Making your own paper has so many possibilities and is a wonderful way to use up paper bits or recycle papers. It is so easy to do that even kids can do it!
There are a few basic things that you need. First off a blender, lots of water, and some large buckets (ice cream buckets work great!) You will also need some screen – the kind that covers your windows, it can be purchased at most hardware stores. If you have the option, choose the vinyl screen rather than the metal stuff as the little metal pieces will poke you as you work and have to be taped with duct tape in order to work with it. Once you have your vinyl screen cut a piece to fit in an embroidery hoop or wooden frame (or both). You will also need a nice absorbent sponge, a sunny day, a 4-6″ deep flat tub and a folding table. Last but not least, of course, you need all your paper scraps!
Wooden paper making frames
In addition to the basics, there are fun things you can use to jazz up your paper. They include glitter, finely shredded paper, colored bits of tissue paper, fabric dyes, confetti of any kind, dried flowers or leaves, pieces of yarn and anything else you would like to experiment with.
Now how to do it:
Soak your paper bits in warm water.
Blending up the paper
Put a small amount of soaked paper (it depends on how thick the paper is) into your blender and and 3-4 cups of water. Blend until you have the consistency you desire. If you are using colored papers and want the colors to show up as flecks throughout the paper, do not blend your mix as finely. Not blending it enough will create chunks of paper that take a long time to dry, BUT even larger chunks can make some neat paper.
Once you have blended up all your paper and put it into your flat bin you are ready to start the actual making of it.
Now comes the tricky part to explain. If you have blended a lot of paper and your consistency is quite thick you will need to add more water, but it is hard to tell how thick it is until you take a cut of paper (unless you have done this before). The simplest way to take a cut of paper is to take your embroidery hoop which has vinyl screen in it (you may wish to trim the excess screen off so all you have is a nice circle/oval shape to keep things neater). Turn your hoop vertically and slide it down the side of your bin and let it sit on the bottom. The screen should be on the top of the hoop. Now lift the hoop straight up through the water to the surface. Allow it to drip a bit. The paper pulp should not be thicker than 1/8-1/4″ on top of your screen and it can be thinner. If it is simply lift the hoop all the way out of the water and turn it over letting just the screen touch the surface of the water and all the paper bits will go back into the mix. If you paper is too thick add more water.
To actually turn this pulpy mass into paper you need a folding table that can be leaned against a deck railing or fence preferably outside on a sunny day so you don’t have to worry about making a mess. Now take a cut of paper let it drip a bit and then place the hoop upside down on the slanted table. Using your sponge begin pressing on the screen inside your hoop. This draws out the water (and sends lots running down the table). Keep pressing until the screen will come away from the paper bits. If it is too wet it will take some time to dry so if you want to draw more water out of your paper simply place a piece of screen over the paper and continue sponging until you can’t get out any more water.
To add the fun stuff: Once you know you have the right consistency you will want to add the fun things to your mix. Simply dump in the pieces and stir them into the pulp mix. If you wish to add dried leaves or petals you can sandwich them between two cuts of paper on your table as follows. Take the first cut of paper and absorb away the excess moisture. Add plant materials where desired. Take a second thin cut of paper (it will need to be transparent) and then place it over top of the first cut with the plant material sandwiched between the two. Dab away all excess water and allow it to dry.
Allow your paper to dry on the table. When it is dry it will come off easily without tearing (unless perhaps it is really thin). Now you are ready to create wonderful creations with it.
Handmade Paper gift Tags
Decorate your handmade paper crafts with clear hobby rubber stamps for card making, scrapbooking and all your paper crafting ideas.
Handmade Paper Butterfly Tag
If you love making paper you will probably be interested in how to use clear rubber stamps to cast detailed images into your paper creations. To learn how visit our Paper Casting with Rubber Stamps information page.
