Sealed with a Kiss Card | Make Ahead Wax Seals | Honey Bee Stamps

Happy Monday my friends!

Today I have a bit of a different Valentine's Day card to share with you. Honey Bee Stamps released a wax seal product line with their latest release and I finally had a chance to play with them. 

There are many ways to melt wax melts. Probably the most traditional way is to do it using a wax melting spoon over a flame. I am impatient and found that took too long, lol. So I used my heat gun, which worked well too but still not as fast as I would like. And that is when I got the idea to use my Hot Foil System to melt the wax. Although the melting part wasn't as quick either, this method yielded more seals because you were making multiples, which ended up saving time in the end.

After experimenting with various types of papers and materials on what to melt the wax melts onto, I discovered the best way to do it was to use tin foil strips. I tried sticker paper, wax paper, acetate, silicone and found the best results happened when I used the tin foil as it transferred the heat the best and released the wax well once it was cool. 

To melt wax using the Hot Foil System, 

• I turned the machine on and waited until the green light was on. 
• Next, I cut pieces of tin foil large enough to fit two melted wax seals as I only have two stampers, and place the tin foil onto the base of the Hot Foil System. 
• I then added two melts to each tin strip. 
• Once the first melt had almost melted I added a second wax melt to the middle of the melted wax. I found two wax melts were enough for a seal. (If you like them a little thicker you can try using three melts per seal).
• Remove one tin foil strip from the Hot foil system at a time as the wax hardens quickly, and stamp the wax using the stamper. I have two stampers, (a rose and a heart stamper) and that is why I only did two seals per tin strip.
• Once the wax is cool (about 15-20 seconds) remove the stamper to reveal the results.
• Repeat process with the next seals.
• Peel seals from foil base, and store them for later use.

TIPS: 

• If your seal doesn't turn out well, you can always remelt it and restamp it over and over again. 
• If you see bubbles in the wax, it means the wax is too hot. I didn't see them using the foil system, but did with the heat gun and candle.
• You can make seals ahead of time for larger projects such as wedding invitations or other events.
• Use a strong adhesive to secure the pre-made wax seals in place. Like double-sided tear tape or strong liquid glue. If using glue, it will take longer to dry in place but it does give you wiggle room to move them around.

CARD RECIPE

This card uses the Hugs & Kisses Wax Melts as well as the white wax from the Tuxedo Melts. All I did was glue them in place using Bee Creative Glue. The liquid glue gave me the extra time to move them around as I was trying to space them as evenly as possible.

Before adding the wax seals in place, I had stamped the sentiment that was heat embossed in white in the center of a black layer of cardstock using a stamp that comes from the Sealed Love Stamp Set. The black panel was then glued to another layer of pattern paper from the Hugs And Kisses Paper Pad.

To create the coordinating envelope I added a Pearl Wax Seal to the flap of a Hugs And Kisses A2 Envelope and finished it with another stamp from the Sealed Love Stamp Set. 

I have made an IG Reel that will be showing you how this card and the melts were made over on Instagram, so be sure to check it out there or click the Reel image below.

Hope this project inspired you to give wax seals a try. I love the extra touch they add to the envelope or use them as I did to embellish an entire card front.

Thank you for stopping by and until next time... Happy Crafting!

Ilda 💗

SUPPLIES

Hugs And Kisses Paper Pad Shop at: SSS | SB | HBS	Hugs And Kisses A2 Envelopes Shop at: HBS	Sealed With Love Shop at: SSS | SB | HBS	Wax Stamper | Rose Shop at: SSS | SB | HBS	Wax Stamper | Heart Shop at: SSS | SB | HBS
Wax Melts | Hugs & Kisses Shop at: SSS | SB | HBS	Wax Melts | Pearl Shop at: SSS | SB | HBS	Wax Melts | Tuxedo Shop at: SSS | SB | HBS	Bee Creative Glue Shop at: SSS | SB | HBS	Hot Foil System Shop at: SSS | SB | SB
New Mini Misti Shop at: SSS | SB	Pitch Black Cardstock Shop at: SSS | HA	Magic Powder Bag Shop at: SSS	Unicorn Pigment Ink Shop at: SSS | SB | HBS | HA	Arctic White Emb.Pwd. Shop at: SSS | IO3

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To make supplies easy for you to find, I have linked them above. If something is no longer available I will link to a similar product. Affiliate links may be used depending on the product linked. Please help support my blog by using these links while shopping at no additional cost to you. For more information about the affiliates I use, please visit my disclaimer here. Thanks so much for all your support!

