How To Make Your Own Craft Paper 🖤 Upcycle Any Sheet of Paper 

I went to my local library's used book sale for the first time. I bought a 168 page field guide book of beautiful butterflies. I also bought a 184 page book of herbs, spices, & wild flowers. The books were grouped according to topics, so I looked in the gardening section. My local thrift store does not segregate the books this way. Both books are like new & full of beautiful color photos. I feel so fortunate. I spent $1.00 on each book! The butterfly (new) book price on the jacket is $24.95. I'll use them in journalling or wherever I want to add a personal touch. Check with your library for dates of their used book sales.

I love frugal living, and now that I'm retired, my income became very limited i love to see what I can make from junk. It's sort of like making a delicious pot of soup from what's in the fridge!

Excellent video I love how you made this beautiful paper and love what you said "no more $ to the man" I hate commercialism and how greed is ruining our planet. Thank you so much you inspire!

I’m so happy I came across this video. I too am frugal. I subscribed to your channel and I’m looking forward to your videos. 😊

I love what you did! I work for an electrical contractor and I've started playing around with using old electrical plans/blueprints in my journals because they have a neat background to make envelopes, pockets, etc. They would be great for this too.

These papers are so nice. I never thought of re-purposing used printer paper. That's a wonderful idea. I've got bunches of paper already; some I'm donating to the art teacher at a nearby school, and a load of supplies I'll be selling this summer. I love seeing the results others achieve from up-cycling old, cheap, discarded books that would end up in the bin, but I can't do it. I do know they are being turned into beautiful pieces of art, though, which does help the planet.

I think I like this better than the tea or coffee staining paper videos I’ve watched. Your results are lovely. ( And less messy!)

Brilliant! This sort of thing is right up my alley. I agree with you about most purchased papers although I have bought some which I really love, and then can't bring myself to use - I get it out and stroke it every now and then, and then put it away again! I love making art from recycled stuff - I keep all my Amazon packaging (that brown paper they put in their boxes is great), and I have a large roll of unprinted newsprint that the removal men left behind once - when the paper is plentiful and free, you can be much freer with your art and really splash about with no fear of wasting precious paper. I have also recently discovered paper mesh, a packaging material. This brown paper is cut with little parallel slits, and when you pull it apart, it opens up and bulks up. This is great for collage, for stencilling through, and for the gel plate. I paint it, add gilding wax... whatever takes my fancy. I keep all the old greetings cards, and this year I have been ripping them into scraps and sorting them by colour. Then I collage them onto other recycled cards, either strips or sheets. I recently saw someone doing this and then putting it in an embossing folder and this was really cool - can't wait to try that. I have used fruit net, either as-is, adding gesso and/or paint after sticking it down with gel medium, or you can melt it first - it shrinks up and goes much harder. Gorgeous texture. My recent fun recycling art is from the accordion-folded leaflets that come in medication packs - you don't even have to fold your own accordion! Simply punch holes in the piece with a crop-a-dile and then unfold it - the printing adds texture. You can punch randomly or in a pattern. Then paint, embellish as you want - use as a stencil, use on the gel plate, whatever. Free, and fun! I also make "skins" from tiny offcuts of paper or foil, little scraps of fibre or yarn. Spread a plastic sheet, then some tissue paer and spread on some liquid polymer or watered down PVA, and spread the scraps on. Let it dry. You can add more polymer if you want. This is transparent when dry and makes gorgeous layering collage elements. I'd better stop with my frugalisms or I'll be joining you as a book writer! Thanks for sharing your brilliant video.

I'm in the medical world and have saved materials for just this very reason. You have provided great inspiration.