I have seen many variations of the dressy Fathers day cards – you know the ones I mean, the paper is folded to look like a dress shirt, a tie is added and you have a classy card or gift bag – but what if the dressy, professional look is not your dad? Well, we have come up with a casual card that is made to look like a T-shirt. It is simple to make and very easy to personalize to the likes and personality of your dad.
Here are a few quick tips for making this card. This is a 4×6 card with the fold on the 4″ inch side.
Make sure that your card folds the long way – meaning that it is hinged on the short side of the card
Cut a v-shape off both sides to create sleeves. Be sure not to cut the V in too deep or the sides of the shirt will be too sloped and will actually look like a dress rather than a T-shirt.
For the neck, mark the half way point across the hinged side of the card. Open the card flat and cut a half oval for the next opening. Once that is done, but the back portion down just a tiny bit – no more than 1/8″.
For the collar simply trace the half oval you cut out and then enlarge that edge – like as though you were going to mat it with a 1/4″ (or maybe a little wider) mat. Cut out the U shaped collar and glue it to the top of your shirt. Add stitch lines or draw in fabric lines as desired.
Once your shirt is built decorate it using your Fathers Day Clear rubber Stamps. This is an easy way to customize the designs on your card to the personality, likes and hobbies of the card recipient. The card sample above is decorated with the ‘World’s Greatest Dad‘ clear hobby rubber stamp set.
Happy Stamping and Happy Fathers Day to all your Wonderful Dads!!!
The twist card is a fabulous card for making invitations as well as fun greetings for any occasion! The center of this card actually flips over as you open the card! If you follow the basic tips and tricks below, you will find this card to be a fascinatingly simple design to create!
First of all, the following video will help you better visualize what this card does. It is 9 seconds long.
Tips for making this card:
Create the inside panel first! Mat it if you like and then fasten it securely and squarely onto your sturdy cardstock. Do NOT mount it any closer to the edges than 1″ leaving more if possible.
Next cut on the solid lines around your matted element as indicated in the template image above. Please note that there is no cut made between the two fold lines. In order to get your fold lines in the right place ensure that your first fold line is positioned exactly half way across the distance of your matted element.
The fold lines should be positioned at least 1″ apart and more if your design element is large.
Carefully fold your card and trim to size as desired.
Decorate the face of your card to introduce the contents as desired using clear hobby rubber stamps and scrapbooking supplies.
If you have any further questions about making this card, feel free to email us at clearlyrubberstamping@yahoo.ca
This has become a favorite heat embossing technique!!! It involves using 3-5 embossing powders per design. Learn how to do this super simple but absolutely beautiful technique on your own!
MATERIALS NEEDED TO DO THIS TECHNIQUE:
clear hobby rubber stamp – medium to large design
3-5 embossing powders
heat embossing gun
cardstock, glass, metal or other stamping medium that is safe to heat emboss on
Peel your clear acrylic stamp from the carrier sheet and place it on the clear stamping block.
Ink the design in the embossing ink and stamp the image onto your surface. If your design requires more than one impression of the image, so all the impressions before proceeding to the next step.
Sprinkle tiny amounts of embossing powder onto the impression(s). Dump off the excess being careful to not allow the powders to slide around too much. Repeat this step with each embossing color you wish to use, covering a small portion of the image with teach color.
Heat the powders and watch them blend together with fascinating results.
With that the embossing portion of your project is complete.
Marbling paper with food coloring and shaving cream is a great activity for all ages! Kids will love this, but for scrapbookers and card makers, this technique will open up a whole new world of background papers. The end result of each project is beautiful and unique and makes a great background for clear rubber stamping projects!
MATERIALS NEEDED:
Shaving cream or foam
Coloring medium: food coloring, refill inks, water based paint
Porous paper or cloth
Stick for swirling colors together
Cookie sheet or tin foil
4×6 sheet of heavy cardstock
TO MARBELIZE YOUR PAPER
Protect your work surface with newspapers. Next cover the bottom of a cookie sheet with tin foil.
Spray the shaving cream over an area that will cover your paper (this will depend on the size of paper you are using. Make the shaving cream layer about 1″ thick.
