{christmas silhouette::how-to}

This craft is a fun and easy way to create beautiful decorations for your home or Christmas gifts for friends and family. It is easy and cost effective enough that the whole family can get involved. This is a how-to guide to making the Santa Silhouette Ornament that is pictured. With the help of my son I created a few samples to show the many possibilities of this craft. Enjoy and happy crafting!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

{Step 1}

Gather Materials

1-Small Unfinished Wooden Plaque from craft store

2-Mod-Podge sealer

3-Scrapbook Paper

4-Acrylic Paint {optional}

5-Sanding Block

6-Pencil

7-Ribbon {optional}

8-Paintbrush

9-Scissors

10-Jewelry/Pendant Bail

11-ProfilePhotograph printed on copy paper {Santa}

 

{Step 2}

Sand the plaque with the sanding block/sand paper. If you are planning on painting the plaque it is best to sand to have a smoother finish. {For a more natural or rustic look skip this step}

 

{Step 3}

Decide what type of paper you would like to use as your “base” and cut out a piece large enough to cover the area. You can also use other items instead of scrapbook paper such as wall paper, wrapping paper or newspaper. ::Tip:: Lay the plaque on top of the scrapbook paper to ensure that I do not waste paper by not having a large enough piece.

{Step 4}

Lay the “base” paper over the top of the plaque and crease the paper along the edge of the plaque lip. Cut out along the crease that was made.

 

 

{Step 5}

Take your silhouette printed on copy paper and shade in with pencil on the back side along the edges. {This can come from a Christmas card, computer clip art, or a photograph of your child. If using a photograph you can cut along the profile and trace onto your “image” layer paper. I suggest printing from the computer so you will be able to adjust the size needed to the size of your project.}

 

 {Step 6}

Decide what type of paper you would like to use as your “image” layer. Cut your “image” layer scrapbook paper to a little bit larger than your silhouette photo. Turn the silhouette over so that the shaded surface is covering the back piece of your “top” layer. Take you pencil and trace over the outline of the silhouette.

{Step 7}

Once you have finished outlining the silhouette on to the ”image” layer paper make sure that all of your lines have shown up. If they have not free hand the rest of the image so you have a complete outline and then cut carefully. {try to be as detailed as possible along the lines…this will be your finished product}

 

{Step 8}

If you would like to paint your plaque make sure to use a color that will work well with the paper you have cut out. Acrylic paint works the best because it dries faster. Be careful about letting young children help with this step because acrylic paint…it can stain clothing, carpet, and couches! I make my son wear latex gloves and an apron while painting with acrylic.

 

{Step 9}

Coat the back side of your “base” layer of scrapbook paper with Mod-Podge. You can also put some on the surface of the plaque where you will be placing the paper. Lay the paper on top of the plaque. Make sure to position it right on the first try because the sealer will stick very quickly and tear if handled too much while wet.

 

{Step 10}

If you would like to seal your finished product then apply a light layer of Mod-Podge to the paper surface. {This makes it age proof but gives a glossy finish to the final product, I don’t recommend doing this is you are staying with the rustic look}

 

{Step 11}

Apply a layer of Mod-Podge to the back of the silhouette. Place it on top of the plaque and if you sealed the previous layer then do so for this one by coating with Mod-Podge.

 

 

{Step 12}

Allow the sealant to dry {it should take approximately 2 hours to dry completely} and you can embellish how you would like. You can attach the optional jewelry bail to the back side of the plaque and run ribbon through the top to hang from the tree or wall. You can add glitter or a pom-pom to Santa’s hat to add dimension. I added glittered ribbon around the edge of one of my plaques and sticker letters. Customize yours however works best for you!