I came across this project by accident. I had been trying to make hand made paper – and although I followed directions, made screens, rolled, etc., my paper always came out thick and lumpy. After several attempts at trying to make my own stationary – I had come to my breaking point, and began to tear up the rectangular globs of color. I looked down at my mess, and saw a pattern that I found quite appealing. Grabbing some light card stock from my scrap booking supplies – I rearranged the pieces, used some hot glue, through on one of my pressed flowers that I use for other crafts and Voila, a masterpiece.

homemade paper

scrapbook supplies

I folded the card stock in half, found an envelope at the craft store, and sent it as a greeting card to a friend. The response was phenomenal.

cardstock paper

After the response to the primitive pieces with pressed flowers, I became a bit more creative. I wanted to stay with a primitive theme, so I did not use scissors; I only tore the pieces of paper. I added leaves that I had pressed, found flowers that held their color while pressing, then became really creative and began to form objects.

I started out with a Christmas tree; the holidays were on the horizon. I took some of the green pages that I had made, and tore them into strips, different sizes to accommodate the bushiness of the tree. I used a razor to cut out a star for the top, and a paper punch for the ornaments. Again, I was quite amazed. I then got crazy with designs, making a candy cane with bow, a full wreath using the same technique as the tree, and a beautiful snowflake, cut out with a razor and placed 3 on a blue piece of homemade bumpy paper, then attached it to the card stock.

christmas cards

Word got out, and I was getting orders at work for special designs. I was amazed at how easily the designs, if kept simple, were working out. I saw an add in the paper for a boutique at a local church and decided to give it a whirl. I took several designs and priced the cards for $4.00 a piece. I sold out. I was amazed at how this failure to produce stationary, resulted in an art form. I was commissioned by a friend to make a card of the capital of our state, for the new Governor Inauguration. In turn, this little card, gave me a commission to make a card of the White House for the Inauguration of President Bush.

Shredded newspaper, with as little black as possible on it

Tissue paper: white and several with vibrant colors

Scrapbook paper scraps

Water

Blender

Foil

Paper Towels

I tried to recycle as many things as I could for this project. I shredded some newspaper for the paper mulch, careful to avoid newsprint with too much black. Depending on the color batch, I added shredded tissue, scrapbook paper – anything in that color genre. I use Kool-Aid, unsweetened packets to make the colors more vibrant, and water to aid in the mulching process.

Making and drying the paper, especially using different colors takes time. Make the paper a week ahead of card making time in order to be assured of having the supplies you will need. If you are going to press flowers or leaves – do this at least two weeks ahead of your project.

After deciding on the color, (red for this example), I placed a handful of newspaper strips in the blender, added about a half cup of water, and turned the blender to puree, adding water if the paper became to thick for the machine. You want an oatmeal like consistency for your paper, this adds to the texture and makes the design more interesting. Add some strips of the red tissue paper; puree again adding water as needed. Add some Kool Aid about 1/3 of the pack for a more vibrant red, continue to puree, until you reach the desired consistency.

Roll out a sheet of aluminum foil. Place it where you intend to let your paper dry. Take a small handful of the mulch, squeezing out much of the excess water. Place the mulch on the foil, and using your fingers spread it out, making sure not to leave holes or thin spots. You do not need to make a perfect square, and your size will not matter, since you will be tearing these pieces up. Continue spreading the mulch out to about ¼ inch. Dab excess water with paper towels and let dry – 1 to 3 days depending on your humidity. After paper is completely dry, carefully remove the pages from the foil and store for card use.

Flowers, twigs, leaves etc. all need to be pressed well in advance of your project.

dried flowers

I love to pick flowers whenever and wherever I can legally and take them home. What doesn’t go in a vase goes in my flower press, or between the pages of a large phone book. I prefer pansies, daisies and tiny rose buds for the cards – they hold their shape and color well. I made some great cards with beautiful maple leaves as they were turning in the fall. Use your imagination, but make sure to give your live pieces plenty of time to dry completely, or you will run the risk of discoloration and mold.

After a few weeks of preparation; you will have several pieces of paper in different colors, you will have a variety of pressed flowers (if this is your desire), and now you are set to go.

Use 8 ½ X 11 inch cardstock for your Cards. You will be able to purchase envelopes on Ebay under Stationary and Card making.

Cardstock and scrap booking paper for your project can also be bought here at Ebay in crafts, scrap booking and stationary.

Get your papers out, get an idea in mind, have your glue gun ready, and start tearing. You will be amazed at the ideas that come up, the beauty in simplicity, and the fun you will have.

floral supplies

stationary supplies

scrapbook papers