I am always thankful for Lauren's every achievement no matter how small it is and to celebrate these little successes, I decided to do this DIY small achievement celebration combining the themes "stars" and "leaves" with elements of the colors gold and green together which are all symbols of success, growth, and development.
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The first time I did this DIY was in June 2017 to celebrate us successfully completing Brightly Beaming Resources' (Step 3: Sound of the Week) home school curriculum and Lauren having learned phonics featured in this step. I made a 3 layer cupcake stand with large leaves at the base, the 3rd and 2nd layers are for the cupcakes and the top layer I decorated it with a girl holding a star as symbol of achievement. I made mine mostly handmade but in this post, I'm going to be sharing some links to FREE printables that you can use to easily create your own "Stars & Leaves" inspired celebration.
HOW TO CREATE A DOLL DECOR
I created this doll holding a star with a "good job" message in it to decorate on top of the cupcake stand or you can also use one in other ways such as table decoration or a mini achievement trophy. I created mine to look like Lauren. If you want to create yours, check out the step by step guide below:
1. First, take a utility knife and slice off the bottom of a styro cup to allow the foam ball head to rest and fit in properly when it will be glued there later. The foam ball should be bigger in size than the styro cup body.
2. Paint the foam ball with flesh colored paint and the styro cup with any color of choice according to the theme's color element (green and gold). Set aside and allow to dry.
3. Once painted pieces are dry, decorate the styro cup body with clothing design of choice using construction papers then finish it off by adding embellishments such as sequins or gem stickers.
4. Next, spread liquid glue all over the foam ball area where the hair will be attached. Cut strands of yarn in any color of choice and stick them over the glue. Let the area rest and dry for awhile to allow the strands of yarn to set in.
5. Once hair is fully glued and set in, create the face by gluing some googly eyes and stick a push pin or thumbtack as nose. Add some eye brows and lashes by cutting short pieces of yarns or construction papers and gluing them over and on the sides of the eyes. Add a mouth by gluing a piece of yarn or a construction paper in the shape of a mouth.
6. Next, attach the foam ball head into the styro cup hole made earlier using hot melt glue. Add any embellishment on the head such as a piece of ribbon, flower, etc.
7. Print a small star on a yellow or golden yellow construction paper and another larger star on a gold heavy weight paper, Click Here To Check Out Printable "Stars" Template. Glue small star on large star and set aside. Next, draw a small hand pattern on a flesh colored paper and glue to the sides of the stars using dry glue stick like they are holding the star.
8. Glue the star in the middle of the cup body using hot melt glue. You may use your doll in any way you choose, add it as a decoration on top of cardboard cupcake stand with a flat surface, use it as a mini celebration table decor, fun achievement trophy, etc.
MATERIALS TO CREATE A DOLL DECOR
Shop for materials used in this DIY online @ shopee.ph by clicking on the materials highlighted in BOLD below.
CUPCAKE STAND IDEA + FREE PRINTABLE CUPCAKE WRAPPERS
I wrapped our cupcakes using cupcake wrappers, my cupcake wrappers are handmade using a blank "scallop" cupcake wrapper template. To save time, you can use printable patterned cupcake wrappers in green or yellow. Just print the cupcake wrappers and wrap immediately around your cupcakes.
Below are links to FREE printable green cupcake wrappers, print them on a heavy weight paper (such as specialty board, vellum board, or any paper of similar texture). Some of the cupcake wrappers are for Christmas or St. Patrick's Day but their green color is also perfect for this DIY, the links are arranged according to how they appear in collaged image above.
If you don't have a printer or time putting together the printable cupcake wrappers by hand, you can buy some cupcake wrappers instead from baking stores or supermarkets near you if not you can purchase some from online. I made my own 3 tier cupcake stand by tracing a large plate and a saucer on cardboard from empty boxes for the layers, and I use cans for the columns. To save time you can use ready made cardboard type cupcake stand in green or yellow whichever you prefer and just add some cupcake toppers on your cupcakes in the theme element as extra embellishment.
EASY DIY CUPCAKES + FROSTING RECIPE
I used these plain chocolate cupcakes in packs of 10 that I bought from the supermarket. I decorated it with white frosting topped with rainbow sprinkles, candies, and crushed chocolate cookies. I decided to make the frosting myself, it was my first time doing it. If you want to try making your own whipped cream frosting for cupcakes, pies, cakes, pancakes, etc. Check out this simple and easy "Homemade Whipped Cream" recipe that only uses 3 ingredients. You can substitute "All Purpose Cream" in tetra packs as heavy cream if you can't find one in stores in near you.
