Building Block Candle Holders You Make in a Minute

Do you remember the old fashioned building blocks with carved and painted letters? The blocks were popular for years before becoming just a memory after the invention of much more impressive building sets. The old blocks can still be found at yard sales and flea markets, though, and they make wonderful candle holders that anyone is capable of making. In fact, theyre so easy to make, youll be finished with them in just a minute! Select two blocks for each set of candle holders. The blocks should have identical letters to create a set of unique monogrammed candle holders. You can use two different letters to spell a two-letter name or represent a persons initials. After selecting the blocks youll be ready to turn them into candle holders.

All of us know what a clay pot is but many people dont know you can purchase the pots in a miniature type. The minis arent really made of clay, though, so theyre much lighter in weight. The small pots are sold in a pack of several at any craft store. The pots you select should be just the right size to hold tall, tapered candles tightly.

Set the block upright on a flat surface and glue one pot to the top of the block. The bottom of the pot should be glued to the top of the block, in the center. When youve done that the candle holder is made! Although you can spend more time on the project, and decorate or embellish the candle holder, you could stop where you are and use the candle holders like they are. If you want to embellish the creation there are many ways. Paint the pot before gluing it on top of the block. Or, use rubber stamps to make a pattern on the tiny pot. You can even use stickers, markers or glitter glue to embellish it. There are hundreds of designs you can do in a matter of minutes. There are many variations to the original block candle holder project. If you dont have the aforementioned childrens blocks you can use a plain block of wood. Use stickers, stamping or other techniques to embellish the block. Leave it all-natural, paint it or even make a wood-burn design on it. Glue a fake jewel to the center of each side of the block or use buttons instead of jewels. There are endless ways to make the perfect candle holders to fit your style. The building block can be the base for the clay pot candle holder or you can make a different base. Gluing something on the bottom of the block, like a smaller block, creates a completely different look. Some choices for making a different base include another miniature pot, a square bead or even a small novelty skateboard! You create the look you want by selecting unique items to use for the project. If the block itself is the base there are other things you can glue on before adding the clay pot. Set a smaller block on top of the first block, and an even smaller one on top of that. Or, mount a cylindrical wooden piece on top of the block before gluing the pot on top of the cylinder. This technique makes the candle holders much taller and more distinct. Create unique designs by painting the clay pot, and the base youve selected, different colors. Make polka dots, stripes, geometrical shapes and other patterns on the pot and the base. Each candle holder set will be different from the next because there are literally thousands of different designs you can create. The candle holders are easy enough for children to create and fun enough for adults to enjoy. Theyre great to give away as gifts or to use on a table during the a special occasion. Teachers, mothers and grandmothers alike would love the candle holders. Theyre inexpensive to make and always look great!

Lace Inset for Scoop-Neck Shirts

What woman doesnt own a scoop-neck shirt or two? Do you have one that scoops a little too low? Maybe you own one that you wish looked different? Whether its an ill-fitting shirt, or just time to change an old favorite, you can easily do so with a piece of lace. Choose lace that closely matches the color of the shirt or select a coordinating color. All you need is a small piece of the lace and a sewing machine.

Find something that you can use for a pattern for the lace inset. A half-circle is all youll need but it may be easier for you to cut the whole circle at first. Later, you can split the circle in half. Its much easier to find a circular pattern shape around the house than a half-circle. Use a large bowl, a pizza cardboard or another circle shape. The diameter of the circle must be long enough to reach from one side of the scoop neck to the other.

Cut the circle shape from the lace. Fold the circle in half and cut. Half a circle will become the new lace inset. Hem the cut side of the circle and trim away the excess thread. Position the half-circle behind the scoop neck of the shirt. Use straight pins to hold the lace piece in place. The edges of the lace, from one side of the hem to the other, should be placed about an inch behind the hem of the scoop neck. Begin sewing the lace piece in by starting at the shoulder seam. Stitch down until you arrive at the lace edge and continue stitching around the scoop neck and up to the other shoulder seam. As you sew down from the first shoulder seam position the new stitches to run along beside the original stitches of the scoop neck. This will create a double stitch around the neckline. If you dont want a double stitch theres a different technique you can use. Remove the stitching from the neckline and pin the lace in place. You will be able to see needle holes where the thread used to be. Follow the needle holes to create the new stitch line. This method will stitch the lace in place while re-stitching the original neckline hem. The lace inset looks great with most any type of scoop-neck shirt but you can also use other fabrics as the inset. Cut a circle from an old tank top, an insulated top or a different type of fabric. No matter what type of fabric you use youll need to launder it before stitching it in place if the cloth is new. If you dont the new fabric can shrink and cause puckering around the neckline. If the shirt youre changing is a stretchy type its a good idea to use fabric that also stretches. If the shirt you are adding the inset to does not stretch you have the option of using stretchy material or non-stretch fabric or lace. If you have trouble choosing just the right fabric take the shirt with you and ask an assistant for help. Make sure the cloth you choose as the inset is equal to or lighter in weight than the shirt fabric. Using heavy material can cause puckering or drooping around the neckline. If you cut a shirt you already own to make the inset be sure any hems and other stitching has been removed. The lace inset technique works for other neckline shapes, too. If you have a "V" neck shirt that is a little low for comfort just create a triangular shaped inset. For square neck shirts cut a rectangular piece of fabric or lace as an inset. The method not only works for shirts but dresses as well. Whether youd just like a new wardrobe piece, or you have a shirt that drapes a little too low in front, you can easily change it in a few minutes. Its very easy to position and sew in lace or cloth insets. After youre finished the shirt or dress will seem like an entirely new garment.

Cheap and Easy Ice Cream Cake in Minutes

Ever checked out the prices at an ice cream store for one of their frozen ice cream cakes? Wow! Better stop by the bank first! Its going to cost you plenty! Even though theyre delicious, theyre simply not worth the extravagant price tag, since you can easily make something comparable for a fraction of the cost.

You wont have to invest a lot of money to make your ice cream cake. Simply purchase 20 ice cream sandwiches, a tub of whipped cream, and some chocolate or hot fudge sauce. With these items you have the makings of a fabulous ice cream cake that all your guests will love.

