ThePowerOfACard

Thursday, June 18, 2026

Wax Paper "Textured" Backgrounds

This technique is another old one that I haven't done in a while! I saw a video from Gina K Designs and it reminded me about it. When you do this, you won't actually be adding texture to your paper like you would with an embossing folder. You get the textured look when you do ink blending after doing the technique. I show you how to do this in the video (it's simple!), but you will need a few non-card making supplies. I also show a card that uses a variation of the technique using an embossing folder.

Special note - if you read this blog before I release my video on June 24th, you won't get to see it yet - please come back and watch!

Let's start with just the process. In addition to the cardstock for your project, you will need wax paper, a dry iron, an ironing board (or other surface that can take the heat) and a couple sheets of copy paper. It is important to note that parchment paper will not work - you need the wax coating to make the textured appearance. I like to start with pieces that are larger than I need for my card. Let's go with two 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" (quarter size sheets) of Basic White and the same size piece of wax paper.

Crumple the wax paper into a ball, then flatten it back out and sandwich it between the two pieces of white cardstock. Place this sandwich between layers of copy paper and press with the iron which is set on the highest setting. Do not use steam! In fact, I recommend emptying the iron before using it. After a few minutes, remove the copy paper and open the sandwich. It is important to remember which side of the cardstock touched the wax paper. I like to flip the sandwich open so the sides facing up are the ones that touched and need ink blending. Keep the wax paper - I show you how you can use it for another purpose!

Don't forget to check out my card samples - I think after seeing them, you will have plenty of ideas of how to use this technique in your craft room. I even have one where I embossed the wax paper instead of crumpling it up and the result is quite beautiful!

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Azure Afternoon 8-1/2" x 5-1/2"; Basic White (2) 4/1/4" x 5-1/2", 4" x 5-1/4", 2-1/4" x 3-3/4", 1/2" x 1-1/2"
Stamp: Wild Bunch (June 2026 Product of the Month)
Die: Stylish Shapes
Inks: Balmy Blue, Azure Afternoon, Blueberry Bushel, Memento Black
Blends: Basic Black, Golden Glow
Adhesive and Tools including blending brushes, wax paper and an iron

For our card, we will need some scrap cardstock with circles in a variety of sizes cut out of them - I have 2", 1-3-4", 1-1/2" and 1" punches that I used to cut out the circles. Start with Balmy Blue and the largest circle and ink blend color onto the surface of the cardstock (remembering to use the side that touched the wax paper). Add several circles scattered around the piece. Switch to the next smallest circle and Azure Afternoon. Add more circles with light pressure - some of these will overlap the previous circles. Switch to the next smaller circle and apply the same color, but more intense. Finally, add Blueberry Bushel with the smallest circle to complete the bokeh look. If you need to go back and add more of any of the circle sizes or colors, that's fine. Trim this piece to be 4" x 5-1/4".

Since the blending brushes are out and inky, it's a good idea to add a few circles to the inside panel of white and the envelope at this time. These circles won't have the textured look, but they will carry over the bokeh theme.

On the small rectangle of white, stamp the bird in black ink on the right side. Color with blends and fussy cut him out. From the other side of this rectangle, cut out the third largest circle from the Stylish Shapes dies. Before adding the penguin to the circle, take one of the circle templates and cut a wavy edge. Use the blending brushes to add some color to the bottom third of the circle - sort of like an iceberg. Add the penguin with Dimensionals.

Stamp the sentiment on the strip of white with Azure Afternoon ink and flag the ends. Stamp the sentiment on the inside panel. Assemble the card by placing the trimmed bokeh piece on the card base, which was folded in half and creased with a bone folder. Add the sentiment and circle with Dimensionals and glue the inside panel. Isn't this simply adorable??

My next card features the Wooly Friends bundle. The textured background was inked with Gray Granite. Two of the sheep were stamped on white and then filled in with stamped off Gray Granite. The last sheep was stamped on Gray Granite cardstock (which was also used to make a paper ribbon behind the sentiment circle). Pairing this with Daffodil Delight makes this a perfect gender neutral baby card!

Fragrant Layers has been a favorite of mine since it was released. I paired Crisp Cantaloupe (a new In Color) with Lemon Lime Twist for a fresh look. I blended my panel with Lemon Lime Twist before cutting it into strips. These were then placed diagonally over a panel of white, trimmed and matted with Lemon Lime Twist cardstock. The flowers were stamped in black and filled in with the Crisp Cantaloupe, Lemon Lime Twist and Daffodil Delight. Unfortunately, you do have to fussy cut this cluster of flowers, but I think it's worth it! Pop this up with Dimensionals and add a few 2026-2028 In Color Butterflies.

