Just Buggin Challenge #18: Mickey & Friends Centerpiece (AND a Minnie Mouse Cake, Too!)

This week's Just Buggin Challenge #18 is called "In The Shadows":  use the shadow or blackout feature on your project.

The Mess Maker's third birthday party was this past weekend and she just HAD to have a Mickey theme!  I borrowed the Mickey Font cartridge from my AWESOME and talented friend and got to work on this centerpiece.  I used the shadow feature on the "3"s to add definition, and then punched some holes in white cardstock using a standard hole punch and added those circles to the "3"s.

Then, using the blackout feature, I cut each character's face from black cardstock.  I used the facial details feature for each character's face in the appropriate colors of cardstock.  I also cut an additional blackout of each character's face in black so that when I attached the faces to the lollipop sticks, I could cover up the stick by adhering the additional layer on the back.

I inserted each stick into floral foam inside the red pot and added a silver spray and twisted pipe cleaners (wrapped loosely around a ballpoint pen and then attached to lollipop sticks).  For additional detail, I added large red sequins to the twisted pipe cleaners.  Lastly, I tied a black and white polka dot bow around the pot.

In addition to the centerpiece, I also altered some plain red paper plates by adding a Minnie hat to the edge, and made a Minnie Mouse cake, inspired by this cake I found while doing a Google Images search for Minnie cakes:

The white circles, black Minnie mouse heads, mini red bows, large black circles (ears) and large white bow were all formed out of gumpaste (by hand, not Cricut....though I TRIED and TRIED to get my Cricut to do this for me!!!).  The black balls around both layers of the cake are Sixlets that came in a bag of just black, also available in other colors, at Hobby Lobby.  This project made me realize that I am DEFINITELY not a cake decorator...HAH!  Think I'll just stick to paper projects!!!  :)

Thanks for looking!