Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Inkling: recycled paper

Do you shred documents and junk mail? If so, that little bin under the shredder fills up pretty quickly. You can put the shreds in with the recycled trash, compost it or make new paper. I decided to make some new paper from paper mache pulp and use it to make tags.
To make paper from paper shreds you’ll need:
  • Paper shreds or torn up paper
  • Water
  • Flour
  • Sugar
  • A large pot
  • A rolling pin
  • A strainer
  • Parchment or wax paper
  • Place your paper shreds in a pot of boiling water and let boil for an hour or so.
  • Stir the paper every now and then and add more water if needed. Time saving option: soak your paper overnight in a bucket of water to eliminate the boiling step.
  • Once the paper starts to get mushy; drain it in a large strainer. I used a wire strainer so the bits of paper wouldn’t fall through larger holes of a sieve.
  • While the paper is cooling, make paper mache paste. Here’s the recipe:
Combine ½ cup flour and 2 cups cold water in a bowl.
Boil 2 cups of water in a sauce pan and add the flour and cold water mixture.
Bring to a boil again.
Remove from heat and add 3 tablespoons of sugar.
Let cool. The paste will thicken as it cools
  • Squeeze your paper to remove as much water as possible. Slowly add the paper mache paste. You probably won’t need all the paste. Just enough to coat the paper.
  • At this point, I added little cut up bits of colored tissue paper to jazz up my paper. Don’t boil the tissue paper with the shreds or it will just become part of the mush.
  • Roll out your pulp between two pieces of parchment paper using a rolling pin.
  • Try to get your paper fairly thin.
  • Place on a cookie sheet or tray and let dry.
Once your paper is dry, cut them into desired shapes.

 

  
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This project is linked at the following:

Photobucket    Somewhat Simple IhookedupwithHoHlamespice  36th Avenue  

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31 comments :

  1. this is so creatively beautiful

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  2. Can't WAIT to try this!

    Thanks for sharing
    Michelle
    Bok Bok B'Gerk

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  3. I think you and I create on the same wave length. I was actually thinking about trying to make paper. Thanks for the awesome tutorial!
    suzy

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  4. LOve your paper. My sis and I have done this and it is fun, easy and we Ration it out!! Like hoarding I guess.

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  5. Very clever! I love this idea and think I just might try it. :)

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  6. Great idea...and I think my kiddos will think this is pretty great too! Thanks for sharing!

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  7. I did this with years and years ago with my kids! It is a lot of fun! Your paper looks beautiful!

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  8. I love the creative ways that you use paper machier (sp? doesn't look right - sorry). And I particularly like the way to add tiny bits of tissue color to the mix. At first i thought you used dots of paint. Then I read what you wrote. Makes perfect sense now :) thanks for sharing ~diane

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  9. What a great idea! This paper looks like soft felt. I am going to have to try it!

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  10. Wow, thanks for the tute! This looks easy and fun. I'll have to try it soon.....

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  11. Consider yourself pinned! I so want to make this. What a great way to use all of that junk mail and shredded financial documents. Thanks for sharing! -Jess (at) OlyMomma

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  12. Great use of scrap paper! Thanks for sharing the tutorial!

    Thanks for linking to the Creating Success Worldwide blog hop!! Hope you'll come back again next week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  13. That is so cool! I didn't know it was so easy to make it yourself. It looks great too :)

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  14. So, so pretty! I marked this to give it a try -- and love the idea of the tissue paper too!

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  15. I ABSOLUTELY love this!! I'm bookmarking this post for sure! Thanks for the great tutorial!

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  16. i will try this for sure!! love it!!

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  17. The result is beautiful, but the best part is the recycling! Well done! (Now I also know how to make paper like that... Yay!!)

    http://amoronia.blogspot.com/

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  18. I recycle my office paper, but have been wanting to get a shredder. Now it's a must. Your project has inspired me!

    Thank you so much for linking up to "A Little Birdie Told Me..." Carolyn!

    Jenn

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  19. I'm visiting from "A Little Birdie Told Me..."
    I have never made paper. With your instructions it seems to be fairly easy! I never knew! What GREAT looking tags.

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  20. That's cool, very pretty, Hard to believe that it has been done by recycling.

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  21. This is a very artistic way to use the shredded paper that’s supposed to be thrown to nowhere. The process is very simple and the product is very cute! I’ll try this the next time I shred my papers. :)

    [ Ruby Badcoe ]

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  22. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  23. Here at this site really the fastidious material collection so that everybody can enjoy a lot.Shredder Choice

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  24. Its so cool and nice diy tutorial. thank you for sharing!

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  25. What a great idea! Hard to believe that it has been done by recycling.

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  26. SO super cute! You make it look so easy.

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