August is a big birthday month in our family! Now that all of the kids are adults, presents are basically money and gift cards. Yes, I know cash and gift cards are welcome gifts, but it always seems so impersonal to me. I know it’s the best gift, though I am happier giving it if there’s a little razzle dazzle involved! How about a birthday “cupcake” topped Mason Jar to deliver cash or a gift card? A Styrofoam ball, some ribbon flowers and a real birthday candle and this ALMOST looks like a real cupcake! The jar is useful, it’s a sweet birthday reminder and who doesn’t love Mason jars?
My inspiration came from the black, polka-dotted cupcake liners. I’m sure no one is surprised at my black/white/pink color scheme. Yes, it’s definitely girly – use this as a jumping off point to make one perfect for your birthday girl or guy!
Here are the supplies I used:
- Pint-sized Mason jar
- 2 ½” smooth Styrofoam ball
- ¾” satin ribbon
- Ribbon flowers in your choice of colors – I used pink and white
- 2 cupcake liners
- Glossy black Spray paint
- Cardstock, small pearls, ribbon, birthday sticker and tacky glue
- Multi-temp glue gun and glue sticks
First, I spray painted the Mason jar lid and screw ring glossy black. I used an old knife I keep around for cutting Styrofoam to slice a small piece straight across the bottom of the smooth Styrofoam ball so that it would sit flat. I found the center top of the ball (or as close as possible!) and used an awl to create a hole for a candle. I was going to cover the entire ball with pleated ribbon to resemble frosting. I wasn’t loving the amount of time it was taking! I did one row of ribbon frosting, which covers the bottom of the ball. I hand pleated the ribbon and attached it to the Styrofoam ball with low temp hot glue, so there’s a little look of “frosting” at the bottom of our cupcake.
You could use a regular Styrofoam ball and just push a small piece of the wire bottom of each flower into the ball. Since this jar may be opened and closed a lot, I decided to hot glue the flowers so they are very secure! I cut the flower stems as closely to the ribbon rose as possible and hot glued them in rows, starting just above the ribbon “frosting,” overlapping slightly. Sizes of ribbon roses vary, so I worked my pink/white alternating combo as best as I could! I made sure not to cover the hole at the top.
I glued two cupcake liners together and glued a small circle of cardstock to the outside, flat part of the cupcake liner. With low temp hot glue on the flat bottom of the flowered “cupcake,” I glued the completed Styrofoam ball inside of the cupcake liner. At first, I was going to make a paper or dowel candle, as I do in scrapbook or card projects, then I thought – wouldn’t a real candle just look too cute? Use tacky glue on the bottom of the candle and push into the center hole, holding in place until dry. You could probably use some low temp glue; I forgot which glue gun I had plugged in and accidentally hit the first candle with high temp glue! Wow, the melt time was impressively fast! Just remind your gift recipient not to light the candle. ?
You can use either high temp glue or Goop to glue the lid of the Mason jar to the screw ring and let dry. I glued the finished “cupcake” to the lid of the Mason jar. I finished with a tag made with punched cardstock, a birthday sentiment sticker, ribbon and some pearls.
A cute and useful “cupcake” jar, ready to fill with a little cash, gift card or small gift and deliver a special birthday greeting! What do you think?
In case you missed them, here are two ideas to deliver a gift with a little razzle dazzle. I know, I REALLY need to do something for the guys and I promise I will!
“Bee” Beautiful Beauty Gift Jar
I’m having way too much fun with these Mason jars – and I’ve got some fun ideas to share in the fall and winter! Expect a few more birthday ideas this month! Thank you so much for visiting and even if it’s not your birthday, eat a cupcake and have a sweet day!
Linking up to these great parties!
DIY Sunday Showcase at Pink When
The WCFS Award Show Party at Will Cook for Smiles











Wow, Cindy – so adorable! You always create such impressive projects with such detail!! Awesome – anyone who gets this is so fortunate!!
Krista, thank you SO much for your sweet comment – that is so nice! I always appreciate your visits and thanks for brightening my day! ? Hope your week so far is wonderful!
So stinking cute, Cindy!!! Your friends must love getting gifts from you. ? Pinning! xoxo
Claire, thank you so much! Well, I’m sure they never know what to expect! Thanks for the pin! Hugs! xoxo
These are a really neat idea!
~Ashley @ A Cute Angle
http://acutelifestyle.blogspot.com
Thanks, Ashley! So sweet of you to visit – hope you are having a fabulous week!
Now I know what to do with all of those roses I’ve collected in my scrapbook area (I say “area” bcz my room is being remodeled…very slowly!). You are so creative for bday ideas! Pinning!
Gloria, thank you so much for the pin – and of course, your visit! I have boxes of ribbon roses from my mother-in-law and it’s fun to come up with ways to use them. Oh, I can’t wait to see your remodeled room! I got a dedicated room a few years ago and promptly outgrew it in the first month, lol. Hope you are having a great week!
This is so adorable and such a smart gift! Great job ?
Hi Shannah – thank you so much – it is so sweet of you to visit! Hope you are having a great week and definitely hope you are feeling good!!
This is an adorable idea! I love this, Cindy! ? You are so creative.
Carrie, thank you so much – that is sweet of you! I always appreciate your visits! Hope you are having a great week!
Dear Cindy, I just picked up two packages of those polka dot cupcake liners at Michael’s Crafts yesterday!!
I know exactly how you feel about how impersonal gift giving has become…I never know what to buy anyone. I usually make my own cards though when it comes to the kids. I love your ideas…a great way to dress up the mason jars too. I can’t wait to see your Fall/Winter craft ideas. Blessings, Catherine xo
Catherine, aren’t those cupcake liners so cute? I love that we picked the very same pattern! I’m always trying to find little ways to make the impersonal gift a little more special – and it’s so much fun to share it! I’ve already starting working on some Fall/Winter projects and it’s a tale of two seasons at my house now. ? As always, thank you for visiting and hope your day is wonderful!
What a clever idea… It’s so pretty! Pinned!
Thanks, Deb! Hope you had a great weekend – can’t believe it’s Monday again already! ?
Oh goodness, Cindy! These are so darn cute. I love the cupcake ?
xoxo
Denyse
Thanks, Denyse, that is so sweet and appreciate it! Thank you so much for visiting and have a fantastic week! xoxo
How adorable! In LOVE with the beehive!
Oh, thanks, Tami! I love the beehive, too! I have it on my vanity holding lipsticks and it always makes me smile. Thank you SO much for your visit and sweet comment. Have a fabulous week!
That is so adorable Cindy, you are putting me to shame my friend. I guess I should get more creative!!! ?
Lisa, you are PLENTY creative…excuse me, what are all those amazing creative recipes you whip up? ? I’m glad you like the cupcake jar, though! ?
So super cute!! Loving this sweet jar of fun!
Thanks, Kristi! So kind of you to visit and I appreciate it!! Have a happy Saturday and a great weekend!
Well isn’t that just the cutest thing ev-ah!!
? Thanks, Heather! So sweet of you to visit and I appreciate it! Have a happy Saturday!
Love this! You’re so talented! Pinned!
Paula, you are so sweet! Thank you for the visit and the pin! Have a happy Saturday!
Aimee @ Captivating Corner Blog says
This is so stinkin’ adorable!
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Aimee! Thank you so much! I really appreciate your visit and sweet comment! Have a happy Saturday and a great weekend!