Project Playroom - The Plan!

When we moved into our new house earlier this year, the girls decided to share a bedroom which was perfect as it gave us a spare bedroom that we could use as a playroom.  This meant that after years of having toys littered everywhere, we could finally look forward to reclaiming our lounge and closing the door on the mess.

6 months on.... and despite my best intentions to create a wonderful space for the kids, where they can relax, play and enjoy time with their friends, we / I haven't got very far.  All I've done is throw their toys in the room and lost hours pondering ideas on Pinterest!

In all fairness, they've spent most of the summer outside so we've not had much need for it, but now the weather is turning it's time to crack on.  Here are some pics of how it looks now..... and I'm really hoping to be able so share some photos of the finished room in a few weeks time.



As you walk into the room - this is what you see.... not
particularly pleasing to the eye!! 



Messy cupboard behind the door - the aim is to create an organised
storage space where they can easily see and reach their toys!



And this is the wall on the left as you walk into the room.

 

The Plan

 

I am fortunate enough to have a very good close friend who has a natural flair for interior design and an excellent knack for making the most of the space in a room.  She kindly sketched a proposed plan of the room - after I told her how I wanted it to be used. 

 

My vision is a 'little peoples' lounge / den with a small sofa and TV and a comprehensive storage system that would organise their toys in a way that they could see what they had and actually want to play with them. 

 

The plan:

 

In place of the ridiculously large dolls house that
has barely been played with, will be a small sofa

 

 

We have different options for the cupboard but it will more
than likely become a cubed storage area with dedicated
space to all the dress up clothes, shoes, bags etc



And on the wall as you open the door, there will be yet more storage as well
as space to have the television, dvd etc.  With even more storage behind the door.

I can't wait to see how it's going to turn out.  I'm going to paint it white, to keep it fresh, bright and feeling spacious - and will accessorise with lots of gorgeous colours.  No doubt, I'll end up making the odd canvas and some wooden letters for it too!! 

 

So now I've talked about doing it, I'm going to have to get a move on! Will post some pics as / when (if ??) progress is made :o)

 

xx

3D Displays - Fixing Keepsakes to a Shadow Box Frame

If you have something special that you want to display in a deep box frame, you may be wondering what you should use to fix the item(s) to the back of the frame.

There are a number of options, which we've listed in this post, but depending on what your keepsake is, it may be worth further research to ensure that it won't get damaged or eroded by your chosen method.

• Sticky Velcro can generally be used for lightweight items and some heavier items - the back of the packet should give you an indication of the weight that it can carry.  The Velcro can be pulled apart - using one part to stick to the back of the frame and the other part to stick to the keepsake - allowing you to fix the two bits of Velcro together.
• Sticky fixers are a simple and effective way of securing lightweight items in place. Again you should get an indication of the weight they will hold from the packet and you will find a whole range including permanent and non-permanent fixers. Have a look around to see which is best for your item .  We use permanent sticky fixers to hold our chunky wooden letters securely on walls and they can hold a good weight.
• Glue - there is an abundance of different kinds of adhesive on the market - it may be worth visiting a craft shop to see what is available and what is best for your keepsake. Glues will range from normal PVA, paper glue, hold melt glue to many more.
• Strong or permanent glue such as superglue may be best for heavier items, such as baby castings.  You may even find that a builders’ adhesive works well for really heavy items - but if you are not looking for a permanent solution or are framing a precious or valuable item, this is not the best option.
• Screws can be used if you want to hang something from inside the frame, such as a medal or necklace.  Try to use a small screw to avoid going through the back of the frame. You can always cover the strew head with a button or embellishment such as a bow.  
• Sewing items is an option if you are looking to add fabric to the back of the frame. This could be another option for medals or perhaps displaying spoons. You would need to sew the item onto the fabric before fixing the fabric to the back of the frame, as the mdf back will already be stapled to the box of the frame.

Creating a shadow box frame is a great way to display cherished keepsakes that remind you of those special moments in life.  If your looking for a deep shadow box frame - we have lots of colours and sizes available on the website.

Keepsake frames - Baby T-Shirt and Trainer

Wedding Keepsake Frame - Pictures, Table holder, rose petals
used on the tables and mini version of brides flowers

Good luck with your project!  Please feel free to comment with any other ideas you may have or any experiences you have had when creating 3d displays.

