Photo Craft: Transparency Photo Ornaments
Here is an easy-yet-frugal keepsake ornament idea that uses one of your favorite family photos in a creative way. All you’ll need is transparency paper (found in the office supply section at any major retailer) and a clear ornament. Your entire project costs less than $2 per ornament, or even less if you purchase the ornaments on sale. I got a 4-pack of ornaments for $4 at Michaels to use for this project.
Here’s how:
- First, measure your ornament. The one that I used was 3 inches in diameter.
- Next, select the photo you want to use. Re-size it in a photo editing program so that it is slightly larger than the size of the ornament (I re-sized mine to 3.1 inches).
- Insert transparency paper in your printer (be sure to read package instructions first) and print your images.
- Use transparency paper to print your photos, but make sure you put it in the printer the right way. Yes, there are two sides – I learned this the hard way!
- Next, let your photos/transparency paper dry for a minimum of 10-15 minutes to avoid smearing them.
- Cut the photo/transparency in a circle the same size as your ornament. If you scrapbook, you may have a circle cutter. Otherwise, you can use a compass to draw a circle and then trim off the excess.
- Gently roll up the photo/transparency and slip it inside the hole at the top of the ornament.
- Decorate your ornament. Ideas include writing the year on it, ribbon on top, or even placing glitter or pom-poms inside the ornament itself – use your imagination!
A friend of mine did this several years ago using our Christmas card photo. She surprised us with the ornament in a little gift bag on our doorstep. It is still one of my favorite ornaments!!! These really do come out well.
how can u tell which side is the correct side? did you by a specific kind?
The directions that come with the transparency sheets should tell you. Mine had a thin self-adhesive strip on them and the instructions said to print with that side down.
What a fantastic idea! I’ve got a lot of Christmas pictures that would look lovely displayed like this. I can’t say I’m that great at craft but I think even I could manage this. My sister and I did a grumpy-old-man themed photo book for our dad this Christmas just gone and she’s been trying to come up with an angle for another one. We could actually use this idea. Get 24 pictures of things that really get on his nerves, put them in these decorations, pick up a small tree and tell him it’s a grumpy advent tree.
I looked at Office Max for the paper and they didn’t have it. I did find some at Hobby Lobby though – and used a 40% off coupon on it. (Original price was $7.) It was in with the scrapbooking supplies.
Garden Ridge (if you have one close by) has a 12 pack of ornaments for $4.99. Thanks for the inspiration! I’m so doing these this year!
Great! Let us know how they turn out.
I teach grade 1, and in science we learn about transparent objects. A parent found some transparent ornament balls and brought them in for me to use. I knew that I wanted to put pictures in some how, and now I know how I will! Thank you, these will make wonderful Christmas keepsakes for the student and parents!
So glad you enjoyed the blog post!
Has anyone ever used paint to decorate the outside of these ornaments? If so, what kind of paint is best?