Seed Paper Tutorial
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?
:]
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This is totally fun!!! I didn’t know you could do that
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Launi Reply:
April 27th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
I know~ it was soo easy and fun. Even the bald kid made some. It was so great.
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Helen Reply:
June 12th, 2010 at 2:25 am
what is bald kid
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Launi Reply:
July 18th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
My son…he shaves his head bald. So we call him the “bald kid.”
:]
a Reply:
June 11th, 2010 at 3:22 am
This reminds me of the days of watching Reading Rainbow except they made their paper out of recycled jeans. Who knew people were so environmentally conscious in 1995?
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J ^_^ Reply:
September 29th, 2010 at 12:57 am
oh man I remember that episode! lol **nostalgia**
♪♫ Reading Raiiinbooow… Reading Raiiinbooow.. ♪♫
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lacastillo87 Reply:
November 8th, 2010 at 12:58 am
hey…I was just talking about that episode telling my friend about it, and she was all amazed! I hadn’t even made anything yet….aw, I love me some reading rainbow
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That is very clever indeed. I really want to try it!! (p.s. I got my sis to comment on your comfort food post–hope it helps!)
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Launi Reply:
April 27th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Thank you–thank you. Boy, I really had to beg for some of those so every one really helped. I’ll post the results soon.
In the meantime–you should totally make the paper. It’s incredible.
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So cool! I saw them at your house yesterday. I made paper once when I was in Elementary school. It wasn’t near as pretty.
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Launi Reply:
April 27th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Well, this was so fun and went pretty fast to. I was surprised.
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Nice. That is a good gift idea. I should make some for visiting teachers birthdays.
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Launi Reply:
April 27th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Hey~that’s a good idea…
hmmmmm…..
:]
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Doing this with you really sparked my imagination. It felt like SO many things could be done with it. We should do it some more
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Launi Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
It would make great gift tags–I think.
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We made paper one year for our school co-op (ancient history year).
.
The kids saved dryer lint, thread from the sewing room floor, colored tissue paper etc etc. We made larger sheets (our frame was made with 1X1 wood) and then after studying and practicing calligraphy, they wrote their favorite poem or saying on it. They were so proud and had so much fun and were so glad they weren’t a monk printing a Bible page
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Launi Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Dude…so am I.
:]
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This is SUCH an awesome idea! I love it! I don’t think I’ve ever made paper of any kind, but paper with seeds in it, how cool is that?!? Thanks for the awesome how-to.
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Launi Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
We need to plant some and get an idea how to spread it out. I’m thinking it would be best to tear it up first.
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WOW Launi, What CAN’T you do. You are amazing!! With all those skills in making paper, I guess you don’t need me anymore
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Launi Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Welllllll….I don’t seem to be able to keep quiet very well, and I can’t resist Cheetoes, and I can’t balance my checkbook. I could go on and on.
:]
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I’ve seen similar tutorials before but this one makes it look so much easier, the photos and desription are great and I am definatley going to give it a try now.
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Launi Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
Do try it. The instructions I originally had made quite a mess. So we tweaked it and it turned out easy and so great. You’ll really enjoy this.
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I totally agree that this is one great tut! I, too, have seen this project several times but yours is the easiest one to understand. I’ve made recycled paper with my students but I still haven’t done this with seeds. Maybe next year! Thanks for taking the time to do this and for publishing for us to us. Have a great day!
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Launi Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
The seeds just make it feel so worthwhile. Just think, even if it ends up in a land fill someday–it has the potential to make something beautiful again. That makes me very happy.
I hope you try it. We’re going to add little dried Forget-me-nots next time.
:}
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So Cute. Recycling used white computer paper instead of ripping up blank computer paper would make this project even better …
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Launi Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
I agree wholeheartedly–so I’ll change that right now.
:]–thanks!
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I made paper once a long time ago. but it seems pretty cute to put flower seeds in it :3
although I’d suggest you mention recycling paper ): like grabbing up all that junkmail that gets thrown out and make paper with it.
when I was younger we used old newspaper and left over scraps of construction paper to make new sheets of paper, and the ink washed out so it was really just colourful.
I think someone else mentioned it. but lets be earth friendly! ^_^
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Launi Reply:
June 24th, 2010 at 12:32 am
I’m with you. I’ve changed the paper to be a bit more earth friendly. Thanks for the nudge. I love it.
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I have been searching for this………so glad I found it.
I have seen such paper used as a funeral memorial. Nice work.
