• Cut recycled paper into strips and soak in warm water preferably overnight. The longer the paper soaks the smoother the paper will be. The paper should all be the same type and weight
• Add the pre-soaked paper scraps and enough water to cover the paper pieces to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, making a fine pulp. The pulp should resemble oatmeal.

   *Note: Some people avoid using a food blender for this craft, I don't have a problem with it. That said, it's easy to find used blenders at a thrift store or a local used item site.
• The pulp can be put into an airtight container and stored for later use for up to a week
• Fill a bucket or basin tub with water about ¾ full.
• Place your towels or absorbent materials on a flat surface near your bucket in preparation for drying your paper
• Add a handful of paper pulp to the bucket and stir well. One handfull of paper pulp will make one sheet of seed paper.
• Sprinkle a handful of seeds into the water and continue to stir well.
• Using your mold and deckle with the mesh frame on the bottom and the mold pressed firmly on top of the mesh, slide your frames down to the bottom of the well-stirred water. Holding the frames tightly together, level the frames in the water, and then pull up and out. The paper pulp should be even on the mesh frame.
• Remove the top mold from the bottom and set aside.
• Allow as much water as you can to drip back into the bucket
• Flip your paper screen side down onto your absorbent material and blot any excess liquid with a sponge through the screen.
• Once enough liquid is removed you can gently peel your mesh frame away from the paper.
• Leave your paper on your paper towel or pieces of sheet to dry on a flat surface. *Note: the texture of your absorbent material will leave an imprint on your paper and become the same texture.
• Once fully dried you can peel your paper away from the towel or sheet.
• Depending on the thickness of your homemade paper, it could take 1-3 days to dry. You can help speed things up with a hair dryer or bake at a low temp in the oven at 200 degrees for 5-10 min. If you use the oven, watch carefully, you don't want all your hard work to burn.

  *Note: if your paper curls you can put some heavy books on it after it drys
• To plant paper, soak paper in water and place it in a sealed plastic bag. Place the bag in a well lit area but not in direct sunlight. Once sprouts start to form, transfer to a pot, place in a sunny spot and keep moist until sprouts are well established.

DIY Mold and Deckle from Dollar Store Items

• Remove paper mat and glass from the frames leaving just the outer frame.
• Cut your screen so that it fits over the front of one of the frames.
• Staple the screen to the edges of the frame.
• If using a material that has any give to it, make sure to pull it slack or tight over the frame before stapling.