FKS x

All kinds of Christmassy....... Well it is October!

Now that October has arrived and there is a chill in the air, it seems a litte more acceptable to mention .... Christmas!!  It didn't back in August when we were getting our initial ideas together and it still didn't last month, probably because I was finding it difficult to let go of Summer (an annual ritual for me!). 

But now..... it feels right.  And I'm quite excited!!

We sourced some gorgeous free standing wooden shapes that were perfect for the job and with a splash of paint and a touch of For Keep's Sake sparkle, we have come up with some very festive personalised Christmas Decorations.



Free Standing Personalised Reindeer - Christmas Decorations



Free Standing Personalised Snowman - Christmas Decorations



Free Standing Personalised Christmas Tree Decorations



Free Standing Personalised Sleigh - Christmas Decorations

 

Free Standing Personalised Gingerbread Man - Christmas Decorations

 

It may have taken until now to write a post about our christmas decorations, but I couldn't help showcasing them at a Fundraiser last Friday morning, where we had a stall (and even sold a few!) :o)

Other Projects

As well as getting festive, last week was also spent creating some bespoke wooden wall letters for some very special little people in my life (one of which has not been born yet - let's hope they were right when they confirmed the sex!).  I'll be featuring these in next Monday's post as I'm hoping to get some photos of them on the walls of their new homes.

Craft Fairs

We have a few craft / christmas fairs coming up over the next couple of months but we're also looking into getting a regular stall for a local artisan market.  In hindsight we could have picked a much warmer time of year to get a regular spot - something to note for the future!

So lots going on, as usual.  I'm off to visit Handmade Monday and see what has been happening over there.  So until next time.....

FKS xx

My First Handmade Monday Post! Owl Name Plaques

As one of many many websites around that sells personalised name plaques for kids, we've always tried to create something different to the norm. We generally avoid using traditional rectangular plaques and instead use either a wooden letter (the initial of the child) or wooden shape for the plaque base (shown below). 

So I'm sure you can imagine my delight when I stumbled across these gorgeous little wooden owls.  I obviously had to have them and without any real thought as to how I would design them, I knew I wanted to add them to our range of name plaques.

 

So after a few visits to craft shops and lots of time in the studio (not to mention the whirlwind of destruction that was left in the wake of my 'creativity') this is the finished result. Both are hand painted and I found some perfect fabric for the middle of the large owl. 

 

Personalisd Name Plaques - Standing Wooden Owls

 



Because the colours on the fabric were too bold for the small owl I used some beautiful patterned paper instead. I finished both with a few sparkling gems, for a little bit of extra detail. I was really pleased with the outcome and have already listed them on the website.  Even 'big rabbit' seemed to take a shining to the owl.

 

 

It's not just the owls I have been working on, I had also fallen slightly in love with a pair of wooden birds and elephants too.  Here's the before and after photos of these two:

 

Personalisd Name Plaques - Standing Wooden Birds

 

Personalisd Name Plaques - Standing Wooden Elephants

So that's what's been happening behind the scenes, I'm off now to see what everyone else has been up to on Handmade Monday.

FKS x 



Silver Fingerprint Jewellery - How old does a baby need to be?

This is a question that we get asked a lot and it's actually an important consideration when choosing the type of fingerprint / handprint jewellery you want to buy.

There is no hard rule on when a child's fingerprint develops, as every child is different, but a fingerprint generally becomes defined at around six months of age.  This is why we suggest hand or foot prints for babies under 6 months, as it's likely that the fingerprint print will not be as defined as you would like.

How will I know?  Our fingerprint kits capture the finest detail, so whatever you can see on your child's finger, will be replicated on the mould and transferred onto your piece of finished jewellery.

If you have a really young baby and want to buy a piece of jewellery for a special occassion, such as a birthday or Christmas, and can't wait for  - we would suggest that you purchase the handprint / footprint kit.

It's important to purchase the correct kit as they are both different.  For taking fingerprints we supply two putty like substances, which you combine and create a mould with (don't panic - it's straightforward and instructions are provided!).  For a hand or foot print, we send inkless wipes to capture the print.

