Paper Napkins are Just for Show

A sampling of pretty napkins in my collection

Don’t you just love celebrations? There’s usually family and/or friends, and definitely FOOD!!! If the host is feeling fancy, there might even be themed paper decorations which includes coordinating plates, cups, and napkins.

Our recent Fourth of July gathering was just such an occasion. The red, white, and blue was prominent and festive. Does the food taste better if the ambiance is right??

I remember a craft project my mom helped me with when I was younger that we did at Easter. She purchased several sizes of Styrofoam eggs, pretty Easter napkins, and Mod Podge. Fussy cutting out the design and adhering it to the egg made for some unique-looking eggs in the basket for our table’s centerpiece.

Shortly after I started Bible Art Journaling, I was introduced to the “napkin technique.” A coat of Mod Podge on the Bible page followed by applying a piece of a fancy napkin, and securing it with a top coat of Mod Podge produced a creative centerpiece on the page.

As you will see from my pictures, this technique takes a little practice and a little finesse. I have also learned that muted colors or pastels with more white areas work best. Another tip I want to share with you is that most luncheon/dinner napkins are three ply. The first ply is usually simple to peel away. To separate the second and third ply, if you make a small tear in the napkin, it is easier to find the layer to pull apart.

First attempt with this leaf-patterned napkin I did not get the third ply separated and found it to be too dark.

Second attempt with the same napkin, the inner ply, which I used, had a faint imprint of the pattern and was more transparent so I could still see the text underneath–which was my desired outcome.

Another one of my earlier attempts. The text I underlined is visible, but the brown lines of the napkin design are too dark.

I liked the idea of this napkin for the Fruit of the Spirit verse, but the overall color of the napkin was too dark.

Should have tested my pen with what the Mod Podge would do over the top of it, but I did really like this napkin design. The napkin was from a church ladies meeting where I gave an introduction to Bible Art Journaling, so it holds a special reminder of that day as well.

Can you tell I like butterflies!? I saw this package of napkins at a TJ Maxx and had to buy it! I can’t pass by a napkin display while shopping and not stop to see if there might be something worthy of using in a Bible Journaling entry. Napkins are as dangerous for me as art supplies. 🙂

Except for one wrinkle in the top left flower, I finally nailed the technique with this one! I added some Distress Ink and colored pencil marks around the edges as well as some green leaves and stems and really tied it all together.

Napkins aren’t just for laying in your lap, wiping fingers, and dabbing at the corners of the mouth. They have “depths of purpose and layers of meaning to saturate everything you do.”