We are an eco-friendly business and are always thinking of ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle everything around us. With Valentine's Day coming up, we wanted to offer directions for how to make your own homemade paper from paper scraps lying around! This is a good way to recycle and reuse, and is also going to make your cards unique from all other cards!
How To Make Paper
Tear scrap paper into small pieces.
Each piece should measure no larger than roughly 1 inch (2.54 cm).
Make a frame.
This step can be done while your paper scraps are soaking.
- Cut a hole in the bottom of a disposable brownie pan. An aluminum pan is best, as it can be cut using sharp scissors. The hole should be rectangular and 1 inch (2.54 cm) smaller on all sides than the bottom of the pan.
- Place a piece of screen or wire mesh in the pan. To keep it from falling through the hole, simply cut it the size of the pan bottom.
Make a slurry of paper pulp.
- Fill a blender with warm water, halfway. Add some of the shredded and soaked paper--about a handful. At medium speed, blend the water and paper until it takes on a soupy consistency.
- Pour the slurry into a large tub. Fill the tub with warm water. Mix the tub contents until they are evenly incorporated. At this point you can add food coloring if you want to make colored paper!
- Holding the pan level, shake all the extra water out. Use your hands to press the pulp against the screen to get more water out.
- Place the frame on a clean, dry towel and press paper out onto towel.
- Place another towel on top of paper, and roll over with a rolling pin to get extra water out.
- Peel paper off towel and set somewhere to dry overnight.
Voila! You have your own homemade paper for Valentine's Day cards! Cut into whatever shape you want and send to your friends and family!