Summer Holidays Archives - Page 3 of 29

How many times have you bought the stuff to make a cake and then procrastinated about making it only to end up buying one from the store? Creating a beautiful cake seems intimidating and we put it off because of that. Guess what! It isn’t as hard as you think. Find out how to make a half sphere beach ball cake easily for your upcoming summer party with this simple tutorial.

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[bctt tweet=”Creating a beautiful cake is easier than you think. Find out how to make a half sphere beach ball cake easily with this simple tutorial!” username=”diyadulation”]

Store bought cakes are delicious, don’t get me wrong. When you’re trying to save money, though, the savings of making a cake yourself is so worth it. A box cake mix and a couple of container of icing are roughly $6.00. Compare that with the $20-$30 of a store bought cake with a few plastic baubles on it. No thank you.

Last weekend was my mom’s birthday and I wanted to give her a super special cake. She loves the beach and since her birthday falls in the summer, I thought this beach ball cake would be the perfect idea. Even better, it’s super easy to make so I was able to get it made and decorated even with tiny tyrants running around my house.

Note:

You may need to invest in a ball cake pan but the possibilities of fun cakes you can make with it are so endless that it’s totally worth it. Don’t be fooled into thinking it always has to be a sports ball. I’ve used it to make a ball of yarn for a Lalaloopsy party and animal heads for kids parties. Seriously, it’s one of the best cake pan investments.

Beach Ball Cake Materials and Ingredients

Wilton Soccer Ball Cake Pan
1 Box Cake Mix of Choice + Ingredients on Box
2 Containers Vanilla Icing
Gel Food Coloring (Teal, Violet, Yellow, and Black)
Resealable Sandwich Bags or Piping Bags
Shortbread Cookies (I used Girl Scout Cookies)
1 Gallon-sized Resealable Bag
Spatula for Spreading Icing

Step 1

First, pre-heat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit and mix up your cake mix according to the package directions.

Step 2

Then spray your soccer ball pan with cooking spray and pour your mixed batter inside.

Step 3

Bake your cake at 350° Fahrenheit for 50 minutes or until cooked through. Use a toothpick in the center of the cake to check if it’s baked. If the toothpick comes out clean, your cake is done. If not, continue cooking in 2-3 minute increments until it is. Use a fresh toothpick each time you check your cake.

Step 4

After the cake is baked, flip it onto a cooling rack and let cool.

Step 5

Once your cake is cooled, place it on a plate and toss in the freezer for about an hour.

Step 6

Next, pull your cake out of the freezer and in half at the middle of the dome.

Step 7

Spread a layer of icing on the bottom piece and then top with the remaining half of cake.

Step 8

Then spread a layer of icing over the entire cake. This is not a crumb coat so don’t be stingy. I used an entire container of vanilla icing to completely cover the cake.

Step 9

Again, pop the iced cake back into the freezer. It it easier to layer when it’s frozen because you’re using store bought icing.

Step 10

Once the icing on your cake is frozen, pull it from the freezer and divide your 2nd container of icing in half. Reserve 1 half to keep the original color. Divide the remaining half into thirds in separate small bowls.

Step 11

Color one of each bowl of icing teal, violet, and yellow.

Step 12

Next, add your teal icing to a small resealable sandwich bag, press out the air, and cut off the tip.

Step 13

Pipe a small circle in the top center of your cake to act as a guide and then pipe one section of your beach ball teal as pictured.

Step 14

After you pipe on the icing, smooth and spread it with a small rubber spatula.

Step 15

Repeat steps 12 and 14 with your remaining 2 colors on your beach ball. Make sure to leave a white/off-white section in between each color.

Step 16

Once your colored sections are on the beach ball, fill in the remaining sections with the additional white icing (reserve 2-3 tbsp of white). Adding the colors on top of your cake makes the icing levels uneven which is why you want to fill in the white sections with additional icing.

Step 17

Lastly, color the 2 tablespoons of icing you saved black and pipe it over the circle at the top of your beach ball.

Step 18

Again, pop your iced cake into the freezer and leave it there until you’re ready to serve or transport.

Step 19

Once you’re ready to serve or transport, place your frozen cake on a tray. Place a dollop of leftover icing on the tray before putting your cake on. This will help hold the cake in place.

