I’ve wanted to try this for a while.

I’ve started collecting grocery store circulars and paper shopping bags. Something better to do than just throw them away.  The basics are that you cut it all up into small pieces and toss it into a blender with water and blend it until it is a pulp, then add it to a tub of shallow water and strain it using window screen, then transfer the strained part between two pieces of felt and press the water out. I used a picture frame, remove the back and glass and stretched across where the glass would be. it’s exactly the size of a standard piece of paper.

After I got a good idea of my technique, I had to improvise so I cut up some sheets of freezer paper and used those to dry the paper on since they can be reused.

I added some emerald gouache and some lavender flowers to see the result but I need a better technique for adding color next time. I can faintly see the difference between the regular paper and the ever so slightly tinged green paper. I love that the paper smells like lavender.

I am going to go pick some baby maple leaves and wildflowers this afternoon and press them dry for my next batch of paper.

For now I am thinking of ways to use this for my soaps. I’ll need to play around with it more for the right look.