Adding wildflowers to the pulp mixture

I collected lots of buttercups from meadows around where I live. The buttercups are blooming at this time of year. The best time to collect them is in the afternoon when they do not have any moisture on them. Also when it is a sunny day and has not been raining.

Buttercups added to the paper

The buttercups had been pressed between two baking sheets to allow the moisture to all be removed naturally. Then I placed some heavy books onto them, wildflower books of course. The process of pressing and drying them took around three weeks. I found this to be the best way of preserving the colour. After I finished the process and dried the paper, I found that the buttercups were not secure on the paper. So next I added PVA glue (mod podge) to each flower and allowed that to dry. The glue sets the flower and preserves the colour. I think the effect is very pretty and more practical than the flowers falling off the finished paper. I have tried adding an extra layer of pulp over the flowers, but found that this covers them and therefore their natural colour does not shine through.

Handmade paper displayed on mold and deckle

The art of papermaking is very mindful and I love the idea of trying out new things such as adding the glue at the end. I also enjoy holding the paper to the light and seeing all the different pieces of shredded paper that are in the mix.

Holding paper to the light and seeing all the shredded paper

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Starting my journey of making paper at home

L itter picking on a local beach is really where my journey began. I decided to volunteer with primary school children to collect discarded plastic and the like. I felt really proud of myself. I had always wanted to operate a litter picker. I really didn't expect to find much as I frequented this beach on many occasions and had never noticed things that weren't supposed to be there. W ithin the first few hours we had managed to fill so many bags of rubbish that the local Council sent a vehicle to pick the waste up. I found a sharps container full used syringes, so many plastic bottles and discarded balloons, bits of plastic that I was shocked. I grew up with the Wombles of Wimbledon, who were ahead of their times. Picking litter of Wimbledon Common, public funded signs and message telling you to take your litter home. Under no account drop litter in the streets. The one items that was commonly seen everywhere was discarded pull ...

Making paper and adding Turmeric

Today I tried adding Turmeric to the pulp before couching (transferring the wet sheets from the mould). I loved the idea of producing a yellow colour that is natural. The paper has a lovely shade of yellow and the fibres held together well. Holding the paper up to the light I was able to see how transparent it looked. The fibres had bonded well together and I was so excited to see the end product once the paper had fully dried. Paper on frame held up to the light I used the method of putting the mould and deckle into the tub of water and gently lifting it out of the water. Lots of the water drained away back into the tub of water. After lifting the deckle out of the water I carefully remove the frame. This gives the deckle edge that I think is a wonderful look to handmade paper. I lay the pieces out on the window ledges, still on their cloths and waited 24 hours for them to dry out. Once they had dried, I ironed them with a cool iron t...

My first attempt

I made a screen using small chicken wire and a old picture frame. I used packing tape to secure the edges. I used recycled newspaper, after squeezing out as much water turned the paper onto a tea towel Leaving to dry overnight on a window ledge. The paper was thick and brittle and very grey. The deckle that I had made broke and I was not impressed with the thickness of the paper or the look and feel. It was back to the drawing board to try something else.

Lemon Tree Paper Creator

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