1. Lay newspaper over your work area. Measure the appropriate amount of room temperature water and add to the molding container.

2. Add molding powder from the pink packet into the water filled container. The molding material turns pink when it comes in contact with the water.

3. Mix the molding compound briskly until the mixture turns almost white.

3B. While one person prepares the mixture in Step 3, another should prepare the baby's bottom. Rub the baby's behind with a little water, then take a few spoons of the prepared molding mixture (this can be done while the mix is still slightly pink) and rub it all over the baby's bottom like lotion. This helps prevent surface bubbles on the completed casting.

4. Once the mixture turns white (Step 3), and the baby's butt has been covered in a few spoonfuls of the mixture (Step 3B), lightly insert the baby's bottom into the mold mix without letting the baby's behind touch the bottom. Keep baby's tush as still as possible while the mold sets.

Once the mold sets, peel away the mold along the sides of the infant's skin to break any suction from the mold, and remove the baby. Wash baby's rear end with soap and warm water.

5. If creating an ornament or wall hanging, add a straw to the top of the impression (inside the impression itself) to create a hole for hanging with ribbon. If the baby butt impression is wide enough, you may want to create two holes (at 11 & 1 or 10 & 2 o'clock position) to balance the weight more evenly for hanging. (If making a casting of a baby behind for a shadow box, a hole is not needed. Eliminate this step.)

6. Keep baby away from this part of the process as casting plaster is not safe if ingested and should not touch sensitive infant skin. Gather a disposable container for mixing the plaster casting stone. Pre-measure the recommended amount of cold water.

7. Add the plaster to the pre-measured water, allowing the plaster to soak in. Mix gently by hand. The final plaster casting mixture should be smooth and easily pourable, like paint.

8. Pour plaster casting stone into the mold impression of the baby bottom.

9. Pour the plaster until just level with the surface of the mold. Set a timer for about 15 minutes if a straw has been inserted into the impression.

10. When the timer goes off, check the mold. If the plaster looks like it is mostly set, remove the straw. If the plaster begins to backfill the hole as the straw is removed, leave the straw in a little longer until the plaster doesn't backfill the hole.

11. Allow the plaster casting of baby's butt to cure (4-6 hours, 2 hours minimum). Then break the suction between the mold and the container and remove the entire mold. Peel the mold away from the statue being very careful around the delicate edges.

12. Once the casting of the infant behind is removed, clean out all traces of molding compound, and pop off or sand out any imperfections. Air dry several days before finish sanding.

13. Paint front and back with two coats of pearlized metallic paint. Add ribbon for hanging your baby bottom keepsake on a nursery wall or as an ornament on your Christmas tree. Personalize as desired with baby's name & birth date, or with a photo on back.