Layered Embossing Resist

Hi there!

Svitlana is here and today I want to share a simple technique of layered embossing resist.  This technique is combination of clear embossing resist and inking, repeated several times. Clear embossing traps everything underneath and opens limitless possibilities for creating complex designs.

I created a foliage background using this technique and then cut it to create two cards out of it. At the end of this post you can find the video showing this technique.

To create the background I used leaves from Beautiful Day, Vintage Roses and Vintage Flowers stamp sets. I used stamps that represent first, or bottom if you will, layers.

First I clear embossed several leaves on white cardstock panel. I didn't stamp a lot of them as wanted to stamp more during further steps and didn't want the background to become very busy.

After clear embossing the first layer I inked the whole panel with Morning Frost ink. Then I put my panel aside and left it alone to dry. I needed the panel to dry completely so another layer of embossing powder only stuck where I wanted it. You can see me in the video doing a simple test just pouring embossing powder over the panel to see if it still stuck all over the place.

After my panel dried I started clear embossing the second layer. And inked my panel with Morning Frost ink afterwards.  And I didn't really like how the second embossing layer stood out so decided to ink the panel with Evening Gray ink.

For the third layer of foliage I just stamped the leaves with Evening Gray ink. Removing some ink excess with a paper napkin.

In the end result layer that I did first looks positioned in front, and the last stamped layer is kind of positioned in back.

After all my stamping and embossing were done I took one optional step – ironed off the embossing from my panel. You don't have to do this, the result would be almost the same. I just want my panel to be completely flat, without any relief. If you do want to take this step – keep in mind that your iron should be set on dry mode and the highest temperature. I used a teeny-tiny iron I bought specially for craft purposes (just because of its size), but any iron can be used here.

After my panel was ready – I die cut it using a rectangle die and created two cards using these pieces.

For the first card I adhered one piece to a card base, cut another panel from white cardstock, stamped sentiments from Thinking of You stamps set using Evening Gray ink and adhered it over adding a piece of foam between the card base and the panel.  For the second card I adhered another piece of the background I created earlier to a card base and stamped a sentiment from the same stamps set using the same ink.

For my background I did only two layers of embossing, but you definitely can have more layers, depending of decried design.  And of course you can use absolutely any colors for this technique. I just wanted to create this background in gray for two reasons. First – I really love gray and was excited when Altenew released new gray inks. Second – I wanted to create cards with rather calm design, to be handed for not so happy occasions (you know this type of cards is better to have on hand as is hard to make the moment you could need them).