How to Make a Baby Footprint Keepsake

Nothing will remind you of how small your baby is like footprint keepsake. Once your baby has grown into a teenager or adult, it will be fun to look back on how little they once were. The hospital where your baby was born likely took a footprint of your baby shortly after birth. Now you can create your own footprint keepsake from home using polymer clay that can bake in your oven.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 4 ounces or more of polymer clay
• Baking sheet
• Baby wipes or baby oil
• Oven preheated to 250 degrees F
• String or ribbon
• Toothpick

1. Purchase polymer clay in the color of your choice from your local craft store. Polymer clay is usually found in 2 or 12 ounce packages. Depending on the size of your child's foot you may need multiple small packages or one large package. If you choose to buy white polymer clay, you can always paint it a different color after it has been baked in your oven.

2. Unwrap the package(s) of polymer clay and knead with clean hands until it becomes soft and pliable.

3. Roll the polymer clay into an oval or egg shape, large enough to fit your baby's footprint, and place on a baking sheet.

4. Decide if you want to hold your baby while you take his footprint or if it's easier for you to take the footprint while he is in a highchair or other seat. If your child is capable of standing with assistance, it may be easiest to hold your child and aim their foot towards the polymer clay and press their clean foot against it while they are standing on the tray. Otherwise, you can seat your child in a highchair and press the polymer clay onto their foot. Be sure not to press the foot all the way through the clay.

5. Wipe your baby's foot clean with a baby wipe or with baby oil. Because your baby may put his foot in his mouth, you want to make sure any residue has been removed from his foot.

6. Put a hole in the top of your footprint mold with a straw or toothpick to make room for a string or a ribbon if you wish to hang the footprint keepsake like an ornament. You can leave the keepsake intact and attach it to a picture frame if you would like.

7. Write the date and/or the baby's name into the clay using a toothpick.

8. Place the baking sheet with the footprint into a 250 degree oven for around 30 minutes.

9. Allow your footprint keepsake to cool completely before handling.

Tips & Warnings

• If your first attempt did not turn out the way you like, you can re-roll the clay and try again.
• Try taking your baby's footprint while he is sleeping. He is much less likely to wiggle his toes if he is in a deep sleep.
• Always read the directions on your polymer clay before baking as temperatures may vary depending on the brand you chose.
• Polymer clay will not harden if left to air dry, so be sure to bake in your oven when you are finished creating your footprint.
• Make sure the polymer clay that you choose is non-toxic.

Resources

• PolymerClaySuperstore.com offers many polymer clay products

[labellefleur100]

on 4/20/2009 Great advice! I love keeping things from when she was little! 5*

[momoftwingirls]

on 12/5/2007 Wow, this is great. I have been trying to use plaster from my craft store to make my twins, who are two, handprints. It is not easy and the plaster falls apart. This way looks much easier. Yeah!!