Wednesday, May 25, 2011

How to Make a Baby Diaper Cake


Today is the Grand Finale of Baby Week!

HOW TO MAKE A DIAPER CAKE

When I wanted to make a diaper cake for my daughter's baby
two years ago, I searched for online tutorials, 
and each one I found gave directions to 
individually roll each diaper and wrap with a rubber band.
In addition to me not wanting to roll 84+ diapers 
with a rubber band and knowing that 
the mother of a newborn does not have time to
unwrap all of those diapers, I came up with a different way,
much easier to make and dismantle.

What you will need:
84+ disposable baby diapers (any size)
white curling ribbon
decorating ribbons (1 spool of each type you want to use)
twist ties
double sided tape
baby items to attach to the cake
{suggested items: pacifier, thermometer, rattle, hand mittens, 
socks, teethers, booties etc.}
and something for the cake topper {stuffed animal, baby shoes, 
small book, etc.}
cake pedestal (optional)


Directions:

Note: I have not counted how many diapers 
I put in each layer; 
you can guess and make them the size you want. 
You can use as many diapers as you want 
to make the cake bigger 
or use different sizes for each layer.
For this cake I used Pampers Newborn Swaddlers 84 pack.

1) Take about 1/2 of the diapers (40-50) for the bottom layer and place on sides and start stacking side by side, making a spiral. Keep them all going in the same direction.


2) When you have them in a nice round, spiral shape, take a piece of white curling ribbon and tie around the center. Tie it as tight as you can (a third hand/finger is helpful here) and cut the ends so they will not show behind the decorative ribbon. If necessary, to make larger, you can add an empty paper towel cardboard roll cut to the diaper height and put in the center.


3) Use about 2/3 of the remaining diapers for the middle layer and 1/3 for the top layer and repeat process of making a spiral circle and tying tight with curling ribbon.



4) Start decorating with your pretty ribbons. I used 1-1/2" wide satin around the middle and then rick rack or smaller ribbon in the center for a double layer effect and added rick rack on the bottom of the layers for a frosted border look. You can do whatever you want. I use a strong double-sided tape {sorry it's out of the package so I can't give you the name of it} to attach the ribbon, but you can attach with Scotch double-sided tape or straight pins if you want. I just like keeping this baby cake kid friendly with no pins.


5) Now you can add the icing on the cake :) with a bunch of little baby gifts. Remove from packaging, if necessary (I put the packaging and directions in a gift bag for the mother-to-be). Most items can be tucked into the diapers with the tags or with a twist tie wrapped around the item. Put things all around the cake so it looks pretty from all sides. I added a lollipop stick and tied the baby mittens to the top with ribbon which looked like little suckers that can be tucked under the side ribbons. You can also tie up onesies with ribbon and use twist ties to attach to the cake and tuck into diapers.


6) Add the cake topper and place on a cake pedestal if desired.


More inspirations and ideas from other cakes . . .


 
Have fun making your baby diaper cake!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Baby Shower clothes pins, gift tags, & confetti


Continuing with Baby Week,
here are a few more quick and easy ideas.
 
How about some clothes pins 
stamped with the baby's name, 
painted a pretty color, 
or decorated with baby papers to match a theme?

These can be used to attach tags to gifts, 
close treat bags, 
hang banners, 
or add magnets to the back and they can hang up 
baby photos or future artwork on a magnetic surface.



Buy a paper punch at your local craft store
and punch your own confetti.
There are tiny baby shapes, hearts, or 
wedding shapes for bridal showers.
So easy and can be punched out of any paper.


Mix papers and punches for a varied look.


To finalize Baby Week, 
my next post will be
HOW TO MAKE A DIAPER CAKE,
a much easier way than the other tutorials I've found online.

Hope you're having a wonderful week!

~ Julie

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.    ~ Psalm 127:3

Monday, May 23, 2011

More shower decorations . . . paper flowers


More shower decor for Baby Week.

Today I’m sharing some paper flowers.
I think these were originally inspired by an
Anthropologie window display.

These are easy to make and look great
for decorating a baby or wedding shower.
You can use any paper or color scheme.
 
HOW TO MAKE PAPER FLOWERS
 
  What you will need:
paper (scrapbook, gift wrap, tissue, vintage patterns, 
sheet music, book pages, etc.)
buttons or brads
twist ties or wire
scissors
optional: lace, vintage jewelry, brooches, etc.
 
1) Cut rough shaped squares out of paper from 1" to 6" graduating in size, using 3-9 different types of paper {you can make any size flower you want and use zigzag or other fancy edged scissors}.
 
2) Stack together largest to smallest on top.
 
3) Use scissor point or brad to poke hole in center of all squares.
 
4) Place brad through center hole to finish or use a vintage button and put a twist tie or wire through the button hole on the back side. You can use the twist tie to attach the flower to anything.
 
