A Tree for 2020...
One of my coping mechanisms for getting through this bizarre year and this tough holiday season is snarky humor, therefore, I created a tree fitting of 2020 created with shrink-y-dinks and toilet paper!
Upon finding this small artificial black Christmas tree a few weeks ago, I knew that I would have lots of potential uses for it with various holiday celebrations. My mind went to New Years Eve and how cute a glittery disco tree would be. As the season continued, and my holiday spirit drooped, my vision kind of morphed into this 2020 Dumpster Fire Masterpiece!
To create this priceless look, I used Silhouette brand print and cut and shrink material and some Silhouette Design Store. And you can’t forget the priceless toilet paper, one ply of course, so it looks somewhat translucent in the holiday lights. The project, much like the year, is far from perfect, but somehow this tree feels like a silent protest of my having to give up all the celebrations of the holiday season.
I created these these 2020 ornaments with Silhouette Brand shrink print and cut material and these designs from the Silhouette Design Store:
2020 Dumpster Fire, Laughing all the Way, 2020 Toilet Paper, Let’s Get Lit, Find Joy in the Ordinary, 2020 Word Circle, 2020, You’ll Go Down In History.
The Baby It’s Covid Outside was an SVG that I purchased off of Etsy.
I made a 3 inch diameter circle and placed the designs inside each. When they shrink they will shrink down to around 1 inch diameter. I flipped the designs so that they would print backwards and the printed information would show on the shiny side of the ornament.
Once I printed them out with my printer, waited a bit for it to dry, cut them out by hand. I used a small hole punch to make a hole in each. I peeled the backing paper off and baked them in the oven according to the directions (250 degrees on parchment).
Here’s the trick with shrink material. While it is heating and shrinking, it folds up and looks like it isn’t working. Be patient, it will straighten out eventually, but the first few times my material looked like this, I freaked out:
The Dumpster Fire topper was not perfect. I messed up the ink cutting it out and then got a little impatient shrinking it, but then who cares, it made it even more fitting for the occasion.
While the year really sucked, especially with regards to building a party business, I acknowledge that the year has provided new perspectives, greater respect for the blessings we are given and an overall appreciation for the gift of health. I’ve decided now that we are nearing the year’s end, that it is a year worthy of celebration. We are worthy of celebration for finding ways to adapt and get our families through it this time, for growing and learning a whole new way of life. It has been rough at times but when we do get to resume our in person lifestyle, full celebrations, it will feel all the more joyous.
Despite my silly tree and snark, I wish you all a holiday season full of blessings and love!
BRING ON 2021!!