I've just reread an old post of yours and see it says dry loosely packed paper. The guy at class used 3 paper, 2 portland,1 perlite. Maybe there was too much paper. I mushed my paper then measured it. Do you have an actual book from Betty Machey or a CD. I like the books so I can get them dirty with portland!

Some follow up Papercrete.

I once tried bagged paper insulation -- don't use it, It contains chemicals and smells real bad. So now I shread newspaper and then soak for a day or two in a big trash can.
Then I drain water and place the shedded newspaper in a big bucket, and using my drill and a drywall mud stir attachment ( or your hands, just takes langer) I stir, mix, mush the wet paper, Until it is pulp ( like oatmeal)
Then just mix in with the portland, perlite, and maybe sand if you like. It is a little different texture than hypertufa.

It seems that this mix takes longer to dry/cure, maybe because the paper is like a sponge. It is not ready the next day like hypertufa.

Do a seach on this site, for Papercrete, There is a really good set of instructions that I have used.

I did get the CD from Betty - it is good too.

Also if you like to experiment, try hypertufa with using real dirt. Check out Betty's web site, she did a demo at the Phila flower show that was really cool looking .

Mike

Thanks Mike, I bought the paint stirer I would not attempt using my hands. I want instant results of some kind even if it fails. I'll try dirt. Sounds interesting. We don't have much dirt in MO. It's mostly rock but have bags of something that is suppose to be dirt out there. It's the weekend and I hope to get to play. I'm off to check out Betty's web site. Kathy

I have done some experimenting and found that if you do not mix the paper well - with the mixing wand, when you are unmolding , then if you choose , rough up the surface with a wire brush, you will see bits of paper in the mix. Mike

Here is a link that might be useful: Some places I visited

I took another look around on your blog. June Photo winner is WOW. Everything looks so "at home" in the pot. That is more impressive than a sphere would be.

I also love the Little & Lewis gunnera leaf. I can't imagine making that. I'd have to rent space before I began!

Kathy