I am interested in starting to make my own paper - I would like to use it to make my own cards and for scrapbooking. Any suggestions on how to get started or any great advice out there?

-- Jennifer (puppythor@hotmail.com), April 01, 2002

Answers

I read "somewhere", that if you take newspaper,, soak it till it falls apart, and then some, you can "re dry" it, and amke some sort of thin cardboard,, would have to press it, somehow I imagine

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), April 02, 2002.

Newspaper works Stan. You don't need to soak it you can shred it and put it in a blender with water. It falls apart fairly easily. cotten linter paper added to any mix makes a stronger paper blend.

Susan

-- Susan in MN (nanaboo@paulbunyan.net), April 02, 2002.

Jennifer, shred and soak your paper in water until it is mushy, take a little at a time and add a lot of water to blend it in your blender. Pour this from the blender over a screen (old window screen over a try filled with water) until you have a thick enough layer to make your paper. Now blot (use a sponge or lots of paper towels) until just damp and then carfully remove this to a paper towel (Do not press unto paper towel as it will stick) and let dry. This takes practice, so don't get discouraged. Any paper will do. Experiment with a little of everything. Jenn

-- jenn (normaj3@countrylife.net), April 03, 2002.

Thanks for all the advice.

-- Jennifer (puppythor@hotmail.com), April 03, 2002.

Jennifer...The first time I made paper, I had so much fun! THe recipe I came up with was this....in a blender, fill it half way with water. Add shredded paper and whiz it up real good. Keep adding paper, but not enough to hurt the blender motor. I have added fuzz from the dryer. (I collect the "pretty kind") I don't use a dryer anymore, so glad I saved some. Anyway, you can color your paper with food coloring, a little at a time till you get the desired shade. After blending, pour this mixture into a sink full of cool water and swish it around every so often. Then you can dive a paper making frame into the water and bring it to the surface slowly with the paper soup on it. If you don't like how it looks, just dive it in again. For paper making frames, I use old 5x7 picture frames, covered with panty hose. These leave a much better texture to the paper. I hope this make some sort of sense. Just have fun!

-- Harmony (harmonyfarm57@hotmail.com), April 04, 2002.