Sun Catchers

A little glitz, a little sparkle; these sun catchers are sure to lighten up even the cloudiest of days!

Supplies Needed

Cheese Grater

Paper 

Pencil

Scissors

Single Hole Punch

Crayon Gratings

Glue

Sparkles

Iron

Old Towel/Washcloth

Wax Paper

Felts/Crayons

1.  Choose the shape you want to make.  You can either cut out your shape from paper, or use a premade template.  I found mine at the Dollar Store, and it was 12 for $1.25. 

2.  Using a cookie cutter as a template, cut out a circle from the middle of your shape *hint:  Make your shape at least 1" larger all around than your cookie cutter size*

3.  Use the single hole punch to make a hole in the center of the area you're going to cut out.  *hint:  you could also use a pencil or the tip of your scissors to make a hole to start your cuts*

4.  Cut the shape out of the middle.

5.  Grate some crayons (this is a great way to use up those broken or cheapo crayons!!).  I picked up a simple grater at the Dollar Store and just grated while Jellybean napped.  I did a couple of different colors and stored them in zip top bags.  MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT STORE YOUR GRATINGS IN A HOT PLACE!  Areas that get direct sun or get SUPER hot will make your gratings melt into a giant blob :)

6.  Cut out circles of wax paper that are about 1/2" larger than the hole you cut in the center of your paper.  Do two per sun catcher.

7.  Take a small sprinkling of your crayon gratings and place them on one of the wax paper circles.  *Note:  If you use multiple colors, it can sometimes turn your suncatcher brown when the wax melts :)*

8.  Place your wax paper circle with the crayon gratings onto an old pillowcase or dishcloth and place your 2nd wax paper circle on top.

9.  Fold the pillowcase or dishcloth over on top of the wax paper circles, being careful not to move the top wax paper circle, so that the wax paper is sandwiched between the two layers.

10. On a high setting, gently iron small circles over your wax circles.  This will melt the crayon and adhere the two wax paper circles together.  Be careful that you don't have too many crayon gratings in there, or you they will ooze out the side as you iron and will make a goopy mess.

11.  Let it cool for 1 minute, then place a layer of glue around the outside edge of the circle.  Place in the middle of the circle you cut out of your paper shape.

12.  Let your little one decorate the shape.

After Jellybean was done coloring hers, I put some glue on it and added some glitter for some extra sparkle!

13.  Enjoy!!

***NOTE OF CAUTION!!***  Depending on what you use to sandwich your wax paper as you iron, you may run the risk of having it ooze through and get onto your iron.  Make sure you either use an iron that is just for crafting, or clean it well after you do this, before you iron your husband's good shirts!!  (You could also place a layer of newspaper on top of your wax paper to prevent this).