Thresher Shark Journal

Welcome back for another sharky craft! This is a simple papercraft that you can do in just a few minutes. All you need is a shark pattern of your choice, a journal (or notebook, card, etc.), some colorful paper (I used some photorealistic scrapbook papers), pencil, a scissors and some glue (optional material: a foam brush to spread the glue thinly and evenly).

Start by tracing your shark onto your scrapbook paper and cutting it out. You can change up the size of shark depending on how large your journal is (or by how many sharks you want on the cover). Next, play around with the layout of your sharks. Once you are satisfied, spread a thin layer of glue onto the back of your decorative shark and press firmly onto your journal. Allow to dry completely before you use your journal to avoid any issues with access glue sticking to anything and dirtying up your final product.

Enjoy! This is a great way to give new life to an old journal or sketchbook that might not be inspiring you to grab it up and use it very often :)

Diamond Candles Giveaway (closed)

I am super excited to announce this giveaway from Diamond Candles! Diamond Candles creates great smelling all natural soy candles that each contain a surprise ring (ring values vary). I think this is such a cute idea, who doesn't love getting a surprise? The rings range in value from $10 costume jewelry up to $5000! Wouldn't it be amazing to win a candle in this giveaway and end up with a fancy new piece of jewelry to boot?

The good people at Diamond Candles offered me a candle for review and I couldn't pass up the chance. I had a hard time choosing my scent, I love the smell of baked goods (and they have a few varieties in that category), but I was also really intrigued by the Fresh Cut Grass scent. In the end, the Cupcake candle won out-- my husband is a little annoyed when I light it because it smells exactly like cupcakes (and he is sad that there are then no cupcakes in my house for him to snack on). The candle itself is larger than I originally expected (they burn for up to 140 hours!).

My candle burned for about 7 hours before I got out my surprise ring (I used a tweezers to fish it out of the wax). The rings are generally pretty high up in the candle, so you have plenty of your yummy candle left to enjoy after you get your ring. They put each ring in a plastic bag and then wrap that in foil to protect your ring. No wax coating to have to clean off the ring itself!

I ended up with this cute flower shaped cubic zirconia ring. My fingers are pretty tiny (my wedding ring is a size 5) but this one fit my pointer finger pretty well and is a neat little piece of costume jewelry.

Anyway, on to the giveaway...

One winner will receive a coupon code good for their choice of one diamond candle with free shipping! To check out some of the rings people have found, you can check out the Diamond Candle boards on Pinterest or like Diamond Candle on facebook.

Contest is now Closed

Congratulations to Anna Pruitt, the giveaway winner!
This contest is sponsored by Diamond Candles. After a winner is selected I will contact the winner with their coupon code via email. Please make sure to give an active email address when entering!

Easy Toy Magnets

This is a quick and easy project that you can do with any kind of small plastic toy (I used sharks for Shark Week). This kind of toy can be found at many dollar stores, and often at yard sales and the like. I think these would be awesome with dinosaurs as well. If you don't like the color of the original toys (I liked that mine had a more natural look) you can always get a can of spray paint and paint the final product any color you like- I think metallics would be pretty great!

To make these sharky plastic magnets you will need:

-Plastic sharks
-small magnets
-E-6000 (or other hobby glue of your choice)
-X-Acto knife or other blade (if your toy has parts that stick out past the magnet on your magnet side)

Start by selecting your toys and making sure they are clean. Your glue and magnet may have trouble adhering to the toy if it hasn't been cleaned off.

Next, if you have chosen a toy like mine with fins or other pieces sticking out, you may need to trim them off with an X-Acto blade. Make sure to go slow and cut away from yourself to avoid any injury. Then, decide where you would like to attach your magnet, apply your glue and attach the magnet. Allow the glue to dry completely before use.

Then sit back and admire your handiwork!

I hope you are all having a great Shark Week!