Butterflies are free

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Hi everyone, this is my first post as an official member of the Arnold Grummer Design Team and I am so excited about making paper. It has been a blast to play with and it thrills my frugal heart to know that I am recycling!

I admit I was a little timid about making actual paper at first so I began by making lots of pulp (which are processed fibers) and watching lots of Arnold Grummer videos. I really enjoy watching his videos and would love to have met him in person, I bet he was a lot of fun to be around!

 The first video that really caught my eye was the one on Paper Pulp Painting. So I took his idea and ran with it.While I working on it I had artists from the studio peering over my shoulder as I literally painted a canvas with paper pulp. I think what I enjoyed the most was using the pin technique to paint the black lines with. When you dip the pin into your paper slurry (water with fibers) it will pick up the fibers and you can then use the pin to "draw" with.
( p. 92 Trash-to-Treasure Papermaking )
 Everything on the front of this canvas is paper pulp except for my signature.


Feeling a little braver I set out to do a bigger canvas, painting again with paper. The butterfly is made up entirely of paper pulp which is then covered with DecoArts soft varnish. Just so you know, the book, Trash-to-Treasure Papermaking explains how papers are nothing more than a little batch of fibers that bond together when laid down into a thin, even mat. You can learn a lot from this book, it's amazing and has become my source for learning.

If you would like to see a very short slide show of my making the butterfly with instructions, then please check this out. It was a fun and simple technique which gives your project a nice dimension and will amaze everyone when you say you painted with paper!


Supplies used:



Blender, small strainer, cello sponges, cooch sheets and screen,

DecoArts Multi Surface acrylic paints and Soft Varnish,

and a special thank you to Donna Downey for supplying her inspiration for the 

background of my canvas during the Big Picture Class.
Ready to join me for some paper making fun?

You can use the discount Jan20 and order your own papermaking supplies from the fabulous Arnold Grummer store!

Comments

  1. UnknownJanuary 7, 2015 at 8:57 AM

    The butterfly is stunning! I loved seeing it being in process.

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  2. UnknownJanuary 7, 2015 at 9:40 AM

    Beautiful! It was so fun to watch you do that.

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  3. Proxxon ToolsJanuary 7, 2015 at 9:46 AM

    This is AMAZING...

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  4. wwillowwJanuary 7, 2015 at 9:48 AM

    How fascinating!!! I love the video you created showing us just how you painted with paper. Amazing and beautiful. I bet there's tons of dimension also. Good job Sandee.

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  5. PamJanuary 7, 2015 at 2:04 PM

    Your butterfly looks beautiful! Looks like fun too. I also like your video on the liquid scrap dots. I just may have to give them a try!
    Pam
    scrap-n-sewgranny.blogspot.com

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  6. madelinesthoughtsJanuary 7, 2015 at 2:50 PM

    Great project idea! It's so much fun working with pulp!!!!

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  7. Linda HessJanuary 7, 2015 at 6:20 PM

    I am in love with this!! I can hardly wait to try it myself :-)

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    Replies
    1. SandeeNCJanuary 7, 2015 at 7:17 PM

      Thank you Linda :) can't wait to see your project, it will be awesome I am sure!

      Delete
  8. MelissaJanuary 7, 2015 at 7:46 PM

    What a great project!

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  9. JeanJanuary 7, 2015 at 8:00 PM

    So cooL!

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  10. SandeeNCJanuary 7, 2015 at 8:59 PM

    Thank you Jean!!

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  11. mikosspot.blogspot.comJanuary 7, 2015 at 9:08 PM

    This is so AMAZINGLY AWESOME!! I often wonder what to do and how to do it. BAM, here you come.. and with VIDEO!!. I am so glad to see you go on this paper making journey! Your talents continue to AMAZE me.. your NO #1 fan.. ME ME ME ME!! lolol

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  12. SandeeNCJanuary 7, 2015 at 9:11 PM

    THANK YOU Tamiko, you are the bestest most wonderful friend!! I am your #1 fan too!

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  13. Byrd Street StudioJanuary 7, 2015 at 10:04 PM

    Wonderful pulp painting and WOW to the video. I loved seeing how you did that. You could tell me a thousand times and I wouldn't get it, so the video was awesome for a hard headed learner like me. How fragile are the paper sheets that you make with this kit?

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    Replies
    1. SandeeNCJanuary 8, 2015 at 8:33 AM

      They are actually tough! The fibers bond together and it's an amazing process!! You should try it! Thank you for leaving me a comment!

      Delete
  14. AnonymousJanuary 8, 2015 at 12:59 AM

    How awesome Sandee!!! I LOVE that butterfly! You are one talented artist and I sit in wonder at everything you're accomplished at. Two thumbs up my friend!!
    Hugs,
    Yvonne

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  15. UnknownJanuary 8, 2015 at 8:42 PM

    So awesome Sandee...very cool watching you put it together..:)

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  16. AnonymousJanuary 8, 2015 at 9:12 PM

    Wow really amazing job Sandy. Just love it & can't wait to get this cast off!! :)
    billy should be Betty :)

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    Replies
    1. SandeeNCJanuary 8, 2015 at 9:17 PM

      lol, I was wondering if you had a nickname I didn't know about! Thanks for leaving me a comment!!

      Delete
  17. GrammyDonnaJanuary 9, 2015 at 11:43 PM

    Looks like so much fun! The butterfly is beautiful!

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  18. Arty AuntieJanuary 11, 2015 at 1:40 AM

    Great job, Sandee. You are so brave and adventuresome......always inspiring.

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  19. Michele Emerson-RobertsJanuary 11, 2015 at 8:17 AM

    Wonderful project. This could hang in a high end art gallery! Excellent presentation.
    Arnold would be proud. Great to have you on the team.
    Love and light,
    Michele

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    Replies
    1. SandeeNCJanuary 11, 2015 at 6:58 PM

      Thank you very much Michele, I am loving the AG team!! You ladies rock and thank you so very much!!

      Delete
  20. Kim @ Arnold Grummer'sJanuary 25, 2015 at 11:40 AM

    My goodness, Sandee! So amazing to watch your process - thank you! I watched the video several times and I understand all the steps except for what surface the original butterfly is drawn or traced on. Is it a stretched canvas? or is it fabric cut out in the shape of a butterfly? Stunning. Thank you so much!

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    Replies
    1. SandeeNCJanuary 26, 2015 at 12:27 PM

      It is on a stretched canvas Kim, and so glad you liked it.

      Delete

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