Friday, August 16, 2013

Handmade Seed Packets


This time of year we sometimes have an abundance of seeds in the garden! 

Sharing garden seeds is a thoughtful way of remembering a special gardening friend or relative. 

Nurturing a plant grown from friendship is a delightful remembrance of that special bond. 

And how sweet to present your garden seeds in a lovely hand-made seed packet! 

These are very easy to make and require a few simple supplies you might already have on hand. 


Supplies:

Heavy weight paper for 'packet' 

Scrapbook paper or wallpaper for front of packet. 

'Flower' stamps for 'label'

Alphabet stamps 

Heart Stamp for back

Ink pad

Ruler, scissors and glue stick



To make pattern, measure a rectangle 3-1/2 inches x 8 inches. 

Measure 4 inches down on long side and make dotted folding line across center. 

Add 1/4 inch 'flaps' to each side of bottom half, angling the corners in as shown. 

Add 1/2 inch 'flap' to bottom the same way. 

Use this 'template' to make a pattern, then trace for each packet.



To form packet, fold long ends in half along folding line. 

Fold side flaps in towards center. 

Glue in place using glue stick. 


Cut scrapbook paper or wallpaper 'front' slightly smaller (3-1/4" x 3-3/4") and glue in place. 

Using flower stamp, make label from heavy paper. 

Color with pencils or crayons if desired. 

Using alphabet stamps, create name of flower label. 

Alternately, you can hand write this. 


I used parchment colored heavy paper for packet and labels, and 'forget me not' scrapbook paper and stamps for front, but you will want to coordinate your choices to fit the seeds you are giving. 

This is where your creativity comes in!


Stamp back of packet with heart stamp, if desired and add planting instructions and date.


Fill with seeds and seal!

A special token for a gardening friend or loved one!

xoxo

My favorite quote on friendship for all of you, my Dear Friends.

"Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort,
of feeling safe with a person; having neither
to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to
pour them all out just as they are, chaff and
grain together, knowing that a faithful hand
will take and sift them, keep what is worth
keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness,
blow the rest away."

George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans)

Thank you for your Dear Friendship

xoxo

25 comments:

  1. This is pure awesome Karen!!!! The quote, the handmade seed packets...such a beautiful gift and what an outstanding idea!!! Love this post!!!

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  2. they are really cute! sweet little, thoughtful gifts.

    (i had a devil of a time getting your blog to load, today. had to try about 5 times. hope it is just a passing glitch.)

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  3. What a great idea Karen. It's that time when collecting is going to be a busy so this is just perfect to make the boring little envelopes become more personal and fun. These would make great gifts for birthdays and even Christmas when thoughts start to turn towards spring. I love the quote on friendship too, very true! Have a wonderful weekend my lovely. Chel x

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  4. So happy to see some awesome rubber stamping on your blog! I love making seed packets and a couple of years ago we did little seed packets filled with California Poppies for Valentine's Day. Your seed packets are darling gifts for your friends and a great way to pass on some of your beautiful flowers. Great job!

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  5. Oh Mom, I must say that I am green with envy of the lucky recipient of those darling seed packets. If only I could've inherited an ounce of your creativity! I am going to steal that poem and creatively gift it to my dear friend Shawnee. It's just too perfect!

    XXOO
    ~H~

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  6. Oh wow :) these are so adorable and full of creativity. It looks so darling.
    Thank you for sharing the pattern....I love the stamps. and wondering did you make them?
    The quote about friendship is beautiful. I will send to my friend, that she is leaving for 10 months soon.

    I love the pocket floral...

    Blessing,
    Delvalina

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Dear Delvalina for your sweet visit! To answer your question - no I didn't make the stamps, I bought them as is. I wish your friend the best - it is hard to be separated for so long. Hugs, xo Karen

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  7. Thank you, Loredana for your sweetness and the congratulations!

    Thank you, also for letting me know about the slow download. Mmmmm I wonder why - hopefully just a hiccup.

    Hope your weekend is lovely! xo

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  8. Dearest Karen,
    Those are certainly very sweet little gifts! Everything hand made is a labor of love.
    Hugs to you,
    Mariette

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  9. Sharing seeds is, of itself, such a lovely thing to do. The handmade seed packets make it something extra-special.....little works of garden art!

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  10. Good morning Karen - great seed bags you've made - really creative. Wishing you and your a good weekend :) Hugs Hanne Bente ♥

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  11. What a sweet thoughtful gift these make! They are adorable. Love the poem too.
    I didn't have any trouble with your blog loading.

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  12. Gorgeous seed holders... They will make Beautiful gifts..Wonderful designs... Have a great weekend...Hugs May x x x

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  13. What a fabulous idea, Karen. I love your artistic seed packets- I shall give it a try.
    Love the poem too my dear blogger friend :)

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  14. Wonderful! I love the how-to and the poem as well! They are lovely! I'm pinning this! :-)

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  15. Hi Karen, your seed packets are lovely and so thoughtful. I am sure that your friends will love them and all the love you put into making them. Thanks for the step by step instructions, too.
    That verse touched my heart, I'll be sharing it with my hubby :)
    Have a lovely weekend,
    Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  16. Splendid idea, Karen. I just harvested a bunch of camellia seeds, and now I know what to do with them! <3

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  17. Dearest Karen,

    I always love to read your lovely comments and want to say thank you so much for this. Unfortunately I have very less time to answering. I have two hard jobs and my life is not easy. Sometimes I´m so sad. I work as a nurse with senior people who have bad dementia and who are dying. Very much work and sometimes so much tears. Sometimes I think I can´t do that. But what should I do? I´m too old for a new beginning. My second job is in a gasoline station and sometimes I work 16 hours per day.
    My husband loves me but can´t understand me or my work or my sad thoughts.
    So I need some positive things in my life -- my garden, a little bit crafting, my dogs and sometimes a nice trip to other regions. These things are absolutely necessary for me.

    Forgive me that I open my heart. But I think you can understand when I´m not answering it is not mindless because it is only that I have less time and I´m so tired after work. As I was young I thought life will be better every year. No, my life not. And nothing can change this.

    Okay, positive things! Your selfmade seed packets are so lovely. I´m absolutely sure that your friends adore these beautiful little treasures. An if the seeds gro in their gardens they will be think of you and your friendship.

    Have a nice warm and sunny sunday with lots of happy things,
    Tanja

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  18. Hi Karen,
    Love this idea! They are so cute.
    I like the idea of maybe using the packet for a scrapbook pocket for a small memento - a ticket, a dried flower, oh, the possibilities.
    I know I'll use this idea. :)

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  19. What a lovely way of sharing!!

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  20. How darling! Such a creative way for sharing :) Thank you, sweet Karen, for sharing with us. Hugs to you!

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  21. Oh - I recognize those - they are the same ones my forget-me-not seeds came in. I can't wait to see the flowers coming up and blooming in the spring - and I'll keep the little packets to store something else in - they are nice and sturdy - and so very cute!!!

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  22. You're so clever and generous, Karen! That's a great idea. I'll have to try to remember it in a year's time - hopefully my new garden will have some seeds I can pass on to friends.
    The George Eliot quote is wonderful, as well. Thanks for that too!

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  23. These are adorable! What a great idea, Karen!

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  24. Amazing how simple it can be to communicate with people and have them understand a certain topic, you made my day.


    Vegetables seeds pictorial packets

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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