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“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.”
If I’m reading this correctly, can this be used for growing seedlings?
I got some seedlings to plant in but I’m not sure they’ll grow 100% guaranteed and we don’t have a soil on our backyard, too (We’re just using pots)
Wonderful bookmark!
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Launi Reply:
October 21st, 2010 at 9:10 am
I’m going to plant a couple and then I’ll post the pictures. I’ll have to do it indoors because it’s getting too cold outside. Stay tuned…
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Awesome! I think I might try this some time this summer. I might make some thicker paper so I can write on it for home use, then once I’m done with it, plant it!
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Great tutorial about seed paper. I stumbled across another site where a big company put seed paper through their printer and made a mess of their printer with all the seeds falling off. I thought it was funny, cute and neat and wanted some. Then I stumbled across your site. Thanks. I’ve added a link on my site to yours. Keep up the good work.
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does is actually grow?
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Why don’t you just buy paper and save the hassle?
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Jerome Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Nah, I find this creativity as fun not a hassle.
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This is brilliant! I have an online crafts store and I’ve been searching for a nice little free gift to include in my packages. Because my packages must weigh under 13 oz to get the cheapest postal rate, these lovely flower seed bookmarks are a perfect solution. Thank you for the tutorial.
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Launi Reply:
October 21st, 2010 at 9:08 am
Are you making them now? I’d love to see them!
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I always hate it when my catalogs are moving around on me. I prefer my stationery catalogs… stationary.
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I am soooooo happy to have stumbled upon this! I am getting married and we want to use this kind of paper for our invitations. To buy them would cost us a couple hundred dollars, so this saves us money and we can make them, which is more personal! Thanks so much!
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I like the stick frame. I made the paper with my second grade students using embroidery hoops for the frame. The students wrote a Mother’s Day message on the paper.
I just found your great site. Keep up the great work.
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Launi Reply:
October 21st, 2010 at 9:06 am
Thanks so much!
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Great tutorial! Using the white paper looks beautiful, but I want to make this paper for Christmas gift tags. Any idea how it would look with red construction paper? Just as pretty? I’m looking for festive. Thanks!
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Launi Reply:
October 21st, 2010 at 9:05 am
Oh, I’m sure it would be lovely! I’d love to see a picture of the end result.
:}
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Beautiful, Our local council made artistic postcards with seeds with different seeds from herbs, I’ve planted them and so far nothing has grown yet, but the weather is weirdly cool for Oct in Australia. Makes beautiful textured paper. Maybe wheatgrass or beansprouts would be good for kids cos they grow quick.
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Launi Reply:
October 21st, 2010 at 9:04 am
They would make pretty bumpy paper. :}
I used snapdragon, marigold, and a wildflower mix that I had. Guess I’ll have to plant another one and post the pictures.
Tell us how your idea works–I’d love to see it!
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you could use this to make letter shapes in your garden byt making letter shaped paper.
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Launi Reply:
November 8th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
What an adorable idea! It would especially work great if you were using the same type of seed throughout–so they’d be the same size and shape.
:}
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there is a company who makes seed paper that looks like regular paper that you can run through the printer w/o problem.i dont know who,but i saw it at the library.they made bookmarks out of it
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Launi Reply:
November 8th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Oh, I’ve seen that too. You have to use teeny, tiny seeds though or when the paper is pressed it will damage the seeds.
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http://www.bloominpromotions.com/seeded-paper-seed-mixes.html
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Launi Reply:
November 8th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
Wowwww….maybe some day I could get my carrots in an actual straight row with this stuff!
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You can also add things such as cut up ribbon (small pieces), crayon shavings, and pretty much anything that is little and pretty.
Cut open tea bags produce a really beautiful result.
Also, if you are planning on making A LOT of paper you can get a big plastic tub and vary the size of your screens. Empty wooden frames can work very well.
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Launi Reply:
November 8th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
You can use a small, intact window screen too. That works well. Be sure when adding different tiny pieces of things that they aren’t something that will leech chemicals or strong dyes into the mix. It could screw up the seed’s ability to germinate properly.
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Great Idea!!!
But please be careful with which seed one chooses. Many plants are invasive and many commercially available wildflower mixes have invasive seeds as part of their mix.
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Launi Reply:
November 8th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
GOOD, good point LennyP. I’m not a fan of Morning Glory for that very reason. In Utah it’s seen as a weed–WE HATE It. But I’m amazed to see it in tons of commercially packaged wild flower mixes. I used my own seeds from our yard–that way, I was certain what EXACTLY I was working with.
