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Writer's pictureRick Adkins

Heat Embossing To Create a WOW Card: Thankful Wreath Stamp Set | Building Blocks Quad

Hello, lovely crafters! Today, I’m excited to share a project that will add a serious “WOW” factor to your card-making repertoire. We’re diving into the fantastic world of heat embossing, and I’ll be showcasing the beautiful Thankful Wreath Stamp Set from Simon Says Stamps, paired with the incredible WOW! Quad Building Blocks by Seth Apter. This combination brings texture and vibrancy that will make your cards stand out. So, let’s get started and create something stunning together!


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Heat Embossing To Create a WOW Card:

Why Heat Embossing?

Heat embossing is a game-changer in the world of card making. It adds dimension, shine, and a professional finish to your projects. If you’ve never tried it before, don’t worry—I’ll walk you through why it’s worth incorporating into your crafting routine. There’s nothing quite like watching those embossing powders melt and transform into a smooth, raised design. Trust me, it’s pure magic!


Back Alley Wreath Card by Rick Adkins

The Products That Make It Happen

Thankful Wreath Stamp Set

First up is the Thankful Wreath Stamp Set from Simon Says Stamps. This set is incredibly versatile, perfect for all seasons and sentiments. The large wreath design is not only beautiful but also a wonderful canvas for coloring techniques.


WOW! Quad Building Blocks

The star of this project is the WOW! Quad Building Blocks by Seth Apter. This collection includes Asphalt, Cement, Brick, and Granite embossing powders, each bringing a unique texture and color. These powders are perfect for creating striking backgrounds and focal points.


Back Alley Wreath Card by Rick Adkins Front View

Creating the WOW Factor

Stamping and Embossing the Wreath

For the main feature of my card, I stamped the large wreath from the Thankful Wreath Stamp Set onto a piece of Canson XL Watercolor Paper using my WOW! Clear Ultra Slow Drying Embossing Pad. The embossing pad’s slow drying time is perfect for ensuring even coverage with embossing powders. After stamping, I covered the wreath with the Asphalt Embossing Powder from the WOW! Quad Building Blocks and heat set it. The transformation from powder to a smooth, glossy finish is always so satisfying!


Adding Color with Distress Ink Re-inkers

To add vibrant color, I used Distress Ink Re-inkers as watercolors. This technique is fantastic for achieving rich, blended hues. Once the wreath was dry, I used the matching dies to cut it out. If you’ve never tried coloring embossed images, give it a go—it’s a great way to add depth and interest.


Back Alley Wreath Card by Rick Adkins Close Up View

Crafting the Sentiment

Next, I worked on the “Thank You” sentiment. I stamped it on a scrap of Canson XL Watercolor Paper with the WOW! Clear Ultra Slow Drying Embossing Pad, covered it with the Cement powder from the WOW! Quad Building Blocks, and heat set it. The subtle contrast between the Cement and Asphalt powders gives the sentiment a clean, polished look. After cooling, I cut it out with the matching die.


Designing the Background

For the background, I wanted to create a textured look using the Back Alley 6 x 6 Stencil from The Rabbit Hole Designs. I applied the WOW! Clear Ultra Slow Drying Embossing Ink through the stencil onto a piece of Canson XL Watercolor Paper cut to 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I then added Brick and Granite powders from the WOW! Quad Building Blocks selectively across the panel and heat set it. The mixed colors add a dynamic and intriguing background that complements the wreath beautifully.


Assembling the Card

With all the elements ready, I assembled the card. I attached the stenciled background panel to an A2 Top Folding card base. The wreath was added using 1mm Foam Tape for a slight lift, while the sentiment was adhered with 3mm Foam Tape to make it pop even more.


Back Alley Wreath Card by Rick Adkins Side View

Adding the Finishing Touch

For the sub-sentiment, I stamped a phrase from the Thankful Wreath Stamp Set onto a scrap of Pitch Black Cardstock from Hero Arts with the WOW! Clear Ultra Slow Drying Embossing Pad, covered it with WOW! Opaque White Embossing Powder, and heat set it. A little bit of foam tape was all I needed to attach this to the card, completing the design.


Pro Tips for Card Makers

  1. Invest in Quality Embossing Pads: A good embossing pad like the WOW! Clear Ultra Slow Drying Embossing Pad makes all the difference. It gives you enough time to get perfect coverage with your embossing powders.

  2. Experiment with Embossing Powders: Don’t be afraid to mix and match different embossing powders to create unique textures and effects. The WOW! Quad Building Blocks are perfect for this.

  3. Use Watercolor Paper: When using watercolor techniques, Canson XL Watercolor Paper is a great choice. It holds up well to water and allows for smooth blending.


(Wondering what I used in this project? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible).


Conclusion

There you have it—a stunning, embossed card that’s sure to impress. Heat embossing is such a versatile technique, and when paired with beautiful stamps and quality embossing powders, the possibilities are endless. I hope you’re inspired to try this project and explore the magic of embossing in your own card-making adventures.


Back Alley Wreath Card by Rick Adkins Over Head View

As always, I’d love to hear from you. Have you tried these techniques? What are your favorite embossing powders? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. And don’t forget to subscribe to the blog for more tips, tutorials, and inspiration.


Happy crafting!


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Materials Used:

Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.

Happy Stampin'

Rick Adkins














Rick Adkins


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