diy:: footprint & handprint plaster keepsake

My mother in law made a plaster casting of Easton's hand and foot when he was a baby and I love it.

I knew I wanted Emerson to have one too, so this week we got to work.

Easton's was done at 5 weeks, Emerson at 6.

The earlier the better, in my opinion.

I was with her when she did Emerson's and I jotted down the instructions.

First, you will need Window Glazing (Lowe's or Home Depot or any other home improvement store)

Pottery Plaster/ Plaster of Paris (Craft store)

A Cool Whip Bowl or the bottom of a bleach bottle, cut off.

Plastic Spoon

Some sort of disposable bowl and spoon to mix the plaster in.

Directions:

Put enough window glaze in the bowl to be about an inch thick.

Smooth it out as best as you can with the plastic spoon, using the back side of the spoon.

You want this part as flat as possible because this will be the front of the cast.

Place childs hand or foot in putty, making sure to press evenly on each finger/toe/palm/heel.

Remove hand.

Mix the plaster as directed on the container.

You'll want this to be the consistency of thick batter.

**Make sure to mix this in something you don't mind throwing away as it will harden on bowl**

**DO NOT rinse bowl in sink as it will harden in your drain**

Once plaster is desired consistency, pour over the top of the mold in the bowl.

Tap the bowl, mold & plaster, on the counter a few minutes to get out any bubbles from pouring.

Let harden 30-60 minutes.

Cut the side of the bowl away from the plaster and mold and pop out.

Plaster will come right off of the window glaze mold.

With a fine grit sand paper, smooth the edges, front & back and the flat surface of the cast.

And there you have it.

A sweet little hand & foot to remember just how tiny they once were.  

(emerson's hand)

(easton's foot)