New: Large Wooden Animal Wall Letters for Boys' Bedroom

Do you think that your little boy's bedroom or nursery is missing something but you're not sure what?  Are you trying to find something that will help to brighten up the room without having to buy a range of expensive bedroom accessories?

If so then you should check out our new animal wooden wall letters available at www.forkeepssake.co.uk.  These fun wall letters are our latest new addition and are an excellent way to add a touch of colour to any bedroom wall - kids will love them. 

These wooden wall letters are 20cm high and 12mm thick - we use thicker letters than most other companies as the extra depth creates a more obvious 3D effect.  We hand paint each letter and then varnish them for extra protection.  You can buy enough letters to make up the child's name or if space or budget is tight, why not use the child's initials or have a look at our  range of larger single wooden letter names. 

Brand New Products: Girls 10cm Wooden Wall Letters

We've already told you about our new range of boys 10cm wooden wall letters, so here's a post about our new girls 10cm wooden wall letters.

Visit our website to see the current range of designs www.forkeepssake.co.uk. and remember that we can adapt any design for any sized letter.  So if you see a design you like in the 15cm or 20cm size, but want it in the 10cm size, let us know.

Likewise if you like a design but want the colours adapted to match specific decor, we will be happy to do that.  Just email us and we'll advise how to go about ordering.  Thanks for looking!

Looking for good value bedding for a nursery or kids bedroom?

Tip - If you're looking for some good value nursery bedding and don't mind about (very) limited choice - Dunelm Mill is a good place to look. The shop itself represents excellent value for money on most products. 

I love their nursery bedding as not only is it good value, but I like the styles that they choose and rather than trying to sell it all in a bundle, you can buy whichever separates you like!  This could make it more expensive than buying a bundle if you choose to purchase everything (admittedly I've not worked this out), but it gives you the flexibility and choice of just buying what you need!

They also have some lovely kids bedding so have a look.  And don't forget, once you've chosen the bedding, check out our website (www.forkeepssake.co.uk) for personalised accessories.  We welcome bespoke requests and are happy to adapt any design to fit with the decor of your child's bedroom or nursery.

Brand New Products: Boys 10cm Wooden Wall Letters

We've been busy adding lots of brand new products to our website: www.forkeepssake.co.uk.  Some of these latest additions include Boys 10cm wooden wall letters. 

 
We've come up with various designs, the colours of which can be changed according to customer requirements.  And of course, most of our designs can be adapted for different sized letters. 

Hobbey Craft - Friend or Foe?!

That time has come again - time to go to hobbeycraft.  I've been putting it off for as long as possible, as every time I quickly 'nip in' I emerge an hour and a half later later having spent a fortune.  There's just too much to look at and everything is soooo tempting.  It's always an inspiring visit as it ends up giving me loads of ideas, but at a cost!! 

So I still need to decide whether to look forward to it, or to fear it....

Richard Branson for BusinessDay

I came across an article written by Richard Branson today, for the BusinessDay website, that I thought I'd share.  I find him absolutely fascinating anyway and if asked who inspired me the most in life, when it comes to business, it would have to be him.  I admire Richard Branson for who he is and am astounded by what he has managed to achieve throughout his life, sometimes against all odds.

His article talks about the 'bad times' being the best times to start a venture and dips into his own experiences.  It's an interesting read and gives some good advice/ tips.  Some of my favourite comments inclue:

• "Throughout my career I have made decisions using instinct, but have also worked very hard at making those decisions work"
• "Businesses need to be innovative, maintain a certain quality, be value for money and have a sense of fun"
• "A good business idea needs hard work, determination (a little luck) to succeed"
• "A good entrepeneur looks for solutions, not excuses"

Click here to read the article.  Hope you find it as interesting as I did.

For Keep's Sake's: Top Tips for Baby Casting

Having helped a friend to create a cast of her babies feet at the weekend, with one of our baby casting kits, I thought I would write a blog this week to inclue a few very useful tips.  So here they are:

1) Read the instructions fully before starting. If you're anything like me you'll have an allergy to instructions (I never seem to "have time" to read instructions).  But I guarentee that the whole process will be easier if you know what it involves and what you need beforehand.

