Stationery Scoop

And the sun breaks through...

After days of rain, we're being treated to some sunshine this afternoon. I'm getting ready for a visit from my bank manager, Anne-Marie Jensen, and sales manager of small business, Gisele Girardin. It's fun to show off our new place and talk about future plans. I have been a client of the Royal Bank since I was nine years old. I remember riding my bike to the ATM and taking out money to buy treats for my hamster Flora at the pet shop a few stores down. And all these years later, I'm still a client. Now that's client dedication!

In yesterday's post, I talked about my books (300 Papermaking Recipes, The Encyclopedia of Papermaking and Bookbinding, The Beginners Guide to Papermaking) being added to the library in Corvalis, Oregon. Well, was I ever surprised to get an email today from my Grandma telling me that we have relatives living in Corvalis! Apparently, there are cousins living in that part of the US, and they have even been to Winnipeg for a family reunion, some 20 years ago.

Toni emailed me these pictures of Garden Greetings plantable paper growing on her window sill. Thanks for sharing these, Toni.

Here's a close-up of the pink flower.

It's time for eco graduation favors

I can hardly believe that graduation is right around the corner. From my cousin graduating from med school to our cherished babysitter finishing high school, there's lots to celebrate. Here's our Plantable Eco Graduation Favor, a great way to commemorate the special day and symbolically plant the seeds of knowledge.

Botanical PaperWorks' quote for the graduation season is this from Robert Louis Stevenson:

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap
but by the seeds that you plant.

Give us a call for assistance in planning favors and gifts for your special grad!

Paper in bloom

Earlier today, I posted about Spring favors and shared a photo of the yellow Share and Blossom plantable favor. I was so excited this afternoon to review these quality control tests of the seed-embedded pots from that same favor! The quality control tests are part of our regular germination tests that we do on our plantable, seeded paper. These tender sprouts will grow into wildflowers like Bird's Eye, Clarkia, Coreopsis, Poppy, Catchfly and Snap Dragon.

Job Fair for Papermakers

A happy November to you!

Botanical PaperWorks is looking to hire a number of papermakers, so we're holding a Job Fair today, 1:30 pm at Opportunities for Employment in Winnipeg.

What's a papermaker? Someone who learns the art and craft of making paper using the ancient by-hand method. Check out papermakers Myrna and Kim making paper and Jami making paper.

Please call Opportunities for Employment at 204-925-3490 if you are interested. See you there!

Weekend Project: Plantable Pillow Boxes

This weekend, we're getting ready for the holidays by making plantable seeded pillow boxes! This is an easy, DIY craft that gives the gift of flowers in a completed recyclable package because the seed paper grows wildflowers when you plant it. Forget creating tons of paper waste this holiday season; grow flowers instead!

Instructions and a free downloadable template are available here: Make Your Own Pillow Boxes.

Handmade seed paper is available here: Buy plantable seed paper

Surrounded by flowers

I have the best job! Once a week, we receive a shipment of fresh flowers. Some weeks, we get 250 stems, other weeks we get 700 stems. Each one is trimmed and dried to eventually be made into handmade paper, either Cotton & Petals, Abaca & Petals or our plantable Garden Greetings seed paper.

The flowers are gorgeous and smell great. I love running my fingers through the boxes just after the stems have been cut. The petals feel silky smooth, totally luxurious. What an amazing job this is!!

Doane's Blog

Thanks for the mention of Botanical PaperWorks in Doane's Blog this past week. We're excited to see the creative results!

Turquoise Day

It was unofficial Turquoise Day at Botanical PaperWorks on Wednesday. I snapped this pic of papermakers Kim and Myrna looking pretty in their matching t's. Did you guys know that turquoise is my favorite color? I guess that's why I love these Costa del Sol favor tags.

Featured Customer Design: Heather and Erik

Heather and Erik sent in this photo of their wedding program. They used Cream Garden Greetings plantable seed paper and printed/assembled the piece themselves.

Because the paper is plantable, Heather and Erik's wedding guests can plant the paper and enjoy wildflowers that will grow and bloom long after the event.

It's inspiring for our papermaking team to get photos from our customers and friends. It lets us follow the sheets of paper from when it leaves our studio to the point of transformation into a very special stationery piece.

Thank you Heather and Erik for choosing Botanical PaperWorks and for sharing your wedding program. Best wishes from all of us!

Weekend Project: Write a handwritten note

The weekends are all about kicking back and savoring the moment. If even for just one moment, it's about taking time to be quiet, attentive, and absent of the hum and buzz and beep of technology.

In that moment, why not indulge in the art of the handwritten note. Maybe there is a thank you note that you've been putting off writing. Or a card that you wanted to send to a friend for her birthday.

Grab some wonderful paper, a fantastic pen and an inspiring guide and get writing. Enjoy the scritchy scratch of pen on paper as your thoughts flow into your pen and express themselves in your uniquely-you handwriting. Have fun with it, and then go mail that note so that it doesn't languish under a pile of bills. Have a great weekend!