Colorful Pocket Pals

Round up the kids for this fun shrink plastic art. Colorful Pocket Pals from Tiffany Windsor are sure to become a hit in your household. Get the kids to help decorate these adorable little friends. Customize each pal to your liking and unleash your creativity.

Materials:

• Shrink plastic – opaque (shrinks to white) 8-1/2″ x 11″
• Fine sandpaper
• Fine-tip permanent black marker
• Colored pencils
• 1/4″ diameter hole punch
• Square piece of cardboard (3″)
• Yarn
• Scissors
• Heat gun (or toaster oven, or kitchen oven) and heat resistant surface

Directions:

1. Thoroughly sand the entire surface of one side of shrink plastic, both vertically and horizontally so that colored pencils will adhere.
    
2. Using permanent marker, trace pattern on sanded side. (Note: the marker ink may run slightly on the sanded surface. Do not worry, it will look better after shrinking.)
    
3. Use colored pencils to color design. Remember that colors will be more intense after shrinking.
    
4. Cut out design. Cut arms along broken lines on pattern. Punch holes on girl’s head where indicated. If desired, add more holes along hairline for fuller hair.
    
5. Place designs on heat resistant surface and bake in oven according to package directions. (Watch video to see how Tiffany uses a heat gun to shrink the Pocket Pals).
    
6. When completely shrunk, remove design from oven. (If desired, wear a pair of cotton gloves to protect hands while handling the hot plastic in this next step.)
    
7. To shape arms before design cools, lay design on flat surface. Lift arms and slip cardboard between arms and body. Let design cool completely. Remove cardboard.
    
8. For girl’s hair, cut 4″ lengths of yarn. Knot 1 yarn length through each hole. For pony tail, gather all yarn lengths at top of head. Wrap and know another piece of yarn around all lengths to secure.

For a comprehensive video tutorial, check out How to Make Shrink Plastic Pocket Pals.