Kwanzaa Place Mat and Napkin Ring

Products Used

Pacon® Protecto Film, Clear, Non-Glare Plastic

Additional Products

  • Transparent Tape
  • Water
  • Small Sponge or Brush
  • Scissors and/or Craft Knife

Project Details

Kwanzaa is celebrated for seven days, December 26 to January 1 of each year, to honor the values of ancient African cultures. Create these festive crafts for your Kwanzaa celebrations.

Lesson Plan Ideas

Learn about why Dr. Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966. Learn the seven principles of Kwanzaa (umoja, kujichagulia, ujima, ujamaa, nia, kuumba and imani) and the seven symbols of Kwanzaa (kikombe cha umoja, kinara, mazao, mishumaa saba, mkeka, vibunzi ((plural, muhindi) and zawadi). Or learn about the significance of the colors red, black and green to the Kwanzaa celebration.

Steps

  1. Making the Place Mat:

    Taking one piece of 12″ x 18″ Black Construction Paper, cut 10 lines 1″ apart, according to the illustration (Step 1.pdf), making sure to stop 1-1/2″ from the edge.

    Step 1

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  2. Cut four 13″ strips of Emerald, Wet N’ Stick Art Tape and three 13″ strips out of Scarlet, Wet N’ Stick Art Tape.

  3. (Hint: Wet N’ Stick Art Tape is coated with a special non-toxic adhesive on one side. This side appears shinier than the other). Starting with the Emerald, weave Art Tape, adhesive side down, over and under the cut Black Construction Paper. Next, weave the Scarlet Art Tape, adhesive side down, under and over the Black Construction Paper. Continue weaving the remainder of the Art Tape, alternating colors, until all seven are in place. Space them out evenly making sure the excess Art Tape is hanging over the edge of the place mat (Step 2.pdf).

    Step 3

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  4. Carefully turn place mat over. Take a small sponge brush, moisten slightly with water and brush on the Art Tape that is hanging over the edge of the place mat. Fold Art Tape over onto the back of the place mat and press down. Art Tape will hold firmly in place. Repeat until all of the excess Art Tape is secure. Let dry.

  5. After everything is dry, cover with Pacon® Protecto Film. This will help protect your place mat and ensure a lot of use out of it.

  6. Making the Napkin Ring:

    Cut a piece of Black Construction Paper to 7″ x 3″. Cut four lines 1/2″ apart, according to the illustration (Step 3.pdf), making sure to stop 1/2″ from the edge.

    Step 6

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  7. Cut two 4″ strips of Emerald, Wet N’ Stick Art Tape and two 4″ strips out of Scarlet, Wet N’ Stick Art Tape. Then cut these strips in half, the long way, giving you four strips 3/4″ x 4″ of each color. (You will end up using only 3 of each color).

  8. (Remember: Wet N’ Stick Art Tape is coated with a special non-toxic adhesive on one side. This side appears shinier than the other). Starting with the Emerald, weave Art Tape, adhesive side down, over and under the cut Black Construction Paper. Next, weave the Scarlet Art Tape, adhesive side down, under and over the Black Construction Paper. Continue weaving the remainder of the Art Tape, alternating colors, until all six are in place. Space them out evenly making sure the excess Art Tape is hanging over the edge of the napkin ring (Step 4.pdf).

    Step 8

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  9. Carefully turn napkin ring over. Take a small sponge brush, moisten slightly with water and brush on the Art Tape that is hanging over the edge of the napkin ring. Fold Art Tape over onto the back of the napkin ring and press down. Art Tape will hold firmly in place. Repeat until all of the excess Art Tape is secure. Let dry.

  10. After everything is dry, cover with Pacon® Protecto Film. This will help protect your napkin ring and ensure a lot of use from it. Lastly, roll napkin ring in a circle overlapping ends and attach with transparent tape.

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