Halloween Party Invites – Wax Resist

It’s October 4th and Halloween prep is out in full force. Although Halloween is not my favorite holiday, I do enjoy decorating for the children’s pleasure and, surprising to me, I am really excited about the bright/neon orange and black/flat black color combination.

Since I haven’t dragged out the decorations box yet, I am starting things off with an invitation. And not just any ole invitations printed from my own computer. These invites feature a chunk of paper finished with a wax and watercolor design I’m digging. Here’s how I did it.

Materials:
-crayons
-heat gun
-watercolor paper (Non-watercolor paper would work too, though it might buckle more.)
-watercolor paints & water
-scissors, glue

Point the heat gun at the crayons and then pull the crayon, as it melts, to create the design.

I loved the uneven line look.

Make sure the wax completely re-hardens or dries on the paper before moving on.

Then grab the watercolors.

Paint over the wax. The watercolors will absorb into the paper but will bead up over the wax.

Allow the paper to dry.

While it dries, get the invitations ready. I made very simple invites in Word and left a little spot at the top for a bit of designed paper.

I used a deckle edge ruler to give the invites a frayed edge.

Once the paper dries, cut it apart and glue it in place on the invite.

I did press the invites under a stack of books because with the wax, the wet paper and then the glue, it all needed a little extra convincing to lay flat. So press them until they dry.

If you choose, tuck them into envelopes and send them on their way.

I added a wax seal of sorts in the shape of a pumpkin to the back of the envelope, using the same method as above.

Halloween will be here before we know it. Have you done anything to get ready?

Take care.