Heart Foot Print Keepsake

Instead of breathing life into the sneak peak post I shared on here a couple of years ago of the guest post I shared on Red Ted Art I decided to create a fresh post with lots of lovely new images AND and video (with a colour change too)! 

Today I want to share with you a keepsake that is fabulous to make and give to someone special anytime of the year. Whether you want to capture the adorable little foot prints for Valentines Day, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Christmas or just because - it will work for any of them. 

We are a big fans of Keepsakes here at Learning and Exploring Through Play. Although playing is always a priority for us - you will know that if you follow us on Instagram, sometimes its fun to personally capture something to treasure for years to come. 

First of all you will need to make a batch of Salt Dough. We carefully put together a super simple recipe that creates perfect Salt Dough every time!

With Salt Dough you want a consistency that is very similar to play dough. You don't want it sticky. or too dry. Add flour/water depending on the feel of your dough before moving a head with the next step. 

Once you have your batch of Salt Dough, created by the Salt Dough recipe above, roll out your dough ready to capture the footprints. It would be a great idea to roll out onto some Grease Proof paper so you can scoop it up and pop it straight into the oven without needing to attempt to lift the sticky dough to transfer, which could ruin your keepsake prints! 

Cut around the foot prints into a heart shape and transport it over onto a flat tray or (like I use) A pirex dish turned upside down.

Keep a constant check on your keepsake. You want a low setting in the oven. If you attempt to dry it out too quickly you will experience cracks and the top layer will dry and begin lifting up into a bubble. Slow and steady wins the race remember. Leave the keepsake to cool down completely before decorating. 

I am a big fan of Reeves acrylic paints - Amazon UK / Amazon US. I brought a set some time ago now and I still have plenty left. The colours are vibrant and the smallest amount goes a long way.

Bare in mind that some brands of acrylic paints are weak in colour and consistency which could end up adding moisture back into your dried out keepsake. 

Use your paints to decorate your keepsake and leave to completely dry once again. 

I totally understand the urge to add your text but resist temptation until it is definitely dry. I have learnt the hard way many times and ended up ruining pens as I touch a spot that isn't quite dry. You can also end up adding damage that it hard to cover up on your keepsake.

To add the text I used a good old sharpie pen. They come in great for all crafts! Talking of sharpies did you see the craft we did with them using Bleeding Tissue? We used them on our Snowman Hand Print Keepsake too!

I left it all to sit for another day before sealing it with a quick coating of spray. There we have it. A gorgeous keepsake to gift to someone special or make to keep yourself.

Children grow up so quickly. Capture their tiny toes before they become great big feet! 

If you have any questions, just leave me a note at the bottom of the post and I shall answer your questions.