This week Mairead is at Whiz Kids Science Camp!  Do you know what that means?  It means I am walking in circles around my house because I have no clue what to do with myself!  I haven’t had this much time to myself since before she was born.  I don’t like it.

It’s only a day camp but so far my little Einstein is enjoying it.  The early mornings are also giving her a little taste of what it will be like to wake up for school each day.  What’s new for me is learning how to pack a nut-free lunch.  I had no idea just how many nuts we eat in a day until this week.

I had intended on posting this project in the springtime as most people have their flowers in full bloom by now but it got lost in the shuffle.  Regardless, I’m sharing it with you today because they are just the cutest little way to brighten someone’s day with a thank you or as a party favor for those warm summer evening garden parties.

The first time I made this was as a party favor for my daughter’s first birthday.  Most of the guests were women I had worked with and a few friends and I was new at throwing kids birthdays so I wanted to make a good impression.  We had moved into our house the same week and don’t ask me how, but on top of unpacking, decorating and party planning I found time to make seed paper!

Seed paper is handmade paper embedded with garden seeds.  Once planted in soil (pots or garden) the seeds then germinate and grow into flowers.  You can also use vegetable or herb seeds if you like.  You can even throw in dried flower petals for some extra color.

I’ve seen other people build their own screen contraption for this craft, but there’s no need for all the effort.  I purchased a flat screen-like kitchen tool from Dollarama in the barbecue aisle for $1.  Keep it simple.

I have also made this before using cookie cutters for various shapes, but I prefer the naturally torn look.  But the sky’s the limit!  Have fun!

 

Handmade Wildflower Seed Paper

Materials You’ll Need

A blender
Torn up scraps of paper
Water (enough to just cover the paper when in the blender)
A screen or mesh
Paper towel
Seeds

What To Do

Add the torn scraps of paper to the blender and add enough water to just cover the paper.

Blend until the paper becomes a wet pulp.

Transfer the pulp to the screen and evenly spread thin.  Try not to leave it too thick as it takes too long to dry and is more difficult to tear or cut apart.

Press out some of the water with your hands by pressing down firmly with paper towel.

Sprinkle the flower seeds over the wet pulp and press them gently into the paper.  You may press out more water if needed.

Allow to dry completely.  Depending how thick your seed paper is, this could take anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days.  I laid mine outside in the sunlight and it was completely dry in about 2 hours.

Cut or tear the seed paper to your desired shape and size.  Add patterned paper, ribbon or twine as embellishments.  Enjoy!

By Three Happy Folk