Aug
11

PROJECT: Personalized Seed Packet Favors

Dave and I were put in charge of making the favors for my best friend’s son’s garden-themed baby blessing.  After brainstorming, we settled on decorative packets containing his birth-flower seeds.  They turned out so cute, I thought I’d share!  Make them to celebrate a baby’s birth or change up the image to make equally great favors for a bridal shower, birthday or plain, ol’ garden party!

Personalized Seed Packet Favors

WHAT YOU NEED:
Birth flowers seeds (Depending where you live, these can be found at most nurseries or home improvement stores.  If it’s off-season though, you can always search on-line)  Don’t know the baby’s birth flower?  See here.
Small, vellum envelopes 
Contrasting color, pearlized card stock (I only used one sheet to make 25 favors)
White card stock
White 1/4″-1/2″ ribbon
Glue stick
Scissors or paper cutter
Decorative scissors (optional)
Hole punch
Sewing machine & contrasting thread (optional)
Digital image of baby
Computer & Printer
Photoshop (or, if you’re old-school, a light-box, tracing paper and photo copier)
WHAT TO DO:
Face Time
1.  Open digital image in Photoshop. Use the Filter/Sketch/Photo Copy feature to alter image from regular photo, to line drawing.  You’ll likely have to mess around a bit with the levels to get the best result.  If desired, add a text layer with the baby’s name and date or an appropriate quote or your own words.  Our version said, “With light, love and nurturing, we become something beautiful.”
2.  Once you’re satisfied with the final image, size it for your envelopes and lay it out to fit as many as possible on one page.  Print out on white, card stock. 
3.  While you’re at the computer, type print out a sheet of paper or card stock with the name of the seed’s flower in your desired font.
Seedless to Say
1.  Cut out image cards, flower name labels and contrasting card stock tags (about 3/4″x 1 1/2″).
Cut out ribbon pieces about 6-8″ long.
2.  Using sewing machine and contrasting thread, sew image cards onto vellum envelopes.  I suggest using about an 1/8″ seam allowance.   Note* Make sure that envelopes are open while you sew or else you won’t be able to fill them.  If you don’t want to sew, skip this step and use a glue like Aleene’s Clear Gel Tacky Glue (works well with vellum) to attache image cards. 
3. Fill envelopes with approx. 10-15 seeds.  Seal.
4.  Glue name labels onto contrasting card stock.  Place tags on envelope and hole punch through both tag and envelope.  Tie tags on using ribbon.

Display in a glass fish bowl or vase and set out for your guests to take home. As the flowers grow in their own gardens, they’ll surely be thinking about how that special kiddo is blossoming, too!

xo,
Vickie

filed under Crafts/Sewing, Free Projects.

11 Responses to “PROJECT: Personalized Seed Packet Favors”

  1. Doxy Diva

    Too cute, Vickie! My son was born at the beginning of July and I have been trying to think of a unique announcement. I might have to “borrow” this great idea. Thanks for sharing!

  2. Tina

    What a great idea! Our communities can always benefit from a little color:) This reminds me of greeting cards i saw at Parts and Labour recently in Austin with wildflower seeds imbedded in the card. You just plant the whole card and water*

  3. Average Jane Crafter

    These are adorable! And such a cool alternative to the kinds of favors you see at baby events.

    And who the heck knew there was such a thing as a birth flower!? Not me! I’m an Aster, but darn if I don’t long to be a Marigold. Ah well!

    Very cool idea. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.

  4. Jules

    Thanks for sharing that. It’s a fabulous idea and I intend to bookmark that for later use!

  5. KitschenSink

    This is such a sweet idea, thanks for sharing. My friend is having a baby in the next couple of weeks – so this came just at the right time! x

  6. stephanie

    Vicky this is a fantastic idea! I love how you used the birth month seeds. I had seen tips on using seed packets for wedding favors but wondered what seeds would be best to use…you hit it dead on!

    Thanks for sharing =)

  7. Vickie Howell

    Doxy: I think these would make GREAT announcements! 🙂

    Tina: That’s a really cool idea. I may have to go to P&L and pick one up for my gardening fiend B/F.

    AJC: Yeah, I’m a mum. Suck. I feel more like a gardenia. 😉

    xo

  10. Lovely Mrs E

    Wouldn’t these be great wedding favors also? Seeds of love (ok maybe better, more appropriate words could be found…but you get the idea!)…
    However, the same theme of a couple’s life starting and growing and blooming.