Prints Charming

Today, I've found some inspiration for easy, diy, family keepsakes featuring hand prints and thumbprints.

hand prints on canvas

I like the idea of including the hand prints of the entire family. 

hand print tree

paper cut out hand prints

framed handprints

Thumbprint trees are very popular alternatives for guestbooks at weddings and baby showers, and I like the idea of using them as family trees as well.

thumbprint family tree

Air-dry clay or a polymer clay like Sculpey make easy and darling pendants with thumbprints. If you have two children, combine each of their thumbprints to form a heart. Many sellers on Etsy can create custom thumbprint pendants in fine silver, as well.

diy clay thumbprint pendant

custom silver thumbprint pendant

Beyond the Fridge Door

My favourite section of the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa is a tucked away hallway, where dozens and dozens of children's drawings are hung. The Gallery often has art-making sessions for children and many are proudly taped up on the wall along with the bragging rights of "My child's artwork is hung in the National Gallery". Long before my husband and I had our own children we would wander up and down the hall admiring the artists' amusing views of the world. Sometimes we wouldn't make it into the rest of the gallery!

Today, I've rounded up some interesting ways to display and immortalize your children's artwork. Many ideas will make great gifts for the upcoming holidays. Sites like Vista Print and Zazzle can easily apply your child's artwork to mugs, mousepads, t-shirts, buttons, calendars and the list goes on. Have you done anything special with your kid's artwork?

Frame It

artwork collage

poster collage

artwork collage, cards, magnets and ornaments

Wear It

Custom sterling silver pendant

Custom sterling key chain

Use It

Amazing duvet cover made by tracing pictures with fabric markers!

custom stuffie made from drawings