Before I had Sloane I was sure that I was going to find the most unusual ways to preserve some of the early chachkees that we acquired when she was born.  I didn’t want to have them lying around the house.  I’m pretty good about putting pictures away either in scrapbooks, or organizing them on shutterfly, but I’m not so great with taking care of other keepsakes.  Over the years, I have seen lots of ways to

preserve the first footprints and handprints

save the hospital bracelets

What I had been searching for were some unique, inexpensive and easy ways to use some of what I already had in the house  to preserve those memories.  While watching the Nate Berkus show one day (have you ever watched his show?  He is so great and has tons of fabulous DIY ideas.) he gave the idea to use leftover fabric swatches to make a unique picture for the wall.  I actually decided to take that  little bit further and used all the leftover swatches I have been ordering for Sloane’s room to cover the black background of this shadow box.  In the hospital when Sloane was born, I asked the nurse to do Sloane’s footprints on a onesie.  I then pinned that onesie over the fabric, and stuck her baby announcement into the shadow box.

What is so great about using a shadow box is that I will be able to continuously add things to it.  When Sloane takes her first step, I will be able to add her first walking shoes to this box.  When she gets her first haircut I’ll be able to pin that onto box.  There is lots of room to put so many wonderful keepsakes away safe in here.  The reason I love this so much is becuase it’s versatile.  I don’t think I will look at this 3 years from now and say “why did I ever purchase that?”.

You can use any fabric swatches you have around the house, or you can use one solid fabric for the background.  Pin in any of the your child’s keepsakes to the backboard, and rest others on the bottom of the box.  I bought my box at Michaels.  They have a large selection of colors and sizes.  Everytime I look at this hanging in Sloane’s room I’m proud of it, and the material that it showcases.

Try out this easy DIY project and let us know how it goes.  

Have you ever made a shadow box?

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