The charming, irreplaceable pictures your children draw just for you sometimes pile up and get lost in drawers and boxes. One way to save and protect precious art is to laminate them. Another way to preserve them is to turn them into family folk art via wood cutouts.

To make a wood cutout, you’ll need a drawing, graphite or carbon paper, appropriate size piece of plywood, white paint, wood sealer, acrylic paints and polyurethane spray. You may also need turpentine, foam core and paste.To make the pattern, photocopy your child’s artwork. You may want to enlarge the drawing as you photocopy it. To transfer the drawing to wood, choose one of the following:
 
 Place graphite or carbon paper directly on the wood, carbon or graphite side down. Lay the copy of your child’s work on top of the graphite or carbon paper and trace over the drawing’s outline.

 A cheaper but more time-consuming method involves using only a soft-lead pencil. Scribble thoroughly all over the back of the copy with a No. 2 pencil.
 

Place the drawing right-side up on the wood. Pressing hard, trace over the outline of the drawing. When you lift up the copy, you should see clear, light lines outlining the drawing on the wood.

Next, cut out the resulting figure. If you don’t have proper saws for the job, arrange to have your lumber supplier (or someone he can recommend) cut out the figure. (Note: Foam core can be used instead of wood.)

Next, seal and paint the wood white. Although not absolutely necessary, this step makes paint go on smoother and easier. After sealing and painting the wood, transfer all important detail lines of the drawing onto the wood using the same method you used to transfer the outline of the drawing. Then, using the original drawing as a guide, paint the wooden copy with acrylic paints, duplicating colors and details as closely as possible. If leftover carbon or graphite lines show up, use a little bit of turpentine to “erase” them.

How to Preserve Your Child’s Artwork with Wood Cutouts or Lamination
When the wooden drawing is complete, spray or paint on polyurethane to seal and protect the drawing. You can add a dowel or plywood base or brace with foam or felt underneath so the drawing can stand alone on a shelf or table. If you like, add balloons, ribbons or other whimsies. Whatever the method, put the child’s name and date on the back.