I made a memory board using my daughter's favorite dinosaur toys, a cheap picture frame, ceramic clay, plaster and watercolors. The main idea of this instructable is that you can use ceramic clay as a mold, being able to press any number of shapes into it and be amased by the incredible fine details it can retain. The other great thing about this method is that you can use the favorite toys of your baby without actually taking them away from your baby (for more then a few minutes)

Step 1: Protect Your Frame With Wrapping Film

You want to have a frame with enough depth (>3 cm). You start by turning your frame face down and covering it with wrapping film.

Step 2: Build Your Clay Mold

Start making a thick layer of ceramic clay, I would say about 1 - 1,5 cm thick. Try to make it even and flat because the surface you make now will appear on your final piece.

Step 3: Start Pressing Toys Into Your Mold

When you're satisfied with the surface take the favorite toys of your baby (the sturdy ones) and press them into the clay "mold". I left an empty space in the middle for my daughter's handprint. I used dinosaurs, her favorite toys.

Step 4: Prepare the Plaster and See the Magic

You can now prepare your plaster (Place the gypsum in the water untill you have a yogurt like consistency) and pour in the mold. After an hour or so it should be hard so you can start working the plaster out of the frame and take away the clay. You should have a nice plaster board with the shapes of the toys you've pressed :). Clean it and let it dry.

Step 5: Paint Your Board and Make the Baby Handprint

I used watercolors and made a colorful patina. I finally convinced my daughter to let me paint her hand so we can add the final touch, a cute handprint. :)