Plantable Paper from Botanical Paperworks

Perhaps you've heard of plantable paper, but haven't ever had the chance to experience it. Neither had I, but that changed recently when Botanical PaperWorks sent me a package of handmade sheets with wildflowers seeds sown throughout. The rustic sheets are lovely - hefty in weight, but not too thick to be workable, and they come in rich colors and pastels.

rose-bag

It's the birthday of oldest son's girlfriend (of thumbprint paper cuts fame), so I made some folded roses to decorate this gift bag for her. Plantable paper is good for rose making because it softens when handled, giving a nice look to the folds. By the way, the paper isn't a bit messy to work with... in other words, the seeds stay put.
Plantable Christmas card

If you find it a bit sad that gorgeous holiday cards usually wind up in a landfill, then plantable cards might be right up your eco-friendly alley. Botanical PaperWorks also sent along a set of pretty cardinal cards. I hope the recipients will plant them in pots placed under a grow light for continued holiday cheer or put them aside until spring sunshine has warmed the soil. The seeds grow and the paper composts... soon they'll have this!

Flowers grown from plantable paper

I came across a very nice video from Rena of The Cheese Thief blog that shows how to make a nifty woven ornament. I crimped some French blue and yellow plantable strips and got started... much gnashing of teeth ensued. I suppose mine does look somewhat like Rena's, but I won't admit to how long it took - hah! I'm sure the next one will be easier.

woven-ornament

In addition to sheets and cards, Botanical PaperWorks designs a wide selection of stylish invitations, favors, gift tags, journals, notepads, postcards, calendars, coasters, and even packaging materials... whew, basically everything possible!

Plantable journal

Plantable gift tags

Not only are wildflower seeds used in the products... some of the papers contain herb or vegetable seeds. It's satisfying to know that plantable paper is made from recycled post-consumer waste collected from local offices and schools.

Plantable recipe cards

Place cards are usually thrown away when an event is over, but in this case they can go home with the guests and spring to new life once planted... a lovely reminder of the occasion. A butterfly punch, gel pen, and calligraphy marker... so simple.

place-card

Plantable journal

Now about that giveaway!

Botanical Paperworks will award one person in the U.S. or Canada a $25 gift certificate to use in their online store and will include a coil bound eco-calendar with the winner's order. (International readers, so sorry to leave you out this time, but there will be a worldwide giveaway coming up before too long.)

Plantable confetti
Plantable confetti - throw and grow!

Visit Botanical Paperworks and leave a comment below to enter. Earn an extra entry by liking the Paperworks Facebook page. The winner will be announced on Sunday. Good luck!

Congratulations to Tara! 
Thanks so much to all who took the time to enter.


Ann Martin
Ann Martin

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Comments

  1. This is brilliant! I liked their FB page as well.

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  2. Well, I'm not in the giveaway as I'm one of the international readers, but I just wanted to say how neat I think this type of paper is.

    Recently I stumbled over paper flower tutorial that used DIY plantable paper and it felt like a fun idea, making a flower that actually could spread seeds just like a real one.

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  3. I like their little notebooks. What a fun idea - write down some ideas and then instead of recycling the paper (always a good idea), plant it instead. :)
    rae_sunshine4 (AT) yahoo.com

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  4. I am so happy to learn about Botanical Paperworks! I will happily give occassion cards to people knowing they will serve a useful, thoughtful purpose, and not just be thrown away with the general trash. Thanks for bringing this product to my attention :)

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  5. I have never heard of plantable paper , this is so amazing. Your folded roses do look so lovely and full of life.

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  6. Well, I'll be! This is completely new to me and what a brilliant concept. The gifts you could make are endless (my mind is racing). The cardinal card is just adorable.

    Ann, your roses for Jessica's birthday gift are gorgeous. It sounds like the paper is fun to use also. And your ornament looks amazing. I can tell it isn't something to just slap together.

    Thanks for sharing this product. Going to check them out now.

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  7. Lots to like at Botanical Paperworks!

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  8. Thanks for sharing this site - love the products and went to buy some. Spent $53 but the postage of $46 made it impossible for me to get these products to Australia economically.

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  9. What an awesome site and product. Gives me all kinds of gift ideas now...and wedding favor ideas for a friend :-D

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  10. And I liked them on Facebook :-)

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  11. now what's not to like about that. Awesome

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  12. This is fabulous! I love the idea of using it for holiday cards.

    lovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com

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  13. hi ann, i always enjoy my visits here (not just when you give free stuff away :P)... that elephant on the notebook reminds me so much of my recent doodle of a squirrel with paisleys. love the products! and i've been looking for an interesting paper project to make related to the holidays, so i think i may give that ornament a go... hopefully less teeth gnashing will ensue. perhaps i should wear my attractive mouth guard. teehee!

