Homemade Seed Paper
Seed paper is paper that has flowering seeds embedded in it. It can be used to write personal notes, send wedding invitations or given as a gift. Seed paper is usually made from recycled paper and can be recycled after use by planting it in the ground. Once planted, the paper will biodegrade and the seeds will flower into plants. Seed paper can be purchased at stationary stores and can be expensive. If you prefer, you can make your own at home from scrap paper and a pack of flower seeds for little money.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Paper
- Blender
- Tissue paper
- Warm tap water
- Flower seeds
- Wooden spoon
- Wire, mesh strainer
- Felt
- Sponge
- Bath towel
- Fan
- Magnet
Instructions
-
-
1
Tear paper into small pieces. Your pieces should be about 1/2 inch in size or smaller. You can use any type of paper you would like. However, if you want to be environmentally friendly, use paper that you would be recycling and not new, fresh paper. You will need enough torn paper to fill a blender half way.
-
2
Place the torn pieces of paper into the blender. Add one inch of tissue paper in the color of your choice. This will give a tint to the finished product, so choose a color you want your paper to be. Add warm tap water to the blender until it is filled with water.
-
-
3
Turn the blender on low. Slowly increase the speed of the blender until you reach high, increasing the speed every three to four seconds. This will prevent the paper from caking around the blender's blade.
-
4
Blend on high for 30 to 40 seconds. Your paper and water will have created a smooth pulp. Check the mixture to make sure you cannot see any flakes of paper. If you can, replace the lid of the blender and blend for another 10 to 15 seconds.
-
5
Remove the blender lid. Add flower seeds to the pulp mixture and stir it all together with a wooden spoon. Do not blend the flower seeds. A pinch of seeds will do it, you will not need more. You can use any flower seed you wish to grow, just make sure it is a small or flat seed to make it easier to write on your finished paper.
-
6
Pour the pulp and seed mixture through a wire, mesh strainer to separate the seeds and pulp from the water. Once all of the mixture is poured into the strainer, press down on the pulp mixture to squeeze out the excess water. It is best to do this all over a sink or large bowl to avoid a water mess on the floor.
-
7
Place your pulp mixture onto a piece of felt. You can use flannel if you prefer. Shape the pulp into the shape you want your finished paper to be using your hands. The paper should be thin. It does not have to be as thin as notebook paper, but the thicker it is, the longer it will take to dry.
-
8
Use your fingers to press the paper into the felt to remove more water. Go over the pulp using a dry sponge as well. This will also pull more water out of the paper. Wring out the sponge every few presses to dry it up. While you are pressing the paper with your fingers and the sponge, make sure you are making the paper flat.
-
9
Press the top of the paper with a bath towel to remove the last of the excess water.
-
10
Place your mostly dried paper in front of a house fan on low to dry it the rest of the way. If the paper is flapping around, place a small weight on the corners of the paper, such as a refrigerator magnet or the edge of a cup.
-
11
Peel your completed paper off the felt piece. You can then use your paper as stationary or you can plant it in your garden.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit flowers image by below from Fotolia.com
