Garden Variety

I've so enjoyed all the speculation on the boards over the last week or so about whether or not there was going to be a seed packet die/stamp set this time around. Surprise! There is! And it is fabulous! Using and creating with it reminds me so much of using the Button Boutique Collection. Endless variety, lots of fun, fabulous results for very little effort. It will be a go-to for me for sure.

I think around the time Year of Flowers: Lily of the Valley came out, I was thinking we needed a seed packet die. I sent a note off to Nichole about one, with the suggestion that the die be a frame so you wouldn't have to mask off flower images. My jaw hit the ground a few weeks ago when Nichole told me it was going to be a reality. And it was teamed up with another awesome concept by Melissa Phillips. Whoohoo! This is my first time being a part of the creative process when it comes to product design. Just might become addicting. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.

On to my project. My mother is an avid gardener and I wanted to make a cute little set of gift cards for her using the seed packet frame and pocket. Five cards and envelopes are packaged together in a little box. You might recognize it....Favor It Box 3 with a little touch of alternations. So easy. Hard to see, but it is impression with the new Cane Print Impression Plate.

 Melissa's idea for a seed packet envelope/pocket makes for the perfect delivery of these bitty note cards. Label Basics dies and stamps on top give room for the addressee's name. I like wrapping them around to the back.  Seems more special.

I decided to use Delightful Dahlia dies and stamps for my flowers. I had a few new My Mind's Eye 6x6 paper packs on my desk that I was dying to use. Everything used together looks so vintage.

A few close ups:

You can team up some of the images from Button Boutique (in this photo, the frame)  to create even more options for the seed packets.

Color in some of the images, including that intricate vintage border, for a watercolor feel.

Love not having to mask those flowers. Also fun to have a leaf go outside the bounds of the frame for a nice touch.

Remember to stamp the backs. Handmade is indeed best. But I don't need to tell you that:).

Looking forward to seeing the seed packets used with the new Year of Flowers collection, the individual Year of Flowers, and all the other little goodies from the new Garden Variety set that are going to be featured by the other design team members. Be sure to check them out:

Nichole Heady
Jessica Witty
Betsy Veldman
Dawn McVey
Heather Nichols
Lisa Johnson
Melissa Phillips
Michelle Wooderson
Maile Belles
Danielle Flanders

Supplies:

Stamps: Garden Variety, Delightful Dahlias, Button Boutique, Tiny Tags, Label Basics
Dies: Seed Packet Frame, Seed Packet, Delightful Dahlias, Angled Labels Collection, Tiny Tags, Favor It Box #3, Button Boutique, Mat Stack 2
Impression Plate: Cane Print
PTI Ink: True Black, Spring Moss
Cardstock: Kraft, Vintage Cream
Rustic Button Twine
Copics
Patterned Paper: Stella and Rose Collection by My Mind's Eye
CTMH ink in Hollyhock