Playtime Cupcakes!

by Erica Haugli
(Norway)

These cupcakes are a great addition to any play kitchen or a colorful treat for a tea party. And you can feel good about making them because you have one more opportunity to reuse household items. So, don?t throw away empty paper towel rolls and hole-ridden socks. They're what make up the insides of these cupcakes.

Items needed:
paper towel or toilet paper rolls
spare socks, rags or polyfil
felt or fabric scraps
decorative pom-poms
hot glue gun

Step 1: Cut the paper towel rolls into 1.5 inch lengths. For the base of the cupcakes, cut out strips of felt that measure 1.75? X 5? to wrap around the roll, and circles that will cover the bottom of the cupcake. Cut out larger circles from felt or fabric for the top of the cupcakes, approx. 5 inches in diameter.

Step 2: Glue the edges of the large circle to the top edge of the cardboard roll. I found the best way to do this was to place one drop of glue on the outside rim of the roll, attach the larger circle, then put the next drop of glue on the opposite side of the circle. I attached the fabric in 8 places, making the fabric have a pleated appearance. Then glue the long strip of felt around the roll, covering the cardboard. Stuff with rags, old socks, etc., and then glue the small felt circle on the bottom of the cupcake to seal in the stuffing.

Step 3: Top the cupcake with a pom-pom.

My kids use these decorative cupcakes in their play store and kitchen and as a "treat" when we have a tea party.

Have Fun!

Erica from mysilverwillow.com