I started by die cutting all my pieces of designer paper, then sponging everything - it's a super light color, MFT Grout Gray; I did add a bit of MFT Kraft also. I then distressed all those layers, added fun foam to the striped and polka dot panel; but before adhering those layers, I added some gesso to the very base layer, you can see it peeking out the sides. Then I used a Tim Holtz mini stencil and some translucent texture paste for the polka dot panel. I thought that alone sure was pretty. (photos on my blog)
The pink flower has been in my stash for years - *GULP* - but it sure came in handy! I then die cut leaves from MFT's Layered Leaves, and longer leaf branches from Simon Says Stamp Believe in the Season, typically a more winter/Christmas themed stamp set - but seriously, you can make these images work ANY TIME! The longer leaf stems I again stamped with either MFT Grout Gray (white card stock images) or Kraft (natural card stock images); I cut all the leaves from Neenah 80 lb. white and MFT Natural. Once everything was die cut, I searched my stash for things I might use, twine, stickers, etc. I adhered everything with Tombow Mono Multi to give me a bit of wiggle room to place pieces. I then just began adding and adding. Yeah - it'll never fit in an envelope - LOL!
Once I THOUGHT I was done, I added 3 stickers, painted some gesso on the pink flower, watered down some white paint and splattered it everywhere and then at the last minute, I added the mini clothespin.
Accessories: MFT Layered Leaves dies, Simon Says Stamp Believe in the Season die, Tim Holt wish ticket, heart dies - sorry, not sure who makes these, twine, fun foam, PTI A2 Vertical Scalloped die, Double Stitched Frames