Blue Journal

Recently I started making Art Journals out of handmade paper. The covers are a blast to make because you can make them really chunky! This one was made using junk mail, blue dyed daisy petals, chunky glitter and strips of plastic. I had a friend donate lots of junk mail scraps to me and the plastic strips came from shredding the envelopes with the plastic windows. The inner sheets are junk mail paper only, no plastic or glitter or dye so they have kind of a gray tone.

I wanted to experiment with making my own Art Journal. I am in no way as amazing with my Art as others who make these journals. This is a new journey for me as well so it will be fun to play and develop new ideas.

I like the color blue. It is a "go to" color for me in my art so I thought I would start with a monochromatic paper showcasing just blue stuff. I did this a couple of months ago and I think I may even add to it later, but this is how it looks right now.

The handmade paper can take a lot of altering, just like regular paper. You just have to be careful about how wet it gets. This page has dye ink, glitter glue, acrylic paint, paper adhesive (for the postage stamps and other papers that I glued on) and even E-6000 glue (for the button).  Nothing seeped through to the back. I have to say the handmade paper takes acrylic paint very well!  Just love it. I have been trying to get my daughter to paint some of her art on these sheets. I think it would be a nice collaboration! Plus it would look great. :)

I'll keep sharing as I go. This year is going to be a creative year for me. I can feel it!

Have a Happy Day!

Chrystal

Tickets Please

My art group hosted a swap last month. We were to make 5 decorated tickets for our swap partner. This was something I had not made yet so I jumped at the chance to have an excuse to play!  This is what I made...

I used a ticket shape from my friend Penny Duncan. You can get her cut files from her blog here: Penny Duncan Creations Since I don't have a cutting machine, I used the .pdf file and hand cut them. I covered the tickets in my Craft Studio Paper handmade paper and used Tim Holtz's Distress Ink in Chipped Sapphire to add some color to the edges. I punched two flower shaped and inked them with the Forest Moss and Chipped Sapphire Distress Inks. Then I layered the blue flower on top of the green and glued them together. 

I stamped each ticket with either the "Hi There!" or "a happy hello" sentiment, both are from Hero Arts. After attaching the layered flowers onto the tickets, I added a small amount of Ranger Stickles to the center. I can't remember the color. I think it was Star Dust. 

And there you have it! Five decorated ticket shapes. I may do this again because they are the perfect size for a card and can add dimension as well as a focal point.

Have a Happy Day!

Chrystal

Papermaking Instructions

When people find out that I am a Papermaker, I get one question: "How do you make paper?"  I finally got a chance to document my papermaking process. :)  I've been making paper since 1996. It all started with an article in the local newspaper. It was a short article but it really peaked my interest. A little while later I found a kit at a craft store. My first batch was really awful! Hee Hee. But I was hooked!

Below is my process.

First, shred your paper. I love to shred different shades of the same color. This makes the paper more interesting!

Soak your shredded paper. I soak heavier papers longer. Card stock, for instance, needs to soak longer than regular scrapbook paper.

Next, blend those shreds! The longer you blend, the shorter your paper fibers will be, this makes the paper smoother. 

After blending, scoop some of the blended pulp into a tub with water and mix it up. Then you dip your deckle and mould and pull it out of the water. Your pulp will end up on the screen. Like this.

Finally, you'll flip it onto a drying sheet  and press with a sponge. 

Pull up the screen and let your sheet dry.

You end up with colorful sheets of beautiful handmade papers!

If you give it a try, have fun! It can get a little messy so be sure to have a towel handy. Also, be sure that any utensils you use (blender, scooper, etc.) are used for the papermaking process only. Don't use them for food. Also, most instructions tell you to pour your left over pulp down the drain or toilet. I don't do this. When the pulp dries it is very hard and can cause blockages in your sewer lines. I have a flower pot full of soil and rocks in my backyard that I use for dumping my water. The pulp stays on top and the water filters down.  

I'd be happy to answer any questions! Papermaking is my passion! :)

Have a Happy Day!

Chrystal

Too Many Interests!

Hey there! Chrystal here.  I don't know about you but I know I have waaaaay too many interests! Papermaking, photography, cooking, exercise, fashion, reading, music and DIY. There are just not enough hours in the day! 

This blog will probably cover most of those fun activities, but I really want to focus on my papermaking and paper crafts here. I do have a photography blog and you can go here to check it out: Chrystal Schilling Photography

I love to make paper! It all started 17 years ago (wow, has it been that long?)  Anyway, I read an article in the local newspaper that really peaked my interest. Then I found a kit at a local craft store. I didn't break open the kit for a few months but when I did, I had so much fun! And, I was hooked.  Now, I have boxes and boxes of scrap paper waiting to be turned into beautiful handmade paper.  I so enjoy giving those scraps a new life. I cringe every time I see paper in the trash. At work I advocate paper recycling as much as possible and I keep a box for my own office scraps that I eventually turn into handmade paper. It is a joy!

Now that I have a good technique for making paper, I plan to experiment with it using different crafting techniques. I'll share those here. 

Well, that's my introduction. I hope you will enjoy visiting here from time to time! 

Chrystal