Circus Birthday Party Tutorials

I have been asked for directions for the crafts I made for little man's first birthday party. Enjoy these tutorials!

Three Tiered Cake Stand

Supplies:

• (3) Ascending plates, decreasing in size (large, medium, small. I bought ceramic plates but if you can find lighter plates that would make the stand more secure.)
• (2) Brass candle sticks (length varies. How far apart do you want the plates?)
• (1) Ceramic glue (I used a small tube of Crazy Glue)
• (1) Can of spray paint, color of your choice

Directions:

1. Wash and dry the plates and candle sticks thoroughly. (I bought mine at the thrift store. You want to make sure anything that might keep the glue from bonding or paint from sticking should be removed.)
2. Begin with largest plate. Layer glue in the middle of the plate and on the bottom of the first candle stick.
3. Place in center of the plate, press down for at least one minute. (I let each "layer" dry while I prepped party food.)
4. After the first layer is secure, glue the top of the candlestick to the bottom of the second plate.

5. Press down and let dry.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 until all three plates are connected and secure.
7. Let dry
8. Spray paint in safe area (I used cheap spray paint and it only took two even layers to fully cover my plates.)
9. Enjoy! Remember that the spray painted plates are not safe for direct food contact. Place a cute doily down before adding cupcakes or snacks.

Banana Pops

Supplies:

• (2) Bushels of bananas
• (1) pack of Popsicle sticks or fondue sticks
• (1) pack of almond bark chocolate
• (1) bowl
• (1) spoon
• (1) jar of cooking oil
• (1) large platter
• (1) knife

Directions:

1. Cut each banana into fourths (no one wants awkward shaped banana pops!)
2. Cut sticks in half to create short handles
3. Freeze bananas on platter for 15 minutes
4. Insert sticks into the middle of each banana piece (be careful not to crack the bananas)
5. Microwave 2 pieces of almond bark and 1 teaspoon of oil for 50 seconds, stir quickly until chocolate is smooth and thin
6. Spin banana pieces in chocolate until layered (It is messy and doesn't have to look perfect, when it freezes it will even out.)
7. Repeat steps 5 & 6 when chocolate begins reforming (For best results, rinse out bowl between rounds)
8. Freeze for 30 minutes
9. Remove and refrigerate until serving

Happy Birthday Banner / Pennant

Supplies:

• (12) pieces of card stock in 3 colors of your choice for a total of (48) pieces
• (1) roll of ribbon in corresponding color
• scissors
• hole punch
• glue
• Alphabet stencils, pack of letter (or you can also print out the letters you need and cut them out)

Directions:

1. Use a straight edge to create a triangle template/stencil in two corresponding sizes
2. Trace and cut out 20 triangles in two colors (40 total, this is for a sign reading "Happy Birthday Jackson" adjust for the number of letters you need)
3. Glue triangles on top of each other, layering (One color of triangles should be smaller and go "on top" of other color)
4. Cut circles in third color to frame each letter (I used a cup to trace) 
5. Glue each letter on one circle
6. Glue each circle to the center of each triangle
7. Hole punch corners of each triangle and lace ribbon through tying ends (I chose to separate "Happy Birthday" and "Jackson" to create two signs) You can also create a mini banner for your child's highchair by creating a smaller triangle template