Paper-making with Flax

I'm really enjoying making paper with flax and experimenting
with adding tea to the next batch (above)

It dries quickly, nice and flat after pressing to remove excess water.

I've also been making lots of soap as it's nearly Christmas 

and the summer tourist season. Sales are up so got to keep on 

top of my production to always have a good variety available.

 I've started on making some mixed media 

as seen here on this video tutorial

postcards re-purposing cereal box cardboard

 Apply a coat of gesso 

 Turn your back for a second and this happens lol!

hmmm....I spy with my little eye....a...

... footprint!

Thanks Tibby.

I'll be back with more soon...

Experimental Dyeing and Paper Making

Before I could couch any more paper
 I needed to recover my molds.
The old (cheap) mesh was getting holey.

 The mold frames after removing the old, worn mesh

 I picked up some  new (and more expensive!)
mesh that is used for screen doors...

 ..and with tin snips carefully cut to fit each frame.
I removed the old staples with a flat-head screwdriver
and pliers, then re-stapled over the new mesh.

Couching the pulp onto the felts

 and pressing between blankets
and boards, weighted with a brick.

 The following day I hung the felts out to dry.
The paper goes all wrinkly but I ironed it out.

Note the little flecks of green?
That's Kawakawa, which I added to the blender after
 the corn fibre was cooked but prior to couching.

So, I'm pretty satisfied with whole this turned out.

Next time I'll try adding some calendula petals, I think.

 So, remember the green mush?? (pulp)
It ended up sitting and seeping for a few
days as I had an appointment at WINZ at the middle
of the week and I ended up a nervous wreck!

 After soaking and rinsing in water
recycled from my washing machine
(and I had to do this multiple times!)

 My "Plum Pudding"

 Well...it looked a lovely green colour after rinsing

 After being put through the blender

 A couched sheet

It's now pressing flat to remove the moisture.

Time: 5 hours
Paper-making, Dyeing