Twisted Patriotic Napkin Vase

I love working with paper napkins!  There're some really beautiful designs available and they come in the prettiest patterns that can be used to transformed  just about anything - furniture, bottles, jars, boxes, frames, and dishes, you name it!  So many ways to use napkins for craft ideas in home decor! Like this patriotic vase! It's made out of twisted paper napkins using plain water. Can you imagine?

Let's start with red, white and blue patriotic napkins - perfect for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday!

Cut in half, along the fold and remove all plain layers from the print side  .  .  .

then spritz with water (pattern side down) on a waterproof work surface like a glass cutting board.

Next, roll the napkin together lengthwise (pattern face out) You can apply additional water if needed, although these napkin colors bled .  .  .

and begin twisting the ends in opposite directions with fingers.

Once the napkin is completely twisted, stretch to straighten and lay on parchment paper to dry. I made about 40 napkin twists for the first section of the vase and put the twists outside in the sun to dry for about 45-60 minutes.

While the napkin twists are drying, cover a round bowl in plastic wrap. Use masking tape to secure the plastic to bowl. Mark on the bowl where you want to stop wrapping the napkin twists. Once the twists are dry, place a generous amount of fabric glue on the center outside bottom of bowl and begin twirling the napkin twists around the bowl. Apply fabric glue along the base of the twists, as you wrap.

Continue  wrapping and adding napkin twists while adding glue around the base of the napkin twist, as you wrap the bowl. 

Be sure to wrap the twists as close together as possible, while keeping the rows evenly pushed together.

Stop wrapping where marked and smooth the end of the last napkin twist into the previous row using glue to blend together and make less noticeable. Remove the entire napkin twist vase by loosening the plastic wrap and place on parchment paper until dry (outside in sun).

 For the second bowl, allow space for the vase opening before beginning to wrap the bowl just like with the first bowl.   

Continue wrapping and gluing as before, ending where marked. Gently remove the napkin twists section from the bowl, removing plastic wrap and let dry. 

To connect the two napkin twists bowls together for the vase - place the open bowl on top of the closed bowl, adjusting fit, then apply a generous amount of fabric glue around the top edge of the closed bowl. Pinch the two bowls together. holding in place for a few seconds to secure as you move around the edges. Once the fabric glue has dried, apply several coats of Modge Podge to harden and seal the napkin twists. Let dry. 

   What a fun way to make a decorative patriotic craft!

Celebrating the red, white and blue! PS - The flowers are made out of toilet paper - my tutorial can be found here on FaveCraft 

Thanks for stopping by

and take a little time to enjoy,

Happy Crafting!