When we have little children around the home, it seems as if they are there to steal our heart at every moment. Being a parent is a project that many of us take on and when we do so, it seems as if those tiny little people just seem to fill our home with lots of love. Yes, there may be some bumps along the way but there is nothing like the experience that being a parent provides.
One thing that most of us recognize about children is the fact that they grow up very quickly. In fact, the first few years of their life seem to come with so many different changes, it can be difficult to keep up with them. It seems as if you just turn around and they have grown significantly and they almost seem to be learning something new from one day to the next.
Many parents look back on their children and younger years in which they had done something to help remember them even more. We may have some mementos from those early years but sometimes, it is nice to be able to carry those mementos with us in physical form rather than just carrying them in our memory. That is what this DIY project is able to do. It takes the tiny handprint of your young one and puts it on a keychain. It is absolutely fantastic and you will smile every time you see it.
This project is not difficult to do. In fact, it just takes a little bit of Shrinky Dink plastic and some acrylic paint to get started. Spend a little bit of time with your children doing this project and they will love watching it shrink in the oven. You will love having to carry around with you everywhere.
Materials Needed
Shrinky Dink plastic
acrylic paint
sharpie
scissors
hold punch
jump ring
baking sheet
parchment paper
split ring keyring
Directions
Paint your child’s entire hand. Coat it well enough to be all wet, but not so drippy that you loose the details of the print.
Gently guide their hand onto the Shrinky Dinks plastic. Firmly press down all their fingers and palm to get a good imprint.
Press the plastic against the table with your free hand while you carefully peel your child’s hand off.
Allow the handprint to dry completely, then flip the plastic over and add your child’s name, age or year to the other side with a Sharpie.
After the Sharpie dries, carefully cut out the handprint with small sharp scissors.
Remember to punch a hole before you bake them!
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place your handprint paint side up. Pre-heat your oven to 325°F and bake for 2-3 minutes. You’ll know its done when the handprint stops moving and has gpne mostly, if not completely, flat again.
Attach your keychain links and your are finished!
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