spring flowers in jar

Hey everyone, the Papertrey March release events will be starting soon. Before I dive into this month's supply box I wanted to do a *warm up exercise* of sorts and create a little something. I've been excited to ink up the tulips from Friendship Jar Spring Fillers plus I had some new patterned papers in my stash that were begging to be cut into. Note: the jar image does not come with this set. You'll need the original Friendship Jar set if you want to use the jar image and label die like I did for my project.

The creation of this card came about like this....lately I've noticed two things. One, lots of people just don't send cards anymore. With all the email, twittering and Facebooking, a card seems like a tedious thing to worry about sometimes. Second, the price of gas is sky rocketing! Geez Louise. With those two observations, I think once again we're going to see people having *stay-cations* at home, less driving about and curbed spending. And sending a card is still pretty cheap. So why not send out cards to those loved ones and friends across the miles....or make a card be a little gift in itself. Nothing more is needed....no high priced gift that no one really needs anyway. A card is just perfect.

That's what my project is about today. I am presenting my card in a way so that it's a little gift that can be re-purposed and sent out again if desired. Or it could just sit pretty on a shelf or tacked to a bulletin board. The idea is that the card is just placed on top of the the pretty envelope and then tied up with a pretty ribbon. This presentation is so pretty that looks like stationery from a boutique or little gift shop. Imagine a co-worker finding this on her desk, she would love it.
So that the recipient can re-purpose the card if desired I left the envelope unsealed and the card is blank. I recently purchased these adorable little journaling cards from Elle's Studio that are made to look like handmade layers. I attached it to my card with a small clothespin...later on I can write a little note on there for the recipient. I could also tuck a larger journaling card or sticky note on the inside of the card with a longer note and the explanation that the card can be used again if desired.
I lined the envelope with some Sassafras paper, it's just to pretty to seal up just yet. The ribbon is tied around the envelope....if you wanted to place the card inside the envelope you could easily just tied the ribbon around the envy and add the little clip and journaling card to the outside.
The card features pretty spring colors of peachy pink tulips that were paper pieced with the same paper from the envelope lining. I used Handwritten Notes for the card front sentiment. Additional patterned papers were used for a scalloped cut border on the right side of the focal piece. I then machine stitched around 3 sides.
I used Copic markers to color the flower stems and to add a bit of shading on the side of the jar and label. The inside of the jar was stamped with the polka dot filler image in Aqua Mist ink. It gives the idea of water without having to shade it all with the markers. So that I had additional room on my card front for a sentiment and other embellishments, I cut a portion of the flowers in the jar off on the left side. Still just as beautiful without taking up the entire card front.
A splendid little gift that I know someone will just love. Hope you give it a try.