April 20, 2011

Hands Memory Book {Epic Letterpress Project}

We live halfway across the country from both sets of parents, so I really like to keep them connected with our children’s progress as much as possible. I love to make meaningful gifts for Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day when I can, and so I came up with the idea for this Handprint Memory Book for our moms this year. There is nothing sweeter than looking back years down the road at handprints from when children were small, and this sweet little book celebrates that. 

The outside cover reads…

“These are the hands you used to hold…”

…while the pages within the book read…

 ”…when I was — years old.”

Don’t you just love it? This special sentiment coupled with photos of the children and a list of their current favorite activities and objects makes this a project that is sure to be an instant keepsake!

I put my new Epic Letterpress machine to work on this project, using the Blossoms Printing Plates for the bold background on the front and back covers, as well as the accent pages and embellishments within the book. The heavy weight of the Letterpress paper is perfect for making small books like this one! Using other items for my stash, I was able to put this book together in the span of a morning. 

Interested in putting together one of your own? Let’s get started!

For this project, you will need…

An Epic Letterpress machine
A2 Letterpress paper, 4.25 x 5.5
Coordinating cardstock and/or patterned paper
An old-school label maker (optional)
Letter stickers
Scrapbooking adhesive roller
Photo corners, ribbon, and other embellishments
Crayola Color Wonder paper and markers
Laminating sheets

(Note: The instructions below are for a book for 3 children.)

step 1 /  Letterpress a pattern onto four of your Letterpress paper sheets, and allow the ink to dry completely. (Alternatively, you can use patterned scrapbooking paper – preferably of a heavy weight – for this purpose.) If desired, use your Letterpress machine to create some small embellishments (I created flowers) to use on the inside of your book.

step 2 / On one of your letterpressed sheets, embellish as desired with the wording, “These are the hands you used to hold.” Refer below to what I did with mine. This is the front cover of your book, and the back side of this page should be left blank for now.  I used my label maker for the majority of the wording, but you could easily handwrite or use your computer for the wording. Use your imagination!

step 3 / Trim two of your letterpress sheets in half widthwise, so that you are left with a 2.75 x 4.25 rectangle. On three of these rectangles, adhere the wording, “When I was — years old,” using each child’s respective age. Refer below for how I arranged mine.

step 4 / Create your child(ren)’s handprints. Looking for a no-mess way to do this? Color the palm of your child’s hand with a Color Wonder marker, and then press their hand onto a sheet of Color Wonder paper. This method is so much easier than trying to manage paint! Once the handprints have dried completely, laminate each print with your laminating sheets, trimming away the excess plastic from around the perimeter of each one.

step 5 / Arrange the pages of your book as you will want them to be in the final version of your project, and embellish your pages.

For my book, the basic layout of the book went like this:

1 letterpressed front cover page
1 letterpressed half page insert
1 blank page
1 letterpressed half page insert
1 blank page
1 letterpressed half page insert
1 letterpressed back cover page

When you open the front cover of your book, you should see a blank left page, followed by an embossed half page insert, followed by a blank right page. On the left page of my book, I placed the child’s handprint. On the front (embossed) side of half page insert, I placed the wording with their age, and on the back of the insert, I jotted down a few of the things he or she likes to do at their age right now. Trust me: you will thank yourself later on for writing down these little quirks and habits that you think right now you could never possibly forget. (You will.) On the right page, I placed the child’s photo and their name and age. This might sound complicated, but this little book comes together very easily because of how repetitive it is. Each set of facing pages for my three children is laid out identically, making putting everything together a breeze!

step 6 / Bind your book as you desire, making sure the embossed sides of both of the covers are facing out as you work. I used my Bind-It-All machine, but if you don’t have access to something like that, 3 large jump rings fed through punched holes on the side of each page will work just as well. Note: When binding your pages, make sure the lower left corners of the half page inserts are lined up with the lower left corners of the covers and other pages. This keeps everything nice and tidy! If desired, place a Mothers’ Day sentiment with the date on the back cover. 

You are finished!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to let me know! 

And, if you haven’t already, don’t forget to head over to get yourself entered to win a Letterpress machine of your very own! The contest ends at 11:59 p.m. tonight!

Giveaway now closed.

