Envelope

                                             I entered an envelope contest at the library
                                             Today I received notice that my enty won first
                                              place in the stamped catagory. This is a photo
                                              of my entry

So blue

                                     .It doesn't take much coxing to have me work in the color blue
                                                 "TEXAS BARBEQUE
                                                   If you can taste the meat,
                                                   someone goofed"

Prize

This is the set I was lucky enough to win on the Mark's Finest Papers Challenge..........Love it !

Marks Finest Pa;pers

                               Oh WOW I was just notified I won last weeks stamp set from MFP

This week challenge is to Think Pink, so I am.

Simple and Fast

Today I decided to take on the Marks Finest Papers Challenge
This card is done with a stamp, embossing folder combination

Simple  scribble the stamp with  water base ink , stamp and position in the folder .

ParTay

First my van now my solarium is having a party .It will move to the Florida room , then the pool deck  where I make my paper,thanks to the wonderful people in the print shop at the college They are very eagar to recycle and I am so lucky that they will shred clean and in seperate colors for me I just give a little notice and pick up ,  it seems like a win win arrangement
Now I am set for a couple of  months

Interest

I have a neighbor who heard I am a paper maker , she begged to watch me ,
finally this week we were able to connect
It was so much fun watching her eyes light up with each step.
Like the children at my demostrations she took her pull home with her to dry
When we were finished we went to lunch and stopped at a yard sale , her focus is completely on paper making  Everything she saw had possibilities as enclusions in future paper
The next day she returned the felts and hangers and asked tons of questions
She is shopping thrift shops for a blender, and has visions of setting up in her shed . Her vision is modest she doesn't see herself making 120 sheets of paper several times a week but ten years ago neither did mine.
I pick up shredded paper at the college on Monday and she is so excited that I always have more than I can use.. I SHARE WELL

Watercolor

A friend sent me this photo and permission to post,  of a watercolor done on a sheet of my handmade paper.
I think it is lovely

Feathers in paper

                                          This is the first paper I have made since breaking my ankle last spring
                                           The feathers bleed a little ( I never like that )  It is not awful and the paper is
                                           really fun.

Feathers

                                           While cleaning I came across these feathers in the grand daughters play drawer
                                            If  I use them in paper the girls won't miss them  will they? They don't come visit
                                            until July

December designs

                                                 Posting these because I made them and need some praise

More of the same

                                               Same background stamp 
                                               Different use

Background

                                           I received these two stamps from a secret santa
                                           Background stamps are a challenge for me but I
                                           am determined to work with  it
                                           Here is my first endeavor

Finally

I got to make paper
So here is what I did with the mushrooms

Now there is more space in the freezer for Christmas Cookies

Transplant

I selected three of the stronger shoots to transplant 

They are in a 3 inch pot , the timing is off to put them in the ground 

when they  are ready but I will keep them in pots until Spring. 

My best guess is the two larger ones are road side phlox and

I am not sure on the smaller one yet.I am ready to make the 

mushroom paper but it is much too cold out today to play in the water. SOON

Day 18

These were taken on day 18
There are several little plants poking up I hope you can see them
They look like herbs my best guess is thyme but I could be wrong
There is a straight blade there which is likely a grass.
Time will tell
                        

Plant a Card

It is day 16
I have been diligent about watering and checking and was about ready to get discouraged
Today I see green . It is very tiny and with my limited camara ability I won't be able to get a photo of it for awhile but it is there . Maybe in a few days it will get stronger and bigger.

Use a good potting soil. Lay the card on surface
Cover with a thin layer of soil . You can grow it right out of the paper but I like to lightly cover the paper
This now has to be kept moist. Daily I mist with a spray bottle
I have it sitting in a south window at my work station so I don't forget

I will let you know when I see sprouts.

                                                             Wet the page you intend to plant

Plant a card

                               The pan, pot, bowl or tray you use should be  cleaned I use a little bleach            
                               and line it with coffee filters

Plant a Card

                                First let me remind you that the seed in my paper is a wildflower herb mix.
                                Some times the front of the card is a treasure so I cut the back section off
                                 and use it.

Simmer

                                                              Simmer for several hours                                                      Put is the freezer until I can make paper
                              I save the juice as well , it makes a nice tan color in the sheet of paper
                                                   I will let you know when I make the paper

The Plan

                                                                    Bring to a boil

Mushroom gift

                                                                   Mushroom Gift

               A very special friend of mine went out this morning a gathered these mushrooms for me
               My broken ankle is still healing I can't stand long enough to make paper , so I have a plan

July 4 2011

                                        Went to a wonderful annual party and has a super time

                                         Decided to make this Thank You card Since I have a

                                         cast on my foot and can not make paper right now

                                          I want to add things to my blog



THINK PINK

                                                      Need a little color in your white .
                                                                   Simple.
                                                 .. add shredded yarn for any color you like ,
                                                          in this case I like pink

Mushroom and Tissue

                                       

                                           Adding the mushrooms to tissue pulp make the paper
                                           much softer , easier to fold and cut for cards. Different
                                           mushrooms and/or the volume of mushrooms used
                                           can create interesting effects

                                             Mushrooms, eat them ? Not a chance.

                              I use all sort of mushrooms to make paper, and I often mix them .
                              It depends on what nature gives me to work with .
                              When I make paper just with the mushroom it is brittle
                              and hard to use for cards.

Cork? Really?

Now what are the uses of cork ?
Plug a bottle, pin up notices even  flooring
Who would think to try to make paper with it ?
Well I did , the paper is pretty crisp , maybe you would say brittle
It cannot be folded or cut in a straight edge ,it can be gently torn
and glued to cardstock either in sheet or pieces.
Some cork put in paper pulp may work differently HUMMM another venture