Create your own seed paper shape to erupt into your favourite flowers or some delicious vegetables.

Upcycle empty egg cartons and use recycled paper making techniques to infuse seeds and create seed paper shapes for your garden or to give them as a gift. You can use non-toxic pens and paint to decorate them once they’re dry.

Don’t forget to upload your artwork to Facebook and Instagram, using the hashtag #BoroondaraArtsWithYou

Materials

  • egg cartons
  • food processor/blender
  • hot water
  • cookie cutter or similar
  • two towels
  • coloured scrap paper
  • seeds
  • tablespoon
  • cooling rack
  • non-toxic markers or paint

Instructions

  1. Take your egg carton and tear the bottom off it, into small pieces no bigger than 3cm square. Place into a blender.
  2. Cover the pieces in hot water and let it sit for 10 minutes.
  3. While waiting, lay a towel out on the bench and sit a cookie cutter on top, with some coloured papers inside. Make sure they don’t overlap.
  4. After 10 minutes, blend the egg carton pieces and hot water for 10 seconds on high or until it has a smooth porridge-like consistency, with no obvious lumps.
  5. Scoop up a handful of the watery pulp. Squeeze and allow the water drip to drip through your fingers until it resembles a play dough consistency. 
  6. Push pulp into cookie cutter on top of the coloured papers. Repeat until it is 2cm high.
  7. Sponge it with a dry towel to remove as much moisture as possible. 
  8. Sprinkle seeds on top. Followed by a tablespoon of pulp liquid from the blender. Sponge dry it again thoroughly.
  9. Carefully pop out shape and leave a cooling rack to dry.
  10. Repeat steps 6-10 until all watery pulp is used up.
  11. Once dry, decorate collaged side with non-toxic markers.
  12. To grow, place your seed paper shape in a bowl of water, with the artwork side face down.

Watch the activity and join in


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