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Amy @ Positively Splendid

Amy @ Positively Splendid

Having grown up in a home brimming with sewing notions and paintbrushes, Amy has a deep love for all things creative. On any given day, you'll find her knee-deep in her latest creative endeavor, with projects ranging from sewing and crafts to home decor and kid-friendly ideas. Amy believes that everyone, regardless of skill level or experience, possesses the ability to create something beautiful, and Positively Splendid was born of her passion for helping others harness their innate creative potential.
Amy @ Positively Splendid

@splendidamy

Mama of four, creative enthusiast, craft & DIY blogger. Find me knee-deep in my next project at http://www.PositivelySplendid.com!
Entertaining this weekend? Craft some Anthro-inspired pennant napkins to gussy up your table! http://t.co/aSNEtp88m5 via @miznelliebellie - 2 hours ago
Amy @ Positively Splendid

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20 Responses to Hands Memory Book {Epic Letterpress Project}

  1. nikkijoy April 20, 2011 at 11:31 am #

    This is a really sweet idea. Love your use of bright colours as well, this project just oozes happiness =) x

    Reply
  2. Amy's Cooking Adventures April 20, 2011 at 12:37 pm #

    Love, love, love! I don’t have the epic letterpress, but I am going to find some way to make this work! Scrapbook supplies, maybe? Or maybe I’ll win the contest – haha!

    Reply
  3. Rebecca Watson April 20, 2011 at 1:31 pm #

    very very very cool idea! :) i love it! :)

    Reply
  4. Mimi April 20, 2011 at 2:26 pm #

    This is a fantastic gift! The background you created is beautiful…especially the color!

    Reply
  5. Laura at Ms. Smartie Pants April 20, 2011 at 3:24 pm #

    Amy, I think your tutorials are the best I have ever seen! And your photos are amazing too! What kind of camera do you have? Great idea by the way, you are much better than I ever was of keeping the grandparents in the loop.

    Reply
  6. Steph @ Crafting in the Rain April 20, 2011 at 4:28 pm #

    That’s about the most precious thing I’ve seen. Love the colors you used too!

    Reply
  7. Maria Teresa April 20, 2011 at 8:25 pm #

    Amy, agradecemos as sugestões lindas que nos envia. São tão bem explicadas que mesmo não sabendo o inglês, conseguimos entender.
    Desejamos a você e sua família, uma feliz e abençoada PÁSCOA, abraços carinhosos de Maria Teresa

    Reply
  8. Kara @ Nest Candy April 20, 2011 at 8:29 pm #

    Amy, this is a fantastic idea. It is fun to look at, it holds precious memories, and it’s fun to make. What better gift is there? Thanks for the tute. :)

    Reply
  9. ellie g April 21, 2011 at 1:05 am #

    AWWWW….that kind of took my breath away, Amy. Aside from an amazing idea, the colors just pop! I’m loving the whole 3-D sitch. Which, of course, is your specialty. And why do I love things that are spiral bound so much? I dunno. Great job.

    Reply
  10. KatieJ April 21, 2011 at 5:57 am #

    Love this! What a perfect gift for mother’s day (to myself!) this would be :)

    Reply
  11. Katie's Nesting Spot May 2, 2011 at 5:40 pm #

    Love it Amy, what a thoughtful gift and keepsake! I posted a link that also sends out a tweet on my FB page.

    Reply
  12. Katie's Nesting Spot May 2, 2011 at 5:40 pm #

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  13. Jenny @ Embellishing Life May 3, 2011 at 2:25 am #

    I adore this idea! I’m going to do one!
    http://embellishinglifeeveryday.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  14. Vivienne @ the V Spot May 17, 2011 at 12:42 am #

    Precious and sweet! I love this!

    Reply
  15. Jenn Erickson May 17, 2011 at 2:34 am #

    *sniffle*sniffle* You know you’ve struck upon a really good craft when it brings tender tears to someones eyes!

    Jenn

    Reply
  16. Jennifer May 17, 2011 at 3:03 am #

    Oh my goodness, Amy! I love this! What a darling idea! I will have to do this for my boys!
    Jen

    Reply
  17. Alison@Oopsey Daisy May 17, 2011 at 4:20 am #

    Amy, this is just too cute! What a fun keepsake!!

    Reply
  18. Holly May 18, 2011 at 12:42 am #

    Sweet idea. I love that letterpress!

    Reply
  19. Katie May 20, 2011 at 2:53 pm #

    Adorable :)
    Katie
    http://www.katiescreative.blogspot.com

    Reply
  20. Sweet Peas and Bumblebees May 20, 2011 at 10:55 pm #

    What a super cute idea!

    I am your newest follower, and would love it if you would follow me back if you love our blog as well! :)

    Stop by an add your latest & greatest to our What I Made Wednesday Linky Party…today is the last day!

    Also, enter for a chance to win a homemade hair bow!!!

    Briana @ Sweet Peas and Bumblebees
    sweetpeasandbb.blogspot.com

    Reply

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