I was provided with a keepsake plaque and giveaway item from Prints and Printsess in exchange for this post. All opinions and experiences expressed are my own.
Knowing Miles is my last baby has me a bit sad. I know in my heart I am done with having children, but I just feel young and worry that there could be a chance later on down the road I may change my mind.
But since it takes two to tango, and my husband has no questions in his mind about being done {he’s logical like that}, he is my last baby. Because of this, I am trying to cherish every moment.
One way I was recently able to capture him at this very stage is by making a 3D plaque with his little hands and feet with local business Prints and Printsess. It meant the world to me to be able to freeze time, and I look forward to the future when we can compare his little hands to his toddler hands, boyhood hands, and beyond.
Owners Ricky and Ashley Raleigh knew they wanted to own a business, so they explored their options before settling on the ceramics concept. They have a studio at their home in downtown Howell, but also travel throughout southeast and mid-Michigan to attend events and make 3-D clay plaques for local families.
The Raleigh family…with baby #2 on the way! How cute are they?!
I had the opportunity to visit their studio, and it was such a great experience. They are such sweet people, and really know their stuff. Ashley showed me all of the types of creations they make and they were all incredible and unique. The entire time I just kept thinking what great gifts they would make for Christmas, birthdays, or welcoming a new baby.
THE PROCESS
After I arrived, I was able to choose my overall design {options are here}. I wanted a handprint and footprint, so I chose the 3-print 3D plaque.
Ricky rolled out the clay, and then we were ready for little man’s hand and foot. I let them hold him to do it — after all, they are the experts! They were great with him and knew all the tricks to getting the perfect hand and foot print. Even at just three weeks old, he took it like a champ.
From there, I was able pick out a border, glaze color, the font I’d like, and coordinating stamps. They have everything from robots and rockets to princess crowns and every animal you can think of! They also have sayings, and holiday themed stamps {think Mother’s or Father’s Day, for example}. Since Miles’ room has an animal theme, I went with that.
After that, the piece needs to harden for a week, get fired in a kiln, get a glaze applied, and then fired again, making it approximately a 2 week process. You can choose to have your unique piece shipped to you, or you may pick it up at the studio in Howell.
Here is our final piece. I am in LOVE with it. Not gonna lie, it kind of makes me teary looking at his little hands and feet on here and knowing he is growing right before my eyes.
Thanks for helping me to freeze time, Prints and Printsess!
WORK WITH PRINTS AND PRINTSESS
Do you know of a children’s store/boutique, daycare or preschool that would be interested in hosting an event? This would be perfect with the upcoming holidays! Contact Ricky and Ashley at (248) 660-9464 or email PrintsandPrintsess{at}gmail.com
GIVEAWAY
I have the chance for ONE lucky local reader to win a two print plaque, like the one shown below {a $45 value}.
To win, you must either be willing to drive to Howell, Michigan to create the keepsake in the Raleigh’s home studio OR attend one of their upcoming events, listed below.
Upcoming Events:
October 5: EGG Baby in Birmingham
October 25: My Urban Toddler in Saline
October 26: My Urban Toddler in Ann Arbor
November 1: Modern Natural Baby in Ferndale
November 8: Pottery Barn Kids {inside the Somerset Collection} in Troy
November 15: Pish Posh Boutique in Midland
SOCIAL LOVE
Be sure to check out the Prints and Printsess website and Facebook page for more upcoming events.
What an awesome keepsake! Hope I win. 🙂
I would want to do a plaque with both of the girls hands, find a way to connect them and show love to each other 🙂
This is so cute! I tried the footprint maker included with her baby book but this is so much better!
I love the 3D Ceramic Plaque – 4 Print! What a special keepsake for the whole family!
I’d go for the ceramic plaque of the one hand! So cute!
I never got around to making a hand or foot print for either of my first two kids so anything like this would be awesome for the one coming in Feb.
So cute!!! Perfect for our little man 🙂
Would love this!
I still kick myself in the butt for not doing any handprints for our first (3 yr old), and now that we have our daughter (5 mths) I am determined to not slack again. Time goes so fast, what better way to remember their “littleness”. I would do the 4 print one: having my husband and myself’s hands and the kids within ours.
It’s not too late 😉 I want to do it with my bigger kids too!
This is so cute. I would love to do this with my daughter.
Love this! I would like to do something that incorporates both of my children.
Ashley and Ricky are the sweetest people I know. I had my sons hand and footprints done with them at 14 months (why did I wait so long). Everytime I look at the plaque I get emotional. It is the sweetest thing ever. I also had ornaments made of his handprint for Christmas presents last year. The Grandparents love them!!
Great to know! Love the ornament idea. And I agree — they were SO sweet. What an awesome couple with a beautiful family 🙂
So cool wish I knew about this when Hope was really little but better late than never.
I love the three print.
I have wanted to do this (not mommy made dough and put your hands in it) for a true keepsake with my kids. I know exactly how I’d have it made!!
i like the 3 print!
I would love to do this print plaque
So it’s not pottery, but the wooden announcement sign is sooooo awesome.
I would love to do this for my dtr who is 6 and my first grandchild, I would love both their hand prints on one plaque as a keepsake for myself. I never did this with my dtr.
I’d do the 4 print. 🙂
I know this may sound morbid but I am an RN in a trauma ICU and I think this would be really nice to get a hand or footprint of any patient that dies suddenly and unexpectedly for the family members. With a nice saying. Some people may cherish this.
Do you know if they are still in business?
I think so…But she was very pregnant when I was there, so perhaps she took a bit of time off? Are you having a hard time getting in touch with them?