my first DIY--cupcake stand!

For Staci's first birthday, we are doing a cupcake theme.  What better way to display homemade cupcakes than to put them on a pretty stand? I knew I wouldn't find one like this to buy, so I set out to make my own.

I found the instructions for this DIY from CakeJournal.  It was so easy!  I did change a few things and I have some more insight as to what worked for me and where to find what you will need, so read on!  Here is what you will need:

--Satin ribbon (I used 5/8" and it worked well)

--scissors

--small silver pins from a craft store

--scrapbook paper or nice, heavy wrapping paper (or cardstock)

--round cake boards in 8, 10, and 12in sizes

--2 cake dummies (more if you want to add more tiers) I used one 4x4 and one 4x6 round styrafoam. 

--Glue stick 

Note: I had a hard time finding what I needed.  I ended up ordering the cake dummies from Taylor Foam but I'm sure you could find them at any baking supply store.  The closest ones to me were about a 40 minute drive one way, and with an 11 mo old I'd rather pay $10 for shipping than make that trip.  So I did.  I ordered the cake boards from Ultimate Baker.  The shipping was outrageous for such inexpensive items, but so worth it for the end result!

Step 1) Wrap the satin ribbon around the cake dummies and secure with silver pin. 

Step 2) Trace the outline of the cake boards onto the back of the decorative paper.

Step 3) Cut the circles out of the paper

Step 4) Paste the paper circles onto the cake boards with the glue stick

Step 5) Wrap and glue ribbon around the edge of the cake boards to get a more unified and finished look

Step 6) Stack your cupcake stand.  You can glue it together, pin it together with the silver pins, or even use Royal icing to stick it together.  Since I want to be able to reuse the cake dummies for future cake stands, I will use the little silver pins to pin each piece together.  This isn't the sturdiest way but thankfully cupcakes don't weigh very much.

Before I put the ribbon around the boards, these are the trial run cupcakes for Staci's first birthday

But I felt it was missing something, so I added the ribbon

I'm going to have to run to Michaels and get more because I ran out, but doesn't it look so much more finished and professional?  The cupcakes need their own post.  Thank you Pioneer Woman, your Yellow Cupcake recipe is the bomb!