The month of May’s flower is Lily of the Valley, those sweet little white bells with the loveliest scent. Which means these Lily of the Valley paper flowers – made out of small white baking cups – are a perfect handmade gift for Mother’s Day. Sadly, they don’t smell as good as the real thing, but we’ll just pretend they do!

Materials: 24 gauge floral wire, scissors, small white paper baking cups, floral tape, wire cutters, green crepe paper

Step 1: Carefully cut from the edge to the center of a baking cup, being careful to retain the shape of the cup.
Step 2: Glue the cut edge of the cup, cross over to make the cup smaller, and hold tip glue sets. Handle gently to avoid crushing the bell shape.
Step 3: Cut a 6″ length of wire and twist the end to create a small 1/4″ size loop.
Step 4: Poke the straight end of the wire through the inside of the cup. The loop will keep the paper from coming off the other side.
Step 5: Using floral tape, wrap the entire length of the wire, from the baking cup to the bottom of the wire.
Step 6: Repeat steps 1-5 to create 5 more flowers.
Step 7: Twist the head of the flower down, so it mimics the shape of a Lily of the Valley.
Step 8: Attach all five flowers in a row, using floral tape. Adjust and move the wires and flowers as you go.
Step 9: Cut a large leaf shape out of crepe paper, attach to wire with floral tape, and cover wire with tape.
Step 10: Repeat to create a bouquet – wrap in colorful tissue, or arrange in a vase.

Photography by Tim Gibson