We have lots of information on our website, should you have any other questions - please see: How silver fingerprint jewellery is made  |   Fingerprint Jewellery - FAQ's   |   Tips for capturing the fingerprint / handprint

To see what products are available or to purchase - please visit our website and view our range of fingerprint and handprint jewellery.

FKS xx

Memory Keepsake Quilts, Blankets and Cushions from Baby Clothes - New Product Line

We are really excited to have just launched our brand new range of keepsake products.  In line with the British-made, hand-made and made-by-mums theme that most of our products embrace, this gorgeous new range will make the ultimate keepsake from your child's pre-loved baby clothes!

Using blocks of the clothing, we can create stylish patchwork memory quilts, blankets and cushions.  Our high quality patchwork products are carefully designed and made to leave you with a precious keepsake full of special memories.  

Because we use your clothes, you are guaranteed a one of a kind product, that is completely bespoke to you.

They make perfect gifts for family and friends, christenings & birthdays and provide the ultimate keepsake for your own child.




This range is already popular and because each order is individually designed and handmade we have current wait times of around 6 weeks for cushions and up to 12 weeks for blankets. 

Unfortunately we don't have any slots left for Christmas, BUT we are offering free delivery for any slots booked before Christmas for delivery sometime in the New Year.  We can give you an approx lead time on enquiry, but please allow at least 12 weeks for quilts / blankets. 

We know that you will have a lot of questions about how we make these items and the order process, so we've included links to all the information you will need below.  But please contact us with and specific questions / ideas / requests.  We'd love to hear from you!

• Visit our website to view our range of memory keepsake quilts, blankets and cushions.
• Memory Quilts FAQ's
• How to Order Your Memory Keepsake Quilt 
• How We Make Memory Quilts & Blankets

 FKS xx

21 Baby Keepsakes Ideas - What to Keep!

Everyone always says that time goes so fast when you have children and I never appreciated how true this was until I had my first child.  In a sleepy haze of 3 and 4 hour routines; drifting between feeds, changes and sleeps - time inevitably escapes you. 

They grow so fast and having those few special items that remind us of how tiny and precious they were can be really important. Not just for us parents, but also for the children.  When they are older, all of these special keepsakes and memories can be passed onto them to cherish.

So what kinds of things can you keep?  The answer is simple.  Anything.....anything that means something to you and reminds you of your child and your pregnancy.  One of my favourite keepsakes, for some reason is the car park ticket from the hospital when I went into labour with my first child.  It was left in the car for at least a couple of years before I rediscovered it - perhaps that's why it's special because I kept it by accident.  Either way I love it and still have it.

You can start collecting keepsakes from the first moment you find out your pregnant and then continue throughout the baby's childhood.  Here's our list of 21 keepsakes ideas:

1. The positive pregnancy test
2. Appointment cards given throughout the pregnancy - hospital and doctors.
3. Scan photos
4. Photo of mum's tummy in the last days of pregnancy
5. Photo of the baby when it is first born
6. Hospital ankle band    
7. Hospital car park ticket
8. First size nappy to remind you how small they were
9. The card that was attached to the hospital cot
10. Umbilical cord clip (some people even keep the umbilical cord stump... I admit I preferred the car park ticket)
11. The outfit they wore when they came home from hospital
12. A newspaper from the day the baby was born
13. Their first Christmas bib / baby grow
14. Imprints or casts of their tiny feet and hands
15. Their first pair of shoes / booties
16. All of the congratulations / new baby cards you were given
17. Any item of baby clothing that was special or represented a special time to you. 
18. Writing letters that record what the baby is doing, how she is growing etc as well as all my dreams for her future.
19. Creating and keeping a scrapbook that includes photos, summaries and records milestones- or completing a record book that prompts you for the information.
20. The first lock of hair
21.  Copy of birth announcement cards (if sent out)

I'm sure you'll have a few of your own ideas and if you've got any to share, please do comment below.  We'd love to know, however obscure they might be ;o)

FKS x

Keepsake Ideas for Old Baby Clothes - Creating Memories

1.Keepsake Frames - Baby Clothes

My youngest is just about to start school and since I have no intentions of adding to the current brood, I have had to start thinking about what to do with the vast amounts of baby grows, gorgeous little clothes, Christmas bibs etc that have taken over not only our loft, but also my in-laws!