Clear Bag Shaker Cards Done 3 Ways | Honey Bee Stamps

Hello, my friends, and happy Monday. Hope you had a wonderful weekend.

Today I have some super simple shaker designs to share with you. Perfect for mass-producing without too much effort! If you have recently have made a purchase from Honey Bee Stamps for more than $75 you would have received a Specialty Holiday Card Pack. These cardstock panels are double side with gorgeous designs and were the perfect starting point for my card designs today. If you didn't get these, no worries... I am certain you can replicate these with pattern paper. Check out all their pattern papers 👉 HERE I have 3 different versions to share, so let's get started.

Here is a close-up of the first version of the Clear Bag Shaker Card and the easiest to make. Make sure you are following me on Instagram as I will post a Reel of how these came together soon.

Not only are these shakers pretty from the outside, just look how cute they are on the inside.

Version One | Clear Bag Shaker Cards

• Cut a Slimline Cello Bag to 4 5/16 x 6 1/2" for a vertical A2 size card. If using a horizontal panel you will need an A7+ Cello Bag.
• Slide one of the Specialty Holiday Card Pack panels inside the clear bag.
• Fill the clear bag with sequins, try to compliment the colors of the panel.
• Grab your card base. The entire card base will form the back panel of the card. The top of the clear bag will be sandwiched between the card base. Flip the card base upside down so that the fold is on the bottom and the opening is on the top. 
• Place the filled cello bag in front of the upside-down card base.
• Fold the overhang of the Cello Bag (1 Inch) over the top of the upside-down card base and crease the Clear Bag fold with your fingernails. This will create the flap that you will be sandwiched between the card base.
• Cut the corners off the top of each side of the clear bag. Make sure to cut above the line that you just creased.
• Add two strips of double-sided tape to the card base. One just under the edge of the card base and one ½’ below that one. Remove the protective piece from the double-sided tape. 
• Center and align the Clear Bag in front of the upside-down card front and press the cello flap down onto the double-sided tape.
• Just above the creased area of the cello bag add another strip of double-sided tape to seal it up and keep sequins from falling out of the bag. For extra insurance, you can add a piece of tape over the edge of the flap.
• Add glue or double-sided tape along the edges of the front panel to glue the card base together.

Here is what the cards from the first picture above look like when opened up. Just love the patterns on the inside!

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Version 2 | Partial See-Through Shaker Cards

My next set of cards were done the exact same way as the first set only this time I created Partial See-Through Shaker Cards.

For this first card, since it is horizontal I used an A7+ Cello Bag to give me the width I needed for the horizontal layout. I also had to trim a sliver of paper from each side to have the panel fit inside the bag. The card base itself is A2 sized.

To create the Partial See-Through Shaker Cards, all you do is cut the panel and glue part of it to a piece of acetate that is then inserted into the clear bag shaker sleeve. The other part of the patterned panel is then glued to the inside of the card base. Follow the rest of the instructions for version one for how to assemble the card.

For the rest of the card examples I used the I used a Slimline Cello Bag for the vertical design. This next card I also used a hexagon die to split the panel.

Use a square die or a blade to cut out the Happy holidays in the next card.

Creating Holiday Cards with these panels was so easy as most of them have a greeting in the front and a fun coordinating design on the other side.

Below is what the cards looked like and as you can see, they still have plenty of space to write a message.

