When a friend or family member has a baby, surprise them with an adorable and meaningful gift-a decorative birth certificate that features the baby's pertinent information and a few cute touches. The family will display and treasure it for years to come.
Instructions
1. Ask the parents for a small photo of the baby, along with details that include the proper spelling of the baby and parents' names, the height and weight, eye and hair color, hospital name and the exact time and date of the birth.
2. Print the information onto a piece of pretty patterned paper, solid cardstock or sheer vellum. Format the text to leave enough room on the top and bottom for additional elements and accents. Trim and affix the piece to a coordinating piece of 8.5 by 11 inch cardstock that you can fit into a frame that matches the nursery decor.
3. Add the baby's handprint or footprint to the certificate for added meaning. If the gift is going to be a surprise, find out when a friend or grandparent will be babysitting and visit then to make several prints on a piece of cardstock that coordinates with the background page. Use water-based paint that will be easy to wash off the baby's hand with mild soap and water.
4. Use a paper trimmer to cut out the best handprint and footprint impressions on the sheet. Mount the rectangles on another piece of cardstock or patterned paper. The parents may want to add new prints taken with acrylic paint that will last longer than the water-based paint, but may also be tougher to remove from baby's hands.
5. Arrange and affix the baby's photo and prints around the text, along with cute embellishments like stickers and die cuts. If you've found a shadowbox-style frame, you can also add dimensional accents like ribbon ties, buttons or fabric appliques as an adorable touch.
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