Project

Springerle-Mold Cards

The tools you need to craft these cameo-like cards come from the kitchen: They're traditional European springerle-cookie molds. We filled them with pulp made from cotton-linter paper instead of dough, then glued the textured medallions onto cards.

Photography: Ngoc Minh Ngo

Source: Martha Stewart Living, December 2018

Introduction

The finished pieces make graceful ornaments, as well: Trim the paper, leaving a border just wide enough to punch a hole in, and thread ribbon or wire through for hanging.

For more ideas, scroll through our entire collection of Christmas cards.

materials

Pre-shredded linter paper (Pictured: Arnold Grummer's preshredded cotton linter, $15 for 8 oz., arnoldgrummer.com.)

Springerle-cookie mold (Pictured: The Springerle Baker Bitburg fruits mold, in Small, $36, thespringerlebaker.etsy.com, Änis-Paradies May Bells #2215, $36, springerlecookiemold.com, Springerle Joy Lilies of the Valley mold, in Oval, $46, springerlejoy.com.)

Blender

Mesh strainer

Sponge

Paper towels or terrycloth

Wire cooling rack

Card stock and envelopes (Pictured: Recollections A7 cards and envelopes, in Gold, $5.50 for 10 sets; and A2 card and envelope sets, in Gold Shimmer, $4 for 10, michaelsweddings.com.)

Hole punch (optional)

Ribbon or wire (optional)

steps

Measure out enough linter-paper shreds to cover surface of mold. Place in blender with 3 cups water. Blend on low for several seconds, then on high for 45 seconds. Pour blended linter through strainer, reserving water for next batch if desired.
Pour strained pulp onto mold, patting it into the design and maintaining a uniform thickness. Tilt mold over bowl and use fingers to press excess water out of pulp, then press with sponge to remove even more and push pulp into detailed areas of mold. Finally, press again with paper towel or terrycloth to remove last bit of excess water.
Let pulp dry in mold until set, about 1 hour. (Note: Drying time will depend on thickness of cast and humidity level.) Carefully remove paper from mold. Transfer to wire rack on a flat surface to dry completely, about 24 hours.
Glue cast paper onto cards and let dry completely. Or trim paper, leaving a border just wide enough to punch a hole in, and thread ribbon or wire through for hanging.