Create your own Card Making Embellishments with Shrink Plastic.....

Shrink Plastic is, as its name suggests, a sheet of plastic which, when heated, will shrink to about half its original size.

You can use it to create your own individual Card Making Embellishments.

Shrink Plastic is not just for card makers -it can also be used to create fridge magnets, buttons, jewellery, keyfobs, cell phone or handbag charms.

This technique may take a few attempts to get the hang of but when you do you'll be glad you persevered.

Shrink Plastic is available in clear, translucent, white, cream, black and pastel shades of pink, blue, green and yellow.

Depending on which brand you buy the shrink plastic may come pre-sanded. If it doesn't then you need to sand it with extra-fine grade sand paper so that when you come to stamp on it the ink will adhere to it.

Rubber Stamp the image you want onto the shrink plastic using a fast drying solvent ink such as StazOn. Even though it is fast drying it will not dry immediately on a glossy surface so just wait a few minutes before heating the shrink plastic. Depending on what you want the finished item to look like you can then colour in the image using whatever medium you like working with.

Tip: One thing to remember - when you shrink down the plastic any colour you've used will become much more intense.

Cut around the image, leaving a small border. As the plastic will distort during shrinking a slightly uneven border works best but check this out for yourself.

If you want to use the finished Card Making Embellishment as a tag remember to punch a hole in the top before heating.

To shrink the plastic use a Heat Gun. Hold it about 1" (2.5cm) above the plastic and constantly move the gun around so as to heat the plastic evenly.

Don't be alarmed when the plastic starts to twist and curl - this is what should happen! Keep heating until it begins to uncurl and flattens out again.

Tip: Sprinkle a little talcum powder over the back of the plastic before you begin to heat it. This will stop the edges sticking together when they curl up.

If you don't have a heat gun check the manufacturer's instructions for the plastic you are using and bake it in the oven on a foil covered baking sheet.

Remember the old saying? "If at first you don't succeed...." Nowhere is the most relevent than your first attempts with shrink plastic. Go on give it a go!



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