The ruler growth chart was really easy to put together, but I still think it is worth a quick tutorial to show you just how easy it was.
Supplies:
- Wood – I used a 6 ft long 1 x 8 pine board
- Vinyl Ruler Decal – from Abbie’s House
- Sanding Block
- Painters Tape
- Screws, wall anchors, and finish washers
- Open your package from Abbie’s House. It will include wonderful detailed instructions for applying the vinyl graphic. If needed, lightly sand your board. I sanded the edges and corners to round them slightly. I left my board raw, but you could also paint, stain, or oil it before the next step.
- Trim the vinyl decal along the edge of the tick marks on the ruler. Line the edge of the marks up with the edge of your board. Tape down with painter’s tape to hold in place.
- Once you have the placement of your vinyl, you can begin to peel away the backing from the decal and transfer paper. Peel a small section to start.
- Use the craft stick to rub firmly over the transfer paper. Make sure to thoroughly rub each tick mark and number. Continue to peel more backing away and rub in small sections.
- Once you have finished rubbing the entire decal, slowly peel back the transfer paper. Peel in small sections and check that the entire decal transferred onto the wood. If you see any of the decal still on the paper, lay the transfer paper back down exactly where it was and re-rub the decal in that area until it transfers.
I mounted our ruler growth chart in the playroom. I drilled a hole in the center of each end of the board. I marked the placement of the holes on the wall. I drilled holes in the wall and inserted the wall anchors. I used a finish washer and screw at each end to secure the board to the wall.
Thanks!
I just came across your site via How About Orange. I added you to my Reader. : )
I just wanted to say thanks for the fun tutorials. I’ll be making the Helvetica Stockings this year. I will also be making this growth chart for my brother and sister-in-law who are celebrating their son’s first Christmas this year. This will be a treasure to them for years to come! Thanks again!
Hi, I was just curious if you purchased the glossy black or the matte black vinyl decal? It’s hard to tell from the pictures and I’m not good at visualizing which style I would prefer!
Mine is gloss black. Since I used unfinished pine wood, I like the slight contrast of the gloss on the decals. It looks like it was printed right onto the wood like a real ruler.
Wondering if you wouldn’t mind sharing how much the cost of the board was for this project. Also, did your home improvement store cut it to size for you or did you bring it home and cut it?
Hi Brooke. I used a select pine board (nice smooth finish without knots) from Home Depot. I do not recall the exact price but it was under $15. I did not have to cut the board, because they come in 6′ length. Since our family is on the taller than average side, I made sure my ruler went to 6 and 1/2 feet. That meant it starts at about 6″ on the bottom. That was perfect, so I could hang it a few inches above the baseboard.