Patterned Paste Paper

Create your own patterned papers using this quick and easy technique from Maria Nerius. Making paste paper is a fun way to amp up your usual paper craft projects. Give it a try!
 

Materials:

• Wallpaper paste
• Water-based paint
• Paper
• Container for each color
• Paint brush (thick flat brushes work best)
• Palette knife, brayer or large spoon
• Texture tools: combs, sponges, stamps, plastic wrap, toothpick and fingers

Instructions:

1. Mix up the wallpaper paste following packaging instructions. Wallpaper paste is thick, but should be smooth rather than lumpy.
    
2. Divide the paste into separate containers for each color you want to create. Start adding a little paint at a time to each container. Test the tone and hue on a scrap of paper. Mix well.
    
3. Cover your work area. Place a sheet of paper onto work area and start brushing on paste. You can use a single color or brush on several colors.
    
4. Clean brush between colors. Cover paper with paste as evenly as possible (thick or thin just make sure it’s an even coat) and remember to brush past the edges of the paper.
    
5. Now have some fun with your texture tools! You are basically removing the paste to form the pattern or design. Try combing across the paper, zigzag the comb or comb across in waves. Dab a sponge here and there. Take your fingers and create lines, swirls or waves.
    
6. Explore and experiment. Please note that a comb can be the kind you use to part your hair or it can be a soft rubber “comb” found in the art aisle or faux finish section of an art and craft store or home center.
    
7. Let paper dry flat. Depending on how thick you spread the paste, drying can take an hour or two or 24 hours.
    
8. Immediately clean your brush and work area. You don’t want to deal with dried paste in the bristles or on your table.