Even though my husband is adamant that we cannot set up our tree until the day after Thanksgiving, it hasn't stopped my son and I from crafting up some new ornaments for the tree. These are super easy and kids love watching the ornaments shrink when you put them in the oven.
Supplies
- Shrink Film
- Fine grit sanding sponge
- Cricut Mini
or other craft cutter machine
- Cricut Joys of the Season Cartridge
(if using Cricut)
- Permanent Markers, colored pencils or water colors
Directions
PRO TIP: Every time you open a new package of shrink film, make a ruler by marking out 1 inch and half-inch marks down the length of one side of a sheet of shrink film - then shrink it.
Want something 2 inches in diameter? Use your new ruler to "measure" against a regular ruler. If your shrinky ruler says 5, you will need a piece of shrink film 5 inches long to end up with a shrunk 2 inch object.
Store your shrinky ruler in the package with your shrink film.
Step 1: Measure it
Use your shrinky ruler to determine the how large you would like your ornaments. For my finished ornaments that are 2.5 inches across, I cut pieces that were: 6 inches tall and 5 inches wide.
Step 2: Sand it
Use a fine grid sanding block to rub over the surface of the shrink film to remove any shine. This will help your coloring medium stick. I did this while it was on the cricut mat. Once sanded, you can cut out your ornament shapes using your Cricut (my ornament images came from the Joys of the Season Cartridge)
Step 3: Decorate
Allow your child to decorate the cut outs with permanent markers, watercolors or color pencils. Do NOT use crayons, pastels or anything with a wax base. We chose sharpies for the color quality.
PRO TIP: Tape your shrink film shapes down to scrap paper to make coloring easier. Don't forget to write their name and date on the ornament in sharpie as well!
Step 4: Shrink it
Set your oven and bake the colored shrink shapes following package instructions. Do not worry if your shrink film looks like it is melting, warped or totally destroyed while shrinking. It may look crazy for a bit but will flatten out (unless it curls up and touches itself. Then use a chopstick to un-stick it or a spartula to flip it over like I did)
Allow to cool completely before moving on to step 5.
Step 5: Hang them on the tree
Add an ornament hanger or a piece or gold ribbon and hang on the tree or give as a gift!
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supplies disclosure: I was given a Cricut Mini and access to Cricut cartridges by Provo Craft in hopes that I will use them to create projects to share on my blog. I have not been compensated for creating this project or for writing this post. Project is my own original creation. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Links in supply list are my affiliate links and I may receive a small kick back from Amazon for referring your sale to them.
