap the red one around a pencil to form a large loop. Use a skewer to create a tighter coil with the yellow clip.
Using needle nose pliers, trim the yellow paper clip, then carefully remove both clips from their forms. Flatten them gently with the pliers.
Insert the yellow loop into the center of the red one to form a flower. Flatten slightly again to hold them in place—but take care not to scratch the finish.
Step 5. Shape the Stem and Leaf
Straighten one green paper clip with the pliers and trim it to a manageable length.
Wrap one end around a skewer to create a small coil—this will be the flower’s stem base. Then, gently shape the remaining piece into a curved stem.
To create a leaf, take another green paper clip, separate it slightly by hand, and bend it into a simple leaf shape by mimicking natural curves. Reference a real leaf or the included images if needed.
Step 6. Assemble the Card
Now, it’s time to bring everything together.
Glue the green stem to the front of your card, leaving room at the bottom for either the pot or the grass.
Attach the leaf to one side of the stem.
Add the flower to the top of the stem.
Finish by gluing either the purple pot or the green grass fringe over the bottom of the stem.
Press everything firmly and let it dry completely before handling.
Note: Be sure to test the magnet closure again after assembly to ensure everything aligns and sticks properly when the card is closed.
Other Details Display
To help you visualize or photograph each part of the process, here’s a list of key elements to showcase in images:
- Supplies laid out neatly by category
- Step-by-step cuts of card, pot, and grass
- Close-ups of wrapping the paper clips
- Tools in action: scissors, pliers, glue gun
- Assembly progression from stem to full flower
- Final card folded closed with visible magnetic edges
- Card being used as a bookmark inside a book
Summary
This magnetic flower greeting card is a clever, functional, and heartfelt project anyone can make.
It’s the perfect blend of creativity and utility—whether you’re crafting for Teacher Appreciation Week or just want a meaningful DIY gift.
Make your own magnetic bookmark card today, and bring smiles to the readers in your life.
This plan is a contribution by [sunshiine]. Project Via Instructables – Get the PDF Instructions here. If you have a plan to share, we welcome your submissions!