making paper

[Missgrl]

I made paper years and years ago so I just vagually remember
how I did it. ANd I remember it coming out pretty thick.

Can anyone tell me how?

TIA

[glad2bhome]

As a former preschool teacher, I have a recipe for you. Mind you, it doesn't make "perfect" paper but is fun and easy.

You'll need: a metal mesh strainer, tissues or toilet paper, water, a sponge, a bowl

-Start by tearing up the toilet paper or tissue in the bowl

-Pour a little water in and stir it up.

-Pour the mixture into the sieve and press with the sponge

-Gently take out the matted "paper" and allow to dry

Variation: Put food coloring or glitter in the mixture for fun!

Note: This recipe was used to teach the concept of recycling, so, technically, it's not "making" paper from scratch. But, fun anyway!!

~Melissa

[Missgrl]

Thanks Melissa! That's sorta the way I remember it.
It was also for a recycling lesson for a first grade classroom.
I used newspaper and has to soak it in water and then we put
it in a blender. I remember not liking the gray color it always
came out. (I guess b/c of the newspaper) So maybe trying it
with tissues or tp it will come out "cleaner" looking!

thx

[glad2bhome]

You're welcome!

~Melissa

[tmrhopkins]

You can also use old computer paper or junk mail or white paper with print on one or both sides. tear it up in little pieces, soak in water and then put it an old blender with some water and blend it really well until it is a consistency of like runny oatmeal. Then pour over a picture frame with screen on it. When you are blending you can add dried flowers or torn up pieces of colored paper at the end and blend for just one or two pulses and then that will add flecks of color.

I don't know if those instructions are really clear, but when I took a class from the community ed. on paper making they said that newspapers have been recycled so much that they don't work as well as junk mail type of paper.

Have your tried a google search on paper making?

Tawnya

[Missgrl]

thx Tawyna...that is how I remember doing it too! I think I was
just using the wrong thing..newspaper. I'm going to try it
with some white type paper and sprinkle some dried rose petals
in it!

[LaLa]

I would love to try this!!!

If only I didn't have 50 unfinished projects and two swaps going on!
LOL