How to make a Mini Pallet Valentine Sign
How to make a mini pallet sign for Valentines Day.
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Supplies for a Mini Pallet:
- wood shims
- electric sander (this is my favorite because it's small, light, and fits in the palm of my hand)
- staple gun
- white chalk paint (or find out how to make your own chalk paint)
- large piece of scrap paper (something heavy is best, like 12" cardstock)
- red acrylic craft paint
- foam brush
- Valentines-themed rub on (optional)
I found a pack of large, 15" cedar shims from Lowes and used them to create my pallet. Wood shims come in all sizes, depending on how big you want your pallet to be. I think the 15" ones are the largest.
What I wasn't counting on was how 'rugged' the large, cedar shims are. Can wood be hairy? Before I could use them, I needed to give each one a good sanding.
How to Make a Mini Pallet
To create a pallet with the shims, I lined the shims side by side, thick end to thin end, until I had the length I wanted, which was basically a big square. Then I laid two shims perpendicular (one on each side), making sure they were in contact with each shim going the opposite way and staple-gunned them into place.
I painted my DIY pallet white being careful not to paint it too perfectly. I wanted this sign to look old after all.
While it was drying, I cut a large heart from a piece of scrapbook paper, essentially making a large stencil. Making a perfect heart with even sides is easy, just fold your paper in half and cut out half a heart. When you open your paper you have a perfectly uniform heart. But you probably already knew that.
Once dry, I lightly sanded the heart to distress it and make it look aged and then I added a rub-on word.
The red and white is bright and vibrant, while still looking as though it was created a long time ago! The pallet isn't perfect, but that adds to the character.
Turns out it's easy to make mini pallets, and it's an affordable craft! I think it would be great to have one for every season.
Have you made a mini pallet sign before? Or used wood shims to create signs? I'd love to hear about your experience!
I hope you join me for more Valentine's project tutorials over the next couple of weeks. I also have some great kid's Valentine's crafts that I'll be sharing too, as well as the tutorials for the projects I shared from my Valentines decor.
See you soon friends :)
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This blog's content is for entertainment purposes only and is not professional advice. By reading this blog and attempting to recreate any content shared on it, you assume all responsibility for any injuries or damages incurred. Read my full disclaimer here.
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This blog's content is for entertainment purposes only and is not professional advice. By reading this blog and attempting to recreate any content shared on it, you assume all responsibility for any injuries or damages incurred. Read my full disclaimer here.
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What a fun project! Thanks so much for the inspiration and the pop of color. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy, happy day to you!
karianne
Oooooh, the Queen of RockStars left a comment on my blog! Now I'm almost famous, lol! It IS a happy day :) Thanks so much Karianne, for taking time out of your busy day to stop by!!
DeleteI love your Valentine mini pallet!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Artsy VaVa; I love your name :)
DeleteHave a great week!
I have been looking for something "Valentiney" to make for our new home and I think this is it! It is adorable. I just have one question, Are you saying that you alternated the shims direction so that the ends went thick, thin, thick thin?
ReplyDeleteHi Kim, yes that is exactly what I did... it looks more balanced that way and is sturdier bc the thin sides are very thin and break easily so by alternating the widths, it gives the whole sign more stability. Hope that makes sense :)
DeleteThese are so cute! I love anything made from pallets (or faux pallets!). Thanks for sharing and inspiring! ~Lisa @ Practically Perfect Home
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome Lisa! I agree - anything pallet is my fave right now :)
DeleteThanks for sharing your mini pallet valentine at The Pin Junkie. It was featured in today's Valentine's roundup. http://www.thepinjunkie.com/2014/01/valentines-day-crafts.html Please stop by to grab a featured button and don't forget to join the party this evening! Hope to see you there!
ReplyDeleteThis is super cute! Thanks for sharing. (found you on the linkup) and immediately thought wow that is CUTE! I'm gonna have to try this.
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you Anita! I'm thrilled that you like it and really hope you try it. It's a quick craft and you're right, super cute!! Thanks for letting me know :)
DeleteAdorable!!! What is a rub on word?
ReplyDeleteThanks Dawn! You can find rub-on letters and words in the scrapbooking section of craft stores. They come with a rub-on tool (usually a popsicle stick, lol). You cut out the one you want to use, peel off the protective backing, place it where you want it and rub over the top (it also has a protective plastic) with the tool. Then you peel off the plastic and "Voila", your rub-on is now permanently attached to your project! It's a great alternative to painting or stenciling in some cases :)
DeleteI love this! Could add a little to it too.....like put an "I" in the upper left hand corner of the heart (on the white slat) and at the bottom right part of the heart (also on the white slat) write the names of who lives there (i.e. mom, dad, kids and pet names, etc.). Too cute!!
ReplyDeleteJH
Love this look. Would love to make one for my mantel. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you Brooke!
DeleteOMG! Cutest thing ever! You could use paint sticks as well! I always have those around my studio! Love the look, thanks for the idea Cindy!
ReplyDeleteAw you are sweet Leanne! I agree that paint sticks would be great for this project! Thanks for your words, enjoy the project!!
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