1 flat wooden board with handle, approximately 30 x 20 cm (an unfinished wooden serving board works well)
White chalk paint or acrylic craft paint, 1 small jar
Wide flat brush, at least 3 cm wide
Fine round brush, size 2
Black acrylic paint, 1 small tube
1 Halloween phrase stencil, approximately 15 cm wide, OR a pencil and steady hand for lettering
Painter's tape
Matte decoupage medium or clear matte varnish, 1 small jar
Damp cloth and dry towel
Step by Step
If the board is raw wood, give it one thin coat of white chalk paint all over and let it dry for 45 minutes. This is optional but gives you a cleaner background. If you prefer the dark wood look (which is striking against white prints), skip this step entirely.
Position the stencil in the upper half of the board and secure it with painter's tape. Using a dry brush or a small sponge, dab black or white paint through the stencil. Dab rather than sweep so paint does not bleed under the edges. Remove the stencil carefully, peeling back at a low angle. Let the lettering dry for 20 minutes.
Load the wide brush with white chalk paint and coat both soles of the baby's feet evenly. Press both feet firmly onto the lower half of the board, side by side. Hold for a count of eight (wooden surfaces need more pressure than paper), then lift both feet straight up. Wipe the feet clean immediately.
Let the footprints dry for at least one hour. Chalk paint on wood takes longer than tempera on paper, and if you rush this step the varnish will drag the print.
When the prints are completely dry and you can feel that they are slightly raised, brush a thin even coat of matte varnish over the entire board surface. Let it cure for at least one hour before hanging.