My second seed packet is about 1/4 way done. My idea for this packet is small business seeds, which in my mind is related to helping our economy grow, creating more jobs and increasing consumer spending (which will be my third packet).
I put a lot of detail into the light bulb and the trunk of the tree. The light bulb represents an idea, since any business first starts with an idea. I applied a gradient to the strokes of the trunk and branches, which I needed a refresher to accomplish. The method I used (since I have CS5.1) was to select the stroke with the Direct Selection tool, then I chose Object from the menu bar, then Path, then Outline Stroke. I decided to apply gradients to the trunk and branches of the next plant because there is an outer glow effect applied to the top of the light bulb. The Outer Glow effect is intended to convey brightness and an attempt at balance with lighting with the sun.
The roots are similar to the first packet. I added some roots to give it a more complete feel, and the trunk grows out of the light bulb. I intend the plant to be a bush or a small tree with related elements like I did with the Job Seeds packet.

I also have made changes to the first packet based on comments/suggestions by classmates. I removed all the additional plants, which I placed there with the idea of having it appear as a field with lots of new jobs growing. It was a last minute decision to add them because I thought it looked too bare. But now looking at the revised version again, it does look better with space around the plant and flowers.