DIY Wedding

Pretty Up a Party with Paper

Jeffery Rudell, contributor

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Wildflowers cut from a 24x7-inch piece of white paper transform an ordinary layer cake into an extraordinary confection. Fasten the ends together with white glue or double-sided tape.

Jeffery Rudell

Start with a 36 x 12 inch piece of white paper. In order to give your design some visual heft, I recommend against cutting out too much detail; keep it graphic and bold and the results will have more impact.

Jeffery Rudell

These coral napkin rings will add drama to your table, a sense of whimsy to your meal, and will give your guests something charming to take home with them.

Jeffery Rudell

Wildflowers cut from a 24x7-inch piece of white paper transform an ordinary layer cake into an extraordinary confection. Fasten the ends together with white glue or double-sided tape.

Photo: Jeffery Rudell

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Score the upper lobe and fold it down so that it covers the bottom lobe. Using a craft knife, cut a single notch through both lobes from their centers down through their bottom edges. This notch is how you will attach the coral to the paper loop of the napkin ring itself.

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Fold the upper lobe down over the lower one.

 

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Cut a small notch (approximately 1/2 inch in length).

 

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The bracket of your coral should now look like this.

Finally, use the remaining strip of red paper (1-1/4 x11 inches) for the napkin ring proper. Glue this strip-end to end-adding a single twist to make it a Möbius strip. The single twist provides a strong vertical edge onto which you can position the notch you cut into your branch coral.

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Use a strong white adhesive to glue your Mobiüs strip together, and hold it until the glue dries.

I try to make all of my napkin rings different from each other. Don't be afraid to vary the size and shape and for a slightly less formal look you can even vary the color from orange and yellow, to violet and green. Your guests will delight at your creativity (and don't be surprised if they try to take one home with them.)

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Comments (11)

Nodan writes: I think it is really very hard to cut out the flowers just with scissors. It's perfect.
Posted: 4:33 am on February 5th

sandysewin writes: Something about the simplicity of the dark on light along with the delicate designs make this stunning.

You inspire us all. We don't need complex materials, just the basics and an artist's eye (and a steady hand) can make the most wondrous of creations.
Posted: 5:55 pm on October 30th

Luvbird writes: I think this is just so beautiful & i know just the lady to show this to,{we call her Cake Queen}!!She decorates cakes for people in her Church,& family members for Weddings & such!She`ll Love this pattern so much,Thank you :)
Posted: 6:36 pm on October 26th

marksc33 writes: Every single paper project Jeffery does is better than the next!!! He definitely needs to publish a book....
Posted: 7:01 am on June 30th

ErinMichelle writes: i cannot deal with how great this is.
Posted: 11:12 pm on August 1st

LAURAMCHUGH writes: JEFFERY YOUR WORK IS FABULOUS. YOU INSPIRE ME TO DO MORE WITH PAPER CRAFTS, AS A MIDDLE SCHOOL ART TEACHER I WILL PASS ON SOME OF YOUR DESIGN IDEAS TO MY STUDENTS. THANKS. KEEP UP THE WONDERFUL CREATATIVE WORK. YOU ARE A PAPER MASTER.
Posted: 4:34 pm on July 10th

Learnernc writes: Just elegant!! Thanks for the two links in the article,too. What style!
Posted: 2:37 pm on July 3rd

paperrain writes: This is one of the best ideas I've ever seen! And I'm about to have a party, so I'm using it.
Posted: 1:10 pm on July 3rd

Softflexgirl writes: Love this!
Posted: 12:44 pm on July 3rd

memaw writes: I'm going out to buy an exacto knife! Your work is gorgeous!
Posted: 11:01 am on June 30th

MichaelaMurphy writes: Wow, this is absolutely beautiful!
Posted: 12:30 pm on June 19th

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