Napkin Technique

I love to use paper napkins on my scrapbook pages. You can buy so many lovely designs and they are so cheap, and great for swapping with others too!
So I thought I would show you my technique for scrapping with napkins.
I picked up a packet of these napkins in Matalan the other day-lovely subtle colours and very romantic, and I thought they would be perfect for a wedding photo:

There are three layers to a paper napkin, so the first thing you need to do is separate the layers. You only use the top, printed layer, and that way the napkin will be translucent and you will be able to see through it:

Prepare your background. I like to use music paper or book paper for my first layer because it looks so nice under the transluscent napkin. I also like to stamp, but if you do this make sure you use waterproof ink, or else it will run when you apply glue. You can also stamp with acrylic paint:

Next, tear or cut the napkin to the size you require. Lay the napkin piece onto the page, and lightly mark where the napkin will go:

To glue the napkin use a wet glue, which you apply to the receiving surface-not the napkin. You can use Mod Podge or PVA.

You need to quickly brush the glue onto the cardstock, then lay the napkin over the glued surface. Then add more glue to the top of the napkin. Be careful not to tear the delicate napkin. The napkin will look very wet and wrinkled-this is OK!:

I like to use a crackle effect paint around the edge of my page. I have used Tim Holtz crackle paint on this LO. You really need to add this paint VERY thickly for it to crack. To be honest I would prefer to use a 2 step sandwich style crackle effect medium to the Tim Holtz paint, but I have a couple of pots of this paint so I am going to use it! Leave everything to dry!

See how lovely the transluscent effect is when the glue dries:

I also used the same napkins to make flower embellishments. I LOVE these flowers-they look gorgeous in real life! You really need to work on a nonstick silicone sheet for this part! Take the top printed layer of a napkin. Add glue to the back of one side, and fold the other side over to glue the two halves together. Allow to dry:

When dry, roughly cut out circles. I used pinking shears. Paint the circles in Mod Podge, front and back. I used gloss Mod Podge. While still wet pinch the circles into 3D flower shapes. Allow to dry:

Layer up small circles on top of larger ones. Glue together and add buttons or brads for centres. Then start to assemble your layout. Add the photo, then other embellishments-lace, ribbon, flowers:

Finally add your title, and other embellishments. I used butterflies stamped onto acetate with Stazon ink, and a chandelier die cut with a bit of bling added. I also added some stickles to the flowers and the title:

Details:

I hope you will give this technique .a go-I'd love to see what you come up with.

And for more inspiration visit Kate Mason's blog. Kate has some fabulous work using napkins.

And there are some more napkin layouts in my Picasa gallery-the link is on the right.