It's probably fair to say that I'm a hoarder but surely when it comes to those teeny tiny little outfits, that remind us just how small our children were, you can't blame me...?

2.Memory Keepsake Quilt:Baby Clothes

So the first step is to be ruthless (or try to be) and only keep my most favourite and sentimental items. Next is to try and decide what to do with them..... 

Rather than leave them festering in the attic, I've come across some pretty creative ideas that could help me preserve those special memories and have a clear out:

1. Keepsake Frames.

An obvious answer is to frame them.  Whether it's the first baby grow, a tiny little dress or even your baby's first shoes, you can create a modern keepsake display simply using a deep shadow box frame.

3. Keepsake Memory Scrap Cushion

2. Memory Keepsake Quilts / Blankets.
 
This idea is perfect if you have too many favourites items of clothing to frame.  Using from 15-20 items of your favourite clothing you can create a memory quilt or blanket that has an everyday use and that will become a special keepsake for your child and family heirloom .

3. Keepsake Memory Scrap Cushion. 

A really unique idea - this particular cushion uses a tree as the main image and cuts from the clothes as the leaves to create a colourful and modern, but also sentimental, keepsake cushion.

4. Padded Hanging Decorations / Bunting.

Following a similar theme, this next idea uses old clothes to create hanging Christmas decorations - they look fab and could be switched for padded hearts or bunting, made from baby clothes and hung in the child's bedroom or playroom!

5. Mini Dress Keepsake Frame.  
Another great idea for those of you with lots of clothes - create mini versions of your favourite dresses and frame them. You can even use some of the buttons and trim for your keepsake artwork.
 

5. Mini Dress Keepsake Frame

6. Framed Sun Prints - Baby Clothes. 

And last but not least is another original idea which is great if you want to remember how tiny the clothes were but don't want to frame the clothes themselves. Using the clothes, sun and some special light sensitive paper you can re-create the clothes in bold realistic looking prints.

For more information on any of these ideas, please click on the links underneath all the images to see the original  blog posts and further information/ instructions/ tutorials for creating them.

6. Framed Sun Prints: Baby Clothes

If you are looking for frames to frame your keepsakes - visit www.forkeepssake.co.uk for a wide range of deep shadow box frames, designed specifically for keepsake displays.

And finally, If like me you are not too handy with a sewing machine but love the idea of having a keepsake memory quilt or blank made from your precious baby clothes, blankets and even comforters curtains and bedlinen, then watch this space. We have an exciting new range that is coming very very soon.....!

Thanks for reading.  Please share any comments or ideas you have - also if you've tried any of these we'd love to see some pics!

FKSx

10% off Wooden Wall Letters - Until Sunday!!

One of the most popular categories on our website is our unique range of handpainted wooden wall letters.  We have lots of designs, colours and sizes to choose from that are suitable for both babies and older children.

Ahead of launching some brand new products on the website, we wanted to celebrate some of our firm favourites, by offering you 10% off - this weekend only. 

Make sure you pop over to the site and have a look, as these wall letters would make fabulous gifts for birthdays, christenings and even Christmas (if you're that organised!!). 

They also make the perfect finish to a bedroom or nursery, if you are currently decorating or looking to.

You'll need to be quick though, offer ends Sunday 19th August!

See our range here:

All wooden wall letters
Wooden wall letters for boys
Wooden wall letters for girls 

xx

Brand New Products Coming.... Very Soon!

We're really exciting to be launching some brand new product ranges to the website in the coming weeks!!  Some of these products are completely different to those that we already have on offer and without giving too much away, help to create a wonderful keepsake from some of the things that many of us are reluctant to throw away.

I think I've said enough for now - just watch this space...!

Our new product ranges come as part of our review of our website and the offering we have for our customers. We really want to focus on products that are handcrafted where possible; that are British made to support great businesses in our own country and that also support hard working mums and dads that have created a business from their table worktop out of their love and passion for what they do. 