Earlier this month, I asked my Facebook followers which they preferred - cats or dogs - after showing them two strips of critters from the Cutest Crew bundle. Dogs were the winners and I make a card featuring them. Here is the runner up with the cats and I don't think the cat people will feel slighted at all! I colored the cats in a variety of blends and popped them up on a panel colored with Golden Glow (another new In Color). Before I added it to my card base, I tied a bow with the Golden Glow Bordered Ribbon. Lastly, I added my sentiment and some 2026-2028 In Color Dots.

This next card features Piglet and Eeyore and a label that was masked to have a white border. I used the Sweet Words & Labels bundle and selected the label size I wanted. Then I cut the next smaller label out of scrap cardstock and used that as a mask to ink blend Hydrangea Hue (another new In Color) on the piece of textured background. Then I cut it out with the larger die, which made this beautiful layered look label. I stamped and colored the two friends (Sweet Old Friends bundle) with Blends and cut them out with dies before popping them up with Dimensionals. The background panel is embossed with the Hundred Acre Woods folder. After adding the label, the bow was tied from the Hydrangea Hue Bordered ribbon and the panel was added to the card base.

This card shows another way you can use the wax paper to get a different textured look. Instead of crumpling it, run it through an embossing folder. I used the Fern & Flora folder to get this beautiful panel. Depending on the design on your folder, one side may look better than the other. For example, I showed the second piece in the video and while it looked OK after inking, the pattern wasn't quite as distinct as this one, which I colored with Secret Sea and Peaceful Pine (yet another new In Color). I used the Fern & Flora bundle to make the cluster of greenery. The stamped leaves were colored with the Peaceful Pine Shimmer Brush and have that little sparkle that adds a special touch. The ribbon is the Secret Sea Bordered Open Weave ribbon and the embellishments are the Natural Matte Dots.

My last card utilizes the spent wax paper. After you iron the piece, the wax paper doesn't have to be thrown away and you can use it anywhere you would use vellum. I cut out the wax paper with the Sweet Words & Labels dies (the same one I used on the Piglet/Eeyore card) and used it behind my cluster of flowers and leaves. These were made by using sponge daubers and the Paradise Garden bundle. For the flowers, I chose Daffodil Delight and Pumpkin Pie and for the leaves, I used Lemon Lime Twist and Granny Apple Green. The background paper is from the Brights Painted Patterns DSP and the label was heat embossed and embellished with Shimmering Dots.

This is such fun and easy technique and the results are just so interesting! Have fun with it and share what you make on my Facebook group.

Karen

ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com

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Product List

Wild Bunch Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[167987]

$5.00

Azure Afternoon 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[161719]

$14.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad

[147105]

$9.00

Azure Afternoon Classic Stampin' Pad

[161663]

$11.00

Blueberry Bushel Classic Stampin' Pad

[147138]

$9.00

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

[132708]

$8.00

Stylish Shapes Dies

[159183]

$30.00

Basic Black Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154843]

$12.00

Golden Glow Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

[167682]

$12.00

Blending Brushes

[153611]

$17.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$6.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Basic White Medium Envelopes

[159236]

$15.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$28.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$140.00

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Double Flap Fun Fold

Recently, my husband and I celebrated 41 years of marriage and my best friend, Penny, gave us an adorable anniversary card. It was a fun fold I had not seen before and immediately, I knew I wanted to make it for a video. I don't know who designed it or what the real name is, but I'm calling it a Double Flap Fun Fold. After you open the first flap, there is a surprise second flap to open - it's like having a card in a card!

The measurements for the card are simple and the card isn't difficult to make at all. The hardest part will be selecting which gorgeous paper pack you want to use! I demonstrate the most basic version, but in my sample cards, I show how you can jazz it up by adding decoration to the inside flap too. I even show you how to change the orientation into a horizontal version. And then, my very last sample is a sneak peak at a new product coming in July (I know it's way early to tease you, but I couldn't resist).

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Granny Apple Green 4-1/4" x 5-1/2", 1/4" x 2-3/4"; Lemon Lime Twist 3" x 8-1/2", scored at 4-1/4"; Basic White 2-1/2" x 3-3/4", 1-1/2" x 1-1/2"; Artisan Sketched Garden DSP 4" x 5-1/4", 2-3/4" x 4", 4" x 5-1/2", scored at 1-3/8" from each side, 1/2" x 2-1/2", one of the flower vases/pots (fussy cut)
Stamp: Reason to Celebrate
Die: Stylish Shapes
Inks: Granny Apple Green, Memento Black
Blends: Granny Apple Green, Lemon Lime Twist, Smoky Slate
Adhesive and Tools

Note - this card doesn't have much space for writing, so if you need to write more than the space allows, you can always turn it over and write on the back.

