Saturday, March 28, 2009

Recycle/Make Your Own Paper~Strawberry Shortcake & Angel Lush!!!


I like trying new crafts, but am not always able to invest in all the supplies....so this is a groovy way to make paper with stuff you probably have on hand (or can acquire for next to nothing!
If this is the first time you are making paper, don't be afraid to experiment with different fibers, you don't have to stick with paper related products. Add whole flower heads to the pulp mixture after it has been through the blender. You can add scraps of yarn, tin foil, even seeds. Its all comes down to what you want. Experiment with different textures and colors after all Ts'ai Lun did! Remember, some of your ideas will turn out while others may not. Have fun with it, express your creativity..
Instructions

Things You’ll Need:
Gather supplies:
blender
white glue
water
panty hose
wire hanger
sink
and of course paper...
Many types of paper that can be used include:
Computer Paper (unprinted)
Newspaper (If you want a grayish colored paper)
Magazines
Egg Cartons
Old Cards (For heavier paper)
Toilet Paper
Paper Bags
Non Waxed Boxes (Pre-soak in warm water)
Office Paper
Tissue Paper (For finer paper)
Typing Paper
Napkins
Construction Paper

Step1
Create the drying screen before you begin. You can create a drying screen by shaping the wire hanger into a square or rectangle. Stretch the panty hose over the wire being careful not to snag them. You will need a screen for each piece of homemade paper you plan to make.
Step2
Tear up your old paper. I shred it with a paper shredder. What I don't use to make new paper is used for garden mulch. You can also tear the paper into 2 inch, or smaller, squares.
Step3
Add water and blend. Place your paper in the blender. Cover it with water. Allow it to sit and soak up some of the water. Add more water to keep the water level about an inch above the top of the paper. Adding enough water is important to keep from over working your blender! Run the blender on low speed. Once you have grey liquid, blend a few more minutes. When you are finished, the original paper should be completely broken down.
Step4
If you want colored paper, add a few drops of food coloring. Blend until the color is distributed evenly. I enjoy the natural off-white color of the paper with small specks of color from any colored paper in the mix. You can also get creative in this step and add natural elements such as sticks, shells, or flowers.
Step5
Give your blended pulp a glue bath. Fill your sink with 4 inches of water. Add 2 tablespoons of glue to the water. Dump the contents of your blender into the sink full of glue water. Use your hands to mix it up. Make sure it is mixed well.
Step6
Strain your homemade paper. Place your screen at the bottom of the sink. Wait a few seconds and then very slowly begin lifting the screen. You should lift as slowly as possible, taking at least 30 seconds to lift it from the water.
Step7
Dry your new paper. Take your screen outside and dry it in the sun. It should be completely dry before you try to remove the paper. Very gently pull the paper off. To speed dry your homemade paper, you can try putting it in the oven on a very low heat setting. Just be careful not to set the oven temperature too high. You would not want to catch your homemade paper on fire!
Step8
Iron your new paper (optional). You can iron the homemade paper if you wish. This will remove the wrinkles. If you do this, be careful not to scorch it with the iron.
Step9
Make something pretty from your homemade paper. You can make special notes, cards, use it in scrapbooks or other paper crafts, or make a book cover out of it.
NOTES:
It's fun to add bits of thread and flowers and seeds, etc
While your paper is drying you could lay it over an overturned bowl and it will dry into a bowl shape...



Strawberry Shortcake:


Super easy and very good

1 cup milk, divided
¼ cup sour crème
3 tbsp. sugar
2 ¼ cups dry all-purpose baking mix for biscuits (I used Bisquick)
1 pkg. (4-serving size) instant vanilla pudding and pie filling mix
1 tub (8 oz.) whipped topping (Cool Whip)
4 cups sliced strawberries
1/3 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 425F.

Mix ½ cup milk, sour crème and 3 tbsp sugar in large bowl with wire whisk. Stir in baking mix until blended. Spread evenly into greased 9-inch round cake pan. Bake 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Remove and let cool completely on wire rack.

Meanwhile, combine dry pudding mix and remaining ½ cup milk; blend well. Gently stir in half of whipped topping until well blended. In a separate bowl mix strawberries and 1/3 cup sugar; set aside. Slice cake in half horizontally to make two layers.

Place bottom of cake on serving plate. Spread pudding mixture evenly over bottom layer (saving a large spoonful of pudding mix); evenly layer half of strawberries on pudding layer; put leftover large spoonful of pudding mixture in center of strawberry layer; place top cake layer on top, press down gently. Spread top with remaining whipped topping and top with remaining strawberries...

Angel Lush with Pineapple:


This is the perfect dessert for when you just want something light. The hardest part was cutting the angel food cake! This is super easy to prepare but looks and tastes great! I hope you enjoy.

Ingridents:
1 can (20 oz.) DOLE® Crushed Pineapple, undrained
1 pkg. (4 serving size) JELL-O® Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
1 cup thawed COOL WHIP® Whipped Topping
1 pkg. (10 oz.) prepared round angel food cake
Seasonal Berries

Directions:
Mix pineapple and dry pudding mix in medium bowl. Gently stir in whipped topping. Let stand 5 minutes.
Cut cake horizontally into 3 layers. Place bottom cake layer, cut side up, on serving plate.
Spread 1-1/3 cups of the pudding mixture onto cake layer; cover with middle cake layer. Spread 1 cup pudding mixture onto middle cake layer; top with remaining cake layer. Spread with remaining pudding mixture. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until ready to serve. Garnish with your favorite seasonal berries.
Store leftover dessert in refrigerator.

Great Substitute:
Prepare as directed, using JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Fat Free Sugar Free Instant Reduced Calorie Pudding & Pie Filling and COOL WHIP LITE Whipped Topping.

How To Cut the Angel Food Cake:
Use a serrated knife and gentle sawing motion to easily cut the angel food cake.

3 comments:

Tami said...

Sue~

You never fail to amaze me with the ideas that you have! Love the recycle paper idea and think I just might try it so I can use it in my art work!!!

Thanks!!
Have a great weekend!

Jacque. said...

Sue, I think I'll try the strawberry shortcake much sooner than making my own paper. But, hey...thanks for sharing! ~grin~

Rooster Inn Primitives said...

THe strawberry short cake looks so good. I could eat a piece of that right now. Have a wonderful sunday

Hugs Pam