Homemade Paper & Stationary Sets

I love writing thank you notes-real notes in my handwriting using a pen and a piece of paper.
Not an email, a texts or a tweets. A note that comes in an envelope with a stamp on it.

There’s only one thing better than a handwritten thank you note.

A handmade and handwritten thank you note.

This process takes less than an hour to do, plus dry time, and provides an impressive finished product. Let’s get started on making some fancy stationary, shall we?

Here’s what you’ll need to make your very own stationary:

A picture frame (I made mine from scrap lumber)
Blender
Sponge
Window Screen as large as the frame
Recycled paper, construction paper, newspaper, etc
Dried Flowers (If desired)
Paper Towels and Hand towels
Envelopes
Staple Gun
Utility Knife
A plastic bin larger than the frame (I used my sink, instead)

Begin by stapling the screen to the backside of your picture frame. Make sure the screen is securely attached. Over-do it, I give you permission.

Tear the paper into pieces about 2″ or smaller. Fill your blender with the paper, but don’t compress the paper. Add water until the blender is about 2/3 full.

Press the ‘pulse’ button several times to get the mixture going. Then, switch to ‘puree’, until the mixture has almost a smoothie consistency. I did this process several times to create enough of the mixture for the amount of paper I wanted to make.

Fill your plastic bin or in my case, my sink, with the mixture, adding water until it is about 4″ deep. I added enough water to my sink until the consistency resembled more of a soup like texture.

Dip your frame into the mixture, with the top of the frame facing up. Pull the frame out of the water slowly, allowing it to drain. You can even rest the frame on your bin to allow it to drain longer.

Add your dried flowers to the topside of the paper at this point.

Lay out hand towels and place several paper towels on top of them.

Flip your frame over on top of the paper towels. Allow the paper to release itself from the screen slowly. Use a sponge to gently remove as much excess water that you can from the paper. Allow the paper to dry for several hours.

Once the paper is dry, tear it by hand to fit the size of envelopes that you have. Save any scraps to be used as name tags for the final product.

I made a stationary ‘set’ out of four pieces of the homemade paper with four envelopes. I then decorated the sets with scrap ribbon and ric-rac that I had on hand, adding buttons on a couple for a little extra ‘wow’ factor.

I used the scrap pieces of my homemade paper as name tags to accompany the sets.

My homemade stationary sets were a big hit with the family-or so they told me. I choose to believe them.

Treasures from Yesteryear

Leaving the large farmhouse to move into a more manageable place in town, prompted Grandma to unload many things she didn’t need anymore. She generously blessed the family with items she’s collected throughout her life. And these are a ‘few of my favorite things’ that I was able to bring home!

I love this cute little squirrel and the feathers seem quite appropriate residing there. Plus, they drive Cowboy Cat crazy from time to time. Great entertainment for both of us.

What could be better than getting a jar of glass marbles? Lord knows I needed replacements for the ones that I’ve seem to have lost.

Buttons, buttons, who’s got the buttons? Now I do-and lots of them!

Here’s a few of my fav’s. I love the leather ones the most.

I have many projects planned for this stack of hankies-you will see them very soon, my dears. Very soon.

I can just picture Grandma embroidering this hanky. I love the tiny orange dots leading away from the leaf. So delicate, so sweet.

My hubby had to paper-rock-scissor his sister for these. I am so thankful he rules at almost everything.
He said that he ‘got into her head and messed her focus all up’ and that’s why he won. He’s kind’ve a weirdo, too.

I now have a plethora of vintage aprons, as well. I just know I can create something fun from them. I am keeping back a couple, though.
I am quite a messy cook….

The stamp on the left bears Grandpa’s signature. I couldn’t hold back the tears when Hubby’s sister gave this to me. I still miss him a lot.
I have never seen a plastic tree like this one. It’s about a foot high and folds down flat. I can’t wait to decorate it!
And that sproingy dog has been sitting on Grandma’s desk since Hubby could remember, holding mail, receipts and what not. I think he likes his new home.

What a crock!
Moving on…

Some fiesta ware, some not. I don’t care-I just think they’re super fun.

You might not know it, but I have a thing for cowboys. This tray caught my eye and no one fought me for it. I was really hoping to have at least one arm wrestling match, but no luck. It matches my living room perfectly! I’ll show you more treasures from time to time.
Do you have any treasures that have been handed down to you?
If so, please share!