How to Use Paper Casting for Your Holiday Cards

Paper casting will allow you to create a textured surface on your greeting cards with molded paper forms. Use holiday cookie or candy molds to help you make these unique cards.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Linter Notebook Papers
• Brushes
• Plaster Of Paris
• Ribbons
• Blank Cards
• Acrylic Paints
• Decorative Rubber Stamps
• Glitter
• Glues
• Old Towels
• Sponges
• Acrylic Paints
• Vegetable Cooking Spray
• Blenders
• Bowls
• Holiday Candy Molds
• Holiday Cookie Molds
• Knife
• Oven
• Sieves
• Knife
• Envelopes
• Scrap Papers
• Stamp Pads Of Paper
• Sponges
• Bowls
• Sieves

1. Tear up half a sheet of cotton Linter paper into small pieces and put the pieces into a blender. Fill the blender with water. Add approximately ½ teaspoon of plaster of paris and soak the mixture for about 10 minutes. Blend for approximately 2 minutes on low, then high speed.

2. Pour the mixture into a sieve; allow the water to drain; and pour the mixture into a bowl.

3. Place approximately three sheets (or equivalent) of torn scrap paper into the blender. Fill the blender with water and soak for 10-15 minutes to soften the paper. Blend for approximately 2 minutes and repeat Step 2.

4. Pour both paper mixtures back into the blender and blend just long enough to mix thoroughly. Pour the mixture into the sieve.

5. Spray the inside of your holiday cookie or candy molds with vegetable cooking spray and place the pulp into the molds. Fill the molds so that the pulp extends above the mold somewhat.

6. Press the pulp into the molds with a sponge to absorb excess water. Wring the sponge out and repeat several times.

7. Use an old towel to press the pulp firmly into the molds and to absorb even more excess water. Pack the paper in firmly enough so that all crevices and features of the molds are filled with paper.

8. Allow to dry overnight or place the molds in a 200 degree F oven for approximately ½ hour.

9. Remove the paper forms from the molds with a knife. Make sure that the forms are dried thoroughly and glue them onto greeting card blanks.

10. Decorate your cards with acrylic paint, glitter, ribbons, decorative stamps or any other decorative items.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to use cotton Linter paper in addition to the plain paper scraps. The cotton fibers will not deteriorate as rapidly over time.
• Avoid using newspaper for your paper casting molds. You will end up with grey paper forms.
• Add a few drops of acrylic paint to the final blender mixture to give your forms some color. Avoid this method of coloring your paper forms if the blender will also be used for edible mixtures.