Natural and Sustainable

Getting started: Besides your own herbal springs, leaves, flowers, and seeds, you’ll need a few basic craft supplies. You can buy both the blank cards and the cardstock at any arts and crafts store. For adhesive, you can use plain white glue, but rubber cement works fine, too. A note about attaching fragile botanicals: Either brush the glue gently onto the plant material, or apply the glue to the card where you intend to place the plants, then press the plant gently onto the glue. For gluing paper to paper, you can also sometimes use a glue stick because it is a little drier and there is less chance that the paper will wrinkle from moisture.

Hopefully the following ideas will inspire you to share your passion for herbs with family, friends and neighbors.

For Leaf Prints:

No need for fancy pre-printed papers, when you can create your own. By adding color and shape to your card with leaves, the recipients are sure to be impressed.

You will need:

Fresh leaves with obvious veins and detailed edges
Paint
Paper glue
Small paints or ink roller
Small, dry paint brush
Blank card or cardstock
Thin paper, such as tissue paper

Be sure the leaves are clean and dry before your begin. Pour enough paint onto the plate to completely cover your leaves; use roller to thinly distribute paint across the plate.

Next, position the leaf, paint-side down, on the card. Cover with a sheet of tissue paper and lightly press down on the leaf, particularly through the center and around the edges. Remove the tissue and the leaf. Make multiple leaf prints, re-painting the leaf as needed, or keep it simple by using just one leaf print. Allow the paint to dry before adding your written sentiments.

Windowpane Card:

Create a window for your expressions by drawing all eyes inside the card. When they see the front of this card, recipients can’t help but wonder what you’ve written inside. Adjust the shape of dimensions to suit your taste.

You Will Need:

Copy of a window pane pattern done on card stock
5-by-5-inch piece of cardstock
Craft knife
Double-sided adhesive foam )precut or cut to size)
5-by-5-inch blank card
Two or three dry, pressed herbal sprigs

Center the pattern on the cardstock square and secure with removable tape. On a safe cutting surface, use the craft knife to cut around the pattern. If you want to add writing or decoration to this windowpane square, do it in this step before going to the next step.

Place the pressed herbs near the center of the front of the card. Check placement by holding the cardstock window over the botanicals, lining up the edges of the card, then set the window piece aside. Glue herbs in place.

Next apply adhesive foam to the backside of the cardstock window; adhere the window to the front of the card, framing the botanicals. Write a short sentiment and then deliver.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Opt for an Energy Star-qualified laptop instead of a power guzzling desktop.