Pretty Simple Ideas

| Simplifying Homemaking | Moderns Proverbs 31 Woman

  • Home
  • Meet Sarah!
  • Life
    • Career Advice
    • Modern Homemaking
    • DIYs
    • Everyday Beauty
  • Love
    • Friendships
    • Wedding Planning
    • Marriage
    • Mom Life
  • Pursuit of Happiness
    • How To Be a Proverbs 31 Woman Today
    • Work Life Balance
    • Travel Inspiration
    • Health & Fitness

This DIY Postcard is a Piece of Cake

April 23, 2014 by Sarah 55 Comments

I love getting mail. Any mail is great but I particularly love bright colored envelopes, pretty cards….or even a DIY postcard piece of cake!

I’m not the most talented or creative person, but after a trip to my local hardware store (and a few false starts), I finished the delicious-looking creation below.

Yes, that is a postcard, not a real piece of cake.  Not only will you bring surprise and joy to the lucky recipient of this creation, but to the postal workers who have the pleasure of mailing it out. “You MADE this?” they shall ask in disbelief. The choices are endless too. Chocolate cake. Strawberry cake. Vanilla cake. Just change up the paint color and you’re good to go. 

(This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here. )

IMG_0808

What You Will Need for DIY Postcard Cake:

  • 1 large sponge (Get extras because the first one can be tricky to make)
  • Serrated knife
  • X-Acto or utility knife
  • Spray paint (brown, yellow, pink or white)
  • 1 tube acrylic latex caulk (brown, cream or white)
  • Spray Adhesive
  • Thin cardboard or thick scrapbook paper

Sorry, I don’t have step-by-step photos of my experience. I made them in a fit of excitement and forgot to document it.  But here are the steps.

How to Make: 

1. Cut your sponge in half diagonally. Look at my final cake photo if that’s confusing. And don’t worry if you mess up! That’s why I told you to buy extra sponges. You can practice your “frosting” on the screw-ups too…

2. Cut a thin groove in the middle where your middle layer of “frosting” will go.

3. Spray paint it! (in a well-ventilated area may I add)

4.  Trace the shape of your cake on cardboard on a piece of thick paper. Cut it out. Glue that baby to another side of the cake that you didn’t cut the groove out of.

5. “Pipe” your frosting onto your cake..getting the groove first, and then the side and top. Make sure to get the sides of the cardboard creating a “frame”, but leave the bottom alone!

6.  Use a paintbrush to “swirl” your frosting for an even more realistic look. You got it.

7. Allow your cake to dry for 3-5 days on a piece of parchment paper.

8. Write a cheery greeting and mail that sweet piece of cake.

PS: The postal workers will be as excited as you are!

IMG_0812

PSS If you think your cake pieces will be a miserable failure or don’t have the time to make them, Etsy sells them for around $15.

But c’ mon, wouldn’t it be much more impressive to make it yourself? After all, it’s a piece of cake.

DIY postcard cake

Let’s Connect!   Facebook || Pinterest || Instagram || Twitter


Filed Under: DIYs Tagged With: DIY postcard

Comments

  1. candy says

    September 6, 2016 at 11:56 am

    What a fun ideas to send in the mail.

    Reply
  2. Erin | A Welder's Wife says

    September 6, 2016 at 3:03 pm

    I thought this was a real piece of cake! haha! I think this idea is really cute for letting others know you are thinking of them! Thank you for sharing, and you tutorial seems easy to follow!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      September 6, 2016 at 5:45 pm

      It looks just as real in person!

      Reply
  3. Stephanie Jeannot says

    September 6, 2016 at 5:28 pm

    Sounds like a very interesting project. I think the photos though are making me hungry. LOL!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      September 6, 2016 at 5:45 pm

      I hear ya 😉

      Reply
  4. Janet Vinyard says

    September 6, 2016 at 7:55 pm

    Hi Sarah, What an unusual piece of mail! Very clever and creative! Thanks for sharing! Blessings, Janet

    Reply
  5. Celeste | The Whole Serving says

    September 6, 2016 at 9:53 pm

    I absolutely love this idea. I used to make very card I sent, I still have loads of scrapbooking tools. i will have to give this one a try.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      September 7, 2016 at 1:55 pm

      It is my absolute favorite and people go crazy over it!

      Reply
  6. Linda at Mixed Kreations says

    September 6, 2016 at 11:20 pm

    Oh how fun! It sure looks real. Let’s hope the postal worker isn’t hungry and mistakes it as a real piece of cake. LOL

    Reply
  7. Mariam says

    September 7, 2016 at 1:18 pm

    Oh my, this looks so real and yummy lol!

    Reply
  8. Mary-the boondocks blog says

    September 7, 2016 at 3:55 pm

    Oh my, you had me so fooled! Haha! This is brilliant!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      September 7, 2016 at 4:15 pm

      Thanks, Mary! I know…it’s crazy how realistic it is.

      Reply
  9. Jennifer Hamra says

    September 7, 2016 at 5:12 pm

    Wow! It looks like a real piece of cake! How fun!!