There are so many wonderful businesses and craftspeople designing, creating and making across the country, it's simple breathtaking.  And many of these promise unique products that you simply can't find on the high street, at affordable prices and at great quality.  It's these businesses that we will be working with to expand the products that we can offer you and help you to find them all in one place.

So please do subscribe to the newsletter or this blog.  Follow us on Twitter or Like us on Facebook and you can make sure you are amongst the first to hear about it.

Looking for something?

If you are looking for something specific and haven't been able to find it - so long as it is related to our products, i.e. keepsakes and personalised gifts, then let us know - we'd be happy to look into it and you never know, we may be able to help you on your mission.

Looking to buy / sell handmade products & keepsakes?

If you run a craft business and believe your products could be a fit on our website, please get in touch.  And if you are interested in selling any of our handmade wooden wall letters, plaques and personalised canvas,  again please do get in touch, we'd love to hear from you.

Whilst we're waiting to launch our new product ranges, we'll be running two offers on the website across two of our customers' favourite product categories - more on these in the next post!!

xx

Fingerprint Handprint & Footprint Keepsake Ideas

There's something about a baby's tiny little feet or hands that make us all go gaga.  And something special about a fingerprint, that a one of a kind, truely unique mark, that can be left by an individual - irrespective of their age.  That's what makes fingerprints, handprints and footprints such popular keepsake themes.

With this in mind, we've gathered a few ideas for using fingerprints, handprints and footprints to create a special keepsake or gift that will be cherished.  Some of these you can buy through our website and others are simple but fantastic ideas that you can do at home.  We just had to share!

Daddy & Me Fingerprint Mug

This one is also great and something you could do at home with a plain mug and some enamel paint.

If you'd prefer you could visit a local pottery pals (or similar ceramics painting workshpp/shop) and do it in one of their shops.

I came across this on on Kaboose: read more.




Fingerprint / Handprint / Footprint Jewellery.  

Probably one of the most obvious keepsakes when it comes to this particular theme, but it still deserves a mention as it is such a special keepsake.

I love my fingerprint bracelet, it carries such sentiment and is a beautiful contemporary piece of jewellery.  More information / to purchase silver fingerprint handprint jewellery


Handprints or Footprints On a Poem.

I Love this idea and it's certainly a keepsake I'll be keeping hold of.

My daughter brought it home from nursery for a Mother's Day present - one of the best I've had so far.

It was printed on card and laminated to keep it safe.

Footprints on Canvas & Personalised.  

This is an easy idea that you can create yourself.  When I say easy, I really mean that it's easy to get the materials you need, trying to get your baby or child to keep still whilst paint may be quite another story.  But there's some really helpful tips on Pippa's Long Stockings Blog.


Wedding Guest Book Finger Print Tree. 

I have only come across these recently and there seem to be a fair few on the market.

I love them, such a brilliant idea and had they been around when I got married, I definately would have used one.

This particular one can be found on Esty here.




 

Baby Hand / Foot Casts & Imprints.  


There are so many on the market, this is such a popular gift to give to new parents.  There are lots of hand and feet imprints, but I much prefer the 3d casts - they are so lifelike and magically recreate the size and detail of a baby or child's hands or feet.  They are wonderful and can be done using baby casting kits at home, which is costs much less to getting them cast in a studio. More information / to purchase baby casting kits.


Finally there is an abundance of ideas for handprints, footprints and fingerprints on the Handprint and Footprint Blog.  Take a look and I'm sure you will find a unique idea for inspiration.

As always, we'd love to hear your comments and any ideas that you may have for creating keepsakes with your hands, feet or fingerprints.

xx

Fingerprint Handprint Jewellery for Men! New!

Silver Fingerprint Cufflinks Keepsakes

We've been busy adding lots of lovely new keepsakes and gifts to the website over the last couple of weeks and as we continue through August, it's unlikely that this will slow down!

If you want to be kept up to date with new designs, products and finds - don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter - particularly for inspiration in the lead up to (dare I say it).... Christmas.

Some of our latest products include more silver fingerprint jewellery for Him!!   We realise that our collection has been somewhat bias towards the ladies, with only fingerprint handprint cufflinks for men, so we've added a few more products just for them!