Love these💖, and as someone who loves to create art with a lot of 'junk', it's always nice to find a new person to watch. I've done something similar with all sorts of papers, but the best ones are the medicine instructions in pill packets as they are almost tissue paper thin so are great for collage and decoupage and tend to be really large so lots of bang for your buck (£!)! I also like using them for gelli prints too. I also use cereal and cat food boxes and all sorts of packaging as journal/card backings/embellishments etc; cereal liners as table protectors and wax paper alternatives. Other things can be made with them such as envelopes too - the channel Treasure Books is a great resource for those. Anyway, TFS 😊

This is lovely!! I speaks to my crafters soul. Creating one of a kind paper. How can you not love that!!

Those came out beautiful. What a creative idea.

Holy hell... You just saved me a sh*t ton of money! 😂❤

I am a frugal recycler too. I found junk journal videos about 5 years ago, yet have not used pretty commercial craft papers in any of my journals. I continue to "waste" my time spending hours making my own journal pages from trash. I felt crazy, until hearing you say you're not interested in the pretty commercially available papers, too. Thought maybe being frugal was the reason, yes, it is a part as you said but it is not the only reason, thank you for saying that. Conservation and rescue is also another reason for me. I am looking forward to your 100 day recycling project. I'm going to binge watch your channel and get up to speed. Another comment...I like your process of starting with printed text, then stamped text and images and lastly watercolor. Often the process is the other way, start with blank paper, add color then focal images.

First of your videos I have seen, and so glad I watched. Great idea, and like you I LOVE that each project is unique and not mass produced. The possibilities are endless. Thanks for sharing. Your time in creating to share is appreciated. ❤

I absolutely love what you just made. I also love the fact that you’re using things you already have. Thank you for the video.

I really learned alot and going to make backgrounds for my card makeing

I love this idea. It's so fun. This idea means I can do all sorts of experiments and use up my hoard.

Thank you for sharing. I agree with the last comment - less messy & streamlined process for getting some great looks. I'm new to your channel - look forward to seeing other videos.

Loved your video. There is a cracker box that I like to recycle in the US.. The color of the card board is beautiful.

I SO love this. Thank you for showing that 'it CAN' be done ! Beautifully

This is great idea!!! I save printed pages that come in junk mail. Its often very nice paper!!! I make painty papers from them. Or collage with DIY collage paper. I'm not 100% happy with them,...yet. I think this video will help me!! I do save tissue paper wrapped around TP because its very thin (for collage), and doesn't have much printed on it. My son told me how pretty it was. And laughed when I told him what it was from! Haha! I haven't used any paint or colors on it, except stamped with Archival colored ink pads. I love how you applied ink from ink pads using a sponge. That looks really great and doesn't have edge lines from ink pad!! Never thought of applying with sponge!!! I'm going to do that! And water colors look great too!!! I like this VIDEO!!! TFS Austin TX USA

I love your frugal philosophy. My income is almost non-existent. I am looking forward to watching your 100 day project. I do a weekly video called Trash Craft Tuesday (NZ time, so Monday for most places). Thank you for sharing your fabulous tips.

I will use all the health insurance mail to do this process. I appreciate your video ideas.

Thank you so much I really really enjoyed watching you creating those gorgeous and beautiful pieces for nothing. And yes it’s really really hard to tell what the paper’s were before now. I’ve subscribed and given you a thumb’s up too. Please stay safe and well too

I'm amazed, impressed and enjoyed seeing this idea you've shared. I'm new to your channel and happy to follow you 😊 😀 ☺️

I will use anything for pages that I don’t need anymore. My husband brings me construction plans he is finished using ; I cut them into whatever size pages I need to add to junk journals, make tags, paint/decorate, etc.. We home schooled our children (one learns to live VERY frugal doing so) and still have pads of cursive handwriting paper and old notebooks which I usually dye or color for projects; also old atlas/map books are great! We still get junk snail mail and if the envelopes can be reused, I place them in a drawer along with paper bags; also keep the little paper bags that some restaurants slip their silverware into and bring out with their menu. Also, thick catalogs with thick paper that are a few pages in size (like makeup, The Republic of Tea, new cars, etc.) are great for mini books or cards by covering them with the art pages one makes and personalizing them for the occasion. Lovey video! Thank you!!! 💝🧵💝😂✂️💝