Arrange ten of the ice cream sandwiches in the bottom of a 9x13" baking pan. Its okay to break or cut the sandwiches in half to make them fit. When the entire bottom is lined with the ice cream sandwiches its time to add the chocolate sauce. Heat the hot fudge sauce, according to jar instructions, for a few seconds. Thirty seconds is usually enough time in most microwaves. You dont want to overheat the sauce; just heat it until it will easily pour out of the jar. Spread the sauce all over the ice cream sandwiches. Dont worry if there is some melting of the ice cream. Use half of the jar and save the rest for the second layer. Add half a tub of whipped cream on top of the chocolate sauce. Spread it around evenly. Now repeat the process by adding another layer of the ice cream sandwiches, the other half jar of chocolate sauce, and the remainder of the whipped topping. Its necessary to freeze the ice cream cake for at least three hours before serving. However, if covered, the ice cream cake will remain fresh for several weeks in the freezer. Feel free to make the cake days or weeks before its actually needed. As a matter of fact, since the ice cream cakes are so cheap and easy, keep one in the freezer for an unexpected occasion or gift. There are variations you can create for the ice cream cake. Using strawberry frosting, instead of whipped cream, adding colored sprinkles, or even writing on the whipped topping with tubes of ordinary cake frosting, are all ways you can change the look - and taste - of the ice cream cake. Want something even more elaborate? Add real cake to the ice cream cake. Just bake a regular cake in a 9x13" cake pan. After it has cooled cut it in half to create two 9x13" cakes. To do this, take the cake from the pan and place on a flat surface. Start at one of the short sides of the cake and slice through to the other short side, taking the entire top off the cake. Now the top is one cake and the bottom is a separate cake. Place the ice cream sandwiches in the bottom of the cake pan as you would with the original arrangement. Set one cake on the sandwiches and pour the melted chocolate sauce over it. Using the cakes with the ice cream sandwiches requires more chocolate sauce than the original arrangement. For this arrangement youll need two whole jars of sauce - one for each layer. After youve added the chocolate sauce to the cake, smooth whipped cream over the entire thing. Now create the second layer by placing ten more ice cream sandwiches, on top of the whipped cream, then the cake, sauce and whipped cream again. If you want you can save a little of the chocolate sauce to drizzle over the top layer of whipped cream. Or, you can tear up pieces of brownies to sprinkle over the cake. You can even sprinkle chocolate morsels on top. There are many different ways to make the cake look different than the time before. Thats good to know, because after your friends and family try the ice cream cake, theyll be asking you to make another, and another...

Use Angora to Keep Loose Rings on Fingers

Whether youve recently lost weight, or your fingers just seem to be shrinking, rings that dont fit right are a real problem. Not only is it irritating to have your rings swirling round and round on your fingers all day, but should one slip off unawares, you could lose a cherished treasure. The loss of one ring can cost you hundreds, even thousands of dollars, and often, the ring is never found.

Prevent the loss of your valuable rings by having them resized. Jewelers charge little money to remove a small piece of a ring band to make it smaller. This is the only real way to ensure a good fit that will prevent accidental loss. Dont have the money right now? Cant find the time to get to the jewelers? Well, theres something you can do, temporarily, to keep your rings on your fingers. Itll only take a couple of bucks and a couple of minutes to secure your rings for now.

As a temporary fix purchase some angora. Youll find the yarn at most any craft store and at department stores that sell yarn. The angora is available in several different types and various colors. It comes on a skein like ordinary yarn. Angora is a very soft yarn that will work perfectly for tightening your rings. Wrap the angora yarn around the band of your ring. Theres no need to wrap the entire ring; just wrap the underneath part of the ring. The best way to wrap the ring is to start with a long measure of angora, cut from the skein. Start by holding the end in place on the ring band. Pull the angora through the ring, and with the second wrap, trap the end of the angora. Continue wrapping, scooting the next wrap next to the previous one. If you give the entire section of the ring an angora wrap, and the ring is still too large, wrap it again covering the first wrap completely. From time to time, while wrapping the ring, slide it on your finger to check the sizing. When youve gotten to the point where the ring is well-fitted cut the yarn. There are a couple of different ways to secure the end of the yarn. You can use a tiny dot of glue to hold it in place or you can tuck the end into the wrap itself. Use the eye of a needle to push the end of the angora under a couple of strands of the yarn wrap. Trim the end again if necessary. When youre finished wrapping the angora around the ring you should only be able to see it when you turn your palm up. If looking at the ring from the backside of the hand you should be completely unable to spot the angora. Choose angora in a skin tone color and its virtually invisible even when looking at the palm. Youll need to do the angora wrap over and over again until you finally get the rings sized. Everyday wear will cause the angora to become soiled and unsightly. Use a razor blade or scissors to cut the angora away before adding the new wrap. Its a good idea to take the ring off when showering or washing hands simply to preserve the wrap as long as possible. If you dont have any angora you can also use ordinary yarn or even ribbon. Ordinary string or thread can also be used to wrap the ring. Ribbon can be slick, and string or thread can take much longer to wrap than angora. Regular yarn works just like the angora to create the ring wrap. Dont take a chance on losing money and cherished jewelry by continuing to wear your rings very loose. Many people think they would absolutely notice if their ring fell off, but theyd be surprised to know that people lose rings all the time, never knowing it until its too late. Angora is inexpensive and one skein is all youll ever need. Wrap your rings today and consider having them resized real soon.

Candy Box Valentine Tote

Have you ever saved empty valentine candy boxes from years gone by? Why not get them out of storage and create fun valentine totes for your kids? You can easily make the heart-shaped carriers that will thrill your kids and keep their valentines neatly in one place.

If you have two empty valentine candy boxes you can use two bottoms, and two tops, to make two carriers. The boxes dont have to be identical but must be the same size. If youre using two tops they can be previously decorated. If youre using two bottoms, however, youll often find theyre not suitable if they have nutrition information printed on them. If thats the case, cut two heart shapes, and glue them to the two box bottoms. Now create a design for one or both sides. Glue on fake flowers and leaves, bows - even fake pearls. You create the look you want by using a few inexpensive craft supplies.

