Handmade Flower and Herb Papers

Email and text messaging have become part of our everyday communications. And as much as they are a necessary part of our lifestyle, it’s nice to remember the days of letters and notes on beautiful handmade papers. Imagine receiving a handwritten invitation or note on papers infused with herbs and flowers from a well-loved garden of a friend or family member.

The process of making paper is quite simple, for adults and children. And the designs are limited only by your imagination. You can create note cards, writing papers, special occasion cards, invitations, or papers to be used for scrapbooking and craft projects. Imagine a photograph mounted on a handcrafted floral paper and framed; or a tag with herbs from your garden attached to a special baked gift. The possibilities are endless. And the supplies needed are minimal, with most available in your home. You can even recycle for this project!

Papermaking has a long history, going back to 105 A.D. in ancient China. Originally made from hemp, tree bark, bamboo and other plants, the fibers were mixed with water, pounded flat and poured into a mold of woven cloth. Once dry, the paper was cut into whatever size was desired.

Today we use recycled paper as the basis for papermaking. Dried flowers and herbs can be added to the pulp. Dried flowers can also be added to the paper once it’s placed in the mold, rolling them in. Any herbs or flowers can be used; some will change the color of the paper, some will be grainy and others will dissolve more into the pulp, but all will create a beautiful result. Here’s a list of the supplies you need and some quick directions:

Deckle - buy one or construct a simple frame

Mold - a frame or open box to hold screen – should be same size as deckle

Screening – 2 pieces of mesh screening to attach to one side of mold and put over pulp to drain

Paper – recycle copy paper, newsprint, magazine pages, construction paper, old cards, any print material (figure on 1½ times as much paper to start with as you want your finished size to be)

Dried flowers and herbs

Blender

Large basin or sink to work in

Sponges

Old towels to absorb excess water

Rolling pin

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1. If you haven’t bought a deckle and mold, construct one using old picture frames or pieces of wood. Here’s how it works - the mold will have screening on one side. The deckle will sit on top of it while you pour the pulp onto the mold. Once the excess water drains away, the wet pulp will be on top of the mold’s screen and you’ll separate the two

2. Tear paper into 1 inch pieces. Put half in the blender and cover with 6 inches of water. Blend and add remaining paper, dried flowers or herbs and blend until you have a soft pulp.

3. Place the mold in a 3” tub or basin of water with screen side up. Hold deckle on top. Pour the pulp into the deckle, swishing it around to cover the screen.

4. Remove the deckle and mold, tilt to allow excess water to drain. Wet pulp is on the mold.

5. Place 2^nd piece of screen over pulp on the mold.

6. Use a moist sponge to remove excess water from the top screen. Squeeze out and repeat.

7. Turn mold onto a damp towel, screen down, but do not remove yet. Press sponge on screen to remove additional moisture. Repeat as needed. Lift off the mold. Pulp is now sitting on the unattached piece of screening.

8. Flip the screen and pulp over. Carefully roll the rolling pin over the screen to transfer the sheet of pulp to the towel, then lift one corner of the screen and slowly peel it off the pulp. Here’s when you can add additional pressed flowers to the design of the paper, while the pulp is still wet.

9. Roll another towel over the pulp until it is almost dry. Place pulp sheet between two blotters under a heavy book and let dry.

It’s really a simple process with amazing results. Your friends and family will enjoy receiving notes, letters and other craft projects you create with your handmade papers.