I have been pondering how to be originally creative about paper. I can put together photos etc but never thought about what you’ve demonstrated. Those turned out beautiful. I agreed with so many of your comments and that you can go broke trying to figure out preprinted papers of which you like some pages but not others and they tend to be too … what’s the word here? Strict? Not my likes and personality so much as taking time and creating something you really like or love. Not that I don’t like some papers - just end up with pages I don’t like. Thank you. I hit the subscribe and like buttons. Thanks.

Love those bookmarks and journaling cards

What great ways to "use what you have!" I never thought to dampen the sponge before applying Distress Ink. Thank you!

I also make my own craft paper and make stamps from everything I find in my house. I am a vegetable farmer in the Namib desert in Namibia and I have a veggie stand in the little town we live near. I always have a list of things on my table that I use for my crafting, like corks, buttons, brown paper bags, candle wax, and everything an Idiot could use to craft with. My customers will bring it to me instead of throwing it away and they are very happy to know it will be re-used. So a lot of my inspiration comes from what people bring me. I have thousands of the Chinese chop sticks that I get from the Fishdeli and Sushi bar and I am still waiting for a super idea what to do with them. But one day it will pop up in my mind. I understand your feeling of not getting excited going into a craft shop. Like you say, everything looks the same. And what I still do not understand is how so many people make junk journals with *bought* paper, *bought* stickers etc. Junk is junk and you can make it into something beautiful like what you just showed in this video! I hope many people will see your video and learn what you wanted to teach them!

This was fabulous. Thanks for sharing. Definitely going to make some of my own

Great ideas! These papers turned out looking great. Your bookmark and envelope look great also.

What a good job, they came out beautifully.

Just found your chanel. Love what you make and do, eco journaling. I’m all in for it. And love your English and voice. You should use your voice for Story Tell. Thx for this great tutorial. Greetz from Holland

I have just discovered your channel. I can’t wait for your frugal 100 day projects. I do share your thoughts… Merci.😊

Omg wow that is such a neat idea. I love it!

I enjoyed watching this. Very inspirational and beautiful results!

Just found your you tube channel lovely lady. I so agree with your frugal commentary! I buy second hand books, create my own craft paper, save envelopes, cardboard, tags, etc to use in my journals. Have just a few purchased papers to mix in with my original papers. Originality and being conscious of the environment are good things! Hope your hubby gets better soon.🙏 I just hit the subscribe button🥳 and look forward to checking out more of your videos! Thank you for your time. 💞🌺Hibiscus Hugs🌺 from Hawaii!🌈🙋‍♀️

I've been doing this for years, i.e. upcycling used papers, paperbags, cardboards, etc. into journal materials. I didn't care if I got criticized as frugal. For me, I find joy in making something from what other ppl would call junk. It enhances creativity plus less waste.

I made Tim Holt's type paper using The back side of a calendar, was really cute.

Just found you and I love making things from scratch! So satisfying! Tracing paper is nice to stamp up!

Very inspiring. I just made a big load of coffee dyed paper. I’m going to attempt to turn into some ‘Scrapbook Paper”! Hope your husband is feeling better! Thank you for sharing.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE what you do! This is my first time viewing your channel and WILL be back. Keep up the beautiful work! Hello from Minnesota, USA!

I love your handmade papers, they are very beautiful. The projects you made are great too. I look forward to seeing your 100 day project, using our own resources is something I really enjoy. 😀❤

I love your art and your crafting philosophy! Thank you so much for this inspiration!❤❤❤

Brilliant idea with spectacular results. I think I'll try this on some junk mail letters that I sometimes get instead of throwing them in the trash.

