In today’s post, I’ll be showing projects made with the emboss resist technique and the NEW and gorgeous Butterfly Brilliance Stamp Set.
It was so fun to use my new Butterfly Brilliance Stamp Set to create today’s projects. There are just so many fun variations and possibilities with the emboss resist technique! Now in this post, you’ll see two finished cards and a third focal piece showing yet another variation of the emboss resist technique. I’ll explain how each of these pieces was created to get the different looks.
Here are my two finished Emboss Resist Technique cards:

The essential variables:
- The Color of Embossing Powder and
- At what point(s) you add your background colors
For this first project, I started by applying some Seaside Spray ink with one of the amazing Stampin’ Up! Blending Brushes, to my Basic White cardstock. I then heat embossing the butterflies with clear embossing powder essentially trapping the color under the heat embossed images. Since the embossing powder is clear, you can see the color underneath. Next, the foliage images were stamped in Mossy Meadow ink with an image from the Very Versailles Stamp Set. My goal was to create a vintage look and the Mossy Meadow ink seemed like the perfect color. The script images were stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink with second and third inking to create a subtle background element. This script image also comes from the Very Versailles Stamp Set.

Can you see how the foliage and script images look like they are in the background even though they were stamped after my heat embossing was done?
The key to this effect is the “magic” of the Emboss Resist Technique!

The heat embossed images simply don’t absorb any water-based ink that is stamped on top of them. As a result, the ink in these spots simply rubs off making it look like the stamped images are in the background. I just love the resulting multi-dimensional look that you get with the emboss resist technique!

The next step is to add color to reveal all the beautiful detail in the butterflies. I’ve used the Blending Brushes with the following ink colors: Seaside Spray, Misty Moonlight, Night of Navy, and Mossy Meadow.

Here’s how I added my colors:
My lightest color, Seaside Spray, was applied generously while also leaving areas with very little color as well. Then some Misty Moonlight ink was added to the center of each butterfly fanning out from the body into the wings just a bit. Next, some night of Navy ink was applied sparingly along the edges. Lastly, I used some of the Mossy Meadow ink along the top and left edges where the foliage was stamped.
The last step is to use a moist (not wet) paper towel to wipe the surface.
Wiping the surface will remove the excess ink, revealing the color under the clear heat embossed images. Remember, the heat embossed areas will resist the ink! Since I applied some Seaside Spray ink to the white cardstock as my first step, the butterflies are a mix of white and Seaside Spray on this focal piece.

For my background piece I’ve dry embossed with the Brick & Mortar embossing folder and used my Blending Brush to add some Misty Moonlight ink to the edges. I love how the added color reveals so much more of the texture in the dry embossed piece of Seaside Spray cardstock.

To make the focal piece for the card above I actually started with a ¼ sheet of white cardstock like the one you see below.
The whole piece was stamped, heat embossed, colored, and then cut down the middle, so I’d actually get two focal pieces and two cards out of the deal! Fun right?
Now you may not be able to tell from the photo below but for this piece, I actually did NOT add color to my cardstock before I heat embossed. I wanted to experiment with the different effects I could get with the emboss resist technique using clear embossing powder. I have also NOT removed the excess ink from the surface yet on this piece so at this stage it almost looks like I did add color to the cardstock.

In the next few photos, you’ll see the transformation that happens after the ink on the surface is removed!
In the photo here, I’ve used my moist paper towel to remove the color from the surface of just my largest butterfly. Look how bright white this butterfly now is!

In this next photo, I’ve used my moist paper towel to remove the color from the surface of the remaining butterflies. Now I can cut my card down the middle and make my two additional cards!

For this last project, I started by heat embossing the butterflies with white, instead of clear, embossing powder.
The foliage images were stamped with an image from the Forever Fern Stamp Set which also works beautifully for this design.

I used my blending brushes with the same ink colors, basically in the same way, as on the first card and focal piece.

In this case, I used the whole finished panel as is, added a few coordinating ribbons and my card was done!

Here are all three of my pieces made with the emboss resist technique:
The differences between them are subtle and all so pretty to me!

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing my projects made with the emboss resist technique and that you’re inspired to go create your own!

You’ll find dimensions and a complete supply list with links to my online store at the end of this post. Plus, if you’d like to watch me make these projects, and learn more along the way, make sure to watch my video which you’ll also find at the end of this post.
Happy Crafting!
Melissa 🙂
More Going On Now
- You can still Get the Butterfly Bouquet Stamp Camp PDF featuring 12 Projects! Kits are SOLD OUT!
- Get Last Chance Products Before They’re Gone! – 2020-2021 Annual Stampin’ Up! Catalog Retires on 5/3/21
- Become a Newsletter Subscriber and get Special Perks plus FREE Downloads too! Click HERE to subscribe!
- GET PERKS when you Place Orders through my online store! Choose a Free product OR FREE Project Kits. Click HERE for more details.
- Earn Loyalty Leaves with your purchases in my Online Store! Cash them in for FREE Stampin’ Up! products! Click HERE to learn more.
- Join me for my next Facebook Live Event on Thursday 04/1/21 at 7 pm EST. Find me on Facebook by clicking here: Melissa’s Crafting Treehouse Facebook Page
Click HERE to Shop in my Online Store Now!
Current Hostess Code:
NBUGCATQ
Use the current hostess code to get Free Card Kits and other perks with your qualifying purchases!
If your order is $150 or more Do NOT use the hostess code! You’ll get hostess rewards AND Free Card Kits too!
Not sure how to apply the Hostess Code? Click HERE to learn more.
See the January to June 2021 Mini Catalog PDF by clicking below.
Check out the 2020 – 2021 Annual Catalog PDF below.
Learn how to make this in my Facebook Live video tutorial here:
The project demonstration begins at around 23 minutes in case you’d like to jump ahead.
If you watched this video here on my blog and enjoyed it, please go on over to my YouTube channel and give it a Thumbs Up, Share it with friends and Subscribe to my YouTube Channel. I’d be so grateful! Plus, once you subscribe, you’ll have the option to click on the bell, to be notified whenever I publish a new video.
Project Dimensions:
White Embossed Butterflies Card
- Card Body in White: 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″
- Focal Piece in White: 4″ x 5-1/4″
Clear Embossed Butterflies Card
- Night of Navy Card Body: 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″
- Seaside Spray Layer: 4″ x 5-1/4″
- Night of Navy Focal Backing: 3″ x 4-3/8″
- White Focal Piece: 2-13/16″ x 4-3/16″
- White Inside Piece: 4″ x 5-1/4″
What an excellent post. So clear and informative, not to mention inspiring. I am definitely going to make a card like this for one of my butterfly-loving friends. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you!!! I hope you’ve enjoyed making your own versions for your butterfly loving friends! Thanks for taking the time to comment! I so appreciate it! Happy Crafting!
These cards are glorious! I think the colours you chose are perfect & I especially like the card with the brick background. Thank you for sharing these beauties.
Thank you so much Teri! I hope you were inspired to create your own versions. Happy Crafting! Melissa 🙂
That was a great demo and explanation of each step and such a beautiful, multi-dimensional card.
Omg I’ve just seen your cards they are beautiful
Sandie, Thank you so much! Emboss Resist is one of my favorite techniques! I’m glad you enjoyed these cards and are inspired to create your own. Happy Crafting!