Although you can use one box - top and bottom - to make one tote it will be slightly off in appearance. The tops of the boxes are made to go over the bottom of the box so the box top is slightly larger than the box bottom. After attaching the cardboard piece around the perimeter of the hearts the look isnt quite as noticeable. Cut a piece of cardboard that will join the two hearts together. If the heart boxes youre using are small youll cut the cardboard strip narrower than if the two heart shapes are large. Cut the strip to where it will be long enough to reach from one side of the heart, around the point, and to the other side. Start and stop the cardboard strip fairly high up on the sides but not all the way to the top. If you want, you can cover the cardboard strip in valentine-theme fabric or paper. If you use white cardboard this step is not even necessary. The white cardboard looks great between the two heart shapes. Use metallic tape, rubber stamps, or even markers to create a design on the white cardboard, if you desire. Fold the cardboard strip in half. Place the fold at the point of one of the heart shapes. Glue the cardboard strip around the first heart. Now align the fold of the cardboard strip with the second heart shape and glue it around the second heart. This cardboard strip connects the hearts and forms a tote-type design. A long piece of wide ribbon can be used to create the handle. Glue the ribbon center to the point of the tote, in the center of the cardboard strip. Glue the ribbon up both sides of the cardboard strip. Where the cardboard pieces end your ribbon will continue. The ribbon should come up further than the top of the heart to form a strap. Glue the ends of the ribbon together or just tie the in a bow. Double-knot the bow so it doesnt come untied. If you dont have any ribbon to make a strap you can use the cardboard strip that you used for the sides of the tote. Simply cut the cardboard strip much longer. Glue the strip from the sides, down to the point, then leave a long piece that will come up over the heart and make the strap. This piece can be decorated along with the sides of the box. Another option for a strap is made from a rope or twine. Poke a hole in the cardboard strip, on both sides, near the top. Push the ends of the rope through the holes in the cardboard. Tie knots in the ends to make sure they dont slip back out of the holes. Instead of roping or twine you can also use a strand of white, red, silver or gold beads. Kids can gather valentines all day long and place them in their valentine tote. Theyll easily be able to keep up with their cards until they get home. Theyll love the little valentine tote that can be used year after year.

Change that Little Black Dress into a Formal in No Time

Got a little black dress hanging in your closet? Who doesnt? Need formal wear more than you need that little dress right now? Make it happen! Its simple and inexpensive to turn a fitted dress - black or otherwise - into formal wear that will really impress. You dont need to be expert at sewing because the technique is very easy.

The type of dress that is perfect for this project is one that is fitted rather than flared. It length of the sleeves, what type of neckline the dress has, or whether it zips or buttons are all unimportant when it comes to changing the dress into formal wear. All that is really required is that the dress be just below the knee or shorter, and the hemline needs to be straight.

At a fabric store choose a lace that closely matches the color of the dress itself. Select a couple yards of lightweight lace. Choose thread that exactly matches the dress for best results. The color of the lace and thread are very important to making the formal look its best. Measure from the hemline of the dress to the floor, or even to an ankle length. Cut the lace to that width, adding four inches extra, for the hem and for attaching it to the dress. Hem both short ends of the lace. This hem should be a mere quarter to a half-inch. These hemmed edges will later meet in the front of the dress, at the hemline. Next, hem one long edge of the lace. This hem should also be very narrow. The opposite end will be sewn to the dress. There are several ways to gather the lace so that it will flare out from the dress to the floor. One way is to use a baste stitch to gather the edge. Use the largest stitch on your machine or hand baste the edge. When finished pull the thread and slide the fabric across it. As you do this, the thread youre pulling will get longer and longer, and the lace will be gathered more and more. Pin the gathered lace to the hemline of the dress and stitch into place. For some people its easier to use narrow elastic to gather the lace. Stretch the elastic while stitching it to the un-hemmed side of the fabric. As you sew the elastic will cause the lace to gather together. When finished gathering the entire edge you will then stitch it to the hemline of the dress. One other way to gather the lace is to do so as you stitch along. Form gathers in the lace and stitch directly over the top of them. One easy way to make the gathers is to stretch out the four fingers on one hand. Place the spread fingers on the lace then squeeze the fingers together. The fabric will gather between each of the fingers and create the pleats. Sew the lace all the way around the hemline stitching right beside the original hem. Trying to stitch over the original hem stitches will give you a sloppy look to the stitching. The ends of the lace should meet at the center of the hemline on the front of the dress. The split in the front remains leaving plenty of room for walking and giving a flowing look to the gathered lace piece. If you want, you can add a wide, gathered lace to each side of the split. This gathered lace piece can be several inches wide and can even be stitched along the hem of the added lace piece. Its expensive to go out and buy a new dress every time youre invited to a formal party. Instead of going shopping look in your closet for a dress you can make over. Besides adding lace to a dress there are many other things you can do to change the look. Use shirt paints to make a glittery monogram on the blouse of the dress or simply change the buttons to flashy new ones. Save money and make your next formal yourself. Youll be proud to show it off!

Cheap but Fun Vacation

Every year, when summer vacation comes around, many people head towards the beach where they know theyll have lots of fun in the sun. They shop at the local stores and eat at cozy cafes, and spend a whopping amount of money. Some years, though, are a little skimpier than others. Money is a bit tighter and the thousands you would spend at a theme park or beach vacation simply arent there. Thats okay. You and your family can still have a fabulous time this summer for a fraction of the cost. You can swim, play video games, go boating and much more, to have one of the most memorable vacations ever.Often, when we settle for the next best thing, we end up finding out that it was much better than we thought. So, you dont get to go to the beach this year; you can still have fun in the water and fun in the sun. Check out campgrounds in the town youve chosen for your vacation, or even locally. Most towns have a local campground and large towns have several. If youve never been, youll be astonished at how much they have to offer.Even though a campground suggests youll be roughing it, that couldnt be further from the truth. Some people set up their campers, and others set up tents, but you dont necessarily have to do either. One option is to rent a cabin or camper on the grounds. Another choice is to stay at a hotel - or your own house - and just be a visitor to the campground. Many of them charge by the car load and that charge is minimal. The visitor price allows you to do most anything at the camp. However, there is sometimes a small, additional charge, per head, for pool privileges.Upon entering the campgrounds youll definitely see lots of people walking around. Some are on their way to the pool; others just finished swimming. People are on their decks or in their yards grilling. Look around some more and youll see people participating in all sorts of outdoor sports or hanging out in the video room. Theres activity everywhere.If you choose a campground which is set up beside a lake you have access to boating, water skiing and more. If the camp isnt by a lake you can still swim in the pool. Other things available at most campgrounds include indoor showers, video games, horseshoes, a DJ or live music on the weekends, dancing and the chance to meet lots of new people. Many people live at the campground and others just visit for a day or a weekend. Youll find that the intermingling of people while doing campground activities creates new friendships rapidly.If you intend to set up a camper while on vacation youll see that the sites are usually very tiny and, often, youre shoulder-to-shoulder with neighboring campers. Because of that, the campgrounds generally have a feel of a tiny, tight-knit community. However, newcomers are always welcome. Dont be surprised if strangers see you walking by and invite you to join their cookout.Be advised that many campgrounds allow drinking on the grounds. Others permit it as long as the alcohol bottles are not in sight. But, some campgrounds forbid alcohol on the premises at all. Its good to know ahead of time in case youll be wanting a few beers or in case you dont want your kids exposed to other people drinking around them.Whether youre a single person, a couple, or a family with kids, youll find lots of fun things to do - for very little money - when you visit a nearby campground. One note: statewide or nationwide campgrounds are often much more expensive than a local campground. Check online or in the phone book then call to see what all the campground offers and what the visitor prices are. Youll be pleasantly surprised!