My frosting looked melted as you can see in the pictures. I found out later that the creams should be cold or chilled in order to attain the desired peak of the frosting. I just store my cream on a shelf and didn't chill it in the refrigerator before using. I will definitely try it again next time. Aside from the sweet cupcakes, I also bought a box of pizza which is one of Lauren's favorite foods and had some iced calamansi juice as beverage.
I cut out crepe papers and gold foil to decorate our table, to save time you can simply cover your table with a party table cloth in the theme color which you can find in party supply stores or party supply area of department stores near you, if not you can purchase one from online.
WALL DECOR IDEA + LINKS TO FREE PRINTABLES
I created hanging stars as decoration on the wall using a small star template, I printed the template on yellow and green construction papers and draw different types of smiley faces on it. I glued each stars back to back on a white thread and hang them on the wall with scotch tape. Try this FREE Printable Gold Star Banner Garland to easily string some star garlands to decorate the wall.
OUR ACHIEVEMENT CELEBRATION # 2 + DIY CUPCAKE TOPPERS & LINKS TO FREE PRINTABLES
The 2nd time I used this DIY was to celebrate Lauren receiving an award at school. Earlier this week, I received a news from Lauren's teacher in school that she got an award to be awarded on recognition day. I took out the DIY I kept from last time's celebration to reuse for this new "achievement" celebration. This time, I use the achievement doll as a table decor, I put cupcakes with star toppers all around the doll centerpiece.
I bought chocolate cupcakes with nuts on top from a bakery, I added bits of chocolate candies in colors related to the theme on it just to give it some extra color since it doesn't have any frosting. I wrapped the cupcake with this FREE Printable Green Cupcake Wrappers, these are "St. Patrick's Day" cupcake wrappers but its patterns are versatile and makes it work and great as cupcake wrapper for "spring" or any green colored theme celebration as well.
My stars cupcake toppers are handmade, I glued small round patterns in the middle of the stars and drew a smiley face on it using coloring markers. Below are other FREE printable yellow & gold star cupcake toppers and colored star templates that you might wanna use, they are very perfect for this celebration DIY, print them on a heavy weight paper (such as specialty board, vellum board, or any paper of similar texture.), cut then tape or glue a stick at the back using hot melt glue.
Aside from stars, you may want to try and create some leaf inspired cupcake toppers by checking out these FREE printables below:
FREE PRINTABLE CELEBRATION BANNERS
I created a small backdrop using light and dark green crepe papers and added a "good job" banner in the middle of it that I made by printing a blank "pennant banner template" on constructions papers in the theme colors. I create circles in the computer and paste transparent letters in it forming a "good job" word. I used the hanging stars I made from our previous celebration to decorate all around the banner.
Easily create your own celebration banner using these FREE printable foliage and gold inspired alphabet banners which are perfect for use in this DIY by clicking on the links below:
DIY ACHIEVEMENT GIFT + LINK TO PRINTABLE STICKER
For Lauren receiving an award on Recognition Day, I decided to give a gift for this accomplishment, I bought a small green envelope that I decorated with a "smiley star" sticker doing a "thumbs up" sign at the front.
I put things inside as a gift that would be useful in Lauren's next learning journey such as activity books and anything that she is interested in or would be useful for her. If you want to try doing one, Click Here To Check Out Printable Achievement Gift "STAR THUMBS UP" Sticker, print on sticker paper and stick on gift bag or any holder you choose to store your achievement gift.
GET A LOW-COST AND QUALITY PRINTER FOR HOME PRINTING
Print FREE printables for home DIYs and more! I'm using "HP Ink Tank 115" single function inkjet printer in printing the sample invitations, I bought it online at shopee.ph. It is a quality and low-cost printer for home printing that uses tank for the ink. It needs a total of 4 ink bottles (CMYK) to refill the tank, you can save even more by refilling with universal ink. Just make sure the ink is compatible with the printer model before deciding on a purchase.
I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU
If you got any reactions and thoughts regarding this DIY topic, feel free to interact and write it down in the comment box below. Thank you so much for viewing and reading.
POST UPDATED: March 2024
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