    Reply
  10. Florence says

    September 7, 2016 at 6:30 pm

    First time here visiting posts from Waywow link up. Every time I scrolled past this “cake” I was wondering how it was a postcard. So here I am! It does look incredibly real, and I was dying to have a bite! I’m gonna pin it somewhere!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      September 7, 2016 at 7:29 pm

      Please do and I hope you get the chance to make it! Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
    • Sarah says

      September 7, 2016 at 7:30 pm

      Thank you and I hope you get the chance to make it!

      Reply
  11. Lindi says

    September 7, 2016 at 10:24 pm

    Wow I really thought this was cake. You are so creative

    Reply
  12. Aileen Stewart says

    September 9, 2016 at 3:43 pm

    Fun. At first I thought it was a real piece of cake.

    Reply
  13. ahopefuldad says

    September 10, 2016 at 8:41 am

    It looks so real I worry someone might eat it! #weekendblogshare

    Reply
  14. Hannah Spannah says

    September 10, 2016 at 8:43 pm

    That is seriously impressive and I truly thought it was real – what a great idea! I think I might have to have a go! Thanks for joining the #weekendblogshare

    Reply
  15. Nikki Frank-Hamilton says

    September 11, 2016 at 6:49 pm

    Sarah, this is so cool and so creative. I seriously thought this was a piece of cake, and chocolate icing is my favorite! YUM!

    I love that you fooled me, and I’m sure a bunch of others too! This would be a great birthday card front, I would love getting a piece of this in the mail!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      September 12, 2016 at 10:55 am

      Everyone in my family has gotten one for their birthday. They were huge surprises!

      Reply
  16. Hil says

    September 15, 2016 at 2:43 am

    That is so creative! I may cry if I got that in the mail and couldn’t eat it!!

    Thanks for sharing at #bloggerspotlight!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      September 15, 2016 at 1:27 pm

      Haha then you just go out and buy a real cake!

      Reply
  17. JES says

    September 22, 2016 at 8:04 pm

    How very clever! Thank you for sharing with us on the Art of Home-Making Mondays at Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth! 🙂

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      September 22, 2016 at 8:19 pm

      Thanks, Jes! It is one of my favorites.

      Reply
  18. Jackie says

    February 8, 2017 at 12:34 pm

    Omg how cool!! But also now I want chocolate cake!!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      February 8, 2017 at 2:15 pm

      I know. It looks TOO realistic!

      Reply
  19. Kristen says

    February 8, 2017 at 12:49 pm

    This looks so real! What a fun and creative idea!! Will have to make this to send to some of my friends!

    Reply
  20. candy says

    February 8, 2017 at 12:59 pm

    I pinned this years ago and never ended up making it. Thought it was really cute idea. Will have to get it made this time.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      February 8, 2017 at 2:16 pm

      Candy – yes! You’ll think it’s the coolest I promise 🙂

      Reply
  21. Teri says

    February 8, 2017 at 2:14 pm

    Allow me to join with all the cake loves of the world on praise of this idea! So cool! LOVE IT!

    Reply
  22. Holly says

    February 8, 2017 at 3:18 pm

    Oh my gosh, I LOVE this. You could use these as invitations to a birthday party! I once mailed a plastic Easter Egg with candy and treats inside. You just have to tape the seem so it doesn’t break open in transit 🙂

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      February 8, 2017 at 3:49 pm

      I would LOVE to go to that party if I get these as an invite!

      Reply
  23. Tine says

    February 8, 2017 at 3:58 pm

    Brilliant idea! Would love to send this to someone as their birthday card!

    Reply
  24. Rose says

    February 8, 2017 at 4:02 pm

    SO creative! I second the comment about sending a cake postcard as a birthday card!

    Reply
  25. Lora says

    February 8, 2017 at 5:48 pm

    This is crazy — it looks so real. I literally read two or three times to make sure I wasn’t seeing things, lol! That would be fun for the post office, haha.

    Reply
  26. Kristine-Bites of Flavor says

    February 8, 2017 at 7:30 pm

    This looks just like cake! WOW! This is a really cute idea!

    Reply
  27. Stephanie A Bills says

    February 8, 2017 at 8:25 pm

    It took me awhile to realize that this wasn’t an actual piece of cake! What an adorable idea!

    Reply
  28. Leah says

    February 8, 2017 at 11:15 pm

    What a fun idea! I do postcrossing. This will be fun to send.

    Reply
  29. Rebecca Hicks says

    February 8, 2017 at 11:29 pm

    Oh my goodness I seriously thought that was literally a piece of cake, and I was SO confused for a second. You did an amazing job! I LOVE the idea!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      February 9, 2017 at 1:24 am

      Thanks, Becca! Admittedly it did take a few tries but then it is amazing how realistic it looks!

      Reply
  30. Danielle says

    February 9, 2017 at 1:56 am

    Totally thought it was a real piece of cake. Such a cool idea!

    Reply
  31. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

    February 9, 2017 at 2:24 am

    You have GOT to be kidding me!!! This is the most adorable thing I’ve seen! I cannot wait to give this a try — too cute!!

