While searching for the perfect gift that my kids could make for their Grandma’s for Mothers Day, I came across the sweet idea of giving them fingerprint painted pots or mugs or aprons.

I loved the idea of giving their beloved “Fun Gram,” and “Farm Gram,” (my kids pet names for their Grams) something with their tiny prints… something they could treasure. However, I also wanted to find something small, sweet, simple and easy to make!

It was then that I remembered a recipe I’d used a few years ago for “magic 2 ingredient clay.” I thought, “why not preserve their sweet little, albeit sometimes gooey, sticky and sometimes slimy, fingerprints into a compact charm their Gram’s can take with them! Yep… I really thought all that at once. Wink, wink!

Anyway, we decided to give it a go and I have to say that I am THRILLED with the outcome! Not only were they extremely easy to make, I had all the ingredients at home just sitting in my pantry and craft closet ready and waiting to be made!

Then, while deciding on a color, I came across some teal food coloring (the gel Wilton brand) I had in my pantry. We all love Robin’s Egg Blue so the color decision was pretty easy for us to make. Of course, you can use any color you like… a soft lilac? Sure. A sunny Yellow? Sounds Exciting! Booger Green? If that’s what you’d like to pick! Or if you’d like to keep it clean, neutral and simple, stick with a nice white! It’s what Joanna Gains would do! When in doubt, always do what Joanna Gains would do!

However, if you decide to go with Robins Egg Blue, I’ll include the instructions.

We also decided to use a flower shape for our cutout, but you can be creative there too. We just thought Spring… Mother’s Day… Flowers… Sounds good!

I will say that when this clay dried, I was pleasantly surprised at how tough the charms were! I actually dropped a few to see if they’d break. Nope! Phew… what a relief! I think I would have shattered my kids hearts in the process.

Okay… you ready! Here’s how to make the Robins Egg Blue Finger Print Charm?

First, you will need to make the 2 ingredient clay. You will need these 2 ingredients.

1 cup of cornstarch

1/2 cup of glue (the regular white liquid version you can find in pretty much every kinder class across the country. You know… the kind some of our class mates would get caught smelling.)

You will also need

A mixing bowl

A Spoon

A cutting board (unless you plan to roll it out on your counter. If so, skip this)

A rolling pin or smooth cup

Extra cornstarch to create a non stick surface

Step 1:  Pour 1 cup of cornstarch into the bowl

Step 2:  Pour in the glue

Step 3:  Put a small amount of food coloring (Teal for the blue) into the mixture. I inserted a toothpick into the color jar and used that, so not much.

Step 4:  Mix with a spoon until it’s lumpy. It will feel dry.

Step 5:  Continue to kneed with your hands until it forms a ball

Step 6:  Roll onto a con starched surface until it’s smooth and desired thickness.

TIP: keep it about 1/4 inch thick. This way, it is less likely to break, but will still dry within a few days.

Step 7: Help child press their fingerprints into the clay. Be careful to not press too hard. You don’t want the clay to be too thin.

We transferred the clay onto a cookie sheet before this step. No idea why. Maybe I really like doing a pile of dishes EVERY DANG NIGHT. Groan!

 

Step 8: Cut out the finger prints. Take them out to dry.

 

Step 9: Take a coffee straw (you can use a bigger straw if you wish,) make the hole for the string or chain you will be using. Make sure the hole is clear and large enough.

Step 10: Allow the clay to dry for 48 hours. You will be surprised how tough these charms are when this 2 ingredient clay is dry. It was actually a nice surprise.

Once your charm is dry, use desired string or chain (a chain would be stronger and easier to use. Just make sure you make the hole big enough to accommodate.)

Feel free to use my saying. I did come up with it, (I do Wurds Good,) but I’m good at sharing! At least… I’m good at sharing some things. I draw the line at my Husband and Kit Kats. Sorry Charlie. Oh… and my side of the bed. I don’t like sharing that… Sorry Husband.

I hope you enjoy making your charms. If you invent other ways to use this clay, which the possibilities are endless with the stuff, please share. I’d love to hear!

And HAPPY FREAKIN’ MOTHERS DAY! Mom’s are just amazing! I don’t know about you, but I have some kick butt Mom’s in my life! Feeling #hashtag BLESSED.