ADDING COLORS: If you are using food coloring, as illustrated,begin dropping bits of color over the shaving cream. You can use 1-4 colors as desired. (If you are using water based paint, thin it down, then you can squirt bits over the shaving cream. You can even use a paint brush to make designs if you wish. If you are using refill inks, you can either squirt lines of ink into the shaving cream or you can add the ink the same way the food coloring is added, drop by drop.)
Once you have added your color, use your swirling stick to lightly swirl the colors together. You want your colors to be sharp and vibrant so be careful not to overmix the colors. Also the colors should stay on the top of the foam as much as possible.
Next lay your porous paper (or cloth) over the marbled design. Press the paper or cloth down lightly. Paper can be lifted off after a few seconds, cloth must sit on the surface for 1-2 minutes to allow the colors to penetrate fully.
Lift paper off the shaving cream mixture.
Next scrape the shaving cream off your paper (or cloth) using the 4×6 heavy cardstock. As you remove the shaving cream you will find that you are revealing the wonderful swirled art that is delightful to use.
You can do this repeatedly with the same shaving cream mixture as desired. The more mixed your colors get the more muted the marbling will be.
Allow your paper (or cloth) to dry. Use your marbleized paper to create fun cards or scrapbook page features. These designs make wonderful backgrounds for rubber stamping scenic art!
This project was so much fun to make, create and of course display. It uses a paper mache book which should be available for purchase at any major craft store. This craft will also work with a wooden book, though the end results will vary somewhat.
To make this project you will need 1 paper mache book such as the one pictured below. Paint, paintbrushes, ribbon, clear rubber stamps for design as well as clear alphabet stamps, ribbon, double sided tape, and embellishments.
Begin by painting your book. We painted ours black with the page edges gold.
Once your paint has dried, choose an image design which you would like to emboss onto the bottom portion of your book cover. The smaller the design, the easier it will be to get a good impression if your book cover is anything less than perfectly flat. Before stamping in embossing ink, lay a strait edge or scrap paper over the areas you do not want the design to cover. Begin stamping your design. Add embossing powder and heat to emboss.
In the next step you will use your clear alphabet rubber stamps to add a title to your book. Before stamping be sure to lay out the letters in such a way that you know they will fit across the cover. Stamp your word in embossing ink, dust with embossing powder, tap off excess and heat to emboss.
Your last step to completing your paper mache book is to add ribbons and embellishments as desired. In addition to the ribbons and charms we added to ours, you might light to add a custom made tag, sequins, gems, quotes or more to perfectly customize and personalize your completed stamping project. When you are done, you are going to love displaying this treasure that can easily be filled with trinkets or treats!
This is one of my favorite completed projects yet! Embossing a combination of colors onto metal shapes makes fabulous card embellishments, tree decorations or even home decor.
This star is about 2 1/2″ tall. I used a large cling rubber stamp to add the design to the metal piece. Then added 3 colored embossing powders, and completing it with a dusting of clear embossing powder. I love to emboss any time, but I found particular delight as I watched the colors blend and shine on this finished star.
I am always watching for new Christmas tree ornament ideas. I love making new decorations and decorating my Christmas tree with them. This month I found an adorable Christmas ornament idea made entirely from paper. Here is the finished project…
Cut 12 circles in total cutting the same number of circles from each color. Decorate the backs of any single sided paper using your clear hobby rubber stamps and inks to create a design that will add to your color theme.
Fold each circle in half and stack together, alternating patterns. Wrap the wire over the fold and secure to hold the circles together.
Using double sided tape or small glue dots, place a dot of glue on the top 1/3 of the folded circle. Fold the next flap over it. On the next piece place the double sided tape or small glue dot on the bottom third. Alternating until all the circles have been secured together.
Fold over two flaps to create a relatively flat area on the bauble. Stamp a Christmas design onto white cardstock, color it if desired, and mat in a coordinating piece of solid colored cardstock. Secure onto the two flaps to complete the bauble. Tie a ribbon to the top and if you want to be really creative you might add a little white glitter along the top of the paper edges to look like a skiff of snow sitting below the ribbon.
