SHAMPOO BOTTLE NAPKIN RINGS:

Life moves at a fast and furious pace at my house. Dinner is a no-nonsense affair with the basic food groups accounted for and a minimum of fuss. But the Holidays are different. Life slows down. The meal is cherished. Special. I pull out the china and linen napkins and make sure the knife is on the correct side with the blade facing the correct way.

And there is one other things I like to do: Add that touch that is uniquely us. My family loves to create. Sometimes it is the centerpiece or the placemats. Once it was even construction paper turkey hats =)

This year: NAPKIN RINGS FROM RECYCLED SHAMPOO BOTTLES.

Step 1: SUPPLIES:

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

Plastic Shampoo Bottles - I like the smaller bottles for this project, the kind you find for children.
Primer
Sealer
Paper & Pencil
Scissors
Xacto knife
Tape
Acrylic Paint & Brushes

Step 2: DESIGN:

I cut the top and bottom off the shampoo bottle and cleaned it well. Pulled the advertising sticker off.

Wrap the paper around the bottle to find the size so you can make a pattern. I tried not to be too detailed so it would be easier to cut out.
Once the pattern is complete, cut it out.

I have this thing about the unexpected. If I create something, I like to add a detail that someone might not expect. Here it's the little bird on the backside of the napkin ring.

Step 3:

I used packing tape to secure the pattern to the bottle and then cut along the outer lines.

At points, I stuck a hard plastic item into the bottle to get a good cut.

Step 4: PAINTING:

The fun part.

I used the primer to give the ring a good base coat.

Tip: I used two different whites here. I left the snow kind of streaky and used an pearlized white for the snowman. Also, added glitter paint to the snow.

Step 5:

When you are done painting, give the whole ring a good coat of sealer. Don't forget the edges and the inside. This will help protect your painting so it won't peal off.

Step 6: DINNER IS SERVED:

By the time Christmas rolls around, I will have quite a creation of napkin rings. Santa and his sleigh. A tree with presents. I will post pictures as I finish them =)

Happy creating and Happy Holidays to you and your family. And mostly Peace in the New Year.