3-D Block Puzzles for Young Kids

The next time youre near a craft store drop in and see the huge selection of fabulous supplies they have. One thing youll notice while youre there is the huge amount of wooden shapes they have. Look for small wooden blocks which can easily be turned into fun 3-D puzzles for your kids. The blocks are found in assorted sizes and generally come in a pack of several.

The blocks are sold in an all-natural condition but you can paint them if you want. When the paint is dry youll make the puzzle. Arrange the blocks of wood in a square or rectangular pattern. The blocks should all be butted tightly against each other.

Cut a picture from a calendar, magazine or another source. The image can even be cloth. The fabric or paper should be cut to the size of the wooden rectangle or square. This image will become the actual puzzle after you glue it to the blocks. Use a craft knife to cut the cloth or paper, between each block. When youre finished you should have several blocks that each contain a portion of the image. Trim around the outer blocks if needed. The puzzle is now finished or you can further embellish it. Use rubber stamping, stickers, or even markers to create designs for the blocks. Pay attention to which block is placed where so you wont embellish sides that wont show. Only the blocks around the perimeter should be embellished. This can even help really young kids get the individual blocks in order. Use Scrabble tiles to make something similar. Arrange the tiles on a piece of cardboard so that they spell out a phrase. Use blank tiles, or upside-down tiles, to make spaces between words. After youve glued on all the tiles youll use a razor to slice the cardboard. Its easiest to do this from the backside of the cardboard. Children who are learning to read will have hours of fun with this puzzle. Make a really cheap version of the kids puzzles by starting with a thick piece of cardboard. Or, stack and glue cardboard until its very thick. Now you can glue on a picture from a product box or even a family photo. Cut the cardboard into individual blocks. You dont necessarily have to use pictures, tiles or cloth images to create the puzzles. Draw a picture, freehand, on the set of blocks. Or, use stickers to spell out a phrase or saying. There are numerous ways to make the fun puzzles. One of the greatest things about these puzzles is, when theyre not in use, they can stand on a mantle, window sill or a shelf. They make unique conversation pieces and are always ready to use. They dont necessarily have to be for children, either. The puzzles, when put together and placed on a shelf, make unique decor pieces like none youve ever seen. The puzzles can have any number of themes, like cartoon characters, seascapes, holiday scenes, or even famous people. There are no limits to the different puzzles you can create in minutes. The puzzles can be placed in a box and given as a gift to any child. Theyre great to use as party favors, too. Give them out to children who attend your childs birthday and youll see many happy children. Use really large blocks to make a poster into a puzzle. These puzzles can be put together on the floor. When not in use they can simply be stacked against a wall. Save same-size, small cardboard boxes and make lighter weight puzzles that are just as much fun. Get kids in on the project by letting them align the wooden blocks and glue on the picture. Parents can then cut the blocks apart and turn them over to the children. They, and their friends, will have lots of fun putting the puzzles together again and again.

Cupcake Wrapper Wreath for Any Time of the Year

In days gone by cupcake wrappers came in pastel colors of yellow, blue, green or pink, but nowadays, the wrappers come in a huge variety of colors and patterns. Grocery stores now carry a larger variety, but if you really want a huge selection of choices, visit a party store. The stores carry cupcake wrappers with themes of cartoon characters and much more.

Cupcake wrappers normally are used to line a cupcake baking pan. They make it easy to pop the cupcakes out of the pan and give the eater a place to hold the dessert. The unused wrappers arent just for baking, though. They work great for creating a door wreath for any occasion - or for everyday use.

Its easy to make the cupcake wrapper wreath but it is a little time-consuming to create. Purchase a Styrofoam ring to start. Fold each wrapper in half, then in half again, until you have a wedge shape. The point of the wrapper is the exact center and is the area youll attach to the ring. Open the wrapper back up and use a straight pin to stick the wrapper to the ring. Start in the center of the ring. The inside of the ring is a small hole that will be difficult to reach if you cover the rest of the ring first. Start by pushing a pin through the center of one cupcake wrapper and position it inside the small circle of the Styrofoam ring. Place the next wrapper beside that one and use a pin to secure. Continue to work inside the center ring, and when its completely covered, work your way out towards the outer part of the ring. Work in a circular manner and place wrapper after wrapper on the ring. It does take some time to completely cover the ring with the wrappers but the finished look is beautiful. The pins you use can be ordinary straight pins since they will not be visible. Even though youll butt each wrapper against the previous one you dont want to push them together so tightly that the wrappers cant spread out. The spread out wrappers create a much fluffier look than if the wrappers are squished together. After youve completely covered the ring with the wrappers the wreath is basically finished. There are many different ways you can embellish the wreath. A simple bow can be hung at the top or bottom of the wreath or you can go even further to decorate the wreath. Glue on miniatures, trinkets or other novelties. Make the wreath for a special occasion, and use craft supplies to decorate it in that particular theme, or just create a wreath that can be used for any ordinary day. Its even possible to change one wreath to look like many. Glue small button magnets around the wreath and you can then attach any number of decorative items to them. The decorations dont have to be metallic. You can use a piece of magnetic sheeting, or a second button magnet, to make all sorts of items stick to the wreath. When using the magnets all you have to do is remove the old novelties and replace them with the new theme. Youll find all sorts of things that you can use to decorate the wreath when you visit your nearest dollar-theme store or craft store. Many miniatures are sold in a pack of assorted items that work great. Youll also find small magnets, in various shapes, to help you create the perfect wreath. Cupcake wrappers made of foil create an entirely different look for the wreath. Use gold or silver foil cups for Christmas, Valentines Day or even Easter. The foil cupcake wrappers are glitzy and work well for holiday designs. Youll enjoy the various looks you can create from the cupcake wrappers. Theyre inexpensive and will help you make a unique and beautiful wreath for your door.