Tip:

If you are transporting your cake, place it on a the lid to a large plastic bowl. Then when you’re ready to move it, snap the bowl in place on the lid to protect the cake during transport.

Step 20

Lastly, create the sand around your beach ball cake by emptying a sleeve of shortbread cookies into a gallon sized resealable bag and crush them up with the flat side of a meat tenderizing hammer. You can also use a food processor to crumble the cookies but I really enjoy beating the cookies with a hammer. It’s cathartic.

Step 21

Spread your crushed up cookies around the edge of your cake and you’re done.

This half sphere beach ball cake is so much fun and absolutely perfect for your summer celebration. Whether you’re throwing a pool party or a summer birthday, this cake is sure to be a hit. No one has to know how totally easy it is to make.

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The 4th of July is an awesome summer holiday that Americans look forward to celebrating every year. We also get hyper-focused on the fireworks fun and forget that there’s a whole day of sunshine (hopefully) before you get to that part. This year, don’t forget some of the smaller fun details like favors and games. These DIY mini patriotic party hat headbands are the perfect frugal place to start.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

[bctt tweet=”Fireworks are cool and all but don’t forget about the rest of the party this 4th of July! These DIY mini patriotic party hat headbands make a festive and frugal favor for your Idependence Day Celebration!” username=”diyadulation”]

I love all things mini and that 100% includes party hats. I first fell in love with these mini party hats from the Dollar Tree when I made these adorable headbands for St. Patrick’s Day. Don’t ask me why, but it took me this long to realize that I could totally do the same thing for Independence Day!

What’s great about holidays like this is that no matter what outfit your guests are rocking, these party hats will totally match. Everyone wears red, white, and blue for the Fourth so you can have the perfect party accessory for everyone. Personally, I’m going to sporting my party hat with these rad guitar sun glasses that I also found at Dollar Tree. (Yes, I have a problem and I’ve accepted that.)

Since these are made with hot glue, you can put them together in minutes for an awesome addition to your 4th of July celebration. You also won’t mind if the kiddos end up destroying them during the fun because they’re so cheap to make. Double-score!

Patriotic Party Hat Headbands Materials

Mini Plastic Patriotic Party Hats
Plastic Headbands (Opt for the one that are .5 inches wide or more)
Scissors
Hot Glue Gun and Glue
Patriotic Garland
Glittery Red, White, and Blue Foam Stars

*Note* I found all of my patriotic supplies at Dollar Tree.

Step 1

First, remove any packaging from your mini hats and headbands.

Step 2

Next, select one headband and one hat to start with.

Step 3

Then use your scissors and cut the stretchy band from the hat. If you cut close to the knots on either side you can slip it under the staples.

Step 4

Now glue your mini party hat to your headband with hot glue so that it sits angled slightly from the center of the headband. You want the hat to sit to the left or right side of the top of your head when wearing the headband.

Tip:

Hold the hat in place on the headband until the glue sets. If you don’t, it will slip and cool in the wrong spot, or worse, not attached at all.

Step 5

After your hat is glued to the headband, it’s time to decorate it. Start by cutting a length of patriotic garland and gluing it around the hat as pictured.

Step 6

Then choose a large and a small glittery foam stars and glue them to the the front of the hat on top of the garland. Start by gluing the largest star on first and then gluing the smaller one so that it slightly overlaps the larger one.

Note:

I chose to use the 2 colors opposite the hat color for my stars. For example, if the hat is blue then I used a white and a red star.

Step 7

Lastly, repeat steps 2 through 6 to create your remaining party hat headbands. The materials above make at least 6 party hat headbands if you get a second 3-pack of headbands (or have 6 already laying around).

How cool and festive are these DIY mini patriotic party hat headbands?! I know the Fourth is still a few weeks away but I’ve already been wearing mine around the house. Yes, I look as crazy (and totally awesome) as you’re picturing. I’d love to see you and your family rocking these babies on Independence Day. Tag me @diyadulation on Instagram and let me see it. Don’t worry. I’ll share us wearing ours that day too, along with a reminder to let me see yours!

See where I’m linking up!

