Arch, I have used a similar approach but I cut away the wood rather
than sanding. Then, as Chuck wrote, I used steam to raise the bumps.
Reasonably successful, but not all the indentations rose to the
occasion!

I used UK Sycamore (Maple?) but was somewhat disappointed with the
results and have not repeated the experiment.

P.S. I did round off the tip of the punch before use and it was one of
those where you can preset the pressure exerted.

Regards,
Peter Charles Fagg
Freshwater, Isle of Wight,
United Kingdom.
www.petersplatters.co.uk
Each can do but little!
But if each DID that little,
ALL would be done!