shark attack!

I have been friends with Helen since our pre-teen years, and if there's anyone's birthday I do not forget, it's hers.  She's obsessed with Shark Tank-- trading in her Friday nights for some QT with Mister Mark Cuban. Personally, I love the baldy, O'Leary, but it's not a show I normally watch. For her birthday last year she wanted to stay-in and watch her favorite show (bunch of party animals aren't we? #latetwenties) with our NY family and good food and drinks.

I had some time to kill between getting off work and the party so I decided to make shark party hats. Last minute inspiration from Dani of Sweet Dani B (thank God for smartphones!). I didn't have too much to work with since I wasn't at home, but I macgyver-ed my way through it and they were a hit!

I found paper plates at Emily's, picked up rubber cement and a black folder from Duane Reade, and luckily, she lives near 1 of 2 Party City's in NYC so I was able to pick up a pack of 12.

The most tedious part would have to be the teeth (naturally). If I wasn't working with paper plates, I would've cut out long strips of paper and snipped triangles back and forth in a zig-zag pattern ,but don't worry about uniform cuts, I think it makes the sharks look more ferocious!

Because the teeth were warped (paper plate!) and the black "paper" was glossy folder finish, they didn't stick well and I had to be patient... not a trait my friends and family would tell you that I have mastered. But you should wait(!) because it makes it that much easier to trim the excess "teeth". After that, it was a breeze, glued everything and waited for the party girl to arrive.

Et voilà! Despite numerous tweets to @ABCSharkTank and a certain Shark neighbor in Emily's building, unfortunately it didn't gain any traction.  Although little tedious (gluing all those teeth!), they're an easy project (not to mention cheap!) that makes everything a little more festive, wouldn't you say?

I've since been thinking about other simple DIYs that I can make with the classic party hat!

Happy Birthday again Helen!