Homemade paper

Sometimes it is fun to just do things your own way even if it is easier to just buy something. In this case I am talking about paper. Yes, it is very easy and comfortable to buy nice paper in the store but if you don't allready know it - making your own paper is pretty easy AND it gets a very personal touch to it if you use it for a handwritten letter or labels on birthday gifts! I used ordinary newspaper for my paper sheet but if you would like something more colorful you can choose old colored paper such as an old telephone directory and some newspapers have colored pages.
I didn't have a frame with thin net which is the usual tool for doing this kind of thing. However, I found a letter tray in my home and used that instead :) You need to use your imagination to solve problems sometimes!

You will need:
1 scabbard which is a bit wider and longder than the frame with net
1 ordinary photo frame with a thin net tensioned on it on one side. You can staple the net on the sides of the frame.
Water
Towels
Sponge

1. Cut or tear small pieces of a newspaper and put them in a bowl together with water. Let the paper swell over night.
2. If the mixture is still a bit lumpy you ca use a mixer or an electric beater to make it smoother. Add water if needed.
3. Pour water in the scabbard and then some of the paper mixture and let it distribute in the water.
4. Lower the frame into the water and catch up the paper mixture. Shake the frame a bit until the paper mixture evenly distributes in the frame.
5. Lay the frame with the paper side down on a towel. Use a sponge to press the water out of the paper from the backside.
6. Gently remove the paper from the net and let it dry on a towel.
7. When the paper is almost dry you can iron it to make it flat.

Happy paper-making!

Christmas Origami Moon and Angel

This week I will show you two tutorials how you fold a moon and an angel to decorate your Christmas tree with! For the moon I tried using both aluminium foil and ordinary paper you use for your printer, and I think it is better to use ordinary paper or baking paper (like the one I used for the angel, see tutorial) if you would like a more transparent and graceful moon. Foil is very sensitive and as you can see on my moon in foil it has many wrinkles. Personally I like it best without all those wrinkles but maybe that is the appearance you are looking for! The angel is an abstract symbol more than a full detailed figure, perfect for you who likes the simple and clean look. On the back of the angel there is a pocket just beween the wings, which you can use to put the angel in the top of your Christmas tree :)
I found these origami models in a book called "Origami - konsten att vika papper", or in English "The Origami Bible", by Ashley Woods. Click on the titles to get to one Swedish and one English webshop.

Happy folding everyone!

How to make an angel
You need a paper in size A4 (= 210×297 mm) ordinary printing paper or transparent paper such as baking paper.
(You can click on the pictures to make them larger)

How to make a moon
You need a paper in size 150×150 mm ordinary printing paper, aluminium foil or transparent paper such as baking paper.
(You can click on the pictures to make them larger)