Layered Napkin Collage

By: Susan Pickering Rothamel

Napkins aren't just for clean freaks and germaphobes. In fact, you can make napkin crafts using pretty decorative papers, adhesives and more. A Layered Napkin Collage from Susan Pickering Rothamel can be hung on a wall or displayed on a mantel to add color to a plain space.

Materials:

Perfect Paper Adhesive - Matte or Gloss (PPA)
MicaColor Watercolor Palettes, Perfect Pigments or Perfect Glaze
Art Canvas
Crystal Effects
Pretty Paper Napkins
1/2” Paint Brush
#4 ‘Detail’ Paint Brush
Great Tape
Styl’ines – Cardmaking Words
Water

Instructions:

Often a background color improves the overall composition. Keep to first using lighter colors and wash them onto the Art Canvas. It doesn’t matter which of paints or glazes you use, but keep it light. Don’t forget to wash some over the edges of the Art Canvas, which finishes them very nicely.
Cut or tear the napkin to the desired design or motif. If you prefer a more ragged edge, which virtually disappears, tear it.
Tip: Wet your brush and run it around the outside of the design. The excess paper will tear away easily.
Always remove the two back layers of paper, leaving only the thin design top layer.
Tip: To remove the layers, you can look for a white edge. However, two tiny pieces of tape work to make it easy. Just put one piece on one side, and the other on the back. Pull gently and remove first one layer, then the other. (Blue/purple painter’s tape works very nicely, too.)
Apply a light coat of PPA to the Art Canvas. You want to have the adhesive both under and over the napkin surface. PPA works well because it has no tack. It is smooth and glides over the delicate napkin surface. PPA’s UV protectants help to protect the colors!
Use the 1/2” Snap Brush to gently smooth the napkin, wrapping and adhering excess edges to the back of the Art Canvas.
While the card is still wet with PPA, splash a flash of Crystal Effects.
Use the Great Tape to mount your card element to cardstock.