Diaper Cake How-To

{OK guys, go ahead and stop reading now...this is definitely a girly post.} 

I meant to do this a loooong time ago, but never got around to it. Now that I've received a special request for directions I think I'll just post how I made the diaper cake for Abby's baby shower back in November! :)

Materials:

• approx. 76 newborn sized diapers (I used a total of 74 diapers but they came in packs of 38)
• rubberbands
• hot glue gun
• 14" diameter cardboard cake base (a 12" would work too, but you won't have any extra base sticking out after you make it - see pictures)
• 1 bottle of baby powder*
• 1 baby bottle*
• any ribbons, bows, trinkets, or baby goodies you want to decorate with

*You'll want these to be about 1.5 times in height, the width of the diapers - read on, it will make sense

1. Glue the baby powder then baby bottle on top of each other in the center of the cake base to form a "center pole".

2. Unfold the diapers (only the first fold, you'll want to keep the sides folded in still) and roll them up. Use rubber bands to secure the rolls of diapers.

3. Rubber band a layer of diapers around the baby powder base. (Tip: I started by putting the rubber band just around the powder bottle then added the diapers into that rubber band one at a time. If you try to put them all around then add the rubber band you'll get really frustrated.) There will be a total of 3 rows of diapers to the first layer and part of the baby powder will be sticking out of the top in the center.

adding the diapers into the rubber band one at a time

Level one - complete!

4. Do the same thing on the second level of diapers, only this time there will be just 2 rows of diapers. When complete you will have about half of the bottle sticking out of the diapers.

level two - complete!

5. For the last layer, I first wrapped a diaper that was not rolled up around the top of the bottle and attached it with a rubber band. It just helped the last row of diapers stand up easier. Then follow step 3 and do one row of diapers.

Level three & the cake itself - complete!

6. Decorate however you see fit. I added some ribbon (helps to hide the rubber bands), teething rings, bows, pacifiers, and baby spoons. I also put bath toys on top and feathers just for fun! (Just remember not to use glue on anything that is intended to actually be used for the baby later!) :) You can always Google "Diaper cake" images to get ideas for how to decorate!

To Emma with Love!!!

Happy Cake Building!!!