Plantable Seed Paper

Seed Paper How-To

The process includes making a pulp created from sheets of regular paper mixed with water in a blender. It’s then strained through a fine mesh screen and dried. Once dry, the pulp binds together to create your homemade paper.

MATERIALS
Screen
8 jumbo craft sticks
White craft glue
12x12” piece of window screen or cheesecloth
Black electrical tape
Scissors

Pulp
Few sheets of white copy paper*
Water
Flower and/or herb seeds
Blender
13x9” baking pan
Kitchen towels
Household sponge

*Tip: You can use copy paper, construction paper and newspaper. Avoid glossy paper from magazine pages and store flyers.

INSTRUCTIONS
Screen Instructions

1. Glue 4 craft sticks together at the corners to make a square frame, then lay the window screen or cheesecloth over it to cover completely.
2. Make the second layer of craft sticks flush with the first by gluing 2 craft sticks to two opposite sides of the frame. This will hold the cheesecloth in between the bottom and top layers. Next, use scissors to trim the round ends off of the two remaining craft sticks, then glue them along the remaining sides of the frame.*
3. Use scissors to trim the rounded edges, then cover the frame edges with electrical tape, tucking in overlapping cheesecloth under the tape.

*Tip: Pull the cheesecloth taut while gluing the sticks down. Place a book on top of the frame to hold it together and let it dry.

Pulp & Seed Instructions

1. Tear paper into 1-2” squares and place in the blender. Pour just enough warm water to cover the paper scraps and turn the blender on. Process until a thin paste is formed.
2. Fill a baking pan halfway with warm water. Add the paste from the blender into the baking pan and stir gently.
3. Sprinkle seeds over the top of the pulp in the pan. If crafting different types of paper such as flowers and herbs, place some of the pulp in a different bowl or dish to keep them separate.
4. Place a kitchen towel on the counter and keep a second towel and household sponge nearby. Dip the screen into the pan and lift out some of the pulp.
5. Gently tilt the screen back and forth to even out the pulp layer, then lift the screen out of the pan and let the excess water drip off.
6. Place the screen onto the kitchen towel and gently place the second kitchen towel on top of it. Holding everything together, carefully flip it upside down and place back on the counter. Remove the towel that is now on top.
7. Press firmly down on top of the cheesecloth screen with the sponge to pull out as much excess water as possible.
8. Lift the frame and loosen the seeded paper, then set it on a wire rack to dry.

Tip: Sprinkle dried herbs, flower petals or leaves onto the pulp for a darling embellishment.

Quick Tip

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What to Make

Now that you have seeded paper, there are several ways to use it:

• Bookmark: Poke a hole at the top, thread twine through and tie a knot.
• Greeting card: Embellish a larger card, or use the paper itself as the card.
• Place cards: Makes a great take-home favor for tea parties and bridal or baby showers.
• Invitations: Write directly on the paper with biodegradable ink.
• Ornaments: Add a ribbon and embellish with dried flowers or leaves for a lively decoration.

Tip: Cut the paper into shapes and place them against plain or striped paper. And don't toss the scraps! Plant them outdoors, or wrap in a wet paper towel and place them in a plastic bag to see if they sprout.

Gifting Tip: Fill a 4” clay pot 3/4 full with potting soil. Cut a piece of seeded paper into a heart shape and attach it to a pipe cleaner with a dab of glue. Insert into the dirt in the pot, and present it as a gift. All they have to do is plant the heart and watch it grow!