Paper Box Wedding Cake Centerpiece

Theres one thing that most any craft store carries plenty of: paper mache boxes. The small boxes are very inexpensive, come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and can be used to make a fabulous wedding cake centerpiece for a shower or as a wedding decoration. The finished project is gorgeous but cost very little to make.

Paper mache boxes are generally brown. They can be easily painted, though, to create the color of the cake. You can make the cake any size you want, so choose three boxes, each one slightly larger than the next. When stacked, the proportions of the boxes should be such that they resemble a three-tier cake. In other words, the bottom box cant be gigantic, with a small center box and tiny top box. The dimensions need to be proportionate.

Paper mache boxes come with fitted lids and these lids need to be glued to the boxes to start making the cake. Turn each box upside-down and stack. Place the largest box on the bottom with lid down. Glue the next size box onto the first, then attach the smallest box on top. Each one should be centered and have the lid facing downward. Most any glue works fine for stacking the boxes. Paint the entire stack of boxes. The boxes can be individually painted before stacking and gluing or you can glue the arrangement together before painting it. Use spray paints or brush-on dimension paints. It may take several coats to completely cover the brown paper mache boxes. Give the arrangement a completely different look by gluing white lace onto each box before stacking them. The lace should first be draped over the top of each upside-down box. Use a rubber band to hold it in place while the glue dries. Trim the lace to where it hangs over the sides by about a half-inch or so. Now wrap the lace around the sides of each box and glue in place. The lace should be trimmed to where it barely hangs over the sides of the lids. Now stack the boxes and glue them together. The lace gives the finished cake an elegant look. Wrap a piece of wide, white ribbon around the lid area of each box. This will hide the raw edge of the lace plus will add dimension and elegance to the finished cake. The ribbon should be exactly as wide as the side of the lid. Hot glue works great for attaching the ribbons quickly. After the ribbons are in place begin adding floral pieces to embellish the cake. The flowers can be plastic or silk. They can be just about any size but make sure they are appropriate in size to the cake itself. Glue a flower and leaves on the very top of the cake. Or, choose to display the typical bride and groom ornament. Next, glue flowers around the bottom of the first box. Glue matching flowers around the bottom of the middle box. Finish by gluing flowers and leaves around the very bottom of the cake. The flowers and leaves really set off the cake so choose ones that look as real as possible. There are lots of different embellishments you can use to enhance the cake. Glue strands of pearls or gold beads in a zig-zag pattern around each of the three boxes. Or, glue the beads around the top of each box (not the lid). The strands of beads should be glued on the very edge of each tier. Instead of beads you can evenly space tiny golden rings, heart shapes, or other craft supplies on the cake. Make a huge arrangement to use as a centerpiece for a wedding shower or the wedding table. Or, make much smaller versions to decorate each individual table. The paper mache box cakes are beautiful yet very inexpensive. Make them for your own wedding or for the wedding of a friend. Youll get lots and lots of compliments!

Unique Greeting Card Wall Hanging You Make in Minutes

Over the holidays you may have received dozens of beautiful greeting cards but cards arent just for holidays, you know. There are cards to wish someone well, cards to tell a friend how much they mean to you, and cards that just say "Hi". Some cards can have a greeting written on the front whereas others save the writing for inside the card. Cards which have a beautiful picture, but no writing on the front, are perfect for creating a beautiful wall hanging in minutes.

Ordinary greeting cards can feature images of lighthouses, seascapes, rainbows, pets and other pictures. These ordinary pictures can easily become extraordinary wall hangings for a living room, den or bedroom. Simply cut the front of the card away from the back, at the fold, and youre ready to get started.

The small greeting card picture would make a very small wall hanging but you can make it much larger in a snap. Simply choose a much larger photo frame, with mat, to hold the greeting card. Center the card on the mat and place in the frame. Now the wall hanging is much larger than the picture and the featured greeting card becomes much bolder than it was. You can choose mats that have a cutout, so that the card can be positioned behind the opening, or a flat mat where you just center the card. Either way there are other decorative things you can do to create more interest. For example, stickers or stamps can help you create a theme for the card photo. Another option is to use metallic tape to stripe the mat. There are many techniques to make each picture unique. If you dont have a greeting card that is suitable for this project spend the buck or two to purchase one. Stores that sell greeting cards have hundreds of them from which to choose. That way, you pick the theme of the picture youll make from the card. Look for cards that have an intriguing picture or image, but ones that have no writing on the front. You can choose similar cards to make a set of wall hangings. Choose one with a lighthouse, for example, then another that features a seascape. Frame them in identical frames with identical mats. This is an easy way to create sets of 2, 3 or more. Create a different look by featuring one card in a huge frame, then two or more in smaller frames. Even the smaller frames should still be much larger than the card, though. The project doesnt necessarily have to be for greeting cards only. You can use the same technique to display postcards, antique addressed envelopes, old pictures and similar items. You arent limited to only one picture per frame, either. Center one larger picture and display two smaller ones beside it. Or, arrange three equally sized pictures in a much larger frame. The pattern and theme of the picture is strictly your own. Use markers, stickers, colored tape, flat wooden shapes, decorative punch outs, cut outs and similar items to decorate the frame, mat or both. There are lots of different ways to make each creation a one-of-a-kind wall hanging. Use specific cards to make wall hangings for particular rooms. For instance, save cards from a baby shower to create a set of wall hangings for a nursery. In this case you could use cards that have "Its a boy!" or "Its a girl!" written on the front of the cards. The next time you receive a beautiful card, or youre at a store that sells cards, have a look at the different themes. Chances are youll find a gorgeous image that you can use to create a new wall hanging for one room in your home. Youll enjoy the beauty and ease of the project so much that youll soon be displaying one in every room!

Magnetic Straw Photo Frame for Kids

You know those old, scratched cds you have lying around the house? Never, ever throw them away! There are many different crafts you can create from an old cd and most of them cost only pennies to make. One such craft uses drinking straws, or coffee stirrers, to make a unique photo frame that can hang inside a school locker or be hung on a wall. Its fun and easy to make but kids, especially, will enjoy this craft.

Choose the picture you want to feature. The photo doesnt necessarily have to be that of a child or family member. It can be a picture of the family dog, a lighthouse cut from a magazine, or even a beach scene at sunset. Cut the picture to where it will fit in the center of the cd. Glue the picture in place and allow to dry.

