Stand-Up Cardboard Cake For Every Occasion

Need a fun birthday or special occasion decoration that is artful and a pleasure to make? How about a cardboard stand up birthday cake that will put a smile one everyone’s face? We’ve been enjoying this cereal box birthday cake that I made for some family birthdays in December for quite a few weeks now, and I still enjoy looking at it, as there is just something about layered cakes that is so carefree and sort of storybook sweet! This cake is on a wall mounted Ikea sideboard in our dining room, as part of a larger whimsical display, but if would look great on a shelf, or surprise someone by putting it somewhere fun on the morning of their birthday! Okay, lets make a great looking recycled cardboard cake to add some joy to 2021! Shall we?

You’ll Need:

• cereal box cardboard
• acrylic paint
• a piece of white chalk
• a white paint pen
• a black permanent marker
• skewers and sparkly paper or craft foam for the flags

How To:

1. I used one side of a large cereal box, and painted an abstract pattern using blues, reds and greens. You could start by painting a blue background over the whole piece and then simply adding circles and squares and stripes in other colors. Keep the pattern simple and colorful and dynamic, and set aside to dry.
2. Using a piece of chalk, outline your cake, and cut it out. Wipe off the chalk.
3. Using a white paint pen, or chalk if you think you may not get it the first time, outline simple somewhat large designs on each layer of the cake, working of each layer individually so they will be different.
4. Now, using acrylic paint, paint on the OUTSIDE of the lines you’ve drawn such that the abstract painting beneath shows up through the shapes, got it?
5. Once dry, add details with white paint pen and black permanent marker, and if you like you could add sequins or glitter or pom poms or just about anything!
6. Enjoy!

I think i need to make a few more cakes like this, you know just to have on hand for instant birthday decorations!