Handmade Paper

Is it just me, or do others find birthday and holiday cards excessively expensive and packaged?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could transform recycled paper into handmade paper and create beautiful cards containing plantable seeds?

This handmade paper can make a creative and eco-friendly alternative to traditional greeting cards. After enjoying the heartfelt message, recipients can plant the card, and watch it grow into beautiful flowers or herbs.

Now, let’s get ready to create sustainable and meaningful greetings with handmade paper and plantable cards.

Equipment

• Paper shredder (Optional; You can also cut or tear the paper into small pieces)
• Blender or food processor
• Large bin (I just took a drawer from my refrigerator)
• Paper making frames (I bought them from Temu. They are $7.78 for 3. You can also find them on Amazon, or DIY them using wooden frames and fine mesh.)
• Towels

Materials

• Recycled paper (Scrap papers, flyers, packaging paper, used envelops, or old cards)
• Water
• Seeds (Optional; You can use vegetable, fruit, or wildflower seeds)
• Food coloring (Optional)

Instructions

1. Gather a box of recycled paper (see note 1 for tips on paper selection). Shred, cut, or tear the paper into small pieces.

2. Place the paper pieces into a large bin and add enough warm water to submerge all the paper pieces. Soak the paper overnight.

3. Use a blender or food processor to blend the soaked paper into a pulp. You may need to blend them in batches. I blended each batch on high speed for 1 minute.

4. Fill a large bin ⅓ full with water. Add about 3 cups of the paper pulp into the bin, stir to mix well. (The amount of pulp you add to the water will determine the thickness of the paper. You can experiment with the first few pieces of paper you make, and adjust the amount of pulp in the bin.) If desired, add food coloring to the mixture for a customized paper color.

5. Angle the frame at 45 degrees and insert it into the bottom of the container from one edge. Once the frame is completely immersed, gently shake it from side to side to ensure the pulp on top of the screen distributes evenly. Gently lift the screen up, hold the frame over the bin to drain excess water.

6. Flip the frame upside down (with the paper side facing down) on top of a towel. You can use some old bath towels or kitchen towels. I used a cotton table runner folded into three layers for increased thickness, allowing it to absorb water from the paper sheet more efficiently.

7. Add 1 cup of the paper pulp into the bin, stir to mix well. Repeat the earlier steps with another frame, allowing you to have two sheets of paper drying on the towel simultaneously.

8. Press a microfiber towel (I found it could absorb water better than a sponge) or a sponge on the top surface of the frames to absorb as much water as possible from the paper sheets. Wring out the towel or sponge as needed, and continue pressing until no more water can be absorbed from the paper sheets.

9. Gently lift up the frames. If the paper sheet breaks, you may have made it too thin or not pressed out enough water. Gather the teared paper sheet and dissolve it in the water bin to try again until you get a perfect paper sheet.

10. Sprinkle seeds over one sheet of paper, gently remove the other sheet of paper from the towel, and place it over the seeded paper, allowing them to overlap. Optionally, add dried flowers, herbs, or glitter on top for decoration. Position the frame on the overlapped paper sheets, and utilize a towel or sponge to press the two sheets of paper together.

11. Lift up the frame, and use your fingers to firmly press the edges of the paper sheets to ensure they adhere together. Carefully lift the paper sheet from the towel and stick it to a window with direct sunlight or near a heating vent.

12. Repeat the procedure with the remaining pulp. Allow the paper to dry on the window overnight until they are completely dry.

13. Gently remove the paper from the window. Fold them into halves for making birthday or holiday cards.

Notes

1. Selection of recycled paper

Certain types of paper are not suitable for making handmade paper due to their composition, which may contain materials that can affect the paper’s quality:

1. Glossy or Coated Paper:
   • Paper with a glossy or coated finish is not suitable for handmade paper because the coating prevents water absorption. This can interfere with the pulping process and result in a less porous and textured paper.
2. Dark Colored Paper:
   • Paper with dark colors can affect the color of the final handmade paper. Try to avoid using paper with strong dyes.
3. Metallic or Foil Paper:
   • Paper with metallic or foil coatings can be challenging to pulp. Additionally, these materials may not break down properly in the soil if used for plantable seed paper.
4. Plastic-Laminated or Waxed Paper:
   •  The plastic or wax layer prevents the paper fibers from separating and bonding effectively during pulping.
5. Thermal Paper:
   • Thermal paper, commonly used for receipts, has a coating that reacts to heat. The chemicals in this coating may not be suitable for pulping.
6. Heavy Cardstock or Board:
   • Thick cardstock may not break down easily into pulp, making it difficult to create a smooth handmade paper. It’s generally better to use thinner paper for handmade paper projects.

2. How to plant seeded paper?

To plant a seeded cards, immerse it in cold water overnight, then tear the soaked paper into small pieces. Fill a pot with soil, lay the seeded paper on the soil surface, and cover it with a thin layer of soil. Ensure the soil stays consistently moist by thoroughly watering it during germination. Place the pot or garden bed in a sunny location, observe soil moisture levels, and patiently await signs of germination.

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