Image via connectingconarte.com
Pregnancy is a wonderful and unique time that every mother wants to remember. That's why we take countless photos, save ultrasounds or keep a diary. But if you want a truly unique memory, Why don't you try a tummy mold?
There are few more beautiful ways to immortalize your pregnancy than by casting a gut cast. Each belly is unique so you will not find a mold equal to yours and you will have a totally personalized souvenir of this wonderful stage. In addition, later you can paint it and turn it into an original decorative element for your home.
How to make the mold of your tummy?
In the market there are special kits with everything you need to make the mold. But also you can do it yourself and more economically. You just have to go to the pharmacy and buy a plaster bandage. About four or five rolls are usually enough. You can also make it in papier-mâché, but let's go through steps.
The ideal is to make the mold when your pregnancy is quite advanced, so that the gut is more noticeable. But you can also choose to make molds at different times to have a sequence of how your belly changes. As for the shape of the mold, you can do it only from the belly, including the breasts, a single shoulder or both. That is up to you.
The first thing you should do is clean the belly and dry it very well before starting. Then you should smear it with baby oil so that the material you are going to use is easier to remove once dry.
As I said before, there are two techniques to make the mold, with plaster or with papier-mâché.
How to make the plaster mold
You can buy the plaster bandages that I mentioned earlier at the pharmacy. You just have to cut pieces, wet them and apply them on the belly. If you can't find these bandages, you can buy just the plaster and gauze aside. You must put a layer of plaster and then a layer of gauze. Thus, several layers until you get the desired thickness. Once you're done, be a little patient and wait for the mold to dry.
When it has dried on all sides, it is time to remove it and touch it up with sandpaper or scissors going over the edges and you will have it ready to decorate.
How to make the papier-mâché mold
Paper mache is made by dissolving glue in warm water in equal parts and adding cut pieces of newspaper. Before starting you have to wrap your torso in plastic wrap so that the mixture does not stick to your skin, it is easier to unmold.
Next you see adding layers of papier-mâché until you get the thickness you want, normally about 4 or 5 layers are enough. Once dry, you can unmold it and, as in the previous technique, sand and trim the edges to perfect them.
With both techniques you will get good results. The choice depends on the one you like the most or the materials you have at your fingertips.
Mold decoration
The decoration admits infinite possibilities. There are many ideas and techniques, but I'm sure you can think of a different one. You can paint it in your favorite color, make a drawing that you like, have the people who have lived through the pregnancy sign it or wait for your baby to be born and trace the prints of their hands and feet so that their growth is reflected in the mold of your belly. The choice is up to you.