June 12, 2010

Friendship Jar

Sweet ol' summer time. For me, it's a time when I want life to slow down a little for my family. It's a time for staying up late and sleeping in. It's a time to put away my calendar and the long lists. It's a time for enjoying friends and family. It's a time for porch sitting and sipping on ice cold drinks. It's a time to just enjoy the process and take life one day at a time. I welcome you to join Jordan and me for a little front porch party. Along with our porch party today is Papertrey's Group Post day. Our assignment was to create a homemade gift ensemble using Friendship Jar and accessories. My gift does not come in the form of box and gift wrap. Instead I'm showing you a gift that circles around a little event.....maybe you could recreate this same type of gift for one of your loved ones.

It all started with a morning stroll through the gardens. We noticed that our tiny strawberry plants had red, ripe berries. We were so tickled. Jordan ran for the strawberry pan and she picked every one she saw. Our first strawberries from the garden. There is nothing like vine ripened strawberries, fresh from the patch. They just burst in our mouth with juicy, sweet flavor.
We knew what was for breakfast this particular morning. Strawberries, of course. Josey was still in bed sawing logs so Jordy and I decided to have breakfast on the front porch. She insisted on making our favorite Cranberry Lime Cooler. You can find the original post and recipe here. This year we added fresh strawberries to the mix, kind of like a sangria. So yummy. And later you'll see our cute garnish too. I found this adorable miniature glass pitcher at an antique shop earlier this year. Perfect for our Cranberry Lime Cooler. Perfect for my new Friendship Jar set coming out this month at Papertrey Ink.
I just had to make a run to my Artsy Studio to create a quick tag. I left Jordan in the kitchen to fancy up our strawberry fixins. For the tag, I used a Large Manilla Parcel tag, some pink Wrinkle Ribbon and a carnival ticket from my Etsy shop. For the adorable jar image, I used lots of goodies that all coordinate. You guys are going to be absolutely spoiled with this set....on this tag alone, I used the jar stamp, a filler stamp in pink ink, the 5 cent image, the special brew image and a scalloped topper image with coordinating die. Everything you need to complete little jar ensembles are included within the Friendship Jar set, Friendship Jar Fillers set and the coordinating dies. I also used a new label die image coming out this month too. There's one that comes with Friendship Jar but this one was a little larger to accommodate the strawberry image from Vintage Picnic, which I colored with Copic markers. It went so well with our strawberry theme.

Now on to our breakfast on the porch. It's amazing how a few strawberries and a fun little tag started what became a fun memory for Jordan and me.
Jordan changed into a cute dress and an old apron that I dearly love. She used some of my new silver goodies to carry out breakfast and drinks out to the porch. I think she's kinda cute.
And here is our wonderful tray of Cranberry Lime Coolers, complete with lime wedges and a fresh strawberry garnish. We used pint mason jars....everything tastes better in a jar if you ask me. Our drinks were ice cold and the jars were sweating like crazy. I think the tag and ribbon on the pitcher was so dang cute too.
Here's our whole presentation. I've started collection silver plate items for special little occasions like our breakfast on the porch. Here I used a wonderful, ornate tray and cream and sugar set for our strawberries and sugar. How cute would this be to bring this tray of goodies over to a friend's house.....or perhaps create a wonderful gift by searching for items like the tray, sugar and creamer sets, two mason jars for drink glasses and a cute little pitcher. Add some pretty napkins and fun little tags and you will have the most unique gift EVER!
Such a pretty little presentation.
Jordan was pleased as punch over our little porch party. Those little freckles and red hair hair just make my heart swell out of my chest. I love that little kiddo. (Sorry, cute little red head girl does not come with gift.)
While I was making the tag, she collected roses and wild flowers from the field by our house. I think she's a very good floral arranger too, don't you? That wonderful strawberry tea pot was a gift from my dear friend Carol (I call her HB). I use it all the time.
Here's our yummo strawberries and sugar, perfect in the silver creamer and sugar bowls...along with a vintage silver spoon.
Now let the party begin. Jordan couldn't wait to dig into those strawberries.
And did she dig in. She was covered up to her knuckles in sticky sugar by the time we were done eating our strawberries.
Good times, laughter and just being together. Doing nothing much. Creating another memory to share later on.
Doing what our grandma's did while wearing a pretty apron....using a napkin that someone's grandma probably embroidered.
It was a very simple affair....but a few pretty details like my Friendship Jar tag, Jordan's flowers, my pretty teapot and silver tray......that's what make it fun. Fun for me to do. Fun for my friends and family to enjoy. Another gift idea would be to scour the shops for vintage teapots...use them for wildflower arrangements and add a pretty tag....who wouldn't love that?
I hope you love all the goodies I've shown you today. And I hope you are inspired to create some goodies of your own. Keep it simple...add a few fun details....and just enjoy the good times. Have a great day, my friends.

But don't let the fun stop here. Join me as I blog hop to the other Papertrey Designers' blogs to see what they've whipped up using Friend Jar and Friend Jar Fillers. I can't wait to see their projects!

49 comments:

CathyB said...