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Get your home ready for the 4th of July, DIY-style this year. These awesome patriotic decorations for your home will add the perfect festive touch that your family and guests are sure to love.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

[bctt tweet=”These awesome patriotic decorations for your home are fun to make and to display, whether you need a few pieces for your home or to get party ready!” username=”diyadulation”]

I’m especially excited about 4th of July this year because it is my adorable new baby nephew’s first fourth every. Yay! Admittedly, he’s only going to be 4 months old so I doubt he cares much, but in either case, I get my baby snuggles fix. That’s always a great day!

Since we’ll be at their house to celebrate, I’m keeping our home decor light. A few throw pillows on the living room couch and a festive wreath on the door are priority. Another small way to add some patriotic decorations to your home is to add a banner to your fireplace. These key places add a festive spirit to your home without taking up too much time or energy.

DIY Rustic Wooden Patriotic Stars (Tee Diddly Dee)

If you love the rustic look then these beautiful patriotic stars are for you! They make a fantastic outdoor decoration or add them to a mantle vignette for a quick holiday decoration.

Red White and Blue Quilted Pillow (Busy Being Jennifer)

The bright and vibrant colors in this quilted pillow are absolutely gorgeous! A few of these pillows thrown on the couch are an instant holiday spruce for your decor.

Make A Fun And Easy Twine Patriotic Mason Jar (Our Crafty Mom)

It doesn’t get much easier (or more frugal) than this adorable patriotic mason jar! Use it in a vignette or as part of a table centerpiece. It would look adorable with a red, white, and blue bouquet inside!

Hand Painted Ice Cream Cone Flower Pot (Love My Little Cottage)

This adorable flower pot seriously speaks to me. It’s colorful and fun, plus, hello, ice cream! This is definitely a fun piece of red, white, and blue decor for the holiday.

Burlap and Chevron Fabric Banner for 4th of July (Curly Crafty Mom)

Banners are another fantastic way to decorate for any holiday easily. This beautiful burlap and chevron fabric banner would look perfect hanging on your mantle this 4th of July. You can also make a couple to hang on your front porch railings for a quick outdoor update for the holiday.

DIY Wood Bead Garland with Stars (My Wee Abode)

This wood bead garland is a totally versatile piece of holiday decor. You can wrap it like you see in the photo as part of a small vignette or hang it on the wall or your mantle as garland. Plus, it’s absolutely beautiful too!

Patriotic Pinwheel Wreath (Cookies, Coffee, and Crafts)

Raise your hand if you love pinwheels! Since they’re toys, they instantly add a playful touch to this awesome wreath. Even better, you make it from Dollar Tree finds so it’s totally budget-friendly too!

Sparkle Hat Explosion Patriotic Decoration (Made in a Day)

This super cute hanging decoration is fantastic because 1 sparkle hat makes 2 hangings. That makes it perfect if you have double doors as your front door. It’s also great if you want pieces to hang on your windows or on your interior doors as well.

DIY Patriotic Pillows (A Wonderful Thought)

If you want patriotic decor that goes with your farmhouse style, then these DIY pillows are for you. They are super easy to make and will look great on your couch or bed for some beautiful holiday accents.

‘Merica Patriotic Wooden Sign (Domestically Creative)

If wood crafts are more your thing then you definitely need to check out this “Merica sign from Domestically Creative. It’s a fun and colorful piece of patriotic decor to hang on your door or wall.

Patriotic Flag Chair Covers (My Pinterventures)

Can you believe that these awesome chair covers are made from items from the Dollar Tree? They instantly dress up any dining room without totally wrecking your budget. If you’re entertaining this year, I highly recommend this easy craft to add a little something extra to your decor.

DIY Patriotic Medallion Wall Art (DIY Adulation)

Again, when you’re entertaining you want a some extra patriotic decorations for your home. This large medallion wall art is so much fun and an inexpensive way to add large-scale decor to your home for your 4th of July celebration!

All of these awesome patriotic decorations for your home are just as fun to make as they are to display. Whether you only need a few pieces to add some festiveness to your home or want to deck out the whole house for a party these DIY’s have you covered. Do you like to go all out for Indepence Day or are you more a low-key decorator like me? Let me know in the comments!