Having fun with freezer paper

I've been noticing a lot of fun projects on pinterest using freezer paper.  A stencil is created with freezer paper and ironed onto fabric for a clean crisp finish.  I have just finished a few, fun projects to share with you.

                                    

I have never used freezer paper before.  I didn't even know it existed!  I bought this roll where foil and food storage items are found in the store.

Here's how it works:

1.  Cut a piece of freezer paper the size of your printer paper and tape together in the corners.  (The freezer paper might go through the printer without being attached to another piece, but I was afraid the printer wouldn't grab it well).  Place the paper in your printer so your image will print on the dull side of the freezer paper.  

2.  Using an x-acto knife, cut out the shape of your printed image.

3.  Hold your stencil up to the light to make certain your lines are clean.

4.  Lay the stencil shiny side down onto the fabric to be painted and set a hot iron on top for a few seconds or until the edges are stuck down.  Paint lightly and immediately peel the paper off to view the finished image.

 I chose to paint this bunny on a piece of  burlap.

Here is my little "chocolate bunny" placed in a frame that I found at a thrift store (painted Rustoleum's Heirloom White).  I think I'll make a silhouette for each season to swap out in the frame.

Here is a basketball image that I put on t-shirts for my grand-kids before a basketball tournament.

...and last but not least, I wanted to make shirts for my Grandsons to wear to their sister's Princess birthday party.  I found this cute frog image for my stencil.

Other than all those crazy little froggy toes, it was fairly simple to do.  I found the more detail there is to an image, the harder it is to get a good, clean cut with an x-acto knife.  The first project that I tried (notice I didn't show that one!) was way too detailed, and I thought that I may not like freezer paper projects after all!   I decided to give it another try and, as you can see, I've started enjoying it quite a bit!

Freezer paper is a fun and simple way to transfer images.  I plan to experiment using it on different textures like wood and metal.
I would definitely recommend giving it a try if you haven't already.  A large box of freezer paper will last for a very, very long time!