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Designer's Tip: The emboss-resist technique involves heat embossing a design on cardstock with clear embossing powder, then inking over the top of it. The color of the cardstock will show through the design because the ink can’t penetrate the embossing. While I appreciate the emboss-resist technique on colored cardstocks, if I’m using white cardstock as the base, I prefer to just emboss the design on top of the inked panel with white embossing powder. Color Burst powders can seep under the embossing into the layers of cardstock, causing the design to become mottled, but by embossing on top of the ink with white powder, the design remains crisp, clean, and bright white!

Supplies:

• The Charleston Double-Sided Paper Pack (link)
• Cardstocks: white, dark gray
• Art Nouveau stamp set (link)
• Farmhouse Embellishment Bottle (link)
• Color Burst powders: Prussian Blue (link), Yellow Ochre (link), Burnt Umber (link)
• White Super-Fine embossing powder (link)
• VersaMark™ ink pad (link)
• Acrylic stamping block (link)
• Heat gun (link)
• Craft sheet (link)
• Perfect Crafting Pouch (link)
• Spritzer bottle (link), water, paper towels
• ½" wide Extra Sticky double-sided tape (link)
• Specialist Acrylic Glue (link)
• Adhesive (link)
• Side-Step die cut cards & envelopes (link)

Instructions:

1. For the card front: Trace and cut the card front paper pattern (found in the card package) from The Charleston green paper. Glue it centered on the card front. Cut 5⅞"x¾" The Charleston yellow paper and mat the long edges on white cardstock with 1/16" borders. Glue it to the green paper, ⅜" from the card bottom.
2. Cut 5⅞"x¼" maroon/blue scallops paper and glue it across the yellow paper strip near the lower edge. Cut 2⅞"x1⅜" The Charleston black border paper with green swirls on the right end and glue it to the center step. Cut 2⅞"x1⅞" The Charleston maroon scallops paper and glue it to the back step.
3. Cut 7"x6" white cardstock and place it on the craft sheet. Sprinkle Burnt Umber and Prussian Blue Color Burst over the cardstock, then spritz it heavily with water. Allow the colors to bleed and soak into the cardstock for about one minute, then blot up the excess ink with paper towels. Let the cardstock dry completely.
4. Rub the inked cardstock liberally with the crafting pouch. Cut 3¾" square of the inked cardstock then stamp the tree in the center. Stamp two butterflies near the tree as shown, then cover the ink with embossing powder. Tap off the excess powder and heat the remainder to melt it. Use double-sided tape to mat the square on white cardstock with 1/16" borders, then on gray cardstock with very narrow borders. Glue it to the front near the left edge.
5. Stamp and emboss “do small things…” on the remaining piece of inked cardstock, then trim it to 1⅝"x1⅞". Mat it on gray cardstock with very narrow borders, then glue it to the back step so the sentiment shows when the card is flattened.
6. Stamp and emboss a 1" butterfly on gray cardstock, cut it out, and glue it to the center step as shown. Use double-sided tape to attach buttons and use glue to attach sequins to the card front and steps as shown.
7. For the inside: Cut 6"x2¾" The Charleston green paper and mat the long edges on gray cardstock with 1/16" borders. Glue it to the inside near the lower edge.
8. Cut 6"x1" from the remainder of the inked cardstock. Stamp and emboss “thank you” and a ⅝" butterfly near the right end as shown. Use double-sided tape to mat the long edges on gray cardstock with 1/16" borders, then glue it to the inside, ½" from the bottom. Glue three sequins as shown.
9. Cut 4"x4" white cardstock. Sprinkle Prussian Blue and Yellow Ochre Color Burst over the craft sheet. Spritz the powder with water, then place the cardstock in the ink. Hold it in place for about one minute, then lift the cardstock and blot it with paper towels. Let the cardstock dry.
10. Trim the inked cardstock to 2¾"x3¼" and rub it with the pouch. Stamp and emboss the tree on the cardstock, then use double-sided tape to mat it on white cardstock with very narrow borders. Glue it to the inside near the left edge.

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