Making Paper Is Fun And Easy!

Paper is amazing. I'm not talking about that 8 1/2" by 11" college ruled stuff you've used half your life, I'm talking about handmade paper. Handmade paper is an ancient art form steeped in history. It's beautiful, versatile and useful. And it's so fun and easy a child could make it with just a little help from Mommy. But there are plenty of grown ups making paper too.

This week I think the world lost some of it's sparkle with the passing of Arnold Grummer. But his legacy lives on with every sheet of handmade paper we make, because when it comes to paper making I think the whole planet would agree Arnold Grummer was, and always will be the go to guy. His superior knowledge of paper making was equaled only by his commitment to bring paper making and paper crafting to the masses in an easy, fun and affordable way. 

I'm a huge fan of Arnold Grummer and his work, so when I wanted to make my own paper I went directly to his website arnoldgrummer.com and got myself Arnold Grummer's Papermill Complete Kit. He has many paper making kits available, but I purchased The Papermill Complete Kit for $49.95. This kit recycles household wastepaper into cards, books, invitations and more in just minutes! It's easy to use and it's clear, illustrated directions guarantee success from the very first sheet. With quick set up and clean up, the kit makes 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inch paper and comes with everything needed to form, press and dry paper. All supplies are reusable. It does require the use of  a household blender, dishpan, tray (cookie sheet);  an iron is optional, but  wastepaper is a must!

So let's get started making paper. Here's what you'll need:

• Arnold Grummer's Papermill Complete Kit
• Household blender
• Dishpan
• Cookie sheet
• Wastepaper
• Iron - optional
• Botanicals - optional
• Sparkles, metallics and micas -optional
• Tissue paper tints

Here we go!

With your hand mold upside down on a flat surface, place the white papermaking screen on the mold, then the white drain rack on top of the screen. Then pull the straps snugly across and secure.

Fill your dishpan with water and lower the mold into the water at an angle. Make sure the water is deep enough to come within a 1/4 inch of the top of the mold.

Select some scrap or wastepaper to recycle. It should be about 1 inch longer and 1 inch wider than your mold - about 7 inches by 9 inches for this mold. Sometimes I add a bit more if I want the end result to be a thicker paper. Now tear the paper into pieces and blend with about 2 cups of water for at least 30 seconds. I added some botanicals at the beginning  but you can add things in anytime. The longer you blend, the finer the pulp and anything you add in become.

When finished blending, pour the pulp into the hand mold and spread the pulp evenly by wiggling your fingers in the water.

Lift the mold out of the water holding it level. Let the water drain out. Set the mold on your cookie sheet (catches dripping water) and carefully pull the straps loose on your mold.

Lift up the mold up and gently pull it away from the white papermaking screen and drain rack.

Now carefully place the grey cover screen over the wet, new sheet of paper. Take your sponge and press firmly over the grey cover screen, then wring out the sponge and repeat until there is no more water.

Ok, slowly peel back the grey cover screen from the corner. If the paper lifts up with the screen, try another corner, or lightly hold the paper down with your other hand.

I cut a few corners here by placing the new sheet that is still on top of the white papermaking screen on a flat surface and carefully put a dry white couch sheet (very absorbent) on top of that.

Then use the press bar and push down hard over the entire surface of the couch sheet. 

Then I replace the couch sheet with a dry one, and gently flip the whole thing over. I carefully peel off the white papermaking screen from one of the corners and cover with another dry couch sheet and press with the press bar. 

  
I repeat this process until most of the water is removed. Then I remove the top couch sheet, and carefully peel the new sheet of paper from the bottom couch sheet. If enough water has been removed the new sheet of paper should be strong enough to do this. If it does not appear strong enough than you need to remove more water.

Place your new sheet of paper on an ironing board, a cloth, or other flat surface. You can cover your new sheet with a thin cloth if you like. I don't because I want to see my paper change as it dries under the iron. With your iron on high heat and no steam, iron slowly and without stopping over the new sheet until it is dry. You can tell it is drying because the dry areas become lighter. You can also press your paper between two dry couch sheets to dry, but honestly I could never wait that long to see my pretty new handmade paper. Heat can make paper curl so sometimes I do press it under some heavy books after I iron it dry.