Awww, this was just the sweetest post ever! Your little girl is going to be just like you isn't she? So creative! What a special mommy-daughter memory. And, I've gotta have that jar stamp set!

Kimberly said...

Lovely post! And lovlier memories...

Jennie C said...

I laughed with delight when I read your post--we live on your easy squeezy cranberry lime coolers at our house!!

The pictures of your daughter really capture the feel of being there with her--you are a great photographer (and, obviously, a great mom)!

Margaret C said...

Oh, Mish. I hope I give my daughters the quality of memoriess you are generating for yours. How wonderful ( and Josie is TOTALLY adorable ! XX

Eveline said...

Thank you for sharing that memorable morning.
Thank you too for coming up with the idea for the jar stampset. It will go on my wishlist.
Eveline.

Cammie said...

Oh, what a special breakfast and memory you and Jordan created. This is such a lovely post. I love this stamp set! It is definitely going in my cart.

Sue Ann said...

The memories you made on this morning are amazing and you have molded her into being this kind of person when she grows up ..... the world needs more moms like you !! Oh and of course the project is adorable

Alice said...

so sweet!! lovely post and project!!

Deirdre said...

Thank you Mish for sharing those beautiful memories with us. This calls to mind my own strawberry memories, my father planted his plants with a path through them, hence the name Strawberry Path and we always found a reason to walk it and check the fruit. Our poor mother would send us out to pick some for dessert knowing that there had been quite a crop earlier in the day and now they barely filled the end of the dish!!! Just love your new set but thanks for sending me back down the Strawberry Path memories albeit sadly without my mother.

Isabel Z said...

When she is a grown woman it's memories like this that Josie will remember. What a wonderful way to start the morning--unrushed, simply, and with a loved one. You can tell from her smile in the photos that she is a delight.

Becky Halfhill said...

So charming!! You are so blessed Mish, your babies are so beautiful!OH...and love the jar set!

Sheryl said...

Just gorgeous Michele- thank you so much for sharing your special time and creations with us! LOVE the stamps and all the coordinating goodies that go with them!

Debbie Fisher (debbiedee) said...

AHHHHH what precious memories you created with Jordan! She IS a great floral arranger! And to get dressed up to match the theme is just so sweet.

We are just picking our strawberries too and have had two strawberry lemonade slushies. I will have to try adding them to your cranberry limeade. I know my boys will love it.

I love your tag, story and how the strawberries were sliced to fit on the edge of the jar.

Holly Saveur said...

Michelle
Love your drawings of the jars you are such a great artist!
Love the photo's you just showed.
Your Daughter looks indee so nice with the apron( also wished I could have been there too.)
Can't wait to see more.
And the stamps and dies are a must have to me.

Jean Franks Beck said...

Mish, this set is brilliant!! So much fun! Thanks for sharing your talent with this gorgeous stamp set, and your beautiful (!) daughter - what a lovely and inspiring post. Made my morning!

Lin said...

Where have you been all my life? :)) I think we are kindred spirits......and are you familiar with Susan Branch, an author of cookbooks and a wonderful artist? If not, google her and sign up for her newsletters.....they are just as wonderful as yours! Thanks for some lovely ideas, and I can't wait to get these stamps in my hands. I am very new to Papertrey; just got the Vintage Picnic set yesterday and I am in love! You have captured the essence of summer with your post today!

Sandra Korten said...

Oh what a special morning you've had. Love reading it. I hope someday this is what I can do with my two little girls. Sitting on our new porch (It is in progress), the morning sun and eating strawberries.
Love it!

Diane Jaquay said...

Well Mish, I knew this set was going to be special, I just had no idea HOW special!!! I'm completely and thoroughly delighted with every bit of this, and can't wait to own it all and begin creating!!! Your presentation today warmed my heart, and your daughter is a total DOLL :)

Heather Rogers said...

You are amazing girl! This is a fabulous set you designed. Your daughter looks so cute in her apron carrying the tray of yummy looking coolers. Looks like you had a full photo shoot going on at your house. :)

Debra said...

If I ever run a way from home, I'm heading your way!! Love all your vintage ideas and this stamp set is so stinkin' cute.a MUST have.Thanks for all the wonderful ideas!! And Jordan is such a lovely young lady!

Kathi said...

Jordy is just adorable! She looks like a child from days gone by. What fun you guys always have doing little things. They will remember these times always. They are 2 lucky lucky girls & I know you feel like one lucky mama. Love love the jar set..I thought the picnic set was just the best but this tops it! Have always loved old things so I really enojoy your findings and postings. The jar set is going to be a must have, gotta have, can't wait to have!

Audrey Pettit said...

My goodness, you two are the cutest things ever!! I just adore your whole story. Thanks so much for sharing this! What a fabulous memory you've created that your DD will treasure forever. And I love your jar set project.
Thanks for making me smile this morning!

diane mcvey said...

