Ghost Footprint

Our playgroup has two craft projects lined up for today.  One of which is making this adorable Ghost Footprint plaque (inspired by Becky's Ghostly Handprints post on The Crafting Chicks blog):

Dylan & I went ahead and completed his so we could help show the group what to do.  It's a lot of fun, very easy and inexpensive. 

Supplies

• 5x7 wooden plaque (or similar sized canvas ... needs to be large enough to fit your child's footprint)
• black & white acrylic paint 
• paint brushes and a cotton swab
• sandpaper
• Mod Podge
• orange ribbon
• beading wire (or similar to help create the hanger)
• staple gun

Start by painting the plaque black.  Let it dry completely.  If desired, sand the edges a bit to give a more distressed look.  Apply white paint to the bottom of your child's foot (note: I had Dylan strapped into his highchair and a wet paper towel ready so he didn't leave white footprints all over the house!) and press foot to the plaque.  Set the plaque aside to dry and wipe the foot clean.  Once the footprint has dried, use a cotton swab and black paint to add the dots for the eyes and mouth.  After these have dried, apply Mod Podge to seal.

While waiting for the Mod Podge to dry (follow instructions on the bottle), cut a piece of ribbon about 2 feet in length and tie a bow in the middle.  Attach it to the back of the plaque using a staple gun. 

My original plan was to use the ribbon as the hanger, but I didn't like how it looked.  Thus, the addition of the wire.  You can add the two simultaneously if you want.  I found it easy, once the ribbon was in place, to loop the wire through the knot in the center and then staple each end to the plaque.  I then pulled the wire up and twisted it onto itself to finish.

That's it! Now you can hang your completed project on the wall.  Enjoy!