You can cut a piece of clear plastic or acetate to cover the picture, if you want. The cover will protect the picture from dust and dirt but is not absolutely necessary. If you decide to make a cover cut it slightly larger around than the picture. Glue the very edges of the plastic to the cd, covering the picture completely. Make sure none of the glue gets on the inside face of the plastic or on the picture itself. Craft stores sell various sizes and shapes of metal rings. A metal ring is inexpensive and works great to create a small frame around the picture. Although its not a requirement that you glue a metal ring around the picture it does offer a unique look that enhances the final project. Instead of metal you can use a plastic or foam ring, too. Have you seen coffee stirrers these days? Often available in dollar-theme stores the stirrers are available in bright, beautiful colors. Purchase them in boxes of assorted colors or in boxes that contain only one color. Or, choose regular drinking straws to complete the photo display. Straws are also available in various patterns and colors. Its much easier to create different looks by using the stirrers rather than ordinary straws. Start by gluing whole straws or coffee stirrers to the cd itself. One end of the straw should be butted against the metal or plastic ring - if you used one - or against the edges of the photo if you didnt. The opposite end of the straw or stirrer will stick out and away from the cd. Glue these straws to the cd and place them all the way around the cd. Now cut shorter pieces of the straws to form a second layer. These straws should be smashed flat at one end and glued shut. Hot glue works great for this step. Place these shorter straws against the ring or the picture and glue them to where they extend out to the very edge of the cd. Create a third layer of straws, with the ends smashed flat, which are much shorter than the second set of straws. If using stirrers there is no need to smash and glue the ends. Cut a piece of magnetic sheeting and stick it to the back side of the cd. This makes it easy to stick the straw photo frame inside a locker or on the refrigerator. Another option is to use double-sided tape to hold the creation to most any wall. Hang the unique photo frame in bedrooms, living rooms and dens. Create different looks for the straw frame by gluing on flat embellishments like painted wooden shapes. Or, forget placing a photo on the cd, glue on a small mirror instead, and create a unique mirror for most any room. Instead of straws or coffee stirrers you can also use broom straws, rolled pieces of decorative paper or even dowel rods. There are any number of different looks you can create by mixing and matching materials, colors and embellishments. Youll enjoy this craft which is cheap, easy and very unique.

Easy Race Car Decorating Tips for a Boys Room

Does a special boy in your life love race cars? Is he forever looking at car magazines and products? If so, there is an easy way to give him the bedroom of his dreams - featuring his favorite race car images - for mere pennies. Hell love the new look which is easy to accomplish. Cut out many, many car pictures and lets get started! A particular adhesive, called Decoupage, will help you decorate your sons room with race cars. The glue is found at most craft stores and some department stores. It resembles ordinary white glue and allows you to attach paper pictures to just about any object. The glue is inexpensive and one jar should do the whole room. For many objects you can simply use watered-down white glue to attach the pictures.

Turn an ordinary lamp into a race car lamp by using the decoupage to attach a car picture to the front of the lamp. A different design can be made by cutting out tiny car pictures and attaching them around the base perimeter. The decoupage can also be used to attach the pictures to the lampshade itself.

An ordinary bedroom trash can will look completely new when you use pictures of race cars to decorate it. The outer surface of the trash can must be smooth to get the best results from the decoupaged pictures. Glue a race car picture onto a piece of cardboard then cut around the image. The reinforced picture will look great on a boys bedroom mirror. Use double-sided tape to stick the car image to the mirror surface. The mirror will then have a 3-D effect that looks great. The tape will not ruin the mirror. Whenever you want to remove it just use fingernail polish remover to get rid of any tape residue on the glass. Race car stickers can also be used to create a new look for a boys bedroom. Use the stickers on light switch covers, drawer pulls and even picture frames. Choose stickers which have a clear background rather than the ones which are printed on white paper. Cut a variety of car pictures which are approximately the same size. These can become a fabulous wallpaper border for the bedroom. Reinforce the paper images by gluing them to cardboard. Trim around the car image so the cardboard is then the same shape as the car. Double-sided tape can be used to stick the cars on the wall, around the top perimeter. Or, omit the cardboard step and decoupage the car pictures directly to the wall. If there are any metal objects in the boys bedroom you can easily create a collection of car magnets. Purchase magnetic sheeting - by the roll or by the sheet - at any craft store. The sheeting has a peel-away adhesive backing which makes it easy to press the car pictures directly to the magnet. Trim around the image and stick the magnets to any metal surface. If the child has a dresser or night stand that is scratched or marred you can easily cover the bad places with decoupage and car pictures. After gluing the images in place use the decoupage to apply a coating that will protect the picture. If the boys bedroom has an adjoining bathroom you can even carry the theme into the adjoining bath. Use the decoupage to affix car pictures to a bar of soap. Allow to dry then coat the picture with the decoupage. Allow the glue to dry thoroughly before coating again and again. Add four or five coats of glue over the picture and it will last a long time. The soap can be used like ordinary soap. Its fun, easy and very inexpensive to create a race car theme for a boys room. Use pictures from magazines, books, product boxes and even posters. When youre finished your boys room will be the envy of all his friends!

Place Mat Game Boards You Make in Minutes

Nothing brightens a kitchen more than a beautiful table, but when its time to change those old place mats, dont throw them away - make some new games for the kids. Theyre cheap, theyre easy to make, and your kids will have years of fun with them.

Cloth place mats are best for making game boards. They can be decorated any way you want, and when the kids are finished playing, you can simply fold them up and put them away. It doesnt take a lot of money to make the game boards and there are several different games you can easily create.

