I recently treated myself to a paper making kit (from Stamps Away/CleverCut here in the UK
here.) I used scraps of copy paper from various printing projects and cut them down to make very small squares. I added warm water to the scraps and mixed them up to create a pulp. The kit has a hand-held paddle to which you attach a piece of netting with clips. You then pour the watery paper pulp over it (making sure it is over a bowl or the sink) and then flip it onto some woollen material and remove the clips. You press the water out using a sponge, then carefully remove the paper from the netting and let it dry. It is certainly easier than having a netting in a frame which you dip into a vat of paper pulp. The paper has come out quite thick in places, but I like the rustic effect! Above was one of my first attempts.
I have tried again, incorporating dried hydrangea flowers and gilding flakes. I was pleased with this one.
Then I added gilding flakes and words which I had cut out of a book page. This one is my favourite so far.
I have used some of the paper which I inked up and added some gilding polish to make an anniversary card for my sister and brother-in-law. The texture comes through beautifully. I am looking forward to more experiments using junk envelopes etc. Watch this space...
I have made paper too. It (like many other crafts) is totally addictive. And I love your creations. My kit does come with that frame thing...
ReplyDeleteThanks, EC. I have lots of other things that came with the kit to play with, such as mica powder, skeleton leaves, pressed flowers and glitter. I foresee many more paper experiments and I agree that it may well become addictive!
DeleteBest wishes
Ellie
Wow! I love these, those hearts have come out really well. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, sustainablemum and thank you for the shout out on your blog too. The paper die cut beautifully and I felt quite pleased with myself for reusing my scraps. Many more experiments to come, methinks!
DeleteBest wishes
Ellie
Oh-oh-oh...how absolutely glorious, Ellie!!!!!! I have always admired homemade papers and yours are gorgeous! Thank you for sharing your adventure into paper making! ~Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeleteThanks, Andrea. It is a simple process and I am enjoying the experiments. Lots more to try too - we have lots of scrap paper of different sorts!
DeleteBest wishes
Ellie
Oh what great fun, I love hand made papers, so versatile. Wonderful you are exploring your craft and I´m sure to the delight of the recipients of your beautiful cards xcx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chrissie. I am looking forward to using junk envelopes to make paper from and also to see what other things I can add to the paper. A voyage of discovery!
DeleteBest wishes
Ellie
Sounds like fun, making paper. Not something I've ever done. Is tehre a way to roll it out to make it more even, I wonder? Have fun experiementing.
ReplyDeleteSandy's Space
Thanks, Sandy. I think it is down to how much pulp is poured out and that is something that will improve as I make more. It can't be too thin otherwise it is too fragile. Rolling it out - I will have to give that some thought!
DeleteBest wishes
Ellie
The paper making sounds like great fun and the result looks very delicate & beautiful too. I remember my mum doing this with her school kids years ago (she was a year 5 teacher) and it looking like chunky cardboard ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lulu. The paper is a little chunky as it all depends how much pulp goes in which areas and that may take a bit of fine tuning, but I am happy with the result. It works well for focal points on cards.
DeleteBest wishes
Ellie