How To Make A Ribbon & Trim “Cake” Centerpiece

I have to admit I’m patting myself on the back for creating this unique diy “cake” centerpiece.

You know, as a creative blogger it’s pretty hard to come up with something new and original. Of course you can take an old idea and make it your own by tweaking it a bit, but to make something that people haven’t seen before is a challenge. And to make something that other people will actually want to emulate is an even bigger challenge!

I feel like I’ve had a few “bright” moments: turning Frappuccino bottles into milk bottles {waaaaay back before everyone was doing it}; creating a gorgeous princess centerpiece that’s been copied by a national magazine, making cookie “tea bag” packets for tea party favors, and now this creative ribbon and trim “cake” centerpiece used in my shabby chic shower design shoot.

For me, creativity comes from 4 places: out of necessity when I can’t acquire, or don’t want to pay the price for something;  when I’m in the moment working on the project and I need to do the best I can with what I have;  when my eye plays tricks on me and what I think I saw wasn’t that at all but it gave me a great idea;  or just seeing things in the world and turning it into something else. The last one is how I got the idea to make this centerpiece…

I was in Hobby Lobby one day and saw one of those craft tear sheets they have located all over the store. It was for a lamp shade decorating project where they use bias tape to wrap around the lamp shade and make it interesting. I thought to myself, “that’s a cool look but I don’t want to make a lamp shade,” and then it hit me – make a decorative “cake” centerpiece using the same principals, but make is FABULOUS.

To be honest, I’m still patting myself on the back for this project. LOL   I think if you take the time to make one yourself, you’ll get “oooh’s and ahhh’s” from your guests or clients.

DIY Shabby Chic “Cake” Centerpiece

Supplies:

• 2 small, tiered round storage boxes – the brown paper mache ones are perfect for this
• An assortment of ribbons and trims. I used bias tape, lace ribbon, strips of burlap, canvas ribbon, ‘measuring tape’ ribbon, even a zipper
• Glue gun and glue sticks
• Fabric flowers – one should be large for the top of the ‘cake’
• glue dots or straight pins

I started with green boxes so I wrapped them with kraft paper for a neutral background, but if you start with the kraft boxes from the store then you’re good. Remove the lids and turn the boxes upside down. You don’t need the lids for this project.

You’ll need to work without the glue at first so you can determine how you want your pattern to layout. The key is to wrap the strips of ribbon and trim so they are overlapping and layered and have some dimension.

I started by using the bias tape to “frame out” each box {wrapping the top and bottom}. Just use the glue gun to adhere each layer you wrap.

Because this is a shabby chic look in a monochromatic color way, it’s important to use several textures with the burlap, lace, and zipper.

Once you’ve figured out how you want to arrange your trim, start gluing them in place with the glue gun.

After both boxes are complete, place the smaller one on top of the larger one – glue in place around the edge if you like.

Add the fabric flowers in a cascading fashion and hold them in place using the hot glue, the glue dots, or straight pins. You’ll be able to remove the flowers for another use if you use glue dots or pins.

Top your “cake” with a large flower and place it on a cake stand. Surround it with buttons for a finished look.

• Some of the things I love about this project are that you can use it on a dessert table OR seated table.
• It helps to fill space in a ‘themed’ way when/if you don’t actually have a cake to serve with the other treats.
• You can use ANY combination of ribbons and trim, in any color scheme to achieve the look.
• Instead of using the buttons to surround it you could use tiny candies, beads, faux flower petals, or other small items.

I think my favorite part of the ‘cake’ is the zipper.  It’s so unexpected and whimsical.  Please let me know what you think, and if you do create one of your own I’d LOVE to see it.

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