One quick game is tic-tac-toe. Use fabric paints, rubber stamping, or other craft supplies to make the board. You can even cut lengths of roping and glue or stitch them onto the place mat. The creative touches are all yours! Look around a craft store to get lots of ideas on what you can use to embellish or create your game boards. There are any number of things you can use as the game pieces for your board. Dollar theme stores generally carry things like bags of checkers or bags of cheap chess pieces. Youll find all sorts of things you can use for game pieces. At home youll also find things you could use for pieces. Bottle cap lids, small character novelties, or even things from the bottom of the toy box. Make a checker board by using square stamps youve purchased or made. A simple square of cardboard can be used to create the stamp. Bend a chenille stick at the end, about an inch up, to make a handle for the stamp. Glue or tape the small portion of the chenille stick onto the back of the cardboard square. Use this to dip the square into the paint and to position it on the mat. Press down on the cardboard square with one hand to make sure the ink or paint transfers completely. Make a cardboard square - complete with handle - for each color. Use chalk and various size bowls to make a ball-toss game kids will love. Draw around a large bowl, onto the place mat, then make another circle inside that one using a slightly smaller bowl. Continue using smaller and smaller bowls until your place mat has a small circle in the center and larger ones all around it. You dont necessarily have to use bowls, most any circular objects will do. Write point scores between the rings. Use a piece of adhesive velcro, cut into small strips, to cover a ping-pong ball. Hang the finished game on a door or wall. Kids throw the velcro ball at the cloth place mat and it sticks. They can add up their points to find out who the winner is. Make extra balls - painted different colors - so other kids can play at the same time. Cut a piece of magnetic sheeting to almost the size of the place mat. Position the sheeting, sticky side down, on the place mat. Cut letters and numbers out of cloth and place a small magnetic strip on the back of each one. Kids can use the place mat as a spelling mat. They can stick the letters to the place mat to spell out their name, spelling words or their own sentences. Theyll have hours of fun with this game. If you want to make a temporary game for the kids use tape or chalk. You can draw the lines and other designs on the game then throw the place mat in the laundry when the kids are done. Do the same with colored tape. Tear strips of tape to make the sections of the board then remove the tape when finished. Wash as usual. Old cloth place mats dont have to be stuffed in a closet just because you got new ones. Use the old ones to make a variety of games for your kids, and when they get bored, whip out one or all of the games. Theyll have lots of fun and hold on to the games for years.

Wallpaper Trough Deck Planters

If youve ever hung wallpaper, or seen it being hung, youre probably familiar with the long, plastic trough used to dip the wallpaper. Pre-pasted wallpaper must be dampened before hanging and the trough makes it easy to do just that. Roll the wallpaper through the trough to get it wet, then position it on the wall. The troughs are available at most any place that sells wallpaper. When youre finished hanging the wallpaper, though, its a good idea to rinse out the trough and save it rather than throw it in the garbage. Thats because you can make a fabulous planter for your deck or yard by using the old trough.

One of the fabulous things about making a planter from a plastic trough is that you can fill it with artificial or real flowers. Align small pots of real flowers along the bottom of the trough or fill the trough with dirt and grow the flowers or plants right in the dirt. Using real flowers means youll have to have drainage for water. Heat a nail and poke several holes in the bottom of the trough before arranging the plants inside.

If youre using artificial plants youll need a way to keep them in place. Glue a long piece of Styrofoam in the bottom of the trough or even use half balls of Styrofoam to hold individual groupings. Glue the half balls, flat side down, along the bottom of the trough. Push the artificial plants and flowers into the balls. The flowers dont necessarily have to stick straight up; push some of them in at various angles to make the planter seem fuller. Whether youre using real or fake plants it may be necessary to weight the trough planter. Partially fill the bottom with rocks, gravel, marbles or other heavyweight items. If youll be setting the planter on a deck you can wire it to the rails rather than weight it. Poke holes in the bottom, whether the plants are real or fake, and thread wire through them. Twist the wire under the handrails to secure the planter. Make a window planter by screwing the troughs under the windows in front of your house. Glue metal washers to the inside of the planter before attaching it to help prevent the plastic trough from cracking while attaching it to the house. The troughs look great but cant hold a lot of weight when hanging. Use plants that require little water or select lightweight artificial plants. Set the planters on decks, porches or other areas outside. Although they look great outdoors they can also sit on mantles, dressers or counters. The trough planters add color, dimension and interest to just about any area of the house - indoors or out. There are many different ways to dress up the ordinary plastic troughs. Paint them with paints especially designed for plastics. Use waterproof adhesives to glue on any number of embellishments. Some choices might include fake rocks, pea gravel, wooden shapes, plastic novelties or even fake jewels. There are no limits to the different designs you can create by using inexpensive craft supplies. If you dont have leftover troughs from a wallpapering job you can simply purchase them at any home improvement store. They are very inexpensive and easy to find in the wallpaper department. One problem is that they arent available in a variety of sizes so you have to work with the size they have. Get busy making your own wallpaper trough planters and youll be thrilled with the results. Youll love the look so much youll end up creating many planters to dress up the porch, the deck, the mantle and more. This project is inexpensive, easy to make and will add much color and interest to any area of your home.

Aromatic Coasters for Hot Drinks and Dishes

Do you know what plastic canvas is? If youve never had any experience with plastic canvas it is a grid, similar to a screen, but made from plastic. The canvas is used for all sorts of craft projects and decor creations. Usually yarn or twine is used to weave in and out of the grid to create the plastic canvas designs. For this project you wont use thread, yarn or twine.

Cut two squares of the plastic canvas for each coaster you want to make. Use fabric of your choice to cover the canvas. The cloth you choose is important. Thick, bulky fabrics are not ideal. Thin cloth, that will allow the scent to easily escape, is perfect. Lace, and similar materials, will not work well for covering the canvas.

Lay the square of canvas on the wrong side of the fabric. Draw around it. Cut the fabric a half-inch larger, all the way around, so youll have enough to tuck under. Apply the glue to the edges of the fabric, tuck them underneath, and use clothes pins to hold until dry. After youve covered all the canvas squares youll add the scent to the coasters. Sprinkle a tablespoon of powdered or ground cinnamon on the wrong side of one cloth-covered canvas piece. Make sure you keep the cinnamon away from the very edges of the squares. Set a second canvas square on top of the first one, with wrong sides together. Glue the two canvas pieces together. Use clothes pins to secure until glue is dry. Make something similar to set on your table for holding hot pans. Cut the canvas larger, sprinkle a larger amount of cinnamon, then glue the two matching pieces together. If you want, you can glue roping on to the edges of the pan holders. When hot pots are placed on the pads the aroma is released. Likewise, when hot drinks are set on the aromatic coasters, the scent will fill the air. The coasters are not recommended for cold drinks. Cut the pan holders into shapes of ovals, squares, rectangles or any other shape. Consider the size of the pan holder when deciding how much scent to add. If cinnamon isnt your favorite scent there are other ways to create different aromas. Dry potpourri will help you do just that. Dry potpourri is generally sold in bags of various scents. The pieces of potpourri are usually large, though, and not suitable for the flat coasters. Select the scent you like and look through the potpourri. Choose pieces which can be cut into small, flat pieces. Use scissors to cut select pieces into tiny bits. Sprinkle the bits atop one canvas piece before gluing on the second canvas. Make sure the pieces will all lay flat before gluing the top on. If you sew you have the choice of stitching the cloth onto the canvas rather than using glue. Pin the fabric to both pieces of canvas, trapping the scent between the two. Place them with wrong sides together and stitch all the way around the perimeter. You dont necessarily have to set hot drinks on the coasters and heat pads to enjoy the aroma they provide. Warm them up slightly in the microwave then set them around the kitchen or in another room. The pads can be reheated over and over, on a very low temperature, for a few seconds. Do not put the pads in a conventional oven or toaster oven. Make the coasters and pads reversible by using different fabrics on each side. The coasters and pads can easily be made for holidays, special occasions - or every day use. They are so easy and inexpensive you can create many different sets for little money. Make them to give your friends and family, too. They make great gifts for weddings, birthdays and just to say "thank you" to an acquaintance.