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Version Three | Tri-fold See-Through Shaker Cards

The final two cards I am sharing today, are examples of Tri-fold See-Through Shaker Cards. If you have seen my previous See Through Flat Shakers they require a large sentiment panel on the front to hide the message written inside. This tri-fold design solves that and leaves you with plenty of room to write a message on the inside. 

The front panel on this card is completely clear using only acetate and the sequins and can be displayed as shown below or completely opened up as you will see in the next card example.

Once the card is completely open, it reveals space for a long written message for the recipient. You could also add a stopper for the front panel to rest on or add a gift cardholder to the bottom panel for an added element of surprise. You could also add die-cut images to the front clear panel to dress up the front. I kept these as simple as possible for mass production.

Here is another example of a Tri-fold Shaker Card. This time it isn't See-Through though. 

For Tri-fold Shakers follow the same first few steps as the first card examples.

• Cut a small sliver from the bottom of the front of the card base panel. This will make it easier for the card to close once it is all assembled.
• Flip the card base upside down so that the fold is on the bottom and the opening is on the top. Like a “V”. Face the panel that is shorter towards you (see the previous step).
• Place the filled clear bag in front of the upside-down card base and align the sides and the bottoms together. 
• Fold the overhang of the bag (1 Inch) over the top of the upside-down card base and crease the Cello Bag fold with your fingernails. This will create the flap that you will glue to the back of the card base.
• Cut the corners of the bag above the crease mark.
• To the back of the upside-down card, base add 2 strips of double-sided tape. One just under the edge of the card base and one ½’ below that one. Remove the protective piece from the double-sided tape.
• Center and align the bag in front of the upside-down card base and press the cello flap down onto the double-sided tape.
• Lay the card flat so that you can still access the opening of the shaker pocket. 
• Slide a piece along the entire width of the card using double-sided tape. Place the tape strip just above the creased edge of the cello bag flap. 
• Remove the protective layer and press the bag shut. This will seal the shaker pocket and keep glitter and shaker bits from flowing into the top opening. 
• Add an extra piece of clear tape along the edge of the cello flap for extra insurance.
• To finish the back of the card base, glue an A2 panel cut to the same size as the card base. This covers up the bag's flap and becomes the backside of the middle panel of the tri-fold.

These eleven cards were completed in less than a few hours, but I was filming some of the process which took longer. I'm sure I could have done way more in that time otherwise. This was an easy and simple way to mass-produce some really fun and unique Christmas Cards. The cool thing is that they are pretty flat as you can see from the image below and shouldn't require extra postage. Just remember less is more when adding sequins and shaker bits! By the way, all of my shaker bit mixes were custom mixed to coordinate with each card and come from the Honey Bee Shop. 

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I hope you have been inspired to make some Clear Bag Shakers. If you have any questions feel free to message me or leave me a comment below. I will do my best to help you out. I can't promise that you won't get addicted to making these just like my other flat frameless shaker card designs that everyone is doing now!

Thanks so much for stopping by and until next time, happy crafting.

Ilda 😊

SUPPLIES

Free Item with $75 Purchase Shop at: HBS	Slimline Cello Bags Shop at: HBS	A7+ Cello Bags Shop at: HBS	Bee Creative Glue Shop at: SSS | SB | HBS	Gemini Jr. Die-Cutter Shop at: SSS | SB
Acetate Sheets Shop at: HBS	Honey Bee Embellishments Shop at: HBS	Neenah 80 LB SOLAR WHITE Shop at: SSS | AMZ	Tim Holtz 8.5 Inch Trimmer Shop at: SSS | SB | HA	Scor-Pal Mini Scor-Buddy Shop at: SSS | HBS
Scor-Pal Tape Shop at: SSS | AMZ | HBS	TRIANGLE TRAY - BLACK Shop at: SSS | SK

To make supplies easy for you to find, I have linked them above. If something is no longer available I will link to a similar product. Affiliate links may be used depending on the product linked. Please help support my blog by using these links while shopping at no additional cost to you. For more information about the affiliates I use, please visit my disclaimer here. Thanks so much for all your support!