I'm a sucker for all things baby. I just can't help but love that snuggly, new and exciting newborn phase. I'm always so sad when it passes. I try to soak that time up as much as possible, but babies just don't keep. So, I decided to do these baby shadow boxes for each of my kiddos. I actually started these with the twins, but it's taken me SO long to get Ellie's done, fourth kid syndrome... I finally got around to finishing hers, so I thought I'd share how I do it!
This is a super quick and fun (although emotional) craft!
Here's a list of everything you'll need:
Supplies
- shadow box (I really like these ones from Michael's.)
- hot glue gun
- baby's hospital blanket or a sentimental swaddle blanket
- wooden letter (for babies first name)
- pictures and ultrasounds
- baby's coming home outfit
- baby's hospital things (this could be whatever you chose to keep. think: bracelet, diaper (clean of course), umbilical clamp, etc)
- sentimental items (anything that's special to you or reminds you of that time)
Instructions:
1. Gather all your supplies. You don't have to know what you're going to use at first, just grab everything you can think of and put it in a pile.
2. Narrow down your items. It can be REALLY easy to want to use everything. But, you're working with a limited amount of space, so choose the most special pieces and go from there. You don't want it to be too crowded.
3. Take the back board off from the back of the shadow box. Drape your blanket around the board so you have a nice flat surface to work with. You'll most likely have to cut the blanket down, so you don't have a huge bulge in the back when hanging it. I know I know, it can be hard to just cut something up that's so sentimental, but I always tell myself it's a special part of their box. You'll never use it again, so this is a great way to decrease clutter, while also displaying something so special. Once you have it nice and flat, hot glue it in place.
4. Once you've got the backing glued down (and dried) flip over your board. Now's the fun part! Arrange your items the way you want them. The shadow box comes with pins, so I try and use those up first. Things like hats, diapers, clothes, can all be pinned in place. Things like clamps or other hard items I usually hot glue in place.
5. Let everything dry, and place the board back into the shadow box. Hang it up and enjoy it!
My shadow boxes are in my living room where I can see them everyday. It's so special to look up and remember when they were so tiny! You'll treasure these the older they get (I know I do) and your kids will appreciate them when they're grown too!
I also bought clocks from Ikea and set them to the time they were born. I put them right above each of their shadow boxes. For me, this was when time stood still for a little while. I couldn't find the exact link to mine, but this one is about the size I got!
