For many years, paper napkins were mostly produced in very basic colors only. With a certain theme in mind for the occasion, we'd shop for paper napkins to color co-ordinate. Today though, you'll find they're embellished with the most wonderful prints. For every imaginable reason there is to make your own cards, you will find a paper-napkin to suit. Look at the range available in home decor outlets now and you'll see reason to purchase with a new, creative incentive.

What you will need:

* Cardstock 10 inches x 5 inches, (25 cm x 12.75 cm)

* Paper Napkin

* Iron

* Freezer Paper

* Baking/Parchment Paper or Greaseproof Paper

* Double-Sided Tape

* Paper Cutter or Guillotine

* Bone Scorer

Each napkin will have one or even two layers of "backing tissues" behind the printed layer. Remove these carefully. From one corner gently peel away the top from the backing.

Fold lines will remain from the packaging of the napkins so it will be necessary to iron those out. With your iron on a medium to hot setting, without steam, carefully press the creases out.

Cut the Freezer Paper the same size as your paper napkin.

1. Place the freezer paper sheet, "shiny side" up.

2. Place your paper napkin print side up, on top of the freezer paper.

3. Lay baking paper or greaseproof paper on top of the others; this will avoid any leftover edges of freezer paper sticking to the base of your iron.

4. Gently glide your iron over the "sandwich" of papers, long enough for the freezer paper to meld to the paper napkin. Be sure to also press well at the very outside edges. Now your paper-napkin is wonderfully stable, reinforced if you like, and ready for your first card.

Fold the long side of your cardstock in half vertically, creating a 5 inch square (12.75 cm square), finished card front. Score the fold with a bone-scorer for a neat finish.

Trim the paper-napkin a little smaller on each side, than the front of your card.

On the back side of the paper napkin, add double-sided tape along each edge. Peel off the backing papers and adhere the paper-napkin to your card-front.

Add your personal combination of embellishments to suit the theme of your card. Perhaps a tag with a sentiment or greeting; maybe a decorative charm or punched shapes. You are on your way now to doing much more with what might have been "just a paper-napkin". Have fun with them and keep on creating!

Learn more about this author, Carole Meisenhelter.
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