Prepare your board by sanding the edges (and the surface if needed). Paint the edges of your board in a solid color using the craft paint. Be sure to extend the painting area to cover a 2″ border on the front of your board.
Using modge podge and scrapbook paper begin covering the surface of the board. When using large pieces of paper with modge podge first cover the board with modge podge and then add the paper. Distress or tear the edges if you desire. Allow the first coat of modge podge to dry, then cover the entire surface again. This eliminates bubbles and undesired creases. Set your board aside to dry.
Cut 24 squares from your heavy card stock measuring 2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″. Cut 6-8 squares from the patterned scrapbook paper measuring 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″. Distress the edges with Ink if desired. Glue these pieces onto the heavy card stock allowing the card stock to mat the patterned scrapbooking paper. Lay out your cards in a 3 x 8 grouping to decide on the placement of each patterned piece.
Using your Clear Number Rubber Stamps begin stamping the numbers from 1 to 24into the corner of each square. Enhance each square with family words or designs stamped on with your Sayings Clear Rubber Stamps and other favorite clear stamps you wish to use.
Cut your family photos to measure exactly 2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″. Glue them onto the backs of your numbered cards. Laminate all the cards and trim. Using a small hole punch or eyelet setter, punch a hole in the top center portion of each card and lay out onto the board. The three rows of eight should fill the bottom portion of the board leaving room for the title at the top. As you put the nails in ensure that the spacing is correct, the cards are centered and will hang straight.
Using your die cut letters (if you have a cricut you may wish to use vinyl) secure your title to the top of the board using modge podge. We further enhanced our board by adding a bead of glitter around the edges of the letters in the word FAMILY. Add bling, ribbons or anything else you desire to further enhance your board.
This card looks like it belongs outdoors! You will learn how distressing techniques of crumpled paper give the backdrop a weathered appearance, making the perfect frame for the woodland scene which this greeting card features.
Rust colored ink to match the cardstock, green ink and a golden ink.
Green Tag
SmallOrangeBrad
Scissors and Glue
TO MAKE THIS CARD
Cut your cardstock pieces and prepare according to the CRACKLED Card Making Template. For this card you will need to cut two D pieces. One in rust cardstock and one on cream. Be sure to trim the edges after you have folded your card so all edges are even. (NOTE: This card is larger than 6×6. Begin with Step 4 and adjust your template pieces to fit your card.)
Take the lightweight, light colored paper (B) and distress as instructed in Distressing Techniques by crumpling and inking the paper.
Carefully smooth out the paper, and glue onto the front of the card.
On the D rust colored cardstock, using the Birch Buddies Clear Rubber Stamps, stamp two birch trees on right third of your paper in rust colored ink. On the D cream cardstock, stamp birch trees on the outside edges of your paper. Add leaves, grass, and animals as desired. Cut out the center area using a crat knife. Cut your photo or stamped image (D) to size. Matte your photo or stamped image with the cardstock (C). Distress the edges with ink if desired. Using 3-d sticky squares mat and mount this image as indicated in the above template.
Using the Fall Season clear acrylic stamps, stamp three leaves, one each in green, rust, and a deep yellow opto cream colored cardstock. Cut out the leaves and arrange on card using 3-d sticky squares to secure.
Stamp your message on the tag using the Garden Box Set of clear stamps, distress the edges with ink as explained in Distressing Techniques. Fasten the tag to your card. You can put the brad in either before you secure the tag to the card, or after.
Add a saying or sentiment inside the card and stamp a leaf or two onto your envelope to finish your card making project
(If you are using water based paint, thin it down, then you can squirt bits over the shaving cream. You can even use a paint brush to make designs if you wish. If you are using refill inks, you can either squirt lines of ink into the shaving cream or you can add the ink the same way the food coloring is added, drop by drop.)
