DIY Balloon Cupcake

This set is probably in my top favorite projects I've ever done. It was inspired by the Land of Sweets from the Nutcracker. Seems so magical and anything oversized is up my alley!! There are so many different DIYs that will get their own posts, but for now, lets focus on the balloon cupcake.

The balloon cupcake in this set is so versatile! It can be used as a centerpiece, as a prop, or in a photo shoot.

Tools:

• Hot glue gun
• Xacto knife
• Scissors
• Metal Ruler
• Balloon hand pump
• Mini Balloon hand pump
• Glue-dots

Materials:

EXTRA SMALL CUPCAKE:

1. 4- 8.5x11” Cardstock Paper
2. Foamboard (to make an 4.5" circle)
3. 1- 11” Balloon 
4. 6- 160q balloon for "frosting"
5. Marker or vinyl to make sprinkles on cupcake 

SMALL CUPCAKE:

1. 5- 12"x12" Cardstock Papers
2. Foamboard (to make an 8" circle)
3. 1- 36" latex balloon
4. 12- 160q balloon for "frosting"
5. 1- 5" balloon for cupcake topper and 160q balloons to make sprinkles (3 sprinkles can be made from 1 long balloon)

MEDIUM CUPCAKE:

1. 7- 12"x12" Cardstock Papers
2. Foamboard (to make a 10" circle)
3. 1- 36" latex balloon
4. 15- 260q balloons for "frosting"
5. 1- 5" balloon for cupcake topper and 160q balloons to make sprinkles (3 sprinkles can be made from 1 long balloon)

LARGE CUPCAKE:

1. 3- 22"x28" Colored poster boards
2. Foamboard (to make a 12" circle)
3. 1- 36" latex balloon
4. 18- 260q balloons for "frosting"
5. 1- 5" balloon for cupcake topper and 160q balloons to make sprinkles (3 sprinkles can be made from 1 long balloon)

Instructions:

1. Depending on the size of cupcake you're making, cut the foamboard to a circle of the size needed.         
2. Take the cardstock paper or poster board and trim to the size needed SMALL: 10"x12" MEDIUM: No trim needed LARGE: 15"x28"
3. Begin scoring vertically along the shorter side with ruler and xacto knife in an accordion style. For every score, you'll need to flip it to create an accordion. The following are the width of scores for the different sizes of cupcake liners: SMALL: 1 1/8" wide MEDIUM: 2" wide LARGE: 3" wide
4. Now, glue together all the accordion scored papers/poster board together keeping the accordion pattern.
5. Slide the foamboard circle into the round accordion shape. Using hot glue, adhere the inside creases to the round foamboard.
6. Once the glue is dry, blow up your 36" balloon until it fits snug into your cupcake paper liner. Make sure the balloon sticks out a litter over halfway over the top of the paper liner. This will ensure to leave space for the frosting. 
7. Secure the balloon to the cupcake liner with glue-dots. 
8. Begin making and connecting frosting with the long balloons until it fits snug around the entire circumference of the balloon. Secure it with glue dots to the larger balloon. Use the video below for the tutorial on the frosting. 
   
9. Add sprinkles or any accessories to the balloon on top to dress it up!