Thanks Linda. Yep, the snowflakes are embossed. Both of the snowflake cards have embossed snowflakes over PearlEx. I can't remember what the technique is called, but I can tell you how to do it. :-)
You'll need glossy cardstock, not regular cardstock. It has to be glossy. I doubt photo paper will work, because it's different chemicals to make it glossy compared to glossy cardstock. You'll also need Pearl Ex powder. I believe you can get it at Hobby Lobby or Michaels. And you'll need some good 'ol cheap hair spray in a pump bottle. Add some Pearl Ex to a small amount of hair spray. If you just want to try it out, use a travel size pump bottle of hair spray, or a similar sized bottle and pour hair spray in it. (hope that makes sense!) Add some Pearl Ex to your hair spray. It doesn't take very much to do this. Put the lid back on the hair spray and shake to mix the Pearl Ex in. The rest is easy. :-) Spray the glossy side of your glossy cardstock. Let it dry. It makes a really pretty background. You can heat emboss over it, just make sure you keep moving your heating gun/tool around so the heat from it doesn't make the hairspray too hot. Wouldn't want flames! LOL