You are my sunshine Kimberly Crawford

Hello everyone! I am thrilled to be on the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog sharing some fun projects with you! This summer I am totally obsessed with pineapples, not only eating them, but using them on my paper crafting projects. When I saw the Pink Paislee Citrus Bliss Pineapple embossing folder, it had to be mine! Take and a look and see how I used the embossing folder to achieve three different looks!

You are my sunshine 2 Kimberly Crawford

On my first card, I added texture to my patterned paper by embossing it with the folder and sanding away the raised pineapple images.

You are my sunshine 3 Kimberly Crawford

Supplies: Pink Paislee Citrus Bliss 6×6 paper, Pineapple Embossing Folder; MFT Stamps Pinking Circle STAX; MFT Stamps Cork sheets; MFT Stamps Sweet Tooth cardstock; Teresa Collins Gold Metal Hearts; Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Foam Squares White Large, EZ Permanent Runner; Core'dinations Sanding Block

To achieve this look, place your patterned paper inside the embossing folder. Place the paper with your desired pattern up, laying on the raised images. By placing the paper this way, you will get the raised images on the correct side. Pass the paper and folder through your manual die cutting machine. Then gently sand away the raised images. Any fine gauge sand paper will work.

Summer sun Kimberly Crawford

For my second card, I wanted to create my own patterned paper, where pineapples were the star!

Summer sun 2 Kimberly Crawford

I used ink and water to color the embossed images.

Summer sun 3 Kimberly Crawford

Supplies: Pink Paislee Citrus Bliss Pineapple Embossing Folder; Fancy Pants Summer Sun Wood Veneer 6×6 paper; Maya Road Mini Pom Pom Trim Cloud White; MFT Stamps Sweet Tooth cardstock; MFT Stamps Lemon Drop, Limelight Inks; Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Foam Squares White Large, EZ Permanent Runner

After embossing a piece of white cardstock, I pressed yellow and green dye-based inks onto my craft mat. Then spritzed the ink lightly with water. Using a paintbrush, I colored the indented images. To add more depth, I colored each part of the pineapple twice. When the first layer of color dried, I went back and added another layer of deeper color.

Life is good Kimberly Crawford

Along with pineapples, I am a huge fan of gold!

Life is good 2 Kimberly Crawford

So for this card, I went with a faux letterpress look with gold pineapples!

Life is good 3 Kimberly Crawford

Pink Paislee Citrus Bliss 6×6 paper, Pineapple Embossing Folder; Fancy Pants Summer Sun Flair, Tag Pack, Insta Pack; MFT Stamps Sweet Tooth cardstock; Colorbox Gold ink; Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Foam Squares White Large, EZ Permanent Runner

Gold pigment ink was pressed into the raised pineapple images, directly on the embossing folder. Pigment ink needs to be used for this effect because it stays wetter longer. Keep your ink pad as level as possible, inking only the raised images. Some ink will get on the folder, simply wipe it away, or embrace it as I did. I thought the extra ink added some fun distressing. Place your cardstock inside the folder and pass through your manual die cutting machine. Be sure and clean your embossing folder afterwards. ~  Kimberly Crawford

THANK YOU so much for joining us today Kimberly and for sharing your love of pineapples and embossing folders! You can see more of Kimberly's BEAUTIFUL work on her blog, For the Love of Paper. You can also find her on Instagram and Twitter @kimberlystamps. Want to know one more place you'll find Kimberly's cards? In our soon to be available for preorder Creative Cards Vol. 1! Stay tuned!