Anja, originally from Germany, talks us through how she made this beautiful stick heart-shaped rainbow handprint keepsake with her family.
What did you do?
I used the back of a photo frame (but I think you could use strong cardboard, plywood or whatever else you feel works).
- Draw and cut out the heart shape.
- I used a Wilko tester paint pot and did three applications.
- Something that you cant see: I used simple rope, braided and hot glued it around the edges.
- Sticks: broken into pieces when spray-painted white.
- We did our handprints before adding the sticks using a variety of acrylic paints spotted onto a plate. That is how the rainbow coloured look was achieved.
- Then I used an acrylic pen (white) to trace around the handprints to make them pop out a bit more.
- We didn’t have any proper setting spray or varnish, so we used hairspray. Not sure of the longevity of it.
- Lastly, I attached the sticks with hot glue (what a great tool to have)
I used the wrong colour paint to start with as I had a vision in mind. Getting the kids to do their handprints took slight persuasion. Also putting them in the correct place was a bit difficult (e.g. spacing). We had to, however, wipe my daughters off again as it got smudged. So try to help them to keep their little fingers spread out a little to get a good enough print. Be careful with the hot glue. I got myself burned a couple of times, but all good!
Do you have any other projects in the pipeline?
My next project is doing a hand-cast. I am hoping to get us all holding a flower pot while doing it so we can actually have a keepsake but also for something that can be used.
Tell us all a little bit about yourself…
My name is Anja. I am originally from Germany but have lived in the UK since 2004, which is when I met my husband who is from Morocco. We have 3 beautiful children: 2 boys 8 and 5 years and our daughter who is going to be 3 in June.
How is being housebound for you all going?
Being housebound with the kids has definitely had its ups and downs. Some days are great, you know those when everything including homeschooling goes really well. But on some, we all struggle to make it to the end of the day. We are lucky we have a big garden, our family lives abroad so there is no change there. And the kids, although defiant at times, have adjusted to the change well.
Do you have any tips to help other parents?
I am not one to give tips really, it’s not easy being in this situation. One thing that helps me is knowing we are all in the same boat. Look after your mental wellbeing and that of your kids. I for one have decided to give homeschooling a break or reduce the amount we do as its causing a lot of stress in our house, especially with my 5-year-old rebel.
Take it day by day. These sites are certainly great to get inspired but do what keeps you sane and happy the most.