Start by adhering the large piece of DSP to the quarter size sheet of Granny Apple Green cardstock. Fold the Lemon Lime Twist piece in half and press the crease with a bone folder. Before we add the DSP to the front of it, let's decorate it. To save time in the video, I had already colored (with Blends) the pot of leaves and fussy cut them out. I had also cut out the second smallest circle from the Stylish Shapes dies. Add the thin strip of Granny Apple Green near the bottom of the polka dot DSP and add the potted plant on top with Dimensionals. Stamp the sentiment onto the white circle in Granny Apple Green and adhere this to the DSP with glue. Now that this is decorated, you can add this to the Lemon Lime Twist flap, then adhere this to the card front with glue.

For the inside flap, score the 4" x 5-1/2" piece of DSP at 1-3/8" from each side. Fold them toward the middle and press the crease with a bone folder. One thing to consider when selecting a piece of paper for this flap - pay attention to one way designs. Some papers have one direction on one side, and another on the reverse. Add this to the inside of the Lemon Lime flap as shown in the video. Stamp the Happy Birthday sentiment (on the white rectangle) in Granny Apple Green and black, then add this to the inside of the DSP piece. Finish by placing the small strip of DSP at the bottom. While I didn't do this in the video, I added a strip of DSP (the same design I used for the background) along the side of the envelope.

My next sample features some fun DSP (Splash of Sparkles Specialty) which has gold foil accents on one side of the papers. I used Timid Tiger for both my base and main flap. The stamp set used is called Exciting Times and I made a label with the Nested Essentials dies. I also used Timid Tiger Faux Linen Ribbon and 2025-2027 In Color Flat Pearls. I used another piece of DSP to cover the envelope flap.

The Moonlit Flora DSP has been one of my favorites from the May - August catalog! I chose Soft Sea Foam for both the base and flap (and one of the moths!). Since the paper on the front flap is so full of lovely plants, I only added a small sentiment and the moth. I decided to decorate the inside flap this time. Before adhering the background panel of DSP, I cut a circle using the Stylish Shapes from the center. Since it's covered by the flap, it's an economical way to utilize your paper. I stamped my sentiment on a strip of white, then cut that with the same circle die and glued it to the DSP. I added another moth (colored with Soft Sea Foam Blends) and adhered the circle to the left flap only. For my inside white panel, I made it a little smaller so that I should show off more of the DSP. The envelope flap was embossed with the Fern & Flora Embossing Folder.

This next sample changes up the formula a little by replacing the background DSP with an embossed panel. I did a white panel embossed with the Floral Spray Embossing Folder and adhered it to a quarter sheet of Thick Basic White. My second flap was also done in white, and instead of DSP for this flap, I used Two Tone Bubble Bath Cardstock. I used the Lily of the Valley bundle to stamp and cut out the flowers, which were colored with Granny Apple Green, Lemon Lime Twist and Bubble Bath Stampin' Blends. The flowers were sprinkled with the Dewdrops gems. For my inside flap (also Two Tone cardstock), I decorated the flap with the cross hatch die cut shapes in white and then added a circle with the sentiment stamped in Basic Gray. My inside panel has my birthday greeting (stamped in black) and more flowers along the bottom. I stamped another large spray of Lily of the Valley on the envelope in Bubble Bath.

This next card changes the orientation to be horizontal! Like my last card, I embossed a panel of Mossy Meadow with the Hundred Acre Wood Embossing Folder and adhered it to the same color base. My flap is Hydrangea Hue and decorated with the Silly Old Bear DSP. I matted this panel twice before adding it to the flap, with Dimensionals between the Old Olive and Early Espresso layers. I added a small sentiment so that I wouldn't cover up much of the scene. On the inside flap, which measures 2-3/4" x 8" and scored at 2" on each end, I added a label cut from the Sweet Words & Labels bundle (this also has all the sentiments) and fussy cut Pooh and Piglet. On the inside, I also fussy cut one of the scenes from the DSP and stamped my sentiment in Old Olive on a piece of Very Vanilla. I added a small strip of DSP on the envelope.

If you don't want to have a spoiler, stop here. My next card has products that are part of the July Online Exclusives release. While I know it is still weeks away from being able to order, I just couldn't help making a card with it! The Violet Dreams Specialty paper pack has 10 sheets of double sided paper, plus two sheets of pre-cut designs - flowers, leaves, frames, and flower clusters. My base is Secret Sea and the flap is Highland Heather. I used those pre-cut flowers for both the top of the flap and the inside flap (which also uses a frame). The ribbon is called Fresh Freesia Satin and is part of the suite. I stamped violets on the inside white panel and envelope in Fresh Freesia and Highland Heather, while the Sending Love sentiment is in Secret Sea.

I absolutely adore this fun fold and am so grateful that Penny made me a card with it! It's easy to make, but really has a big WOW factor, especially if you decorate the inside flap too. I'd love to see what you make - you can post pictures in my Facebook group (Power of a Cardmaker).

Karen

ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com

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