Blooming Paper Handmade Cards

Greeting Cards That Keep on Giving

These handmade paper cards will delight when you give them; then again when they bloom in your friend's garden.

Blooming Paper Handmade Card Materials

One full sheet of tissue paper in color of your choice
2 pieces of copy paper or 20 weight paper
Small package of flower seeds
1 ¼ cup of warm water
Blender or food processor
2 thick towels
Wax paper
Cookie rack
Paper cutter
Paper, fabric or silk flower
1 small brad
Elmer's Glue All

Instructions for Blooming Paper Card

Cut or tear the tissue and copy paper into small pieces and place in the blender.

Pour in the water and blend until all the paper is broken up and like a mash.

Pour the flower seeds into the blender and just lightly stir together.

Place one double-folded thick towel on a protected surface and pour the mixture onto the towel. When all the mixture has been poured, start to smooth it out with your hands. It will be slightly thick but you can smooth it out even more for thinner paper.

Press the remaining towel over the paper and continue to press the paper until much of the water has been removed.

Gently lift the paper from the towel on place it on wax paper that has been placed over a cookie rack.

Let paper dry an hour or two and then turn it over. Continue to turn the paper every couple of hours until it is almost completely dry.

Lay a book over the paper to keep it flat but check it now and then until it is completely dry.

The handmade seed-filled paper can then be cut to shape with a paper cutter or in freehand design and used on a card or rough folded to use for an entire card as shown here.

Write your message on plain paper and use double sided tape to place it inside the card.

Make a note for the back of the card that the seed-filled handmade paper can be planted at ¼-inch depth to allow the flower seeds to sprout.

You might also note the type and color of flowers so that the recipients can place them in the best spot in their garden.

Supplies for Molded Pig Card

One sheet of pink or color of your choice card stock paper - any weight is fine
1 ¼ cup of warm water
Small package of flower seeds - example is a spring mixture
Blender or food processor
Small scissors or X-Acto knife
One thick towel
Hand towel or large absorbent rag
Clay mold
Colored chalk
Small paint brush
Piece of wax paper large enough to hold the molded paper

Instructions for Molded Pig Card

Cut or tear the sheet of cardstock into small pieces and place in the blender.

Pour in the water and blend until all the paper is broken up and like a mash.

Pour the flower seeds into the blender and just lightly stir together.

Double fold the towel on a protected surface or kitchen counter and place the clay mold on the towel.

Pour all the blended paper into the mold making sure you keep the paper in the mold. Since this mixture is really runny some will flow over the sides but this can be scooped up with your fingers and pressed into the mold.

When all the paper is in the mold, use one end of the towel to press it very firmly into all the recessed areas.

Repeat with the hand towel until no more moisture is absorbed.

Set outside in a warm place to dry (paper side up) until the paper begins to pull away from the mold. Or you can place it in a 250 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until the paper pulls away from the mold.

Set the molded paper right side up on a piece of wax paper and continue to let dry for several hours.

Trim the sides with scissors or an X-Acto knife.

Using a small paint brush and the colored chalk lightly dust color onto the molded paper.