Once your paper is dry you can write, type or draw on it. It is fully functional and can be used in endless projects like the ones you'll find on the Arnold Grummer Blog. Remember that handmade paper looks different on one side than the other. So you have even more choices when using your beautiful handmade paper. 

Though this step by step handmade paper tutorial may seem lengthy, papermaking is not. It is easy, fun and seriously addictive! You'll find yourself saying "I'm just going to make one more sheet!" and you end up with a big, gorgeous stack!

*Just wanted to let you know there is a significant hurricane headed directly into us in the next day or two, so I'm not sure if we'll be losing power and for how long. I'll do my best to post a new project on Saturday, November 3rd, but if you don't hear from me you'll know it has something to do with Hurricane Sandy! Prayers appreciated : )


Visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MyCreativeMommy and click the "Like" box to become a fan and receive regular updates!

Follow us on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/mycreativemommy

My goal is to take the whole world on a creative journey one project at a time, so I want to offer many thanks to all my readers in 49 different countries... 

The United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, Malaysia, Italy, the Bahamas, the Philippines, Sweden, Egypt, Columbia, the Netherlands, Spain, the Sudan, Turkey, Mexico, Moldova, Denmark, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, the Czech Republic, the Ukraine, South Africa, India, Taiwan, Panama, Serbia, Latvia, Argentina, United Arab Emirates, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 

New Zealand, Japan,Bangladesh, Brazil, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Chile, 

Romania, Hungary, Portugal, Indonesia and Guernsey!

Many Blessings,

Jana : )

Happy Little Polymer Clay Buttons

When you are a creative person, it is impossible to have a monogamous relationship with any one craft. You find yourself flirting with other hobbies, attracted to other art forms. Artistic infidelity is inevitable, so give in to it and let your creativity run wild!
I've had my eye on Polymer Clay for a while now, and this week we finally spent some time together - making buttons.

Here's what you'll need to make Happy Little Polymer Clay Buttons:

• Polymer Clay - assorted colors (*different brands may have different oven temperatures, so stick with the same brand for your project)
• Basic polymer clay tools
• Rolling pin (*not interchangeable with anything used for food) I used a short piece of copper pipe we had laying around!
• Toothpicks
• Polymer clay cutting tools (*cookie cutters work, but cannot be used for food after clay)
• Work surface (I used a leftover piece of tile)
• Cookie sheet
• Parchment paper

Open the package of polymer clay, break off some clay, then cut off the amount you would like to use. Now condition the clay by working it with your hands. Initially, the clay will feel very firm, but  will soften up quickly.

Now take the conditioned pieces of clay and roll them into long rods. You can make them as thick or thin as you like - experiment for different results.

Twist the rods together to make one long piece.

Fold into an "S" shape.

And roll out flat to about 1/4 inch thickness.

Press clay cutters through clay for your desired shape. You can do this freehand too, but you'll need something very sharp so be careful.

Remove the excess clay and make two holes with a toothpick. Keep in mind the holes need to be large enough for a sewing needle to pass through.

Now carefully lift up your buttons and place them on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. When you are ready to bake your buttons, preheat the oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember to check the package of Polymer Clay for baking instructions - oven temperatures can vary with different brands of clay. Bake for 30 minutes per 1/4 inch of clay thickness. Our buttons are about 1/4 inch, so I baked them for 30 minutes.
*It is important not to burn the clay, as polymer clay has chemicals in it that will release fumes when burned.
*Also, it is a good idea to wash your hands after working with clay to clean off those same chemicals I just mentioned.

Hope you had fun learning how to make your own Happy Little Polymer Clay Buttons!

Visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MyCreativeMommy and click the "Like" box to become a fan and receive regular updates!

Follow us on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/mycreativemommy

My goal is to take the whole world on a creative journey one project at a time, so I want to offer many thanks to all my readers in 49 different countries... 

