Decorated Cake Stand

It's no secret that almost every birthday party serves up a birthday cake (or cakes).  Many of those cakes are served up on up plate, platter or a cake stand.  The beauty of the cake stand is that it elevates the cake above the rest of the food on the table, turning it into an instant centrepiece, and showcasing it in it all it's spectacular beauty.  The more effort (or money) that has gone into a birthday cake, the more it deserves recognition.  Conversely, the most humble, and simple of cakes, can also be literally and metaphorically given a 'lift' by propping it up on something spectacular.
When my daughter Little Lotti turned 3 in April, her big sister and I hosted a 'First Ballet Lesson' ballerina party for her.  It was a very 'traditional' party scheme; all pink, white and black (in keeping with our house!), and that colour-scheme extended all the way through to the cake.  Of course, the black was more dark chocolate, but you can see what I mean when you look through the pictures in the 'ballet party' photo gallery tab above.  It was a simple store bought cake onto which we popped a ballerina statue and some round sweets.  I'm no whizz in the kitchen, but I am rather crafty with paper and scissors, so that's how I chose to utilise my time.
To turn a 'normal' cake stand into something special, something you-nique, all you need is;

• paper doilies
• ribbon
• stick on gems
• fabric flowers or other embellishments in styles and colours that would best suit your party theme.

To decorate a cake stand:

1. Fold the paper doily in half and cut a semi-circle out of the middle.  When you unfold it you will have a round frame with an empty center.  
2. Now cut the doily into two sections - cutting along the fold lines - you now have a curved 'lace-ribbon.'
3. With temporary-tac or double sided tape, stick each end of the ONE doily lace-ribbon to the cake stands rim.
4. Now, without sticking any other pieces down, use the other half of lace-ribbon to work your way around the cake stand to test out how many more pieces you will need, marking the stand with small dots with a pencil.  You may be able to spread them out, or overlap them; only you can guess the best arrangement based on the size of your stand and the size of your doilies.
5. Now repeat steps 1-3 as many times as required.
6. Using the ribbon, wrap the cake stand and tie off (you can fix the ribbon in place with a couple of sticky dots if desired).
7. Further decorate the stands to your hearts content.

Remember to have fun; the most unconventional designs are also the most 'whimsical' and whatever you do is perfect.
Best wishes,
Linda.
PS - if you want FAST HELP - have a look inside the Ballet Party Craft Ebook for more inspiration for ballet party ideas.