Adding Texture and Dimension with Ink Layering and Puff Embossing Powder

Good morning, Jess here with a whale of a Valentine’s card using our beautiful Color Layering Blue Whale stamps!

To start, I stamped the sentiment from Color Layering Blue Whale onto red cardstock with Versamark and heat-embossed it with white embossing powder.  I used the Cherry Hero Hues cardstock that will be available very soon! I also die-cut a heart using the Nesting Heart Infinity Dies with the same cardstock and blended a little red royal ink onto the side of the heart. Then I stamped the solid layer of the blue whale twice with Soft Sky ink on white cardstock. Then I stamped the second layer with Stone Wash ink and the final detail layer with Navy ink.  I die-cut them with the coordinating dies and set them aside while I worked on the rest of the card.

Next I blended the same three ink colors onto a piece of colored cardstock.  I used the pretty Periwinkle Hero Hues cardstock that will be available very soon for my background panel. I masked off the sky with washi tape and then blended the ocean. Next I stamped the wave stamp from Color Layering Blue Whale with the same three blue inks to create a little texture and dimension. I also used a craft knife to cut a small slit on the horizon for my breaching whale.Then I stamped the bubble stamp around the slit several times with Versamark and heat-embossed it with white puff embossing powder to create sea spray and bubbles from the breaching whale. The white puff embossing powder is perfect for adding texture to the card! Then I trimmed of my whale’s tail and then tucked him into the slit. I tucked the heart between the breaching whale’s pectoral fins and used a little foam tape behind the whale to keep him popped up from the card base just slightly. If you needed to mail this flat you could easily skip this step. Then I added the trimmed off tail and the second whale to the bottom of my card. I love how that tail makes it seem like you have a third whale in the scene!  Finally I added my sentiment with foam mounting tape to finish the card!

I love using inks, ink blending, and puff embossing powder to create dimension and texture in my cards (it's so effortless!) and I hope this inspires you to give it a try, too! Thanks so much for stopping by and have a fabulous day!


  • Carolynn

    The ink blending on the water is FABULOUS- I’d love to know more of your technique to achieve what looks like moving water. Thanks!

  • Karen Hale

    What a fun card…love the whale. The puffy embossing powder does give great dimension. Thanks for the inspiration, Jess.

  • Leanne in Cali

    So cute and clever! Love this, thanks for sharing!

  • Henriétte

    Such an awesome card Jess and great idea to use the puff embossing powder for the seasplatters. Thank you so much for sharing.

  • Cindy C.

    Wow this is super fun and super sweet!!