Arnold Grummer's Design Team Blog

I have two young grandsons who like to play board games, don't get me wrong, they also like their gaming systems also. But because their dad is a hand on dad, he likes to play actual hand on games with them. I decided to pull out my cast molds and make a casting (actually two of each one) of the ones I have. I have them for the weekend every so often because the like coming to grandma's house...... hmmmm, could it be because I spoil them? LOL Here is a snapshot of a few of the molds. Here are the completed casts after painting them. I'm sure everyone knows how to play the matching game, that is why I made two of each one. If you coat them with a good varnish, they will hold up very well. Now off to make another set because I know they will want a set to take home. I think I will leave them unpainted tho and let them paint them. That way they will be so proud they made a game themselves.

Hey folks!  Happy Wednesday! I noticed I have quite  a few family members and friends traveling this season.  I am in awe of the stories and the pictures they all have to share.  That being said, while on pinterest, I also came across this quote:  The world is a book and those who do not travel, read only one page!  How true it is!  I personally haven't gone anywhere recently, but this is a reminder just how important it is to travel.  It doesn't matter how you get there, be it car, boat, plane or train.   I created a card today based on that quote. This card is part handmade paper and part paper pulp.  I made paper pulp in a few colors: pink, red and yellow.  Easiest way to create colored paper pulp is to tear papers up in batches of the needed colors. If you are not able to find the colors you need for your projects, you can always use additives to color your slurry. Once your paper is torn into pieces...

For some reason, I truly enjoy experimenting with paper pulp.  After seeing some interesting designed papers at an art store, this idea came to me. The results from my playing, I feel, was very satisfactory.  Here are two projects made with this pulp technique.  The paper was used as a background for a simple card.  Another application was a decorative plate. It began with some mulberry paper and pulp made from 1/4 cup of cotton linter and a half sheet of colored tissue paper.  Process the colored pulp in a blender.  Using the paper making screen, place a sheet of mulberry paper onto the blue screen.  Wet the sheet by running it under water.  Place the mix of pulp into some type of squeeze bottle.   The photo here shows one way to add the pulp to the paper sheet.  It is randomly placed onto the paper by squeezing it on.    NOTE:  Another way to add designs to the paper is to place a shape of choice (cooki...

These little basket boxes would be a sweet addition on a Easter table setting.  Each is made using a die-cut box as the base.  What makes them become special are "extras" added to the surface, mainly the casted images. Paper castings are so easy to make using any of the  Arnold Grummer  casting molds or any variety of molds that may be available.  Use this link to find a pamphlet that you can download filled with information about creating casting  here. After the paper castings are complete, the coloring can begin.  For the images on boxes I chose to use both chalks and  Ranger Perfect Pearl powders .  The castings were trimmed of the paper around them to make them smaller and allow the papers used on the boxes to frame them.  One set was trimmed straight, the other with deckle designed decorative scissors. Box Of Chicks Die-cut the box from white mat board.  Form the box using redline tape.    NOTE:...

Happy Wednesday good people!!  Seemed only appropriate to do something for Valentine's Day, which happens to be this Saturday.. ::insert sappy-like music here::  (chuckles) I am having a ball learning about creating my own papers.  This week I even added *inclusions* (that's when you add things to your pulp y'all)  I added some dried roses I had received from a friend, Tommy Jo, who is a fantastic artist and soap maker!! Let me show you the accordion book I made! I have 2 different types of papers here.  The pink paper was from a previous batch of tissue papers, napkins and soda can boxes.  The green is my rose batch.  Here's a list of the supplies I used to create my project for today..  Any of the  Arnold Grummer Paper Mill Kits Arnold Grummer Zig Zag Book Dried roses Blender Water Pearl Ex- Green-Yellow and Red-Blue Perfect Medium  Brush Helmar Craft & Hobby PVA Glue Fiber/Yarn Paper Flowers (to embellish) ...

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, I am trying to come up with a little something for my husband of almost 27yrs.  After that number of years he knows what is in my heart, but I still like to show him with unique pieces.  This year I had a puffed heart came to mind...hmmm, with a note hanging from it perhaps??  Off to work I go... Materials: foil Arnold Grummer's Paper Making kit ( www.arnoldgrummer.com ) Mod Podge The Ultimate glue ( www.crafterspick.com ) ShrinkyDinks ( www.shrinkydinks.com ) chain jump rings assorted charms ( www.michaels.com/beadlanding ) To create a puffed heart I began with a sheet of foil.  Carefully crumple it between your hands to form a loose ball, then shape the ball into a heart.  A little press here, a dent there, a pinch at the bottom and your heart will take shape.  Once the form is complete, it's time to make a sheet of paper. Last month I created multiple jars of pulp ( https://polymercreations4u....

The holidays came and went in an instant, January found me traveling to Califonia to a Craft & Hobby Industry trade show and then off to visit family,and there went January!  It's been a while since the last post I shared on paper making.  Now that February has arrived I still felt the need to spread a little LOVE! Being fond of banners of all type, I once again created this one using the "bordering technique" on each handmade paper sheet made using the  pour method to create the panels of the banner.  For an excellent source for adding color by bordering, and so many other techniques, I would recommend a copy of  "trash-to-treasure paper making" by Arnold Grummer. Some hearts are made using the  triple heart  template and red paper pulp.                                       After each sheet was complete embellish...

Hi everyone, Tamiko here.. I was very anxious to use one of the many templates that is available over at the Arnold Grummer website , and you will be too!  Never had I used a template that allowed me to create my very own heart shaped cards, with just a simple fold!! I am really having a ball learning how to play with batches of pulp to get the right thickness of my finished sheets of paper. I think i will be ready for inclusions (added extras) in my paper with my next few batches!  Fingers crossed!  Well on to today's project! My list of supplies included: Any of the Arnold Grummer Paper Mill Kits Arnold Grummer Folding Heart Template Blender Various Colored papers Needle Thread/Embroidery Floss Pen alpha mini stamps ink pad Paper Beads Scissors Helmar Craft & Hobby PVA Glue   First I gathered some papers to tear into one inch pieces and placed them in the blender with almost three cups of water.  Saw a napkin and decided to toss...

I love alcohol inks and powdered paints!  Add the shimmer of LuminArte' Twinkling H2O's and you have eye catching results with very little effort (shhhh, don't tell).  But I am getting a bit ahead of myself...let's make some paper first. Materials: Arnold Grummer's Papermaking kit (I have the Papermill Pro) shredded paper blender LuminArte' Twinkling H2O's (shown: Playful Peony, Coral Berry, and Snap Dragon) "Love-Peace" mold (Yaley Enterprises) rubbing alcohol q-tips small disposable cups 5"x7" Artist's Loft Canvas Panels ( www.michaels.com ) "The Ultimate Glue" ( www.crafterspick.com ) Procedure: 1) Into the blender place a handful of shredded paper and ~1/2tsp of LuminArte Twinkling H2O's (I used Snap Dragon for this demo).  Cover with water.  Blend on high to create a paper pulp. 2) Follow directions with your Arnold Grummer's Paper kit to create a sheets of paper.  3) While damp, tear o...