Pregnancy Keepsake - Kids Activities

Photo of a Clipboard with Baby Keepsakes

Vital Statistics

by: Courtney Russell

When my daughter was born, I upgraded my memory keeping from what I like to call "the shoebox system" to something a little more permanent. First up, all of those odd bits you collect through pregnancy and delivery — ultrasound pictures, ID bracelets, the tiny knit cap. Too bulky for an album, these items look nice when laid on a gussied-up clipboard. When you tire of your creation (the clipboard, not the baby), slip it into an archival box to share with your child when she's grown.

Photo Finish

Ultrasound photos may fade over time. To save them, bring them to a photofinisher to scan, or scan them yourself, upload the images to an online service like shutterfly.com or snapfish.com, and order prints (about 20¢ each).

Cover your work surface with newspaper. Place clipboard on the work surface with clip end at a table edge. Place the C-clamp on the table edge and tighten it down against the top of the clip until the clip is held securely open.

Use the paintbrush to apply 3 coats of paint to the front of the clipboard, sanding lightly between coats. When dry, remove the clamp and apply 3 coats of paint to the clip. After the clip dries, sand the edges of the clip and board to give them a distressed look.

Arrange the mementos collage-style, securing the ones at the top with the clip. Carefully slide the two rubber bands over the items near the bottom of the board, positioning them a few inches apart. Tuck any bulky items under the rubber bands. If anything remains unsecured, use double-stick tape or clear adhesive dots to affix them to the board.

Find a nice spot on a dresser or wall to display the clipboard. When you're ready to store it, slip it into an archival box (such as a TrueCore flat stor-age box, $11, lightimpressions direct.com). Bring it out again in time to show your child's first date.

Newspaper

Office clipboard (the Saunders hardboard clipboard comes in two sizes, $2, shoplet.com)

C-clamp

1/2-inch paintbrush

Acrylic paint (student grade Liquitex Basics comes in a range of colors, $3 per 4-oz. tube, dickblick.com)

Fine sandpaper

Keepsakes (ultrasound images, baby's footprints, hospital cap, ID bracelet, a treasured note, birth announcement, rattle, pacifier, first shoe ...)

2 colored rubber bands ($5 to $6 for 60 to 70, aerotrend.com)

Double-stick tape or adhesive dots (Zots Clear Adhesive Dots, $4, joann.com)


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