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Designed by Patti Behan
Considered both an art and a craft, batik is a method of using wax and dyes to create a design on cloth. Selected areas of the cloth are first blocked out by brushing hot wax over them, preserving the original color of the cloth underneath. The cloth is then dyed. When the wax is removed, the original color of the cloth becomes part of the finished design.
Designer Patti Behan shares a similar technique substituting paper for cloth and ink for dye. The results are spectacular. Designs can be as simple or as detailed as you desire. Patti suggests that you experiment first with metal cookie cutters in the shape of a circle, square, or star before trying your hand at more complicated designs.
 Not 4 Squares Birthday Card Click here for instructions in PDF format
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| General Instructions | |
| Note: Protect your work surface with newspaper or plastic. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands when working with hot wax. Never leave the heated melting pot and project pan unattended. | |
| 1. | Place the project pan into the melting pot. Set the thermostat to 300 degrees. Pour in ¼ cup of BeesWax pellets, cover the pan, and allow pellets to melt.
Note: If the pellets start to bubble, reduce temperature. |
| 2. | Set the craft iron at the highest setting. |
| 3. | Lay the glossy paper flat onto the craft sheet. Place the desired cookie cutter shape into the melted wax for 15 seconds. Use the metal tweezers to remove the shape and then stamp onto the glossy paper. Use the Kool Toolz tweezers to press down on the cookie cutter and, working quickly, stamp several more times. Allow the wax images to cool. Tip: To produce a well formed and completely stamped image, use cookie cutters that have clean, smooth edges. |
| 4. | Apply the lighter of the selected ink colors to the Cut n’ Dry foam and cover the surface of the glossy paper, then place the blank newsprint on top. Use the craft iron, to iron the blotter paper using a press-and-lift motion. Avoid sliding the iron over the blotter paper as this will spread the wax. Continue to press and lift the iron until the wax has been transferred onto the blotter paper. The wax residue remaining is called a “halo.” The halo will resist the ink that will be applied later. |
| 5. | Select the same cookie cutter shape or a different shape and follow the instructions in Step 3. Stamp the shape into the blank spaces, overlapping the existing shapes on the glossy paper. |
| 6. | Apply the remaining ink color selected to the Cut n’ Dry foam and cover the surface of the glossy paper. Then, apply more ink to the foam and, using a dabbing motion, pounce over the surface. Place the blotter paper on top, following the instructions in Step 4 to complete. Tip: When selecting ink colors, keep in mind that the two inks will mix and create a third color. For example, mixing a yellow and blue ink will result in the color green. |
| 7. | Allow the glossy paper to dry, then use as a background to create cards, postcards, tags, or other project desired. |
| This project was featured in the Fall 2007 Issue of Paper Creations™. See what else is in this issue. |
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| Information on single purchase and back issues. | Stores that carry Scrapbooking & Beyond™ |
