Flowerpot Cakes

I made these for my beach-themed graduation party a couple years ago.

Flowerpot Cakes -

What you'll need:

• 8 medium-sized flower pots (they should be able to fit into a cupcake pan)
• 1 box of yellow cake mix
• 1 box of vanilla or banana pudding
• parchment paper
• Nilla wafers, crushed
• Sea shells

Instructions:

1. Wash flower pots and seashells thoroughly.
2. Follow cupcake instruction on cake mix box. Set flowerpots on a cookie sheet. Cut out 8 small circles of parchment paper to cover the holes in the bottom of the flower pots.
3. Fill each flower pot half way with cake batter. (There will probably be some left over, use the rest for a whole cake or just regular cupcakes.
4. Cook based on cake mix instructions.
5. After cooling, fill the rest of the flower pot with pudding. Top with crushed Nilla wafers and seashells.
6. Serve!

Variations:

• For a more beachy look, use metal buckets (in the same size).
• Use chocolate, oreos, gummy worms, and silk flowers for a garden theme.

Make Your Own - Pastry Platter

Make Your Own Pastry Platter!

I learned this a while back on a show about yard sales, but I put in my own little twist that makes it very unique.
This is an inexpensive and creative way to showcase your sweets and snacks at your next event.

Here's what you will need:

-An assortment of plates and cups in the party's theme colors
-Super glue
-Objects (to be explained later)

Step 1.
Design your platter. Line up different plates with different cups to find a look you like best.

Step 2.
Apply super glue to the bottom of the cup and attatch it to the plate selected to be on the bottom.

Step 3.
Fill the cup (optional). Based on your theme, fill the clear cups with a related object. For example, my "Forever Young" party will have round, clear glasses filled with gumballs. The examples in the pictures are for a cabaret party using a feather boa and beads. For an ocean themed party, fill it with sand and seashells or give it the look of a fishbowl by filling it with fishbowl rocks and aquarium plants.

Step 4.
Once filled, apply super glue to the rim of the cup and attatch it to the bottom of the top plate.

Step 5.
After letting the glue dry (and making sure the dishes are clean) garnish with cupcakes, cookies, crackers with a cheese dip in the middle, etc.

TADA! Beautiful DIY party decor.

(Ignore the giraffe print carpet.) My pastry platter will be used with my purple and black themed cabaret party with a purple floral table cloth, crystal vases, and little plastic glass slippers.