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  14. What a fantastic idea! Thanks for the post, facebook page, and links!

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  15. Well how cute! What a fab idea!! I absolutely love it!

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  16. I like this idea -- thanks for sharing the link to this company.

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  17. I just "liked" their page in Facebook too (using my needles andbits account).

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  18. What a great idea although I can imagine some people might have a difficult time throwing out a card for sentimental reasons. I would love to play with some of these papers!!! I will be liking their Facebook page, too!

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  19. Wow - I love all Botanical Paper Works products!!! What a fabulous company! I like them on Facebook. And if I had to choose just one product as a favorite, I would go with the Think & Write & Grow Plantable Journal: Pink Dandelion

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  20. Love the idea of re-using your paper this way. Great post!

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  21. I like their giveaway, It looks as marsmallow candies! Yummi-yuummmi!

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  22. I would love to purchase the paper and design my own cards using it! Brilliant and beautiful!

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  23. Recycling at it's prettiest! I would love to win!

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  24. Would LOVE to use these for my wedding!!
    I liked their FB page too!

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  25. This is so great. I love the idea of being able to recycle your paper goods into wildflowers. :)

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  26. These are wonderful. Love the concept , though I would keep those cards for long as they are adorable too. Liked on fb too.

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  27. Ann, What a great concept...plantable paper!!!
    I love your folded roses decoration on the gift bag, the colours are sweet and the folds are gorgeous.....folded roses are something I can't seem to do! Thanks for the link to the folded bauble, I love how you have crimped paper in your decoration.
    Licia

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  28. Wow this is so cool! Perfect for Christmas cards without a huge ecological impact!

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  29. I especially like the memorial cards, what a nice idea.

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  30. I enjoyed your article. I placed an order last evening and will be using one of the items as a Secret Santa gift.

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  31. I love their eco-calendar! Thanks so much!

    Ang
    ang_vaughan at yahoo dot com

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  32. I had heard about this before, but had no idea who made them. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  33. Liked Botanical PaperWorks on Facebook.

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  34. Ooooh, I have so many ideas!! Must...restrain...self...

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  35. Wowweeee it's. The first time I'm seeing this amazing paper! I want to use it for everything!! S excited for the giveaway! Someone is going to be pretty happy!

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  36. great giveaway
    jessicawedwards@gmail.com

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  37. Such a cool idea. And they even have Christmas cards!

    mrs.marcus2 at yahoo dot com

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  38. This is awesome. I also like the Facebook page.

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  39. This is amazing! I think some of my friends are going to get plantable post cards this holiday season. :)

    twhite8710 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  40. I'm loving the idea of making my own XMas cards out of these cards! It does break my heart to think of all those holiday cards in a garbage can. I do hope I win!

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  41. I LOVE the idea of plantable paper! Im thinking about using them as placecards for my wedding!

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  42. Plantable paper...awesome idea...

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  43. Thank you everyone for your wonderful comments, we are just so happy to see all of them.

    Jenny - We're sorry you had some issues with shipping costs to Australia! Unfortunately, we're not quite ready to ship there yet, but if you keep an eye on our Facebook page, we'll let you know as soon as we are!

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  44. this looks awesome!! super cool stuff!! plantable postcards sound so cool!

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  45. I visited their site; what a great product! I would definitely buy the seed paper and envelopes, among many other things!

    dsauers7(at)hotmail.com

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  46. "Liked" PaperWorks on FB as Danielle Sauers

    dsauers7(at)hotmail.com

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  47. What a great store. I'm loving the notebooks!

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  48. I liked them on Facebook!

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  49. This is so great! I love the wedding invitations!

    daydream_believer17@yahoo.com

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  50. I liked y'all on FB as Hanna Hutcheson.

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  51. I love this paper! I wanted to get something like this when I got married for the invitations but it didn't work out. I'd love to use this paper for crafts though. Think of the things you could make that you know people just throw away after they get, it would be wonderful to know that they can plant the cards or things you make and enjoy them as plants after they enjoy the paper!

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  52. I visited their webpage. I love it. <3

    eangel91@yahoo.com

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  53. I liked their FB page as well. <3


    eangel91@yahoo.com

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  54. The giveaway has ended. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, everyone. The lovely folks at Botanical Paper and I have enjoyed reading them.

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