Easy Hand Print

“This is to remind you
When I have grown so tall,
That once I was quite little
And my hands were very small.”

My little Gabriella is growing so quickly, she’s 2 1/2 now and I love admiring her little puffy and soft hands… Every mom will relate to the thoughts in my mind of how these hands have grown already and will just keep on going. I wanted to create a keepsake to display her little hand print for ever. This would make a perfect Mother’s Day gift – so do a ‘hint hint’ to your husbands or you can certainly do one yourself with your child, if they’re obviously to small to do one themselves.

I picked up some modelling clay for a $1 a pack. (I only used one.) And I found this interesting wicker tray for $.70 with an espresso frame around it. (cheap cheap – I know, I found it on sale at my favourite store.) I thought this would be great to use for my Handprint Keepsake. You really don’t need to invest in prepared kits that could cost up to $100. Mine for $1.70 did the job just fine.

First, I shaped the clay into a rectangle, any shape, even irregular would work. I worked on my project, Gabi worked on hers….
I positioned her hand in the centre and gently, but firmly pressed her palm and each finger. Please do not do this for a child younger than 2 as you need to press the hand in – you don’t want to hurt a smaller hand. (do an ink print for smaller hands instead ;P)

I also, wrote 2 1/2 with a pencil point into the bottom right on the clay, to mark the milestone. I then, left this to dry for 1 full day, afterwards, I flipped it gently and let it completely dry for about 3 days. To secure in place, I used a generous amount of hot glue all over the back of the clay print, eye balled the centre, and gently pushed against the wicker. You still have a bit of time to move it around to center before the glue sets. Wicker trays are great because the texture helps to hold the glue in better so it’s a solid grip.

My project is a leaning piece, if you would like to hang yours, please note you need to secure a hanging hook prior to glueing your clay print.

By the way, here is another DIY that couldn’t be simpler ;P
Use a candle holder that has the right candle dish for a base and decorative bottom for hanging things and you’ve got a unique and practical Jewellery Holder. ha.