Change Your Shutters Anytime You Want in Minutes

The great thing about owning your own home is that you can change the decor anytime you want. That is, if you can afford to change it. Updating the look of a room, the yard, or the outside of the house can be extremely expensive. There are some things you can do, though, which will give an area of your home a new look without costing much money. These projects are usually fun and easy and can make you feel as though youve really accomplished something.

When it comes to your homes shutters there are few options. Paint them, replace them, or do away with them altogether. Since the latter isnt welcomed by most people with shutters youre left with replacing them or painting them. Replacing them is expensive and unnecessary unless they are in a state of disrepair.

Whether you have the money or time to paint the shutters, and whether or not they even need painted, doesnt matter anymore. You can update the look of them for pennies and change their design anytime you take the notion. Thats because theres another option that many people overlook. Working with button magnets makes it easy to give your home a different appearance for holidays or any day. When shutters are affixed to the house one screw is placed at the top of the shutter and another placed at the bottom. These two screws generally hold the shutters in place, but often, there is a third screw which is in the center of the shutter. If your shutters dont have this third, middle screw you can easily install one. This center screw is all important when it comes to decorating the shutters. Decorate a button magnet, place it on the center screw, and watch your shutters come to life! Using button magnets you can create all sorts of different looks for your homes shutters. The button magnets are sold at any craft store and come in packs of several. The magnets are available in different sizes of circles - or even as flat, square magnets. These small magnets are just what you need to make different attachments for the shutters. There are any number of trinkets, novelties and other things that you can attach to your shutters. Check craft stores, home improvement stores, or even around the house to find various pieces. Its okay if the piece you want isnt metallic. You can add magnets to just about anything! If the item you choose to display is metal all you have to do is stick the magnet to the backside of it and place it on the center screw of the shutter. If it is wood or ceramic youll need to first glue the magnet onto the trinket. Be sure to use a type of glue that is waterproof. Hot glue is not appropriate for this project. If you want to leave the magnets on the shutters year-round you can sometimes use magnetic sheeting to create the different looks for the shutters. Stick the button magnet to the screw then place items on magnetic sheeting. These items are then magnetic and will easily stick to the button magnet on the shutter. Make an assortment of magnets and youll have unique shutters for any occasion or event. Hang magnetic wreaths during Christmas, magnetic Easter bunnies at Easter or even giant hearts on Valentines Day. Its fun to make the magnets and theyre generally inexpensive. Youll find many different plastic things you can use, at a dollar theme store, that will look great on the shutters. You might not have money or time to paint, remodel and do other updates, but anyone has the time and money to change their shutters on a whim. Visit a nearby craft store, dollar theme store, or department store to find many ideas for your home!

Tips to Help You Avoid a Shark Attack

Whether youre sightseeing in a boat, deep sea fishing, or even scuba-diving there are always risks. Storms can arise suddenly when youre out to sea or the boat youre in can suddenly be damaged. No one wants to think about being stranded out to sea, but should that ever happen to you, there are things you can do to help better your odds against shark attacks.

Although some sharks are considered man eaters, and others arent, any breed of sharks can - and will attack - if the circumstances are right. The size of the shark has no bearing on whether or not a shark will attack you. If hes hungry enough, has mistaken you for food, or is just an aggressive feeder, you could be in serious danger.

Sharks are generally large and few people would be able to fend one off successfully if the shark decided you were his next meal. There are a few things you can do, though, to increase the odds that any nearby shark will ignore you. Float. Splashing the water with hands and feet will only attract sharks. Quick, noisy movements resemble movements of large fish, thereby attracting nearby sharks. Float as much as possible, but if you have to swim, do so with long strokes. Dont dog paddle; that causes commotion that can attract sharks. If there are others with you get in a huddle. Position your backs to one another so that you are facing outward. The huddle will not only provide warmth and keep you all together it will also leave you in a position where you can look out for approaching sharks. Should one approach use a hard object, like a stick or a knife, to poke him hard on the snout, in the gills or the eyes. If you have no weapon kick him with your foot as hard as possible. Aim for snout, gills and eyes. Should one member of the group vomit its imperative to swim away from it or push it away. Urinate when you need to but paddle away after passing solid waste. If you can, gather the solid waste and throw it as far as possible. If needed, paddle even further away from the waste. Remain as calm and quiet as possible. Sharks can sense fear and can hear even the tiniest noises from miles away. Avoid yelling, crying, and even talking as much as possible. The quieter you are the less likely your chances of calling attention to yourself or your group. If a shark is approaching you alone do not turn and swim away from it. Face towards the shark but swim off to one side, using long, regular strokes. Dont panic and swim frantically - that will interest the shark even more. Swimming away from the shark, with your back towards him, makes him think you are prey trying to escape. If you are just playing in the sea, or walking in the waves, avoid doing so at nighttime, dusk or dawn. These are the most active times for many sharks. Remove any reflective jewelry before entering the water. Shiny objects can resemble fish scales to sharks. Most sharks dont have acute vision. Most people know that its a huge taboo to go in the water if bleeding. Even the tiniest razor nick can attract a hungry shark. The smallest drop of blood can be detected by most any shark. Also, many people think if there are porpoises nearby that there arent any sharks. Not true. Porpoises and sharks often have the same taste in foods. Sharks can attack a person in shallow water or deep, at night or during the day, whether theyre known as man eaters or not. Take caution any time you enter the ocean and follow a few simple tips to protect yourself. Its not guaranteed that a shark still wont attack you but your odds are better if you follow a few simple rules.