Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Footprint Door Mat How-To

I have been seeing all these pins on Pinterest of monogrammed door mats so I thought I would change that up a little bit.  My last name will be the same forever, but my kids are growing way too fast so why not preserve this moment.  I have always been a sucker for baby feet, so the Footprint Door Mat was born.



What I used:
  • $6 Wal-Mart door mat
  • Black acrylic craft pain
  • Foam brushes
  • Paper
  • Scanner, Silhouette Cameo, and vinyl (optional)
  • If you do not have a Silhouette freezer paper will work also.
First off you will need to prep and paint those precious baby tootsies.  You might want to have a bucket of water close by or do this in the bathroom because it can get messy.  We did one foot at a time.  My boys loved it!


Next, you will have them step directly down onto a piece of white paper.


You will probably have some lighter spots like in the photo above.  If you are using a Silhouette for this you will want to take your black paint and paint in those light spots so that it is a more solid color.  It makes the next step much easier.


Silhouette instructions
When you have finished painting them in, let the paint dry.  Scan them into your computer if using your Silhouette.  When you open your Silhouette software you will click the open folder and find the location you saved your footprints to.  You may have to change the file type in the drop down menu to .jpg to find it.  Then click Open.  When the footprints show up in your Silhouette Studio software you will go to the top menu and find Object.  Then go down to where it says Trace.  On the right side will pop up the trace options.  Select your trace area.  Then choose "trace outer edge."  When you have done this you can select your media if you haven't already and load it into the Silhouette.  Once you set your blade to the appropriate setting you are ready to cut!  You are going to use the negative portion for your stencil so use your Silhouette hook and peel out the inner foot print.  Then you will transfer your stencil onto the rug.  It may not stick firmly if you are using a highly textured rug like the one I used, but just hold it down as you pull off the transfer paper and it will work. :)


Once you have your stencil secured to the mat you will take your foam brushes and paint those feet!  I coated them several times to make sure to get it good and saturated and dark getting into the textured spots.  Peel it off, and Voila!


The great thing is now you have the footprints saved and scanned into your computer!  Think of all the great crafts you can do with them now!  They would make great grandparent gifts!

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24 comments:

  1. Fun idea...could add the family pet, too! :)

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    1. Thanks! I had thought of that, because Silhouette has generic paw prints so you wouldn't even have to actually paint their paws.

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  2. What a cool idea- love it! I would love for you to share this (and any other creations) at Pin It and Win It Wednesday @ www.cheapcraftymama.com!

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  3. What a super awesome idea. Found it on Sew Can do!

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  4. This idea is wonderful, very personalized, easy, quick, family fun by making it, it's a real nice work. I love it.

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  5. How stinkin' cute. I found this at the Someday Crafts link party and now I am following. I have just started "seriously" blogging and would love it if you checked out my blog too. It is a work in progress =) You will probably see this mat one day soon on there!

    www.woodsfamilyofthree.blogspot.com

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  6. This is super cute! thank you for sharing at Uncommon! Featuring this on our Facebook page today! ;)

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  7. FABULOUS idea!! This is so sweet - and you're right: skip the name and go for capturing the moment!
    Thanks so much for linking up at I Gotta Create!
    <3 Christina

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  8. This is adorable. I just love it! I almost don't want it to get dirty, so you can frame it and hang it on the wall some day! :)

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  9. Had to feature this great idea on Facebook today! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Igottacreate/100573240032625?sk=wall

    Thanks again for linking up at I Gotta Create!
    <3 Christina

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  10. New follower! Love the footprint mat!

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  11. You're a STAR tonight over at I Gotta Create! Featuring your great mat. Thanks so much for linking up!
    <3 Christina

    http://igottacreate.blogspot.com/2012/06/wildly-original-features-5-new-party.html

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  12. hey! A very nice blog. the idea is also great. I like the way how it turned out. Thank you for sharing.Welcome mats

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