Silver Fingerprint & Handprint Jewellery - What is the minimum & maximum age for prints?

We are often asked about the minimum and maximum ages for our fingerprint / hand print jewellery. The answer is actually different for both, as we use a different process for collecting the prints. 

Fingerprint Jewellery

Fingerprint kits include a putty like substance which is pressed onto and molded around the finger to create the print impression.  The print that is transferred onto the charm is the exact replica of the print taken - so the finished print will look identical.  

Each child is different and develops at their own rate, but generally speaking their fingerprints don't become properly defined until they are around 6 months.  We therefore recommend that customers wait until a baby is 6 months old before taking a fingerprint - or that the customer takes a handprint or footprint instead.
 
Handprint / Footprint Jewellery 

There is much more flexibility with the handprint / footprint jewellery.  These require a (mess-free) inkless print kit
to take the print - which is then shrunk to size, to fit the charm.   There is therefore no minimum or maximum age for handprint / footprint jewellery, it can be used for new borns, through to 100+ year olds!   This means you can even use two prints on the one charm, which is not possible for fingerprint jewellery.

If you already have a print (that you can email or post) we can even use this to produce your silver hand print or footprint jewellery. 

For more information on fingerprint / hand print jewellery please visit our website.

FKSx

How are Memory Quilts made and Tips for choosing the right quilter

Memory quilts are a fantastic way to cherish and preserve pre-loved clothes and other fabric items that hold a special place in your heart. 

There will undoubtedly be some clothes that you want to keep in one piece, but there may be a number of other items that you want to keep but are just collecting dust in the attic. 

This is where memory quilts and blankets offer the perfect solution.

What are Memory Quilts?

Memory quilts are created using a range of a customers' pre-loved clothes.  In most cases, mainly baby clothes for a child that is growing up, but we also get asked to make them for families in memory of a loved one.


Styles and designs will vary according to who you buy your memory blanket from, but at For Keep's Sake they are all patchwork quilts, that are carefully designed using separate blocks from your items of clothing. 

They come in a variety of sizes and make a great keepsake as well as special item with an everyday use!

How are Memory Quilts Made?

As I said, this does vary depending on where you get your quilt made.  But we believe that the clothes should be an integral part of the blanket pattern, rather than looking as though they've been thrown together and sewn on. 

We carefully cut blocks from the clothes to create a stunning patchwork quilt that not only looks fantastic but maintains its' special sentiment.  

We can also add extra detail to the blanket where we use different sized blocks of clothing and traditional patchwork patterns, as well as lots of extra details such as modified necklines, buttons, frills and re-applique of small motifs. 

Quilts and blankets can even be personalised with a name and a photo.  Each memory quilt is a true one-of a kind keepsake.

 

 

 

Having given such a high level of detail and attention to the front of each memory quilt, we also consider the backing to be an important part of the design.  

Our customers can either choose from a plain coloured backing or one of 6 beautiful fabrics.

Things to consider before purchasing a Memory Quilt

If you are looking into getting your own memory quilt or blanket made, here are  a few things it may be worth considering, to make sure you are pleased with the end result:

• When looking for a company, it's important that you like the style of the quilter.  Not everyone's style will suit yours, so it would be a good idea to see photos of their work and make sure it meets your expectations.
• Consider the price.  There is no need to pay over the odds, but if a company is charging a lot less than other competing companies - consider the quality of the materials they use when creating their quilts and also the time they tend to spend on designing and making them.
• You are choosing to cut up your favourite pieces of clothing to create a special keepsake that you want to last.  This is another reason why your quilter will need to use good quality materials to create the quilt.
• It's also important that you find out if the fabrics will be stabilized, the type of wadding that they use and how the quilt will be finished (i.e. is it properly quilted) as these factors will all have the biggest bearing on the life and quality of your quilt.
• Make sure you know exactly what you are getting.  Are you getting a patchwork quilt or a quilt that features whole pieces of baby clothes within in?  What do you want?
• Finally, most quilters will understand how important this purchase is to you and will make themselves available to you to answer any questions or to discuss any questions you may have.  Make sure you find someone that is happy to do this, so you are left confident that the end product will be just as you desire! 

If you would like more information on memory quilts or if you are interested in purchasing one, then feel free to visit the links below.


In the meantime, if you've had a memory quilt made or have any tips for anyone looking to get this done - please feel free to comment below.



Love FKS xx




Memory Quilt FAQ's | How to Order Your Memory Keepsake Quilt
See our complete range of memory keepsake quilts, blankets and other items here.

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

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

Great Ideas for Holiday Souvenir & Keepsake Displays

So the sun is beaming down and summer has finally arrived!  Sat at the computer with the patio doors open, listening to the birds and children in the distance playing in paddling pools, it almost feels like holiday.  For a split second at least... before remembering I'm sat at a computer... inside......working!

With this almost tropical climate bringing smiles to all of our faces, it felt that a holiday theme would be apt for this post.  So, I thought I'd share some great ideas for displaying holiday or traveling souvenirs and keepsakes.

We always seem to come home with odd bits and pieces that I'm reluctant to throw away.  I used to save all of our flight tickets (which were then kept in a box!) the girls always insist on bringing shells back and last year, we accidentally acquired a mini-golf golf ball.

Whatever little souvenirs or keepsakes you have, why not create a display out of them - especially to remind you of the good times, when the heavens inevitably open again!  Plus the kids will just love looking at them and telling their friends about each item.

Here are some fab and unique ideas that I have come across and intend on creating myself.

Holiday Souvenir & Keepsake Jars

These are gorgeous and would look great as a collection, you could use them to display things from different holidays, countries and places.

You can use a jar of any size and simply place all the pieces that you want into it.  You can stick them in if need be.

Themes are limitless - from beach to city holiday, create the theme on whatever your souvenirs are.

Thanks to Indy Hot Moms for sharing this idea. 

Traveling or Holiday Scrapbook.

Now this is something I really need to do.   Having spent many months traveling over the last few years I have lots of photos, coins, notes, tickets and stories to tell.  But somehow my half filled photo albums and traveling souvenirs have all found their way into a box at the back of the loft.  What a waste...!

So, it is my intention to create some scrapbooks - a lovely idea to show the kids all the places we have been to and the things we have done.

Another great idea found on Indy Hot Moms and I love the idea of maps being used as the background.   Added to my 'To Do' List!

3D Box Frame Display - Travel  / Holiday Keepsakes

A deep box frame is perfect for displaying anything that would be too big to fit into a jar and also big enough to use large photos or maps in the background.  A great combination of the above two ideas. 

These look great and let you create a really unique display.  Another on my To Do list, which seems to grow by the second.

I found this display on the Martha Stewart website - where there are some other original ideas for holiday keepsakes that you can make yourself.




If you have an ideas that you'd love to share with us, or even photos of keepsake displays you've created, please feel free to comment below!  Well, time to go back to work.  Bye for now, and we hope you enjoy the sunshine!!

P.S   Don't forget to keep in touch with us, so that we can tell you about our new blog posts, new products and any offers and competitions that are currently running. How?

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