2) Be organised.  Whilst the baby casting kits can be used by any 'first timer' you need to be organised and have everything you need at your fingertips.  Because the moulding alginate sets quite quickly you need to move swiftly.  Measure out all the required power and water before you are ready to make a start.

3) Have something ready to distract the baby or toddler when you are ready to create the mould.  This really comes down to how old the child is. Children are wriggly and some may not enjoy the process simply because you are putting one of their nice little warm feet into a bag or container full of cold gloopy mixture.  If they are old enough you can explain what you are doing ('making your foot'!) but if they are young it may help to have the television on, a treat to chew on, music and singing - anything that makes them feel comfortable and distracted!.

4) Feet are easier to cast than hands.  Babies naturally clench their fists which doesn't always look attractive and because the fingers are so small, lots of air bubbles can get trapped, meaning that the cast can end up with holes (although these can be filled once the cast has set).

5) Be Patient.  If you are new to this it might require a practice run first as it can take some getting used to.  But you will be provide with enough material to create several baby casts so don't worry.

If you've not already tried it but fancy giving it a go - visit our website to see the baby casting kit and frame choices available. Good Luck!

Bespoke Request Ideas - Boys Door Letters

After receiving a bespoke request for some large wooden door letters for a boys bedroom, I've been testing out some new design ideas.  I'm not sure which to put up on the website as yet - any thoughts or feedback is welcome.

We have a range of wooden letters available on our website including various sized wooden wall letters, door letters and single letter names.  I will be adding more designs and styles over the next couple of months.

Thanks for looking :o)

Baby Keepsakes - What would you keep?

For those of you with children - Do you have a favourite item or special keepsake from when your child was a baby? If so is it? Whether it's a comforter that they wouldn't let go of, first shoes, favourite teddy, hospital bracelet or anything else, we'd love to hear.

Post your answer on the discussion board of our facebook page.

www.facebook.com/forkeepssake

New Personalised Name Frames for Kids

The new range of personalised 3D Name Frames now available at For Keep's Sake.  All of our name frames are hand crafted and set in a free standing box frame.  We make them to order, so therefore we're happy to discuss any bespoke requirements or adjustments to any of the designs.  Here's a quick peek at some of them. Thanks for looking!

    

 

Productive weekend!!

Well thanks to my very helpful husband taking the girls off my hands for the last two afternoons as well as letting me hoard the computer all weekend, I've managed to work on some more designs for my website.  I've had the ideas all along, but it's just finding the time to create them.  Now that I have pics I'll be adding them all to my site over the next few days.

I've managed to create some more 3D name frames for girls, canvas names for girls and lots more single letter names for boys.  Still have lots to create for girls but I will get there.  If only you could buy time!!

Will update with images and links to the website when they are finally on.  Hoorah!!
Don't forget to check out our other products at www.forkeepsake.co.uk. These include: 
Keepsake Frames, Baby Casting Kits, Wooden Wall Letters for Girls, Name Frames for Boys, Personalised Canvases for Boys.

Sneak Preview: New "Initial" Wooden Letter Names

I've been getting busy in the "studio" and wanted to share some images of some of the new products I'll be uploading to my website in the next week (hopefully!).  As with the personalised single canvas names that are now available on our website, I also wanted to create a range of single wooden letter names.  

The reason for this is simple.... it's sometimes too costly or takes up too much wall space for someone buying wooden wall letters for a child with a long name... i.e. isabella.  It seems unfair that someone who has chosen a name that they love for their child should lose out because that name happened to have too many letters!  

So here they are... I wanted to do some with an animal theme, some "girly" letters and some boyish ones.  Let me know what you think, your comments would be appreciated.

 

New to For Keep's Sake: Personalised Canvas Names

The latest edition to our website is our new range of Personalised Canvas Names.  These will make a prominent feature in any bedroom or nursery.  We use deep box canvases and wooden letters for extra  impact.

Each canvas is personalised with the child's name and decorated with 3D accessories.  We have different themes to suit boys and girls and will be adding more designs throughout January, we'll keep you posted.  We hope you like them!!  

As usual we are happy to accomodate any bespoke requests if we can and are currently working on a 30cm by 30cm version of the Poppy/ Maisy design.  We'll upload a photo when it's complete.

Thanks for looking.

