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Post by Plocket on Oct 29, 2006 17:36:47 GMT
I'm not sure where to put this but I've got masses of shredded paper building up here at Chez Plocket. I usually put it in the composter, but unfortunately it's full at the moment. Can anyone suggest some good ideas for recycling it as our Council won't collect shredded paper.
Many thanks.
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Post by grannyjanny on Oct 29, 2006 20:13:45 GMT
Hi Plocket. Are any of your neighbours into composting. My friend brings hers round for me along with her peelings etc. I must give her some compost next year.
Janet.
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Post by 4pygmies on Oct 29, 2006 20:34:05 GMT
Or howabout a pet shop for rabbit bedding? Ask at your school to find out if anyone has a rabbit or guinea pig and would like some free bedding straw?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2006 8:28:06 GMT
I used to take my shredded paper to the local pet shop, but since our council have provided a green wheelie bin for compostable stuff, shredded paper and cardboard boxes are acceptable.
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Post by Plocket on Oct 30, 2006 8:30:46 GMT
I don't think many of my neighbours do composting and I don't really know them well enough to ask anyway, but thank you for the idea Grannyjanny.
Thanks 4P! I didn't realise that shredded paper was ok for rabbits so that could be useful when we get a rabbit for LP!
And I'm going to check to see whether I can put the shredded paper in my garden waste bin - thanks for that Larkshall!
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Post by Jonah on Oct 30, 2006 11:14:58 GMT
You could become a paper mache bric a brac making fiend with LP. A little bit of child friendly pva and a big bowl, the whole family could have home made xmas pressies! ;D
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2006 12:46:05 GMT
Hi Plocket
Have you got a local RSPCA thats were i take mine they are always greatful for it, just an idea.
Regards karenwl
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Post by Plocket on Oct 30, 2006 13:22:31 GMT
Hia Jonah! I already make paper but I like the idea of making papier mache bowls and things with LP. The shreddings are very fine though as our machine doesn't just make strips of paper but cuts it diagonally as well. Nice thought though - I'll let you know if we give it a go!
Ah now that's a cunning plan Karen - thank you!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2006 13:27:56 GMT
No problem Plocket Karenwl  |
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Post by Jonah on Oct 30, 2006 22:54:09 GMT
Ooh, Plocket, you'll have to tell me how to make paper. Is it like that rough handmade stuff that's really expensive. Is it very technical, or something I could try with a three year old helping? I was thinking of the old traditional paper mache where you soak it to make a mushy mixture and mould it rather than sticking on individual strips. I did try this method last year to make a snowman, but made it far too wet and thick and he got binned.  |
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Post by Plocket on Oct 31, 2006 9:26:45 GMT
It's a GREAT thing (if messy!) to do with a youngster although I confess to not having done paper-making with LP yet! I'll try and find some basic instructions for you.
I like the sound of your mushy papier-mache - our shreds would be perfect for that, and perfect for paper-making too!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2006 11:31:48 GMT
I've only a small compost bin so it gets full quite easy and I loathe chucking things away that can be recycled/composted. I put paper, cuttings in a black bin with the veg scraps from cooking etc... add some holes and use that until the bin has some room in it then just dump it into the mix. The bin bag is usually tucked away out of sight at the back of the garden.
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Post by Jonah on Oct 31, 2006 12:58:07 GMT
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Post by Plocket on Oct 31, 2006 14:28:06 GMT
Great link Jonah - I wonder why you need to put salt in the mixture though???
Remind me tomorrow to do the paper-making instructions for you please - I'm a bit busy today (sorry!)
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2006 14:46:18 GMT
We always used flour & water paste and if you didnot put salt in it got seriously smelly, perhaps it is a hang over from that. Have fun. I wonder why your council don@t collect shredded paper anyway.
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Post by Plocket on Oct 31, 2006 16:09:37 GMT
Good thinking about the salt Gertrude!
They do collect normal paper and long shreddings, but ours is cut into tiny pieces rather like confetti and it blows everywhere if you aren't careful. I think it annoys the bin-men!!!
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Post by Jonah on Nov 3, 2006 13:59:26 GMT
When you get a minute for that paper recipe Plocket........  |
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Post by Plocket on Nov 3, 2006 14:37:35 GMT
Ooops! Sorry I forgot - I'll get onto it!!!
