Reindeer hands -Kids' Craft

~December 7, 2010~

The pictures don't do these near the justice. They are SO cute and the paper is sparkly and gorgeous. However, I have 5 minutes to get this post out, so they will just have to do.

I have always done this craft with my kids in some fashion or form since they were born. I try to mix it up every year and do it differently while still showing the progress of how big their little hands and feet get each year.


Sometimes, I do paint. Sometimes I trace their hands and cut out fabric and sew a reindeer together with their outlines. When we were kids, my mom made my grandmother a sweat shirt with all the kids hands and feet painted on in reindeer fashion. Another year, she did the same for her except traced and sewed on fabric instead of painting. The sewing is absolutely less messy, but by no means quicker.


This year, I wanted to do paint. It's quick, to the point, and I can decorate with the print any way I like.

Materials needed:

white card stock
decorative card stock
decorative ribbon
glue dots
craft paint (brown, red, black)
craft paint sponge
wipes (have these handy from the beginning or you may be sorry)


Directions:

1. Using paint sponge, spread brown paint on one of the kid's feet and press (toes up) on to white card stock.


2. Wipe paint off immediately. I learned the hard way the first time I did this with my infant daughter. There is absolutely no time to go and get the wipes once the paint is on. Trust me. Keep them next to your kid from the get go.

3. Hands are next. One at a time and repeat step 2.


4. Set aside to dry.


5. Once prints are dry, use your finger to paint on a red nose and two black eyes (googley eyes can be substituted and are way cute. I have no idea where I hid them this year). Let dry.


6. You can be done or move on to mounting the print like I did.

To mount:


I decided to mount the dried prints on a 12x12 sheet of glittered card stock scrapbooking paper from one of my many paper packs. To keep this project cute, but still short and sweet, I used glue dots for everything. After mounting the print, I used glue dots to attach a ribbon outline to the print and give it a three-dimensional border. Next, I punched holes in the top corners and ran a string of wide ribbon through each hole securing the back with glue dots. Last, I took another piece of ribbon and tied a big Texas size bow on the top right hand side, directly on the hanging ribbon.


Easy peasy and it only took minutes. They are hanging on our show board in the kitchen where the kids' projects are displayed.