Ruler Growth Chart

Oh how I LOVE a knock-off, especially of the Pottery Barn kind! ;) I'm so obsessed with PB, but can rarely afford more than a picture frame from that place! I basically flip through the catalog when it comes (oh happy day!), wipe the drool from my mouth, and try to get inspiration for decorating in PB fashion, but on my not-so-PB budget.

So when I saw this awesome tutorial on this knockoff PB growth chart, I was SO excited! It's adorable, easy, and crazy cheap! Cost me $10 - for real. Here's the original from PB Kids:

It's since been discontinued, but their vinyl decal growth charts are in the $130 range, so my guess for a wooden one, it'd be even higher;). Here's my version:

 Here's how I did it. First, I picked up a 1x8x6 board from Lowe's, and some stain (I used Golden Oak).

Total cost: 10 big ones. I painted on two coats (let them dry in between coats), and brushed off the excess with a rag after each coat. Then it was time for the "ruler" part.

This is ALL you need. I pulled out the measuring tape, and lined it up starting the ruler at the 6 inch mark. Was that a confusing sentence? I apologize. Sometimes it's easier in my head than it is to write down;). Basically, I didn't want the chart starting at the floor, so I started it where it would be hung on the wall. See what I mean?

Then I just made markings with a pencil along the left side, with the measuring tape guiding me where to mark. I made the quarter inch lines longer, to make it look like a real ruler. Then, I used stencils I already had to make the numbers. I tried to find larger ones, but they all seemed too large, so I just decided to give these 1 1/2 inch ones a try. Worked pretty well.

Then it was time to just go over my markings with a paint marker. LOVE paint markers! It's like using a Sharpie - so simple!

It was a little tricky to hang (for one person at least! Guess I could have waited for Hubs to get home, but that was like HOURS away! Naptime Decorator has zero patience with things like this, I needed it hung and needed it hung right. that. minute;). I wanted to make sure it was perfectly accurate, so you know, this could actually be used as a growth chart. It only took two tries, surprisingly enough. I triple checked with the measuring tape to make sure it's correct, and I can assure you, it is.

The kids are loving it already.

What a great idea, especially for people who know they'll eventually move homes, and want something that has all those precious markings on it. I love the wall idea, but you can't exactly take a wall with you when you leave;) Plus, you might want to paint someday, and this way, you'll never have to ruin those memories when you do! Kinda genius! For a $10 Pottery Barn knockoff, AND pretty simple to do, I'll take it!


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P.S. I linked this up on Inspiration Friday At The Picket Fence!