The United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, Malaysia, Italy, the Bahamas, the Philippines, Sweden, Egypt, Columbia, the Netherlands, Spain, the Sudan, Turkey, Mexico, Moldova, Denmark, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, the Czech Republic, the Ukraine, South Africa, India, Taiwan, Panama, Serbia, Latvia, Argentina, United Arab Emirates, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 

New Zealand, Japan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Chile, 

Romania, Hungary, Portugal, Indonesia and Guernsey!

Blogging is lonely without comments from you!

So leave me a comment and let me know what you think of my blog, if you've tried some of the projects, and any projects you might like to see in the future.

Many Blessings,

Jana : )

Yes, You CAN Make A Pop-Up Card!

Pop-up cards are fun, but I've always felt like I needed an engineering degree to make them. That is until I found Playful Pop-Up Cards by Takami Suzuki. She makes creating a pop-up card easy. I think all 25 of her projects are doable, great looking cards that someone would love to give, or receive.

I wanted to take this project up a notch by adding the element of handmade paper. Handmade paper is beautiful and has a wonderful texture that will really make your pop-up cards pop! Arnold Grummer is without a doubt the go to source for paper making and paper crafting supplies, and he offers several free videos showing you how to make your own amazing handmade paper. I used the Arnold Grummer's Papermill Complete Kit to make the paper for this project.

Here's what you'll need to make this pop-up card:

• Eight 5 1/2 by 8 1/2 inch sheets of handmade paper in the following colors...

Dark blue (cut to 5 1/4 by 7 inches)
Light blue (cut to 5 by 6 3/4 inches)
White (cut to 2 1/2 by 2 1/2 inches) 
Red (cut to 1 1/2 by 1 1/2 inches)
Green (cut to 2 by 4 3/4 inches)
Light green (cut to 2 by 2 1/2 inches)
Light pink (cut to 2 by 2 inches)
Yellow (cut to 2 by 2 inches)

• Craft knife
• Ruler with inches and centimeters
• Glue stick
• Hole punch
• Pencil
• Cutting mat

Fold the dark blue paper in half and set it aside. 

Now fold the light blue paper in half and get ready to make the two convex rectangular pop-up mechanisms for this card. This is the most challenging part, and then I promise you it's smooth sailing from here.
I'm going to give you the measurements for the pop-up mechanisms in centimeters because it's just easier. 

The first rectangular pop-up is 3cm in from the left side of the light blue paper and it is 2cm wide and 3cm long. This rectangle is 1cm below the center fold and 2cm above the center fold. This pop-up mechanism will have a mountain fold (folds out toward you like a mountain peak) 1cm below the top of the rectangle.

There will be a 3.5cm space between the two rectangles.

The second rectangular pop-up is 3.5cm in from the right side of the light blue paper and it is 2cm wide and 3cm long. This rectangle is 2cm below the center fold and 1cm above the center fold. This pop-up mechanism will have a mountain fold 2cm below the top of the rectangle.

All these words and measurements simply look like this...

Take your sharp craft knife and cut along the right and left vertical sides of each rectangular pop-up mechanism. Then gently push each pop-up mechanism out toward the inside of the card, folding out along the "mountain fold" line. I turned the card on its side for this picture so you could see the pop-up mechanism rectangles better. It should look like this...

Glue the light blue paper inside the dark blue paper keeping the center folds aligned. Also, make sure not to glue the pop-up mechanisms! They need to stay unattached.

Now trace and cut out the following:
3 small dark green trees
1 larger light green tree
1 yellow star
1 white snowman
1 small red hat (for snowman)

Craft (hole) punch out the following:
3 red circles (snowman's buttons)
2 dark blue circles (snowman's eyes)
2 pink circles (snowman's cheeks)
7 white circles (snow!)

Glue the three small dark green trees onto background of the light blue paper just above the center fold.

Glue the yellow star to the top of the larger light green tree then glue the tree to the left pop-up mechanism. Let it dry a bit so it doesn't fall off while you're working on the rest of the card.

Glue the buttons, eyes, cheeks and hat onto the snowman, and then glue the finished snowman to the right pop-up mechanism and let dry.

Now glue the seven white circles to the light blue paper background to make "snow."

