Outline-Embossed Curlicue Plate by Jean Okimoto

Here's another way to decorate Easter eggs with the versatile Curlicue Plate - reverse-embossing! This technique highlights the finely-detailed outlines of the design instead of the bold, solid patterns. Hi, Jean here with an "accidental/what-if?" process using this popular die from our Spring Collection.

Blend Distress Oxides on heavy white cardstock. Colors used here are salvaged patina, twisted citron, worn lipstick and kitsch flamingo.

Here's a tip - place a piece of smooth, heavy plastic between the die and the cardstock for a smooth embossed finish. Guessing that it cushions the paper and minimizes cracking and creasing. Quart- and gallon-sized Zip-Loc bags are great for this technique - just avoid the printed areas on the bag. Use each piece of plastic just once to keep the embossed design clear and unmarked.

Lightly spritz both sides of the color-blended cardstock with a light mist of water. Place the plastic layer between the Curlicue Plate die and the uninked side of the cardstock. Add the rubber embossing mat and plates required for die-embossing on your machine. Run it through the machine twice.

Place the embossed cardstock on a hard, flat surface and use the direct-to-paper technique to apply Pearlescent Jade Brilliance ink to the raised design. Heat-emboss it with detail clear powder. Cut the cooled cardstock with dies from the Half a Dozen Eggs set.

Cut Wild Grass Border from a yellow-green Lush Green 6x6 sheet.

Attach adhesive label paper (or a sticker sheet) to pink and white wool-blend felt and cut Bunny Face. Cut the muzzle from white cardstock. The paper layer stabilizes the felt and prevents adhesives from saturating the fabric. Attach a scrap of black cardstock behind the eyes.

Stamp the greeting - from the Springtime Typewriter Sentiments Clear Stamp Set - on white cardstock with Electric Pink Radiant Neon. Heat-emboss it with detail clear powder. Trim it with the smallest Rectangle Basics die.

Attach the diecuts to a white A6 card (4-½" x 6-¼") - use foamtape for the bunny and greeting. Add pale turquoise Pastel Jewels. Cut an A6-sized rectangle of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

Reverse-embossing sounds strange - why emboss the un-inked side - but this technique adds another option to the many ways we can use our Memory Box dies. Curlicue Plate is quickly becoming a real favorite - it's easy to understand why!

Thanks for visiting - see you on Friday...