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June 27, 2012

Summer DIY: Summer Shim Wreath















It's day three of the Splish Splash Blog Bash & I can't believe 
we're already halfway through our party week!!!

And you know we couldn't have a party without some fun crafts & snacks up our sleeves. 
Each of the ladies above is sharing either a fun DIY or a yummy recipe so definitely be sure to check what everyone is up to today!!!

I can't promise much in the whole food arena
(trust me, you just don't want me to go there!) 
but I can give you a fun summer DIY cuz it's what I love most :)

And if you're just starting to hang with me,
you'll learn super quick that I LOVE wreaths. 
So of course, my summer DIY is a wreath...but not just any old wreath.
How about one made with these guys? 


Yup, good old fashioned shims.

I promise, they just look boring.
They have all kinds of amazing potential stored away in those thin planks of wood!!!

Today, I'm showing you how to make this guy: 



Now, tell me that doesn't look like a way fun summer wreath to have hanging around!!

Here's what you need: 
*2 Packs of Wooden Shims 
(I got mine at Lowes for super cheap)
*Exacto Knife
*Stain (or paint) in your color choice
*Various scrapbook papers
*Mod Podge
*6 in. flat wooden circle (Hobby Lobby) 
*Small routed wood circle (Hobby Lobby)
*Hot Glue Gun
*Wooden Monogram (optional) 


First, get your shims looking the way you want. 
I stained the fronts and sides of them with some dark walnut stain. 
I wanted to be able to distress them to let the stain show through once I adhered the paper. 

After the stain dried, 
I used my exacto knife to cut perfect shim-shapes (hehe) out of my paper. 
Then I mod-podged them onto the shims. 
Distress if desired to let the stain (or paint) show through. 


I used a bunch of oranges, yellows, whites & faux wood to make a pretty mix. 
Love all the bright, summery colors together!!


Once you have all your shims gussied up the way you like,
grab your flat wooden circle and use it as your backing to glue the shims to. 
Arrange one layer of shims in a sunburst pattern all the way around. 


Then go back around with another layer of shims to fill in the gaps from your first round.
Once you have everything placed the way you like,
use the glue gun to adhere the shims to the wooden circle. 
The first layer of shims will be glued to the circle, the second layer you glue the shims on top of each other. 


For the center of my wreath,
I stained another wooden circle (a cuter one!) with the same dark walnut stain I used earlier. 
Then I just popped on a cute white "h" to finish it off! 


I think it's a way fun & different type of wreath to welcome in the summer sunshine :)
Although our sunshine can lay off a bit around here if it wants, 
I'm okay with having a day under 100 degrees, if it pleases you Mr. Sun!


I love that I get to use colors I don't usually get to have around my house!!
Wouldn't it be fun for all kinds of seasons though?? 
Any excuse to use cute scrapbook paper, right? 















What do you think? 
Just funky & colorful enough for summer? 

I'd love to know what colors you would use!! 

And don't forget to pop by these wonderful ladies and see what they've been up today: 
Participating blogs: 
White Lights on WednesdayA Turtle's Life for MeMine for the MakingFour Marrs and One VenusMom 4 RealShaped by GraceShabby Sweet TeaGet Outta My Head PleaseGallamore WestTattered and Inked




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30 comments:

  1. This is really fun! It reminds me of those sunshine mirrors. I bet you could do something similar with paint sticks too!

    Brie @ Breezy Pink Daisies

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  2. I love this Kelsey! Adding this idea to my T0-D0 list!

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  3. I love it. I have been wanting to make something with shims. I'm gonna try this

    Hugs

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  4. You are so craft! I love this idea- you totally are amazing girl!

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  5. Great job! It totally looks like a sunburst! :) I like your color pallet too!

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  6. I love this, I actually have plans to do something similar in my guest room- only putting a mirror in the middle. I appreciate the how-to!

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  7. This is gorgeous. How creative! I love any project requiring Mod Podge. I am definitely going to keep this in mind for a summer project.

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  8. What a fun idea to use the shims for a sunburst! I love all the different patterns you used:-)

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  9. Love this. pinning it now! I found this via Craftionary.

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  10. This is adorable and so creative. Hope you can link this up at my trendy tuesday party!! http://www.sweetlittlegals.com/2012/06/trendy-tuesday-6.html

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  11. I love this, such visual impact. Thanks for linking up.

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  12. This is amazing! You should come link this up to the CSI Project. The challenge this week is wood. SO come on over. You just might win!!!!
    www.thecsiproject.com
    We always love having you!

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  13. I love this! I needed to go to Lowes or stain, so I will definitely be getting some shims to make this wreath! The colors you used are perfect!

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  14. Super cool summer wreath! Love the patterns.

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  15. That is really, really, cute! I think we have a whole bunch of shims somewhere, of course we only needed like 2 from the whole big package. :)

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  16. I love this! What a great idea! I love the colors and the monogram in the middle! Would love for you to share at the Pomp Party!

    http://jill-createcraftlove.blogspot.com/2012/06/pomp-party-24.html

    Jill @ Create.Craft.Love.

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  17. I love this wreath! awesome job!

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  18. So cute! I really like the paper you used and the cute "h" just added some personalization that you don't see in the other starburst wreaths floating around Blogland =) Love it!

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  19. So cute! The possibilities could be endless here!! Found you via 504 Main :)

    - - Fotini { http://glamorousbride.blogspot.com }

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  20. Love it, thinking of making one using Washi tape, thanks for the idea!!

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  21. I love this it is so cute! I would love for you to share this at my link party going on now
    http://thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.com/2012/07/share-it-link-party-19.html

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  22. A really nice quick and simple craft :) thanks for sharing!
    JoAnn

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  23. Thanks so much for sharing with us on Someday Crafts today! We will be featuring your project in our post tonight! Thanks for the inspiration!!

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  24. What a fun idea! Looks great! I'll have to try it out!

    I've got a new blog I've just started! I'd love some new followers - if you don't mind taking a peek! Thanks! http://beyondthegradebook.blogspot.com

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  25. How cute is that? What a great idea! I need something for the front of my house....hmmm....you've got me thinking ;)

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  26. Gorgeous. I love the colors.

    Make sure you stop by and share this at my Flaunt It Friday link party.
    Can't wait to see more posts.
    http://www.blissfulbucketlist.com/2012/07/flaunt-it-friday-4_12.html

    Sarah@
    www.blissfulbucketlist.com

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  27. I have never distressed wood or paper before. Can you tell me how you acheived that look on this wreath?

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  28. Hi - I featured your wood shim wreath in an Outdoor Fall Wreath Roundup. Please feel free to check it out and share should you wish! http://wp.me/p6SboH-5E
    Thanks!
    - Victoria

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