6.01.2008

I Was Possessed By Martha Stewart

I could make this for cheap. Cheap!Do you ever get a gift or see something in a store and think, I could do that? That happens to me a lot. But see, I'm pretty lazy and I rarely act on my urge to do things...unless that urge is to sit on my couch and read blogs. I always do that. Anyway, a few weeks ago Madeline received this diaper cake and I knew it was something I could make. I said as much to Mike, and while he nodded his head and said, "Sure you could, honey," the pat he gave me on the head said otherwise. I'm not crafty, I'm not creative, and I certainly don't make things.

I forgot about the diaper cake until this last week, when I realized the baby shower for my friend Kim was on the 31st. One night I said to Mike that I needed to go shopping to get her a gift, and Mike said, "Why don't you give her that diaper cake you were so certain you could make?" Oooh, he was calling me out! Then he said, "You could always give her the diapers in a bag if it doesn't work." Bastard! He was baiting me...and it worked. I decided to make the cake.

I bought all the stuff required, and I got my camera out because I knew if I was successful, no one would believe I made it. I planned on taking step by step pictures. I started with this picture:
Maddie is supervising
And then I pretty much sat there for an hour, having no freaking clue what to do. I would occasionally glance over at Mike, and he'd give me a look. Then I'd look at Maddie playing in her little gym thing, and I'd think, "Damn it! I am going to make this freaking diaper cake so she'll be proud of me!" Even though I'm pretty sure that ignoring her while I made a diaper cake isn't high on Maddie's list of things she's excited about.

At one point, something sort of clicked, and I managed to get the bottom layer.
Bottom Layer
Note that Maddie is still in her play gym.

almost doneAfter I made the bottom layer, I took a break, ate some cookies, and admired my handiwork. It was hard, ok?! I think I probably would have given the cake to Kim like that if Mike hadn't made me finish it. I fashioned the top two layers, but I forgot to take pictures as I went. I was too excited about my cake-making skillz.

Anyway, so I finished it, and it looked like this:
I AM AWESOME
And you bet your ass I did a freaking victory dance all around our house. I was all, "In your FACE, Mike!" And I might have forced Maddie to look at the cake while I said, "Your mom freaking RULES!"

Then I had an identity crisis. I am not someone who makes things! I am someone who BUYS things. What have I become?

I brought the cake to the shower on Saturday, and as expected, my friends were like, "where did you get that?" When I said I made it, my friend Catherine said, "Wow. The way I think about you has changed." Me too, Catherine. Me too. The other shower guests were asking me how I made it, and a few of them asked me for tips on how to make one themselves. Here's my tip - it feels good to make something, but it's easier to buy something. I'm not making another one of these bad boys. Unless someone wants to pay me to make one. I am totally willing to change who I am for cash.

15 comments:

Googling Goddess said...

You did an AWESOME job. That is SO stinkin' cute! Good for you.

Mike said...

I must say I am impressed that you not only did this but actually pulled it off! Hmm. I wonder if I the same thing would work if I challenged you to make me something...like a sandwich.

Kristin.... said...

OMG you're too funny. I would NEVER EVER IN A ZILLION years attempt that. Ok, maybe not that dramatic, but I am not creative in that way. And it came out so nicely!

Jessica said...

It looks wonderful. You did a great job.

Anonymous said...

I am very impressed, but I'm not sure I understand how either cake resembles or relates to diapers. If the diaperness is glaringly obvious, then my excuse is well formed already; I'm English.

Aunt Becky said...

Adorable! I'm super-uncrafty too.

Sharon said...

Welcome to the world of Diaper Cakes! haha! I had the same experience! I was going to a baby shower and didn't want to give a traditional gift, so I decided to make a diaper cake. I have now gone into business making them and I love it! I really didn't think I had one crafty bone in my body until now! If you want to go check out some of my designs, go to my blog: http://www.adventuresofmamag.blogspot.com
The post title is: "I baked it myself"
Enjoy!!

BabyonBored said...

I can't believe you did that! I'm amazed and a little revolted all at once. Does this mean I have to be crafty too if we're going to be friends? And are you going to start scrapbooking? I'm getting nervous. But, honestly, that is pretty insanely good! And I do think Maddie's proud. Did she drink a victory ounce?

Anonymous said...

I always think I can make stuff in stores. Love this. I should make my own version of the diaper cake for my friends bachelorette party...except it can be penis shaped and made from silly stuff.

Jen said...

I'm impressed and I don't even know you!

My project du jour is blinging out some cheap flip flops with rinestones. The flip flops and the rinestones are still sitting on my dresser, where they have been for the last 3 weeks. :-(

Tigriswillreign said...

Love the wit, Heather! I bet you could write a kick-arse book! Maybe consult Stefanie!

Tigriswillreign said...

P.S. I've never in my life ever heard of a diaper cake. You've opened my eyes.

Heather said...

Carm, because you are English, I love you. The diaper cake is made of diapers. Do you see how they are tied together to make the layers of the cake?

Anonymous said...

OH!! Thanks Heather, yes I can see it now. I want one. I'm jealous.

Danielle said...

Freakin' awesome! Don't go getting all "Crafty Site" on us, Martha!!

I'm kidding! Go for it! You did great!!!