Thank you for reminding me to create my own unique style. I totally agree with everything you say when it comes to crafting. 😊

Oh, hello from the 🇺🇸 USA to ya❣️

Loved them all but my fav was the leaf bookmark! Definitely making these. Tyfs❤❤❤

Hi Helen: I actually watched Kari’s video with rice paper two days ago. I was going to try it with tracing paper, because that’s all I have. Love your idea with copy paper, which I am also going to try. Thank you for sharing these wonderful ideas. Your papers are beautiful! I hope your husband feels better. 💜😎🇺🇸

New subbie here. Enjoyed this video. I really like to make good use of every scrap!

Wonderful Video, I keep every tissue box, every box that comes into the house. I do collage on them, yes from more paper that I keep, I agree it's nice to own (TH) kit's etc, not ever got one. When you make them yourself, it's so much more rewarding. love from Australia.

I have to say at first once they were dry I thought it looked too random and couldn't see how it could make something pretty. But I was proven wrong, very wrong. I love the things you made. They are gorgeous. Thanks for the ideas

I had already seen that video, that you mentioned. It was really cool what she did with the rice paper. I love what you did. Thanks for the ideas. ⚘️

I just found you and subbed. I can’t wait to see what you do with the 100!

I don’t know if you, or anyone else lives near a scrap shop. But that is a great place to go for craft supplies. My local one sells paper, fabric, stamps, and old lace and ribbons. All preloved, and now passed on. As well as all sorts of other stuff. I’m UK based and I know they are popping up all over the place now. I’m sure that is happening worldwide. And the wonderful thing is that if I buy something I don’t like, or my crafting goes in a different direction, I can just give it back. I’m a new subscriber and looking forward to seeing more. I really like the idea that junk journals are made with junk. And yes, I am naughty and do buy the new shinies, but I still love the preloved and tarnished too. X

I enjoyed this tutorial very much !

I love this idea! glad that I found your channel! Tyfs!

Hallo! Super, super, super!!! Grüßle Moa 🙋‍♀ 🌳🐝🌻Thema passt zu meiner Einstellung! Abo und 👍dagelassen! 😺

Very nice. I enjoyed this video. Guilty about just buying paper, but it was definitely one I love. I sometimes get paper at our local Goodwill...a stack of misc scrapbook papers people no longer want. Maps and magazines from a friend and the used ones from the local beauty shop sometimes find their way into my crafts too. Old calendars are a wonderful resource...and the junk mail is often cardstock so it makes a great base for things. I look forward to seeing more of your videos!

Wow!!! First time I've seen one of your videos and so glad I watched!! These are amazing... can't wait to try this! Thank you!❤

Wow! I really appreciate you sharing this…very inspiring, will give this try with my own printed papers! Thank you 😊🌸

Wow I am blown away by how amazing the paper turned out just beautiful, just thinking and every body has thought about this but you could scan you paper then if you liked would have it over and over

Thank you so much for these wonderful ideas. I have so much paper in boxes that I have to get rid of and I have been wanting to do something useful with it. Now I know how to do that. Your video has been serindipitous!

Wow this was so inspiring for me! Thank you for showing us this 🥰 I loved it!

What a nice refreshing video for using up our stash!! Thanks!

Thoroughly enjoyed your video!!!!!! Thank you for the inspiration!!!!!

Love,, Love, Love your videos. I have learned enough to make me dangerous!! Do you ever do quilling? Very tedious and time-consuming, bur beautiful. Thanks for all you do!!!

I agree, I want to do things that are unique! ❤️

I really love this! Such an inspiration, especially now that my husband just retired! Need to be more budget conscious!

Such wonderful tips TFS

I loved your video

These turned out so pretty. Just subscribed, so happy I found you!