    Reply
  32. Marie says

    February 9, 2017 at 2:49 am

    This is such a cute idea! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  33. Kate A says

    February 9, 2017 at 3:51 am

    Ok, this is definitely going to be served as a ‘special dessert’ for my kids on April Fool’s Day! (I’ll have some backup treats to ease the disappointment). Mailing them for birthdays is a fun idea too! Such a cool project!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      February 9, 2017 at 1:21 pm

      haha Kate I LOVE that idea! I would love to know how it goes!

      Reply
  34. Becca @ Homemakers In Action says

    February 9, 2017 at 7:49 am

    Oh my goodness this looks TASTY! Is that weird? haha! I could definitely eat it.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      February 9, 2017 at 1:22 pm

      Definitely not weird. It looks delicious!

      Reply
  35. Anna Nuttall says

    February 9, 2017 at 1:08 pm

    Yum this look delicious. I love the look of this. xx

    Reply
  36. Logan says

    February 9, 2017 at 2:13 pm

    Omg I totally thought this was a recipe. haha It looks so real!

    Reply
  37. Rachel Ritlop says

    February 9, 2017 at 2:27 pm

    WHAT?!? This looks SO real! haha I would probably eat it if i got it haha

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      February 9, 2017 at 3:23 pm

      I know it’s amazing!!

      Reply
  38. Nicole Parise says

    February 11, 2017 at 5:02 am

    I was trying to figure out how that wasn’t a real cake, it looks legit!

    xx nicole
    http://www.nicoleparise.com

    Reply
  39. chalista says

    May 8, 2017 at 7:15 am

    nice articel 🙂
    visit my blog too http://situsjudionlineterpercaya.com/ thanks 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hello! I’m Sarah

Hello! I’m Sarah

I'm a communications professional turned stay-at-home mom, wife, and writer. Here at Pretty Simple Ideas I help busy moms and working women simplify homemaking.

Connect with Me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Reader Favorites

10 Clever Ways to Save Thousands on a Wedding
DIY Charcoal Mask
Five Fresh Ways to Go Green in Your Home
DIY Coffee Filter Flowers
Learning to Surrender My Career to God
DIY Face Lotion for Sensitive Skin

Save

Save

FREE “Beach life” Desktop Wallpaper

FREE “Beach life” Desktop Wallpaper

Categories

DIY & Natural Skin Care
Home & Garden
Home & Garden

Follow on Instagram
Instagram post 2195801595474789090_3951411711 No, she wouldn’t smile for Santa, but it’s a vast improvement from last year where she cried just at the sight of him. 🎅😂
Instagram post 2195175549708764633_3951411711 What’s your favorite Christmas tradition? 🎄 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
As we grow our family I’m looking forward to creating more of our own! This year though, my sisters and I are starting one of our own. Instead of spending a ton of money on each other we’re going to be making each other homemade gifts! I’m really excited to see what we all make. 🎁 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Do you have a tradition you look forward to each year? Will you be starting a new one? ❄️
Instagram post 2192414669744927537_3951411711 Two years ago this week we found out we were having a little girl. And now I can’t imagine life without her. 💕
Instagram post 2190122047114384431_3951411711 It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! 🎄 My tropical tree is up. 🌴 Are you decorations up yet?
Instagram post 2185936659584122383_3951411711 🇺🇸 She’s pro-naps, pro-snacks, and pro-fun control. Vote Penny 2020. 🇺🇸
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I interrupt my usual “homemaking” posts to bring you a more personal look at my life. We visited daddy at work today and I just had to share. 😍
Instagram post 2184926872876556374_3951411711 ❤️ GIVEAWAY!! ❤️
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
📌This week on the blog, I made the easiest DIY stenciled canvas bags that can be used as Christmas gifts, or to carry home your next grocery haul. Thank you @stencilrevolution for sending the super cute stencils for this project!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
📍Now, here’s the good part. I’m teaming up with @stencilrevolution  to give one person $30 worth of stencils from their shop. You can make your own stenciled canvas bag or pick out something else. The possibilities are endless: you could also make homemade wrapping paper for Christmas, a DIY growth chart for your kid, or even stencil an accent wall. 💕
.
📍Head to @sarahalthouse and the link in my profile to enter. (PS: I definitely recommend the Market Fresh stencil.)
Instagram post 2182757798394383722_3951411711 😴 I’ve been having trouble sleeping lately. To be honest, I’ve been having trouble sleeping ever since Penny was born. I think this guy could tell the last couple of nights have been rough because he’s been cuddling up on my pillow.😻
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
💤 I’ve tried lavender essential oils, sleep gummies, and Epsom salt baths. Penny’s been sleeping through the night for almost a year-and-a-half and yet I can’t seem to tell my brain it’s OK for me to stay asleep too.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If anyone has a cure for “mom sleep” please let me know. 🤗
.
📸 by @rebeccawilcher

© 2019 Pretty Simple Ideas
Design · Privacy Policy · Affiliate Disclosure