First of all! Thank you all so much for your sweet, positive and supportive comments on yesterday’s post! To know that I’ve inspired a few of you out there really means the world to me! And, also evidenced by yesterday’s post, you guys like balloons. (DUH!) Since I don’t have an actual balloon project for you today… how about some paper balloons? Paper balloons, on top of cupcakes. If you’re being better than I am and participating in a New Years cleanse, you might want to look away…
I made these for one of my birthday giveaway winners, and made a few extra so I could share the easy how-to with you guys! Wouldn’t these also be fun for baby showers? YEP!
Cardstock
Paper Clips*
Scissors
Double Stick Tape
*I recommend washing the paper clips in hot water before using them for this project. To be extra safe, you can also wrap the bottom of the paper clip with tape. No matter what, remember that this are decoration only and should be removed from the cupcake before consuming it.
First you’ll need to straighten out your paper clips to make one straight line. Then, twirl it around your finger a bit to give it a curve. Make a little balloon template and use it to cut out however many balloons you need. (You’ll need two for each topper.)
Layer up one balloon with double stick tape and tape the top of your paper clip onto the bottom half inch of the balloon. Then press your second balloon on top, sandwiching the paper clip in between. When pressing together, try to press around the edges and not directly over the paper clip or you may get a little crease.
Pop them in some cupcakes and get to celebrating!
All Photos by Studio DIY
I like these balloons because they don’t ever deflate! Yahoo! Wouldn’t it be cute to do heart shaped balloons for Valentine’s Day? Ooohhh, aaaah!
For more sweets and treats DIYs, head here!
Joy says
These are so cute! Ingenious. I never would’ve thought of using paper clips as balloon stems.
Kevin | Thou Swell says
This is great! Really fun way to dress up a cupcake (:
Marifer Borbolla says
This is so ad hoc to my business!!! Defenitely going to try them! thanks Kelly, and Happy New Year 🙂
www.bazarika.wordpress.com
Annie says
I never would have thought of using paperclips as the “balloon string”! Do you wash or tape off the other end of the paperclip that goes into the cupcake before putting it in?
http://littlestsparrow.blogspot.com
Kelly says
Hi Annie! Good question. Yes, washing off or taping off the end of the paper clip beforehand is definitely in terms of food safety. And of course, these are just meant for decoration, and should be removed before eating the cupcake! I’ll add a note into the post about this!
hope says
love! also wondering about the end of the paperclip that goes into the cake…is washing enough? love this idea.
Kelly says
Hi Hope! Same as I just told Annie above, yes, the paper clips should be washed. For extra security if you’re nervous about food safety, you can wrap the bottom of the paper clip in tape. Just be sure no matter what method you use that the toppers are removed before consuming the cupcake, as they are decoration only!
Brittni says
So cute, Kelly. I love that you used paper clips as the balloon strings. Clever!
Janine (sugarkissed.net) says
The colorful paper clips are creative genius! Love it!
Bethany says
Okay, this is probably one of the most doable DIYs ever. Love it!
Sandra says
Wooowwww! Very cute these toppers and very clever use paper clips as balloon stems.
I really love the cupcakes too. Can I have the recipe?
Love it!
Sam says
It’s the Cotton Candy flavor from Crumbs Bake Shop. http://www.crumbs.com/signature-cupcakes.html/
Lorena says
They are the cutest thing!!!
LouLou says
Hi Kelly,
I’d recommend snipping off the end of a straw (about 1cm or so) and putting a bit of flower paste in there then popping the paper clip ends in and letting the flower paste set hard.
Tape would not be food safe and metal paper clips should definitely not come into contact with anything you’re going to eat.x
Lary says
This idea is so cute! I love it.
Nikki @ Tikkido says
Using paperclips is absolutely brilliant! I did something similar (but with fall leaves and butterflies and snowflakes–not all on the same cupcake 😉 ) and to get around the food safety issue, I attached my wire to the top of a toothpick. The food-safe toothpick was the only thing actually touching the food. Here’s the link, in case you’d like to see exactly how I dealt with the issue. http://tikkido.com/node/886
LouLou says
Love these! Hope you do a valentines one! 😉
debie grace says
This is so cute!! Very unique idea 😀
Terrie says
I love these! So fun =)
lyndsay // coco cake land says
you rascal! these are ADORABLE. love em!
Shelley Makes says
Hi Kelly, I just wanted to let you know that I’ve featured your balloon cupcake toppers in my round-up of DIY cupcake toppers over on Shelley Makes:
https://shelleymakes.wordpress.com/2016/07/29/inspiration-diy-cupcake-topper-ideas/
Thanks for sharing – love this DIY!
Shelley
Ashlyn says
This is so adorable!! http://www.lovesthefind.com/