I first heard of seed paper–or hand made paper that has real flower seeds embedded in the pulp itself and is actually plantable–about a year ago while browsing through a stationary catalog. It was the coolest idea I’d ever seen–and so incredibly spring-y!
Well, who knew that you could make this funky stuff all by yourself? And dang we had a good time! These would be just perfect to include with a birthday or Christmas card–don’t you think?
First Step:
Making the Screen Frame
Here’s what you’ll need for the screen frame:
6-12 wide craft sticks–think tongue depressors
Craft glue
1 or 2 pieces of mesh or screen about 6″x6″
electrical tape
Glue four sticks together–like this.
Lay the screen over the sticks and glue in place.
Now glue two more sticks–one on the top and one on the bottom. Cut two more sticks and glue in place like this.
I rested a glass bowl over the frames to hold everything in place until the glue dried.
Your frame should look pretty much like this.
Now wrap the whole frame with electrical tape, making sure to cover all the exposed wood.
Second Step:
Making the paper pulp
Here’s what you’ll need to make the pulp:
4-6 pieces of used white computer paper, construction paper, art paper, newspaper or junk mail
small flower seeds
water
hemp twine (optional)
ground cinnamon (optional)
dried petals (optional)
Tear the paper up into 1-2 inch pieces…
and put it in the blender. Pour in enough warm water to cover the paper.
Blend until paper turns to pulp. It looks like white oatmeal.
If you want to add cut up pieces of hemp twine–now’s the time. Whirl it up.
Have your seeds ready–but don’t add them yet. Do not put your seeds in the blender. I probably didn’t need to say that–but you never know. Ok, now fill a 9×13 glass Pyrex dish half full with warm water. Spoon enough pulp into the water to make it like a thin soup.
Now add about a couple teaspoons of the seeds. Add the crushed, dried flower petals and a sprinkle or two cinnamon–if you want.
Stir it all together.
Step #3
Making the seed paper
Dip your screen into the pulp solution. Move it around like you are panning for gold or something, until there is enough on the screen to cover it.
Push pulp from the edges of the frame onto the screen with a spoon or table knife.
Kinda like this…
Carefully tip the frame over–pulp side down…
onto a towel.
With another towel, press down on the screen to sponge out the excess water.
Press for about 1 minute.
Now gently lift off the frame. If you have to coax the paper off the frame just go slowly–nudging with a table knife if you need to.
Let your paper rest on the towel until it’s dry enough to move. Transfer to a pan and allow to dry all the way–overnight is best. If you’re in a hurry you can use a blow dryer set on low.
Once it’s completely dry, tear it carefully in half.
Poke or punch a hole in the top somewhere–more in the middle than mine is–and loop twine through the hole–to use as a bookmark.
Once you are finished with it you can tear it into pieces and plant it in loose, moist soil–about 1/4 to 1/2 in deep.
Now then…don’t you feel clever?
