How to Make Your Own Scrapbook Paper

Scrapbooks are personal and are created based on a person's fondest memories. To make a scrapbook even more sentimental, you could attempt to create your own scrapbook paper. Different colors and textures may be experimented with in order to create a desired effect.

Things You'll Need

• Sponge
• Wooden picture frame (about 8-by-10 inches)
• Plastic tub (frame should fit inside)
• Blender
• Tacks
• Old paper scraps (toilet paper, napkins, newspaper, etc.)
• Old window screen
• 1 yard of white felt
• Scissors
• Clothes pins
• 2 cookie sheets

Instructions

How to Make Your Own Scrapbook Paper

1. Choose which paper scraps you wish to use to create your own scrapbook paper. Different colors and textures can be mixed to create an original look. Tear up the pieces of paper by hand or by using a shredder. Be sure the pieces are not too big or too small. Each shred should be at least the size of a quarter, but no bigger than a standard doorknob.

2. Place the paper in your blender. Do not completely fill the blender with paper. It should only be about 1/3 to 1/2 full. Fill the blender with water. Turn the blender on the lowest setting and slowly increase the speed. When the paper looks smooth, the paper pulp is finished. If there are still whole pieces of ripped paper, continue to blend until it is completely smooth.

3. Stretch an old window screen out over your wooden picture frame. Use tacks to secure the screen in place. Keep the screen as tight as you possibly can. This picture frame is going to be your paper mold.

4. Fill your tub up about 1/2 way to the top with cool water. Add 3 blenders' worth of ground paper. Stir the mixture. Lower the photo frame with the screen attached (screen side down) into the tub. Level the mold onto the frame. Move it around until the paper pulp looks even inside the frame. Slowly remove the frame from the water. Hold it above the tub and allow the water to drain from the mold.

5. Place the mold onto a lint-free cloth (screen side up) and use a sponge to soak up any remaining moisture. Lift the edge of the frame while allowing the paper mold to gently detach itself from the mold. Place a piece of felt over a cookie sheet. Place the paper mold onto the felt. Place another sheet of felt over the paper. Press another cookie sheet or a large, heavy book on top of the felt to remove any extra moisture that the sponge did not get.

6. Hang the mold (along with the felt on the top and bottom) on a clothesline outside or in your kitchen to dry. Remove the felt once the paper has dried. Your paper is now ready to use in your scrapbook.

Tips & Warnings

• If the paper does sticks to your frame, you did not remove enough moisture. Try using the sponge again to remove excess water. The thicker the pulp in the frame, the thicker the sheet of paper will be. Remove the paper pulp from the frame, using your hands.