For Keep's Sake 

www.forkeepssake.co.uk

Frame your Baby Keepsakes

It's amazing how quickly time flies after having a baby.  The first few sleepless nights feel seem to last an eternity whilst you try your hardest to function in a sleep craved haze.  But before you've had time to blink, you're celebrating your baby's first birthday, watching them stumbling around the room and are left wondering where the time went.  And unbelievably the following years seem to dissapear even quicker.

But as parents we're not only left with our memories, but also with some very precious items that remind us of those first days, items that we will cherish forever. The first scan picture, the hospital bracelet, a first size nappy, the baby's favourite outfit, the first shoes, a special comforter or small toy, christening gifts and keepsakes. The list goes on.

Whatever the items are, they are important and it feels almost a sin to hide them away in a box in the attic, rarely to be looked at again. This is why I opted for a Keepsake Frame I didn't want to let go of things that reminded me of such special times and so instead, I framed them.

You can style your keepsake frame so that it will complement any room in the house. What better way to cherish those memories?  So what are you waiting for? Now all you have to do is decide what to frame.

See our range of keepsake frames at For Keep's Sake

How Easy is Baby Casting?

Creating 3d castings of your baby’s hand or foot can be a very rewarding experience and needless to say, by doing it yourself, you can also save a lot of money.
The best place to start is with a baby casting kit. There are a number of companies that sell these online, including For Keep’s Sake with or without frames. The kit usually includes the following contents:

• Chromatic Alginate or another moulding material. This is used to create the mould of the baby’s hand or foot. For life casting Alginate is the most popular moulding compound because it is completely safe and in fact used by dentists in the mouths of both adults and children to take dental mouldings. It can also capture all the fine creases in the skin, resulting in a life-like finish.
• High Grade Casting Powder. This is used to create the cast and once dry can be painted in the colour of your choice.
• Poly Bags or a Container. This will be used to create the mould in.
• Cocktail sticks. Once the cast has set and is dry and the rubbery alginate mould peeled away from it, there are often little bits of the mould left in some of the skin creases of the case. Cocktail sticks are useful for cleaning these little pieces out
• Stirrers
• Paint and Paintbrush.
• Deep rebate box frame. This usually includes a twin aperture mount so that a photo can be displayed as well as the casting.
• Complete set of instructions.
• Glue
  

 There are 8 basic steps to the casting process:

• Step 1 – Prepare the baby’s hand or foot by rubbing a generous amount of baby moisturiser on it. This will help to ease it out of the mould when it’s been created.
• Step 2 – Measure the alginate, as per the instructions, and add the water slowly mixing it all the time. Mix vigorously to break down any lumps, the colour will turn pink whilst being mixed.
• Step 3 – When the mixture has reached the desired consistency (consult instructions) you will need to pour it into the container or bag that you are using and place the foot or hand into the mixture.
• Step 4 – Setting time will vary so again consult the instructions. Usually fast setting alginate is used, given a baby’s tendancy to wriggle, which be take under a minute to set. Once set, carefully remove the hand or foot so as not to tear the mould.
• Step 5 – The casting powder is then mixed with water, stirring slowly and carefully to avoid air bubbles. Once the mixture has reached the desired consistency it is poured bit by bit into the mould, swirling the mixture around the mould to ensure that it reaches all the nooks and crannies. Once full the plaster is left to set.
• Step 6 – Once dry, usually a few hours later, the mould can be broken off the cast. It is a rubbery like texture and will break away easily.
• Step 7 – The cast can now be painted. Most kits include a silver or gold paint, but any colour acryllic paint can be used on the cast for an effective finish.
• Step 8 – If you have chosen a kit with a frame, the last stage of the process is framing the cast. You may find that the flat side of the cast is a little uneven and may require a little light sanding. This can be done easily using a fine sandpaper. Once flat the casting can be stuck to the backing board and the back of the frame closed.
  

So how easy is baby casting? I think you'll agree, that provided you buy the right kit and get the right instructions it's much easier that you would have ever imagined.

3D casts of your baby’s hand or foot (or both) make excellent keepsakes and will ensure that you can never forget how small they once were. Invaluable!

Don't forget to visit www.forkeepssake.co.uk to see our range of baby casting kits.