I totally agree with your vision..I make nearly all my papers...love what you made

Thank you so much for posting this. Like you, I am longer that excited about the supplies out there that are oh, so beautiful but do not fit into my budget. Also, it feels to me that I’m not using my own imagination but someone else’s wonderful idea to create my project but it ends up looking the same as everyone else’s. I want to be somewhat unique. Of course I’ve got lots of Tim Holtz stamps and ephemera and they will appear in my crafts. I now love my gel plate so much because I go out to my garden, pick some leaves, pick up fallen leaves in autumn and make my own unique prints which I use on cards and in my repurposed old books from the thrift store. I sew a lot and always have scraps of fabric which I stamp on or tea die or just press into the paint on the gel plate and voila! 😊 I just really feel inspired by everything you created in this video and I’ve subscribed to your channel. I’m now going to binge watch your videos for more planet saving ideas. Thanks again! 😊

Gorgeous!

I'm right there with you frugal sister

WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL creations TYFS

I love how you decided to group the photos across the middle instead of the grid. I love grids, but I also love how you didn’t use a grid!! Lol

Lovely papers!! Watching for the first time. You have a new subbie thank you so much !❤

Around the 17:27 mark, you speak about not being excited about your area hobby/craft store. Wow... did you put to words what I didn't exactly realize. I just have no desire to spend $ at the local craft shop or even to go into it. Now I understand so clearly. LOL, now to explain it to my sister-in-law. 😊 Great video, Thank you!

First video I see from you and it is exactly what I was looking for. I love the idea of making things by myself, it's so creative, thank you!

Brilliant!!!!! I'll try it, thank you from New Zealand. 🥰🥰🥰

Absolutely beautiful!! I’m so inspired!!! New subscriber!! 👍🏼👏🏼😍

Love your ideas! I just subbed and can’t wait to watch more of your creations ❤️

A girl after my own heart 😁 great inspiration and happy results. I have a huge amount of clear plastic rescued from bubble packing and stationery folders etc over a good many years. I’ve found that some of my old markers (and Brilliance Inks when heat set) will not smudge on this material and so it can be used for card fronts, box lids, window inserts, and probably a lot of other things.

I am so thrilled that I have found your video! I am a collage artist and am always literally sleeping (when I stop thinking), breathing and designing in my mind. Surfing through artists' videos has become a habit. So many of them have disappointed me with their lack of knowledge and constant chatter. When I came across your video, I was not only intrigued, but excited to put into my library your fantastic ideas of "how to recycle paper." I am also a frugal recyclist, and have now added your terrific ideas into my recycling repertoire. You have hooked me. I will be back. Thank you again.

I LOVE this tutorial ...Thank you so very much..Now I will view your other videos ! 💚

Your papers turned out so pretty! I love all the projects too! Just subbed!❤

Best video of this type I've seen. Thank you very much!

Contemporary greeting cards, magazines, cereal boxes make tags, journal covers, tabs, and book marks. ❤

I’m new to junk journaling. Love this video. Thank you for sharing. Simple and to the point. Will definitely give this a try.

Also, if you have paper packs with designs you don't like, you can also customise them rather than use them as is or waste them - using embossing to create a resist effect is a great way to do that. 🥰

Beautiful! This is the first of your videos that I’ve seen and I’m excited about your hundred days series! I’m trying to come out of a depression and get back into creating, but a big change in our circumstances has left me feeling powerless and unable to move forward. I love the way you take limited spending as a challenge to make a social stand. It sounds empowering and just what I need to get over the creativity block I’m experiencing! Thanks so much!

THANK YOU! I loved what you created and I will have to try this experiment and create my own paper out of ALL of the stashes of paper I have.

Love this tutorial. I'm in the process of creating a Journal and I'll be using this technique. Thank you. Ana from Salisbury ,MD

Great ideas for those of us on a budget. Thank you for sharing this...

Just subscribed. Great video. Thanks for sharing.

Hello I am new to your channel and I am so impressed with your creativity, I so agree there are many supplies you can make yourself or substitute in order to save money. For distressing edges I have found that my old eyeshadows work perfectly! My old foundation make up powder is superb for just distressing. Think about all the different colors you can use from your eyeshadows!