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There are so many reasons and occasions to make your own paper. From do-it-yourself wedding or party invitations to custom stationary to crafts for kids, there are plenty of reasons to learn how and no excuse not to. It is cheap and easy to make and to customize. Here is what you’ll need to get started:
Supplies:
1) Old newspaper or used notebook paper. (Don’t use slick ad paper!)
2) A piece of window screen (if you want notebook sized paper, you’ll need 8.5x11, but you can make it any size you want.
3) A blender (or a fork or spoon)
4) Scissors
5) Water
6) A tub that can be filled with at least two inches of water
Step-by-step instructions
1) To begin, cut the paper into pieces and put the pieces into the blender along with some water. When the newspaper has turned into sludge, fill the tub with water and then pour in the paper sludge.
If you are opting to go low-tech and chose to use the tub and fork or spoon, cut the pieces and then put them into the tub. Using some type of stirring utensil, stir the pieces and break them up. They should eventually turn into sludge. Using steaming hot water may help speed the process along. Regardless of the method, when the paper is dissolved into a pulpy sludge and is sitting in a tub of water, you are ready to move on to the next step.
2) If you have not already done so, cut the screen into the size and shape that you want the finished product to have. You can use any size and shape that you want, from small hearts and big stars, to 8.5 x 11 rectangles or perfect squares. When the screen is cut to the correct size, move on to step three
3) Lower the piece of screen into the sludge and submerge the screen. Push it under the water and under the paper. Swish the water and paper around and allow the screen to gather paper. If you are having a hard time getting the paper sludge to evenly distribute on the screen, feel free to use a hand of utensil to help it a little. Lift the screen out of the water when it has gathered enough paper to cover the screen and hold it over the tub of water. Allow the water to drip down into the tub, leaving the paper on the screen.
4) Take the paper and the screen outside to a dry sunny and or breezy place and allow it to dry. For several hours. When it is dry, take the paper off of the screen and you will have paper.
The paper you get from this process will be grayish color, not the most attractive for most purposes. To make more attractive paper, add in these optional steps.
1) Add food coloring drops during the mixing process.
2) Add whole flowers or leaves just after the mixing process, and just before the screening process to have whole pieces in the paper.
3) To have small flower bits or to use dyes from the flowers, add pieces during the mixing process and mix or blend until the flowers are the desired size.
Paint, color, or write on your new paper!
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