Wood Shims Christmas Tree
It is the project you need to make this Christmas! Have you made a Christmas Tree out of wood shims yet? I have seen so many of them all around and always wanted to make one but as with everything it has to be at the right time. Couldn’t sleep last night so decided to craft. If you follow me for some time you know I always look for this special nativity scene. On my trip to Dollar Tree I found beautiful nativity set wooden cutouts so I grab couple of them to see if I may make one that will end my nativity scene set. Are you ready for some Christmas diy? Let’s learn together how to build Christmas nativity scene
Supplies needed
- nativity cut out
- hot glue gun and glue sticks
- acrylic paint
- Elmers Glue
- MINI CROWN
How to make a wood shims Christmas tree
This whole project started from my trip to Dollar Tree . If you follow me for some time you know I always look for that special manger .. that special nativity scene to have it displayed in my house for the holidays. There are so many out there but either they are missing something or they are too much or they are just not my cup of tea . On my last trip to Dollar Tree I spotted so many new wooden cutouts. One of them was Christmas nativity scene . I knew right away that i need to get one and try to make my own. Cutout was nothing special but I was hopeful so I grabbed couple just in case
My plan was to use wood shims and built similar enclosure out of my wood shims because this cut out is small so I was looking for some statement . As I was playing around with my wooden shims my plan started to change. Wooden shims are easy to cut with my super heavy duty Fiskars scissors so creating something in the square shape wouldn’t be a problem. As I was laying my plan down I decided I am going to build my enclosure for nativity scene in the shape of Christmas tree! Loved that idea immediately. What a perfect idea for Christmas diy!
Steps to make wooden shims Christmas tree.
There are so many beautiful Wood shims trees out on Pinterest. I always wanted to make one but i knew it i have to make it my own at the right time .. I think I was ready to make one . So many of them are being spaced out from to top to bottom but you know me I follow my own plan. My goal was to create that mountain like lookin cabin with typical roof line so I took 5 shims and decided only space them at the bottom to create that pretty skirt
Decided to separate each layer around 2 inches and hot glue them in place. As you can see all is looking awesome! Love love love my roof line aka Wood shims Christmas tree.
My Dollar Tree nativity scene seems to look a bit weird now but I am not going to worry about it now. Time to add some juice to my project. Just becasue Wood Shims are not that smooth adding a Weavrly Wax was my best option. It is super fun process … smear your stain and wipe it with dump paper towel or baby wipe.
My goal was to make my nativity scene have that rustic suit to complement my wooden shims texture. So adding a crackle effect seemed so perfect.
How to crackle wood shims
- apply Elmers glue or any school glue
- dry gently to the point that is still tacky
- apply acrylic paint with soft brush. Make sure to apply paint in one direction
- dry your paint and watch crackle to happen
Make sure to check that blog post with video for details how to crackle paint with Elmers glue HERE
Super easy and full or character finish to any project. Apply more glue to bigger crackle or tiny bit for small one.
Time to build a base for our Christmas Nativity scene. My goal was to make base wider then roof line because my Dollar tree cutout was wider then my shims and I wanted to use its grooves to position my scene
How to build Christmas nativity scene
Not going to lie I had a hard time figuring it out how to position all pieces on that tiny board. It seams my kings were not needed .. so sad to say. Didnt want to be crowded so I decide to add another layer to my Wood shims Christmas tree to set them there.
Couple of Dollar Tree ornaments that I actually love and I think I was done. Those white trees are not easy to find so I attempted to make them .. Will share that tutorial soon so keep your eyes open
a little details here and there and my Nativity Scene was beautifully set in my Wooden shims Christmas tree. Had to add a tiny crown for my baby Jesus. What a statement that is. You can get them on Amazon HERE
I am actually surprised how this ornament from Dollar Tree fits here perfectly! Love white Christmas ornaments from that store. Perfect star of Bethlehem dont you think so ?
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To make things even more special I decided to add here and there some of the Diamond dust to just bring that additional detail
Little bit of gold here and there .. In this case i used my liquid old gold leaf and absolutely love it !!! love my Christmas diy I mention that yet ?
Someone needs to take a camera from me!! I absolutly love my nativity set in its rustic yet glamour version. Little spool for my Christmas tree trunk makes it all
it is for sure my perfect Christmas diy this year! I am so in love! Good thing it is also budget friendly
Not going to lie .. Love me some MacKenzie Childs patterns. I was so close to add this to my Christmas project but I know I will be working on the second set soon. Check my Thrift store flip with crackle HERE
I so hope this project will inspire you to make one for yourself. Cant wait to see yours soon
Did I mention that I love crackle? HERE is my take with video on the Dollar Tree candle
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