DIY - Baby Showers

If your life is anything like mine right now, you know about 20 people who just had babies, are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant.  And you know what that means... Lots of baby showers!  What a great excuse to throw a party!  Here are a few ideas I've been collecting that are so adorable they almost make me want to get pregnant myself!  Almost.  For now, I'll just share the goods with you.

Instead of buying the same ol' pettifors that you always see, make these building block cakes.  All you need is a sheet cake cut into squares and various icing colors to decorate.  If you're afraid you aren't skilled enough to draw the animals yourself, have no fear.  There are plenty of pre-made sugar shapes that you can buy. 

While I'm on the dessert train (when am I not?),  I have to show you this.  Another simple, DIY idea.  This particular cake probably took the work of someone experienced, but rest assure you can make one just as cute with a few substitutions.  Here's how I would do it.  

Make a double-layered round cake to get the height you need.  Top it with blue icing and some real rubber duckies instead of the cake ones shown here.  Coat the side with chocolate icing.  Instead of making the fondant wooden planks, dip graham crackers of various heights into melted chocolate and place them all around the side, using the icing as a glue.  Use an icing bag to create the bubbles and other details.  

Make the shower personal with photo luminaries.  All you'll need are several sets of cheap frames (Ikea or Dollar Tree will do), tape, candles, sheets of vellum paper and a some old photos of the parents to be.  Paint the frames whatever color you wish and remove the normal backing. Scan the photos of the parents and print them out on vellum paper.  Tape the paper to the backside of the frame.  Tape or hinge the three frames together and place a candle inside.  And there you go - instant centerpieces or decorations.  I think Martha really outdid herself on that one.  

  

Sweet is right.  Could this be any sweeter?  Now I realize not all of you (or none of you) will have this pink and gold wallpaper to set the stage, but the rest of the setup is so darling on its own, I don't think you need it.  In fact, all you need is a little creativity.  The banner can be created with ribbon and oversized letters printed straight from your home printer.  Cut out the shape you want and lace the message together with the ribbon.  I'd say it's way better than the store bought banners wouldn't you?  The letters on the tiered cake stand and the paper wrapped around the peony vases can be picked up on the scrapbooking aisle at your local craft store.  The rest is all about color scheme (pick a scheme and run with it) and cake stands.  I personally don't think you can ever have enough cake stands, although I'm sure my hubby would disagree :) You can usually find them at antique stores or thrift stores for $10 or less.  And if you'd rather not purchase them, borrow them from friends.  The eclectic look will only add to the charm.  Make sure to have various heights and sizes.  It will create balance and give the table dimension.

Keeping with the sweet theme, look at these adorable flower lollipop cupcakes.  So adorable and so easy to do.  Sprinkles.  Check.  Lollipops. Check.  Cupcakes. Check.  I'm not exactly sure what these particular leaves are made out of, but I would try shaping them out Laffy Taffy or Airheads.  Use your imagination!

This wreath actually belonged a friend of mine who, as you may have guessed, has an adorable son named Ridge.  Right when I saw it, I fell in love.  It's such a great alternative to the ever-present diaper wreath.  All you need is a grapevine wreath, a can of spray paint, a bow and a piece of unfinished wood hailing the name of the newborn.  I'm sure you can buy the wooden name board at a store on Etsy, but I think it'd be just as easy to make yourself (or with a friend who has cute handwriting).  :)

Lastly, I leave you with an idea that was on a baby shower invitation I recently received.  A message in the bottom corner of the card read "In lieu of a card, please bring your favorite childhood classic.  Let's build a library for baby (insert name) that will be fantastic!"  Such a marvelous idea.  Don't get me wrong, cards are sweet, but which will you read more-a card or a book?  I'm telling you now, this will be you on a future baby shower invite of my own!

Do you have any cute ideas of your own?  Which of the ones listed here is your favorite?