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Post by Plocket on Nov 3, 2006 16:19:07 GMT
MAKING PAPER:
You need to start off with a deckle and mould which is used to form the sheet of paper. You can make one quite easily using two wooden picture frames and stretching some fine curtain netting across one, securing it tight with small nails or staples. You can also buy deckles at most craft shops. The inner area of the frame will be the size of the sheet of paper you make.
You’ll also need a washing up bowl which is big enough to hold your deckle, a blender, a pile of newspapers, a sponge and lots of j-cloths. Oh and of course you’ll need lots of paper! Newspaper should be bleached first if you don’t want the ink, but this weakens the paper even if you rinse it really well. It’s fun to experiment with different sorts of paper but anything from kitchen roll or loo roll to cardboard can be used (the thicker the paper you use the longer you need to soak it). Magazine pages take longer to break up into pulp but you can get interesting effects.
Tear your chosen paper into small pieces and soak it in water to soften it to a pulp.
Put a couple of handfuls of torn wet paper into your blender, and add about a pint of water, then blend until the fibres of the paper are broken down. You will need to experiement with what you like, depending on how you want your paper to look. Rough pieces give interesting textures but if you over blend your paper will be too delicate.
Fill the washing up bowl with water so it’s about two inches deep, and pour in your blended paper pulp. Beside you on the draining board you should place a pile of newspapers to absorb excess water, and have your j-cloths ready.
Next you need to hold your deckle and mould. It sounds complicated but you’ll soon get the hang of things! Hold the deckle with the mesh upwards, then put the mould (the un-meshed frame) on top so you are forming a sort of sandwich. Basically you are going to trap lots of pulp in the mould and the water will drain out through the mesh.
Agitate your pulp and water so that the particles are evenly distributed, then lower the frame into the near side of the basin and gently push it away from you, gradually submerging it until it lies flat under the surface of the water. Jiggle it about so there is lots of pulp before you hold the deckle flat and level, and carefully lift it from the bowl. Allow the water to drain away.
Next you need to remove the mould (the un-meshed frame) and you will be able to see your damp piece of paper on the mesh. Carefully place a j-cloth over your wet sheet of paper while it’s still on the deckle, and very carefully press a sponge onto the j-cloth to absorb more moisture. You can press firmly but don’t use a wiping motion or you will move the paper.
When you have got as much moisture off as possible you can carefully lift a corner of the j-cloth to see if the paper is coming away from your mesh. If it isn’t you need to blot up more moisture. Then carefully lift the j-cloth, with the paper stuck to it, off the deckle. Place this j-cloth flat on your pile of newspaper and then continue making as many sheets of paper as you wish. Place each j-cloth/paper on top of the pile. When you have made as many pages as you wish you can either hang them on a washing line to dry, but they will crinkle up a bit, or you can place more newspaper on top and put bricks or anything heavy on top to press your paper.
Leave the paper to press for a while and then move the j-cloths and paper (not the newspaper!) to somewhere warm to dry, like an airing cupboard.
When your paper is dry you can carefully peel it off the j-cloth and then it’s ready to use!
Bear in mind that this paper isn’t good for ink or paints because it hasn’t been sized – but if you want to size your paper let me know and I’ll find the details for you!!!
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Post by Jonah on Nov 3, 2006 21:41:58 GMT
Crikey plocket, I feel quite guilty now hassling you to sort all that out for me.  But thank you very much.  I think I would be best to copy and paste that and digest a bit more before I attempt it with my little lady, after a possible visit to hobbycraft! She loves making a mess, as I'm sure we will. I can see it now, a paper pebble dashed bathroom, but it will be fun doing it. Thanks again, you're a star!!! |
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Post by Plocket on Nov 4, 2006 10:35:33 GMT
Oh don't worry about it Jonah, it didn't take me long, and I've saved it to my PC now just in case I need it again!!!
And just in case you want even more mess, you can add stuff into the pulp, after blending, to make the paper pretty - sequins, flowers etc. etc!!!
Enjoy, and I'd love to hear how you get on!
Px
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But thank you very much. 