For the creation of original postcards, packaging and gift envelopes, decorative paper, which is quite simple to do with your own hands, is perfect. The process of its creation not only allows you to create something new and original, it also perfectly develops imagination.
pros
- Each sheet is completely new and original.
- The appearance and texture of the sheets is pleasant.
- The process is so creative and exciting that the child will be happy to participate in the work.
- The filling options are varied.
- This is a great way to recycle paper waste.
Necessary materials
If you are thinking about how to make decorative paper, then first of all it is worth preparing the necessary materials and tools. To make designer paper you need:
- Blender
- A basin or other water tank.
- Cutting board (tray or baking sheet).
- Foam sponges for washing dishes (they will need a few pieces).
- Small pieces of fabric that absorb water well (felt or household napkins for the kitchen or waffle towels).
- Paper - here you can use everything that is at hand (napkins, printer paper, boxes, etc.). It is better not to use newspapers and glossy publications in the work, because due to the large amount of printing ink the color may turn out to be dull.
- Additional decorative elements (blades of grass, leaflets, threads, confetti, sparkles, etc.).
Step-by-step instruction
Decorative paper is made quite simple. The first step is to prepare various sheets of paper. They should be crushed using scissors into pieces of medium size.
Then they are filled with water and brought to a mushy state with a blender. In the absence of a blender, the paper is left to get wet for a day, stirring occasionally and rubbing it with your hands to the desired state. To make decorative paper more durable, add PVA glue to the mixture. Sheets can be made colorful by adding paper of different colors to the mass.
Now you should start forming the sheet. To do this, lay out part of the mass on a cutting board and roll it out with a rolling pin, giving the sheet the necessary shape. This can also be done on a tray or baking sheet. To make the paper pulp more plastic, you can add a little water in the process. This process is creative, because at this stage it is necessary to add all kinds of fillers (spangles, inflorescences, fragrances, etc.). When the sheet is formed, you need to remove excess moisture with a sponge.
Next, a cutting board with a sheet of paper is covered with a waffle towel and dried with an iron until the sheet is easily removed from the board. It must be removed very carefully if the decorative paper is not completely dry and can easily be damaged, because it is still fragile. Now the designer sheet is left to dry overnight under something heavy.
In the morning, when the decorative paper is completely dry, it can be used to make all kinds of crafts, postcards, envelopes, etc.