Tuesday, March 30

Making Paper

I was inspried by an article in this magazine to try my hand at paper making.
The weather was sunny & warm, perfect for an outdoor kids craft project. 
First we gathered flowers from the garden, seeds, feathers & other 'nature' as the kids call it. 

Then we shredded up some old catalogs, Daddy some 8x10 screened frames & we were off!

Any project that involves water & getting messy is a winner here.

If you don't have Mary Janes Farm, there is a link to the project here.
Yes, Ms Butters has started Mary Jane TV.

So here are the fruits of their labors. A little bag,

and a card.  I'll be doing this again, the possibilities are endless!
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I just love the look & feel of beautiful handcrafted paper. The textures, the way it tears, it just elevates collage to a whole new level. I've purchased some pretty papers locally, at Asle Art in Fort Worth. Then I discovered PaperArts.com through KC Willis, & it was like finding buried treasure. The proprietor is C Grey, & you can tell from her site that she is passionate about paper. She offers very personal customer service, you can call & ask questions, she's so friendly. You could seriously spend hours browsing through her online catalog. I love the birds nest paper, it comes from Thailand & is made of compressed coconut hulls, feathers & other plants. Really cool stuff!
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I have to show you what my dear friend Pat made.

Pat is one of the sweetest, most generous & talented people I know. Someday she's going to teach me to crazy quilt, her work is amazing. 
 
Pat is self taught & I swear, this girl can do anything.  Re-do furniture, upholstery, stitching...you name it. Anyway, she found these sewing cabinet drawers & topped them with her special ribbon work & quilting.  They would be so precious in a craft room or anywhere else.  If your interested in purchasing them, go visit her blog, My Tattered Elegance.

42 comments:

Lori said...

it looks like you had a fun day of making paper...how cool is that...the results are so pretty...i can't wait to see what else you come up with using this technique...i love that little set of sewing drawers, they are really gorgeous...thanks for sharing!!!

cindy-stitches-n-stuff.blogspot.com said...

You are so awesome my friend. I really enjoyed my visit. I'm going to check out paper arts.

you are one of my favorites.

big hugs
cindy@stitches

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

Lisa ~
I love how your paper came out ~ Mary Jane's Farm magazine is one of my favorites ~
Your kids look like they are having a blast crafting with mom ~
xoxo
Lori

Diva Kreszl said...

wow, love that handmade paper! is that the new issue??? I haven't gotten mine yet if it is. and your friend's talent is just over the top,I'm going to visit all your links right now :)

luverlie said...

Lisa,
love your handmade paper. Great that you used child labor...lol. I'm sure they had lots of fun.
Those links are some of my favorites also.
luverlie@gmail.com
(still working on the blog)

Patty said...

I remember doing this as an art project in school, glad you guys had a good time!

Lululiz said...

Papermaking is great fun, I remember doing it with the boys when they were little.

Karen Valentine said...

The paper your kids made is wonderful. Looking at those pictures really makes me miss those days of doing projects with little ones. Give me a call sometimes when you are free. I'm home all day...
Karen

Diane said...

Oooh, I love all of this that you've shown. I know the paper arts site from KC Willis, and I love it! (and I love the birds nest too :) and thanks for the link!!

Dorthe said...

Lisa , looks like all of you had fun ,dear,---
I love the papers you made,--
and ordered the birds nest papers from KC Willis too, --have waited a very long time for them-but I so hope they will soon be here--
Thanks for the address to Mary Janes tutorial, dear friend, I will have a look.
Many hugs, Dorthe

Debra@CommonGround said...

I just love the idea for the homemade paper craft. What fun for anyone, not just kids. The feathers really add a special touch!
hugs,
Debra

Connie said...

Wonderful!!! But if there's one thing I don't need, it's another project, chickee!!! I can't get them all done now as it is but I can definitely see where kids would get a bang outta this, sugar....
xoxo,
Connie

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Lisa,
Your kids look like they really enjoyed the paper making venture.
Looks like fun for us big girls too.
It turned out so pretty.

I am going to check out the sewing machine drawers....love them.

hugs
Sissie

Judy said...

How cool! I just bought that magazine over the weekend and thought Hmm maybe I'll give this paper making a try. One day, after the holidays I'll get started. Happy Easter

Anonymous said...

Fun, Lisa! I found some handmade paper in my stash today and scrunched up a couple of quick flowers.

Am going to go visit your friend Pat now! :-)

Diane

Erica@ZunkyChic said...

What a small world - I met Pat at Antique Alley last year. Bought some old drawers from her, but haven't done anything with them yet (at least it was the Sept sale and not the April sale!).

Hope to see her again next month.

Susie~From My Home To Yours said...

How fun! Looks like the kids had a great time. It's wonderful that you include them with your projects. I've always wanted to make paper too...I think I just may be inspired now!
Blessings,
Susie

BellaRosa said...

