Celebrate Earth Day by reusing paper scraps to make new paper. It simple and fun to do! In the end, you’ll have a beautiful new piece of paper that you can feel good about using.
Watch Amy’s video showing you how to make paper:
You will need:
blender (not used for food)
scrap paper – can be construction paper, printer paper, magazine pages….
water
tub or tray
screen – premade with a wood picture frame, metal screen, stapler & duct tape
sponge
white felt
Here’s how you make paper:
- Tear up pieces of scrap paper that you wish to reuse into pieces about 1” square.
- Place the scraps into a blender and cover with warm or hot water. Use enough water to just reach the top of your paper.
- Blend until the paper and water becomes “slushy”.
- Place your screen into a tray to catch excess water.
- Scoop some of the paper pulp onto the screen.
- Shape the pulp by hand or with a cookie cutter or other tool (if using a cookie cutter or tool, remove after shaping).
- Gently place a piece of white felt over the pulp and lift the tray with felt in place and flip over so the felt is on the bottom.
- Press a dry sponge onto the screen with pulp beneath to absorb water. As the sponge becomes saturated wring it out.
- Continue to press with the sponge until no more water is being absorbed.
- Carefully lift the screen off the paper and allow paper to dry on the felt for 24-48 hours.