Gee, I am almost in tears! Can I adopt you and Jordan??? What a wonderful Mom you are; and she is just precious. I have 2 red-heads, and she looks like she could have been MY daughter!!! She is just beautiful.
What a wonderful memory you two created! It makes me think of my Grandmother and me, and the things we used to do together. Ours weren't quite so "fancy", but yet I have such great memories of being with her, and cooking, and such. What a gift you have given Jordan, with this beautiful morning of strawberries! :D Hugs to you both.

Crafting Katie said...

OMG, too cute! I want to live at your house! :-) I'm loving your new stamp/die set. SO cute!

Unknown said...

Can I come live at your house? You make me wish my little 2 month old daughter was a lot older so I could do fun things like this with her! My 2 boys just don't appreciate this kinda thing - they'd rather play tractors! You rock my world!

Shirlann said...

Really special of you to share this with us...loved it! I have boys, so missed out with all the girlie things. I will try out your cooler recipe, but wait...are you going to share your fav margarita recipe too?? I will serve it in a mason jar, I promise!

Anonymous said...

Your daughter is beautiful, your set is amazing and I am printing off all the dang recipes! Great work. Thanks so much for sharing.

Elizabeth S. said...

I just loved ready your post today!! What an adorable redhead you have! Such a wonderful mother, daughter time. Those are such wonderful memories. Can't wait to get this set and matching dies.

Debbie Olson said...

Mish, what a delightful project AND daughter!

A Cup of Cold Water said...

What a sweet story! You have to be from Kansas to REALLY appreciate the summer life on a farm! I grew up on a farm, I get it!
That little red-head is a cuie, don't blame you for not including her!
Thanks for sharing!
Fellow Proud Kansan!
Susan

rush8888 said...

do i see a whole album full of this scrapbook-able moment?

victoria hassink said...

Mish what a wonderful party, just the kind of thing any little girl would love, don't you just love having a crafty little girl of your very own to do things with, and with such style!
Brilliant set, it is a must have. Enjoy your summer with the girls.

Noreen said...

Love your ideas, and your daughter looks so sweet! What great memories you are creating. Our strawberry picking season has just ended.

Tami McBeain said...

WOWIE Mish, AMAZING! I am so excited about the sets and all the dies, you thought of every detail! What a wonderful memory that you and Jordan will share.

Juanita B said...

Oh my GOODNESS!! Michelle, this is so of a better place and time in my life. Everything is beautiful, and that includes Jordan. Summertime and the living is easy, that's what comes to mind. Plus, all this pink and red just makes me happy. Your set is a must have, a staple, something no stamper should be caught without. TFS.

Carol's Ink Spot said...

Mish, what a fabulous post! I love how you share your family with us. This new set of yours is going to be an all time favorite and I'm definitely getting it! Thanks so much. PS: you have the cutest girls!

Lynn said...

Everything about this post is super sweet! thanks for sharing your ideas with us! Now I have to go shopping for jars!!!

Peggy said...

Mish, I just love your blog. The sweet strawberry and lime refreshing drink is perfect for a very hot Florida sunshine day. Isn't your daughter the cutest. I wish I had a daughter to share such special memories with but I guess it will just have to be with the boys! Thank you so much for sharing. By the way, love the tag and pitcher.
God bless!

Kristie Maynard said...

This is what good times and good memories are made of. Jordan is one lucky gal to have you doing these fun things with her.
Love all you ideas!

Sharli Schaitberger said...

Your project is awesome, but your DD is amazing! What a precious morning - what a delightful memory! Thanks for the inspiration and the treasure of witnessing your love.

PJ said...

You are truly blessed. Enjoy always. Pamela~

Mariah said...

What a lovely post! Your daughter is so sweet! What a beautiful memory!

Anonymous said...

Just too much to say about this post I don't know where to begin! But I have to say that your little Jordan is so adorable she looks like she just stepped off the pages of a magazine in that apron carring that tray-just too cute!!!
Love the stamp set and the dies to match too!

patriciad said...

Your tag is adorable, Mish. But Jordan in that cute little dress and apron?? Cutest yet!

debbiek said...

Just adorable project and your daughter is as cute as can be. Wonderful photographs:)

Ivy said...

Hi Mish, What a wonderful way to spend time with Jordan. My mom always took time for a 'party' in the midst of a very busy schedule on our dairy farm. Many years later I still do the same with my husband and son. This is something that your girls will appreciate more when they are older. Just a little suggestion for you to try- my mom serves strawberrries with sour cream and brown sugar. Dip the berry in sour cream and then sugar, it is very delicious. Have a great summer sipping your lime coolers on the porch.

DeeDee said...

Hey Mish!

I haven't said hey in FOREVER! So, HEY girlie!

You should so open a Bed and Breakfast...I would be your first guest! All your fun "stuff" and great ideas would have the people swarming in to stay with you! I promise you that! You have got to be the most fun Mama EVAH! HUGS & Smoochies girlfriend!

Nerina said...

This post is waaaaaaay beyond sweet, cute, adorable and wonderful! What a gorgeous set you have teamed up with Nichole to bring us this month!! And how inpsiring to be blessed with some of the real homegrown, homemade goodness that's behind it all :0)

Anonymous said...

What a load of crap!

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