Delightful DIY: Charmed Cupcake Flags

Hi everyone! I hope you're having a happy Wednesday. I'm a little under the weather so I'm holed up at home in bed, but I prepared this simple little DIY project on the weekend that I wanted to share with you. Plus, I'm SO EXCITED about the handpainted necklace hanger I made for my 1-year blogiversary giveaway winner. There's a couple days left to enter so be sure to get your name in the running!

It was my niece's 11th birthday the other day and I was charged with making her cupcakes. But I wanted to make them a little extra special so I decided to make little birthday flags for them. These have been done a million times, so they're definitely not a new idea, but here's the step by step in case it's new to you!

You'll need:

-a colour printer

-paper

-scissors

-toothpicks

-craft glue

1. I started by playing around in Photoshop and making large rectangles with small motifs like little birds, the letter H (for my niece Hailey) and phrases like 'Happy Birthday', 'Cutie Pie' and 'Birthday Girl'. Each item was doubled to allow for a double-sided folding flag.

2. Using the middle of your two prints as a guide, cut out a large rectangle and fold it over. Cut it into a triangle flag shape.

3. Using craft glue, dab both sides of the flag and the end of the toothpick. Fold the paper around the toothpick and press it closed.

Ta da! Teeny little cupcake flags!

I baked these chocolate cupcakes using my usual cheat method (a boxed mix) but glammed them up with luscious homemade buttercream icing (I use Martha's recipe). Of course i had to make it my own so I added 2 tablespoons of cocoa and 3 tablespoons of peanut butter to the icing. The result? Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes with charming personalized flags for the 11-year old birthday girl!

Sadly, I wasn't feeling well enough to eat them but my niece gave them two thumbs up for taste AND appearance!

Have a lovely week friends - I'll be showing you a sneak peek of the handpainted necklace hanger in the next day or two, so cross your fingers that you're the winner!