Diaper Cakes

These make such wonderful baby shower gifts! They are great conversation pieces too! Here are the fun and easy steps:

First start with these supplies:

• 60 Diapers (depending on how large or small you want the cake to be)
• 3-4 yards of decorative ribbon
• 3-5 small toys, blankets, hats, socks, etc.
• Circular cardboard cutout
• 1 small wooden dowel
• Hot glue/gun
• 3 yards of white tulle
• 60 small hair elastics
• 10 large newspaper elastics
• 30 small decorative flowers or bows

1. Take each diaper and roll from the bottom to the top and secure with a rubber-band in the center.
2. Take 7 diapers and hold them together to form a circle and secure them with a large newspaper rubber band in the center. (this completes the top layer of the cake)
3. Repeat step #2 and add an additional 10 diapers to form a larger circle. (this completes the 2nd level)
4. Repeat step #2 and #3 and add an additional 16 diapers to form the largest circle. (this completes the bottom layer)
5. Take the cardboard cutout and begin placing the bottom diaper layer and secure it to the cutout with a small amount of hot glue. (We want these diapers to be usable)
6. Insert the wooden dowel in the center of the bottom layer and place the 2nd layer through the dowel and on top of the bottom layer.
7. Add the top layer to the bottom 2 layers. (Make sure the dowel goes from the bottom layer straight through the top layer to ensure the cake won't topple over. Remove any extra length on the dowel)
8. Apply the to tulle to each layer on the exterior and secure with hot glue and another large rubber band. Cut off any excess tulle.
9. Use the hot glue to add the ribbon to the center of each layer.
10. Make and mold three large bows, then glue on the bows to the front of each layer in the center on top of the ribbon you placed in step #9.
11. To add the toys and other miscellaneous item take 4 inches of ribbon per item and weave it around or through the object to form a loop. Take the cut ends of ribbon and with hot glue tuck them under a layer of ribbon on various locations on the cake.
12. Finish the cake by adding a few flowers or bows to the tops of each diaper that is exposed. 
13. Take a good look at your darling creation and be proud to give such a thoughtful gift to the  lucky mother-to-be.

Completion time: 1 hour approx.

I have a very basic cake shown here so feel free to elaborate as necessary or tone it down a bit if you'd like. I am sure there are a lot of great variations of these but this is the one I felt works the best. It makes me excited every time I am invited to a baby shower! Good luck and I hope you enjoy this fun craft!