Wax Paper Embossing Folder Tutorial

Good morning all! On the run up to the last weekend before Christmas, I decided to do a tutorial and put off my wrapping for another day! I had a slew of emails asking about the embossing folder resist technique that I did on my first demo last Sunday. While I have done this technique in the past, it was always a bit hard to source the wax paper then. Look no more, it is here now and raring to be used. I will give you a quick rundown on the card and then the tutorial for the background will follow below. For the focal element, I cut two Marvellous Squares out of white card. I nipped away one corner from each of them. I taped the squares on the diagonal, then used the corners on either side to peek out between the the side points. I added some mounting foam to the back and attached to to the middle of the card. I used a section of the background that I created and poured clear embossing powder over it. I cut a small frame from it using two of the Labels 28 dies. I mounted the frame over my stamped sentiment and then cut away the excess white card. I tied a messy bow from seam binding and added it to the corner of my focal element. I cut a spiral flower four out of white felt, rolled it and added it to the centre of my bow. I cut an Asian border and glued it to the left side of the card and finished it off with Cosmic Shimmer white PVA glue dots.

Embossing Folder Resist Tutorial Start by picking an embossing folder with an all over type pattern for best results. I am using the A4 Garden Lattice Embossibility folder here. Cut a piece of Reynolds Cut-Rite wax paper the same size as your folder.

Next, insert the wax paper piece in your folder and run it through your die cutting machine. If you are using the Grand Calibur, you will need to use your gray base plate, the folder and wax paper and the raspberry adaptor plate (no tan mat for this).

Next, remove your embossed piece of wax paper and sandwich it between two sheets of gloss card. It must be gloss for this technique to work at it's best. The gloss side of the card needs to be facing the wax paper on the top and on the bottom for the technique to work properly also.

Next step is to use an iron to melt the wax on to your gloss card. I have used a regular sized iron, but have emptied any water from the iron. You do not want steam for this. I find the best results if I turn my iron on high and wait until it is good and hot then it only takes a few passes across the card to do the trick. You do not want to continue ironing too long as it will cause the melted wax to lose it's pattern. Your card will take on a bit of a heated bend to it, but don't worry it is fine. You can also use a small craft iron on high for this too. If using the family iron, be sure that non of the wax paper is sticking out from between the card or you will get it on the bottom surface of your iron!

This is a picture of what your gloss card will look like when it is ready. You will see the pattern has transferred to the card, but you will also get wrinkles from the wax paper too. It isn't an exact copy of the pattern and that is the fun. It will always look different every time you do it!

Pick an ink to cover your piece with. I prefer to use the darker distress inks straight from the pad. The colour will always look lighter when you are finished too. Don't be afraid to use dark colours, once covered, you will wipe with a tissue to smooth the colour and take off any residue.

Last step is to cut your background to size and use it how you like. The card above uses the same folder and technique for the background, then I added some clear embossing powder to a small piece and cut my frame, giving it a different look all together. Don't forget, you will have two usable pieces since you sandwiched your wax paper between two pieces too. Use one and save one for later! I hope you have enjoyed this quick tutorial and have fun creating your own backgrounds with all different embossing folders you may own! All for now, Sue x