Congratulations! You just made an adorable pop-up card! I think I like mine too much to give it away : ) 

Visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MyCreativeMommy and click the "Like" box to become a fan and receive regular updates!

Follow us on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/mycreativemommy

I want to offer many thanks to all my readers in 44 different countries - the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, Malaysia, Italy, the Bahamas, the Philippines, Sweden, Egypt, Columbia, the Netherlands, Spain, the Sudan, Turkey, Mexico, Moldova, Denmark, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, the Czech Republic, the Ukraine, South Africa, India, Taiwan, Panama, Serbia, Latvia, Argentina, United Arab Emirates, Bosnia and Herzegovina, New Zealand, Japan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon!

It is both humbling, and exciting to know people are actually reading what I'm writing, and hopefully trying out a few of the projects.

My goal is to take the whole world on a creative journey, one project at a time! Thanks for coming along.

Many Blessings,

Jana : )

Sew Easy Throw Pillow

I don't know about the rest of the world, but Americans seem to have a fascination with throw pillows. We load up our couches and beds with all these pretty little pillows. I'm not sure why really, because they don't leave much room to sit or lay down unless you take them off! They do add a nice decorative touch though. 
Throw pillows are very easy to make, and their decorative appeal is directly related to the patterns and textures of the fabrics you choose. For today's project, I chose cotton fabrics with a fun pattern and smooth texture. I wanted to make a throw pillow for my daughter, because she's a throw pillow kind of girl : )

Here's what you'll need to make your throw pillow:

• 1 - 18 inch by 18 inch pillow form
• 8 - 10 inch by 10 inch squares of fabric (I used two bundles of fat quarters and cut them to size)
• Cutting mat
• Scissor or rotary cutter 
• Thread
• Sewing needle
• Pins
• Iron
• Sewing machine is optional - this project can easily be sewn by hand

I prepared the fabric by washing, drying and ironing it before cutting and sewing. This way it shouldn't shrink after it's on the pillow.

Pin the right sides of two fabric squares together. Repeat this step four times until you have four two-square pieces. 
*The "right side" of fabric is the side that looks finished and shows.*

Using a 1/2 inch seam allowance, sew straight down the side you pinned. Repeat this step with the other three two-square pieces.

Press the seams open flat with an iron.

Now you are going to put together the pillow front by pinning and sewing together the right sides of the two, two-square units to make one four square unit. The most important part in this step, is to make sure the center seams are lined up. This will allow the points of the four corners of your square to meet perfectly in the center of your pillow.
Repeat this step with the pillow back.

Now you have the four-square pillow front and four-square pillow back complete. Make sure all the seams are pressed flat and open.

Place the right sides of the pillow front and pillow back together. Pin and sew three sides of the square. Then pin and sew half of the fourth side to leave an opening to insert the pillow form through.

Turn pillow cover right side out, push out the corners with your finger and press with an iron. Turn under and press the 1/2 inch seam allowance at the opening for easier sewing.

Insert the pillow form through the opening and hand-stitch the opening closed. Some people can do this part with a sewing machine. I could not - so I hand-stitched it : )

Even though I'm somewhat intimidated by sewing, this throw pillow turned out fantastic! It was an easy, fun project and I can't wait to make one for my son.

Visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MyCreativeMommy and click the "Like" box to become a fan and receive regular updates!

Follow us on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/mycreativemommy

I want to offer many thanks to all my readers in 43 different countries - the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, Malaysia, Italy, the Bahamas, the Philippines, Sweden, Egypt, Columbia, the Netherlands, Spain, the Sudan, Turkey, Mexico, Moldova, Denmark, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, the Czech Republic, the Ukraine, South Africa, India, Taiwan, Panama, Serbia, Latvia, Argentina, United Arab Emirates, Bosnia and Herzegovina, New Zealand, Japan,Bangladesh, Brazil, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Saudi Arabia!

It is both humbling, and exciting to know people are actually reading what I'm writing, and hopefully trying out a few of the projects.

My goal is to take the whole world on a creative journey, one project at a time! Thanks for coming along.

Many Blessings,

Jana : )