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.