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Mother's Day Watering Can of Love

© Jackie Duda

4. Hold the watering can for the child, and have her press fully and firmly onto the outside of the can, in a pre-designated spot. A firm touch will do, then have her remove her hand or finger. To prevent smudges, try to hold the can on a table surface to steady it, so it doesn’t move as she pulls away.

5. Have each child leave his hand or fingerprint on the outside of the can. My husband had our 17 year-old daughter apply her fingerprints to the handle portion of the can, and our 11 year-old son left his mark by leaving his fingerprints along the base.

6. For infants, (our youngest is 4 months old), it is best to use their little feet, as their hands still tend to close shut when you try to help them leave a handprint. It is also safer since they will not get any paint on their hands and subsequently into their mouths. My husband blotted some paint on the bottom of her foot and quickly placed her foot on the can to leave an almost flawless impression.

7. If you have more than one child, assist one child at a time, and help them to clean and rinse their hands in the water basins before moving on to the next child. If you have one child, allow him to leave his impressions randomly all over the outside of the can, saving one 3-inch by 3-inch space for a message to mom.

8. Once the kids are all cleaned up, dip the ladybug stamp into some red paint, and stamp little ladybugs in any empty spaces on the watering can. Be sure to stamp a piece of paper first before stamping the can, to make sure you don’t have too much paint on the stamp.

9. Using a thin paintbrush, paint the words “We Love Mom,” or a similar sentiment on the center of the can amidst all the fingerprints and handprints.

10. Once the prints and letters have dried, take the can outside and spray it with acrylic sealer, so the paint doesn’t chip or rub off over time. One coat will usually do.

11. Cut a square piece of floral foam, and place it in the bottom of the can.

12. Cut individual flowers from the bunches, at varying heights, and stick them inside the foam until the opening of the can is in full bloom.

You are finished! Compliment yourself and your children on a job well done, and wrap the present for Mother’s Day. I just love my watering can, and proudly display it in our dining room. To think that when our youngest is in college, I’ll be able to look at the can, and imagine the time when her feet were once so small. I always enjoy the presents my children make for me much better than anything they purchase in a store.