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This was so neat and you’re instructions & pictures where great… thanks for sharing…
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Thanks for a great tutorial! My freshly made paper is drying right now.
I ended up using plastic needlepoint canvas for my screen. It worked great and was easy to cut to a usable size!
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Launi Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:54 am
What a fabulous idea–plastic canvas! Thanks so much. I’m going to have to try that. :}
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That’s a fantastic tutorial! The paper is absolutely beautiful. Something I’m definitely going to do!
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This is wonderful! I would love for you to share this project on my Inspiration Board.
http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/2011/07/inspiration-board-link-party.html
carolyn | homework
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excellent idea and what a fab instructional blog post, thank you
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im going to make shaped garden spots using this idea
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I want to make this for wedding favours, does anyone know if can they be made in advace (6-8 weeks) or does the wet pulp start germination?
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Launi Reply:
January 11th, 2012 at 1:07 pm
No, I’ve kept mine for nearly a year now and they’re fine. They aren’t wet long enough to germinate.
They would make fabulous favors. :}
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This. Is. The. Coolest. Idea. EVER. You are doing it on a small-scale, which is EXCELLENT for children! And the tutorial was the most detailed I have seen! I absolutely love and adore this idea, and have most promptly pinned it on Pinterest, and am working of Material Aquisition in the morn. Thank you! (I think that may have been a run-on sentence. oops.)
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Launi Reply:
April 1st, 2012 at 9:03 pm
You are adorable! Thanks so much for your kind words and I’m positively thrilled that you love this idea. It was incredible fun. I hope you’ll stick with us. We have a ton of fun around here. Thanks for reading!
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Have you tried planting these yet? How long until germination? How many plants sprouted (and/or lived) from one strip? Thanks!
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Launi Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 10:18 am
Before we did the tutorial, I found some printable seed paper online at Botanical Paperworks. Not sure if it’s too pricey to be practical or not. But it might be worth checking into.
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Did this with my kids for Spring Break Camp. We made our screens a bit larger cause we had some scraps of wood to use up, but followed everything else. Thanks for the tutorial!
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Launi Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 10:23 am
So glad you had a good time with your children. Thanks so much for the comment. :}
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I plan on making as much of this as I can for my wedding invitations! Going to try to get a good color with some crayola markers (which are non-toxic), and use vellum paper as an overlay. Can’t wait! Thanks for the great idea.
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This paper is just what I’m looking for for my wedding save the date cards! Can the paper be printed on, from a home printer? Has anyone tried that?
I’m looking forward to making it!
Thanks!
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Have you ever made these into seed bombs?? I am trying to find a good tutorial for them and I haven’t had much luck . Just wondering if you had, how you did it
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Launi Reply:
January 18th, 2013 at 8:07 pm
No, I never have. In fact, I’m not even sure what a seed bomb is. Sorry.
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I was looking for some seeded self-promo for my eco-friendly promotional products company, but wasn’t finding what I needed from my current suppliers. Dang it I’m not motivated now, to make my own! Your tutorial is REALLY great, and easy-to-follow and, as such, is truly inspiring.
Thanks so much for sharing this!
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Launi Reply:
January 18th, 2013 at 8:08 pm
Well, you might feel like trying it some day. I hope so. It was really fun! :}
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Ashley Reply:
January 19th, 2013 at 6:34 am
@Launi,
Ha! Oh, how a typo can change an entire sentence/sentiment!
So sorry I didn’t catch it before hitting “done!”
What my comment should’ve said was, “…Dang if I don’t feel like making my own now!” (At which point, I hopped into my car, to head to the craft store, to get all the proper tools. It turned out to be SO much fun, and such a great family project!)
Thank you again for this awesome, easy-to-follow tutorial!!
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Launi Reply:
January 19th, 2013 at 8:30 am
OHhh Ashley~ That is sooo funny! I’m truly glad you made the seed paper and I’m glad you loved it like we did. Thanks for telling me the REAL story. haha!
Sammy Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 3:31 pm
@Launi,
does it look cool??
How did the paper come out after you planted it…you promised you would keep us posted
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Hey, loved the easy tutorial with pictures! But may I suggest using scrap paper, or some sort of reusable paper instead? (yayy for being a bit more Eco friendly!)
Also, for seeds I think it’s a great idea to use local wildflowers (or anything that isn’t invasive). The bees will be so happy in the spring!
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