Lisa amor, I just can't believe it! ....my stars...Even your kids are mega talented :) That is awsome! They did such a beautiful job :) I guess now they are "your" kids right lol I saw Pat's drawers and they are gorgeous, I LOVE her embroidery work! It is soo beautiful..another thing I would love to learn lol Hope your having a beautiful week amor :) Besos, Rose

BellaRosa said...

Oh my stars...Lisa amor, I just read what I wrote...that didn't read right at all lol I meant I saw Pat's sewing drawers ;) I know what your thinking...GOOBER...right :) what can I say...I do these special things without even thinking...must be my talent lol Besos, Rose

Debby said...

Hi Lisa,
What a fun day you must have had. I love seeing the little ones making paper with you, so sweet. The paper looks so cool and I agree it would have endless possibilities. Love your beautiful gift from your friend, gorgeous.
Debby

RACHELLE said...

that is awefully patient and loving and uber crafty of you. Making paper with kids! your my idol. everything i do with my kids leaves me cussing and crying. hee hee...

Beautimus!

www.gypsylemonade.blogspot.com

FILIGREE MOON said...

How fun and exciting for the kiddos to see the results of the papermaking! Love the little projects they created. And aren't Pat's creations just fabulous...she is such a creative genius! ~ Angela

Lisa said...

I love making paper!! Your box is great!
Hugs, Lisa

The Feathered Nest said...

How cool is this Lisa!!! I love trying new things and this paper is beautiful!...and how neat that the kids helped you too (I'm sure mine would have thrown the stuff at one another back in the day!!) I just love Pat's gorgeous sewing drawers, they are so beautifully detailed....I hope you are having a great week sweetie!! hugs and love, Dawn

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

The kids must have had a lot of fun with that project! It's so nice they can explore art techniques at such a young age! Turned out really well!

Charlene said...

That paper is awesome!!!! I am so glad we had a chat tonight. It had been forever! Hope you have a great visit with Jodi. Can't wait to hear all about it. Talk to ya soon. Charlene

Pat @ My Tattered Elegance said...

Love, love, love your paper. The way you create, you can do all kinds of things with it. Your kiddos are making so many memories right now with their mommie. They will never forget the creating times with you. All the projects turned out soooo good.
Love & hus, Pat

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Hi Lisa,

Looks like an outside project definately. Whatever did you do with the magazines. I would be interested in the Romantic homes if you still have them.
ahrishal@epix.net
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Inspired-Simplicity said...

What a great way to spend the day with the kids. So glad you passed 500 followers :)
xxoo C.

Dumpster Decorators said...

I have been wanting to try making paper. Seeing your end results is making me want to do it even more.

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Hi, dear Lisa, How wonderful that your kids like to do something creative with you! It looks like that was a fun project for all of you and your papers turned out beautiful!
Pat's cover for those sewing machine drawers is really pretty!
Have a great afternoon!
xoxo,
Julia

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

I used to do that with my students, a long time ago. I love how yours turned out. The kids did great work.

Beth Leintz said...

Making paper is on my bucket list- I've wanted to do it for years- love the idea of adding odd little bits of "nature". The feathers on your paper are great.

And your kids- so cute---if you can't get them the Ralph Lauren gig, see if Mary Jane will offer them a job.

Anonymous said...

Oh how I love your paper creations (I'd love to try this too), and you are right - Pat's embroidery is stunning!!! Thanks for sharing her link!
Hugs,
Zuzu

Sugar said...

They turned out great! my daughter made paper once for a science project, looked more like something I can't really say lol..kids love making messes though.

Cottage Rose said...

Hi Lisa; OH what fun making paper,, every one looks like they were having a great time.... And how pretty they turned out.. And I just love the old sewing drawers she covered, she sure has a great talent, have a Wonderful Easter.

Hugs'
Alaura

Burlap Luxe said...

Ooooh! I just love making paper, My daughter and I did paper making for a school science fair she won first place...her name is Hannah and the called her "Hannahmark" instead of Hallmark she made cards and show all about the wast of paper and poluation.

Enjoyed you sharing your passion
visit me sometime I too have paper art on my blog.

Dore I'll be back soon

Alisa Noble said...

Oh my word, it's been so many years since I made paper... I'd forgotten how great handmade paper can be!

Vicki's Bit-o-earth said...

Love love love your project! And the kids look like they had a blast! I have subscribed to MJF since it was a catalog. Her magazines are stuffed full of everything I love! (: Vicki

cindy-stitches-n-stuff.blogspot.com said...

Lisa, I was just checking my comments. Did I ever send you my address? You had ask for it.

cindy geilmann
2256 W Hobbs Drive
South Jordan, Utah 84095

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

What a fun project to do with the kids. Those papers are just beautiful. A friend who teaches 8th grade had all her friends collecting dryer lint so her class could make paper that way. Have never tried it before. I have paper handmade in Malawi and just love the earthy colors. The crazy quilting is beautiful. I wish I could sew anything. Have a great day! :) Tammy

Gaby Bee said...

I remember doing this as an project in school, many years ago. It's really fun.
I wish you a Happy Easter!
Gaby xo