Silver Fingerprint Handprint Dog Tags

This handcrafted silver handprint / footprint dog tag would make the perfect keepsake gift for Dad, Granddad or God Father. 

It costs £47.50 for a handprint/ footprint Leather Dog Tag or £42.50 for a silver fingerprint leather dog tag.  Please make sure you purchase the correct item as they required different kits.  To Purchase:

            Silver Handprint / Footprint Leather Dog Tag
            Silver Fingerprint Leather Dog Tag.

Silver Handprint Footprint Dog Tag Keyring

If that special man in your life is not someone who wears a chain (be it silver or leather) then this dog tag keyring could be the perfect gift. 

It costs £43.50 for a handprint keyring or £38.50 for a fingerprint keyring.  Please purchase the correct item as they required different kits. You will choose the charm shape when you return your kit and order form.  To Purchase:

• Silver Handprint / Footprint Keyring
• Silver Fingerprint Keyring.

Silver Handprint Footprint Dog Tag

And last but not least, this silver dog tag comes on a 24inch ball chain - another lovely keepsake gift for Daddy, Granddad or a God Father.

It costs £47.50 for a handprint dog tag or £42.50 for a fingerprint dog tag.  Please make sure you purchase the correct item as they required different kits.  To Purchase:

            Silver Handprint / Footprint Ball Chain Dog Tag
            Silver Fingerprint Ball Chain Dog Tag.



 
We hope you like these fab new gifts for men - we thought it was only fair to let them have a special keepsake that they can wear too!!  See our full range of silver fingerprint / handprint jewellery here.

** Disclaimer: We only produce HIGH QUALITY keepsake jewellery, all of our charms are 99.9% SILVER and handcrafted to the FINEST detail - ensuring that you are left with a gift that you can always treasure. **

We just thought you should know that ;o)

FKS xx

For Keeps Sake on "From Britain with Love"

You will now find For Keep's Sake featured on FromBritainWithLove.com, an on line guide that is dedicated to finding unique, original and beautiful things that are all Made In Britain! 

The website celebrates all businesses that make British products, whether they operate from studios, workshops, factories or even their home kitchen worktops.

If you've not visited it before, we definitely recommend checking it out.  There are lots of different categories in their directory including Homewares, Garden, Gifts, Baby & Child and more...and products range from beautiful handmade gifts to locally sourced food and original products for the home.

What better way to support small and local businesses in your own country than to Buy British! Why not join us and say NO to mass produced and say YES to home grown talent.

Do you buy British?  Or do you know of any British supporting websites that are worth a share?  Please feel free to comment and leave links below xx

Wooden Wall Letters - Sweet Dreams for Nursery or Bedroom

I've had some unpainted MDF letters spelling "Sweet Dreams" laid across my utility room worktop for at least 3 weeks now, begging to be decorated.  They were for my girls' bedroom wall, but because everything else is always more of a priority it's taken me a while to get around to painting them. 

BUT I've finally done it and I'm, really pleased with how they look.  In fact I couldn't be more pleased (*slightly* smug grin), things don't always turn out exactly how I picture them, but they did in this case. 

Wooden Wall Letters - Sweet Dreams Rose Buds & Beads

They both already have their names across the top of their beds, both with a butterfly theme so I wanted to create something different for their Sweet Dreams.  I decided on rose buds and white beads as it matched perfectly with my older daughters bedsheets, which is the bed you see when you walk into the room.

The wall space is quite large so I went for 20cm high letters so together they take up a lot of room.  Sweet is 86cm long and Dreams is 113cm long, so I'd only recommend this size if you do have the space (unless you are only using one name / word). 
 

Wooden Wall Letters - Sweet Dreams Rose Buds & Beads

Wooden Wall Letters - Pink Rose Buds

So, what do you think?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.  I'll post some more pictures up when they are up on the wall (which let's face it, could take another 3 weeks!).  I have plans for said wall, so would be good to see if that works out as it should too ;o).

xx

P.S If you're looking for wooden wall letters - don't forget to check our website - we have loads of different designs, colours and sizes:

• Wooden letters for boys   
• Wooden letters for girls  
• All Wooden Letters

P.P.S And lots of other lovely handmade gifts and keepsakes!  www.forkeepssake.co.uk