I had fun playing with this technique tonight. I'd like to try again this week with some holly images (thanks for the idea).
I googled faux batik for a few more ideas and somewhere along the way I was reminded that sometimes people iron away the embossing powder by placing the embossed piece face down on newsprint and ironing from the back (this helped flatten the creases too).
Here is my card. Earlier this evening I found out my sister in law went to the ER in the wee hours this morning and ended up having her gall bladder removed. Time to make a get well card!
Tip : When making my butterfly embellishment I learned ... don't stamp with distress oxide (or distress either) and then go over the whole piece with Wink of Stella! It will smear the distress ink ... which could be ok, I thought about just adding shimmer to the butterfly wings and not the body. I decided I wanted a cleaner look, so I started over. This time I painted clear Wink of Stella on plain white cardstock and once it was dry, stamped over it with distress oxide. No smearing, still get the shimmer!
Tip 2 : Next time I might use 80lb cardstock or maybe bristol or mixed media cardstock so that it will crease nicer yet still take a bit of water.
Also, I probably should have used a bone folder. I used Elizabeth Craft soft finish cs which is new to me. I didn't realize it is 110 lb. It is easy to blend ink on and does take water well though!
Attached is a photo of my batik background. I noticed afterward that when I placed it on my card front I oriented it upside down from this photo. Oh well!
The larger flower was stamped with Versamark and clear embossed.
The smaller flower was stamped with Speckled Egg distress ink.
The leafy flourish was stamped with water.
Fun challenge Connie!