shims Archives - Farmhouse Chic Blog

I recently inherited a gorgeous antique table that has been a part of my family for many years! I placed it in my entry, but it was in dire need of some pretty decor! I had a simple and cheap idea to create an inviting entryway sign!

Here’s what you’re going to need:

11 shims
hot glue gun and glue (or wood glue)
desired tray
chalkboard paint
chalk and/or chalk pen
burlap or desired ribbon

First, grab your shims, use two on the bottom as your base, laying horizontally, and begin laying others on top vertically. Use a hot glue gun or wood glue to attach them. Next I spray painted mine white, and let dry. I had a ornate looking tray I purchased from the dollar store that had just been sitting around, so I taped off the sides with painters tape, just revealing the center and sprayed it with chalkboard paint. I gave it two even coats and let dry thoroughly. To activate the chalkboard paint, grab a piece of chalk and rub over the surface a few times, and wipe off.

To create support for the back of the sign, I simply cut two shims to size, creating a V shape, and glued into place. This gives the sign even stability with little effort!

I wanted to add a little rustic pizzaz to the sign, so I cut a piece of burlap ribbon I already had to a width similar to one shim. I glued one end of burlap to the back of the tray, the other end I also glued to the back of the sign. I added a simple burlap bow, attaching it with an alligator clip so I can easily remove it and add holiday decor when it comes time!

I use a chalk pen for writing, I find it much easier! And I just added a simple little quote! What I love about this is I can change it at any time and personalize it depending on the occasion!

This project cost me well under $5, how can you beat that?!

Sharing this project on these lovely blogs!

I was in the mood to craft, so I started looking around the house for things to use. I came across a couple handfuls of shims and had the idea of making a sign for the front porch.

I started by playing with a design, mis-matching lengths to give it an aged feel. With your heated glue gun ready, lay two shims parallel to each other horizontally, this is what you will use as the base of your sign; you will glue all the pieces to it. One thing I loved most about the shims I used, is they had natural wear and holes! Play around with a design your happy with and glue into place. I grabbed a pencil and began free-handing ” Egg Hunt –>”… I thought it would be super adorable on the front porch and couldn’t wait to bring it to life! I used a beautiful, teal colored craft paint called Sea Breeze. It took me awhile to fill in the wording, I used a fine-tip paintbrush to edge the letters and a small paintbrush to fill them in. It made the letters on the natural wood sign POP! While that was drying, I begin working on the stand for the back. I broke a shim in two and glued one at an angle and let dry. The other I glued directly below it and attached it at the bottom. This made the piece more sturdy and less apt to fall. I let the entire piece dry for about an hour and then I went back and used a distressed ink and very lightly smeared it over the lettering. I wanted the sign to appear weathered and age and I think I accomplished it.. I think it’s a great addition to our front porch, what do you think?

Sharing this project on these lovely blogs!

{ Enjoy The Little Things }

{ Adorable Easter Porch Sign }