5) Use your scissors and curl the corners of the bottom 2-3 squares.
 

 

Voila!
Pretty paper flowers to add to a package,
table decorations or hang anywhere.
String a bunch together and make a banner.


These look pretty for weddings or showers using lace,
burlap, vintage wedding papers, etc.
Adding a paper bunting or banner with the baby's or bride's name
or quote is also nice for the new mom or bride to keep.




Have fun creating and decorating!
 
[Of course, if you don't want to make your own flowers
or banner, I would be happy to make them for you. 
Just send me an email or 
convo me through etsy for a special order item.]


~ Julie

Thursday, May 19, 2011

How to Make Pom Pom Tissue Flowers



This week is Baby Week on my blog.
I'm doing several different tutorials on shower decorations
that can be used for baby or bridal showers.

Today it's 

HOW TO MAKE POM POM TISSUE FLOWERS

These are different than the ones made popular in the 70's.

What you will need:
8-12 sheets of tissue paper (thin tissue works better 
than heavy-weight)
string, curling ribbon or pipe cleaner
scissors

For this tutorial I used 6 pieces of white tissue paper
cut to 10" x 20" to make a 10" pom pom flower.
You will need 8-10 pieces to make a fuller flower and
probably 12 sheets to make a 20" tissue flower.
Whatever width you choose will be the size of your flower.

Fold your pieces into a fan with about 1" pleats.

Fold in half to find center and then tie with string, 
curling ribbon or pipe cleaner.
Determine the length of string or ribbon 
if you want to hang the flower.
You can tie string to the pipe cleaner after finishing the flower 
if using a pipe cleaner.



Cut each end of the fan ~ 
a point to make a pointed tip flower or 
curved for round petals.

Now for the hard part . . . . .
Start separating each piece of tissue paper,
being careful not to tear the tissue.
Continue separating the fan and pulling each piece 
and fluffing as you go.
Repeat on other side.

Voila!
Now you can make your own!
You can leave one side flat for lying on surfaces 
or make round like a ball.
These look beautiful displayed on tables 
or hung for decorating.

Have fun decorating for your next event.

Next tutorial: flat paper flowers.

~ Julie

Sunday, May 15, 2011

a new French chair

We picked up this chair 
for free on craigslist.
It had a break in the back scroll piece 
and needed some love.

The Captain 
glued and clamped the back piece,
and I made a simple seat slipcover 
from a canvas drop cloth.


We started out with this . . .
then this . . . 
then this . . .
and now it looks like this . . .

I love the way it turned out.

Now . . .
do I keep it or sell it?
It does look nice in our living room . . .
kinda adds a French flair to the traditional.

Have a great day!

Friday, May 13, 2011

Maui, Hawaii ~ a few of our favorite things



As promised, here's a little more
info on Maui, Hawaii.

FAVORITE RESTAURANTS
Penne Pasta in Kaanapali ~ quaint, casual Italian faire
Bubba Gumps, Lahaina ~ all types of seafood available served up with some fun
Aloha Mixed Plate, Lahaina ~ authentic Hawaiian food; great for lunch
Leilani's, Lahaina, Fisherman's Wharf mall ~ seafood and steak on the beach
Hula Grill, Lahaina Fisherman's Wharf mall ~ seafood and steak on the beach; tables on sand
Ma-La Tavern (a restaurant) Lahaina ~ best food, coffee and ocean view in Maui
Ocean view from Ma-La Tavern

 MUST SEES
a Luau ~ you gotta go to one ~ most are the same ~ Old Lahaina Luau or check at hotels
Biggest Banyan tree in Lahaina ~ 137 years old (amazing)
The Banyan tree (Ficus sp.) is an example of a strangler fig that begins life as an epiphyte in the crown of another tree. Its roots grow down and around the stem of the host, their growth accelerating once the ground has been reached. Over time, the roots coalesce to form a pseudotrunk, eventually strangling and killing the host. ~ from Wikipedia


These pseudotrunks are amazing and support this tree that is almost the size of a Lahaina city block. I am glad they have not killed this host tree (I'm not sure how that works.)



BEST SUNSETS
Kaanapali Beach
Lahaina Harbor

BEST SHOPPING
Fisherman's Wharf ~ large commercial outdoor mall
Lahaina ~ quaint shops and galleries

BEST PLACES TO STAY
Kaanapali or Lahaina
lots of hotels to choose from


If you have a chance to go to Hawaii, Maui has a lot to offer.
It has lots of sea activities, which we did not do this year.
We have enjoyed the Maui Princess Sunset Dinner Cruise 
in the past ~ not too rowdy; 
a nice dinner served on the top deck with the sunset.

Our favorite thing . . . lying in the sun, beach combing 
and walking on the beach.

Enjoy your summer travels!

~ Julie

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...