Her Growth Chart

I had so many people ask how I made her growth chart so here goes. This is my first attempt at a DIY How To. I've probably missed something.

I've seen so many variations so feel free to make it as personal as you want.

First, the items I used:
1x6 6 ft pine board ($12.27 The Home Depot) I liked the natural wood look so we got a nicer piece of wood. If you're going to paint it - go for cheaper. 

This has both stain and polyurethane ($7.98 The Home Depot). We chose a light stain and my Beloved applied two coats. Confession - we didn't sand anything. I hate sanding so we didn't. 

Then I found these at Walmart! They're self sticking numbers for mailboxes and cost $7.47. I can make 3 out of 1 package. I loved it because I'm OCD and these are all the same size and didn't require me painting. I could also play with which way I wanted them laid out.





Paint brush ($6.67 The Home Depot)
Ruler
Sharpie maker

Now for the making! 

My Beloved stained it for me. After that, we measured where we needed to start the board by measuring our baseboards. Our baseboards are a little over 3 inches so we started the board at 4 inches to make it even. That means we have to hang it four inches off the ground to make the measurements correct. 

Next I measured where the numbers should go. I marked it with a pencil and then went back and used the ruler to make a 3.25 inch mark. Then I placed the numbers where I wanted them to go.

I've seen some with the numbers on their side like a ruler but I wanted them up and down. Placement is totally up to you. How you do the numbers is totally up to you too! You can stencil them with paint, buy the expensive address numbers or stain them with a stencil. 

After the numbers where on the board, I used the ruler to mark where the inch lines should go with a pencil. Then I used the ruler and Sharpie to make a 1.5 inch line. 

I did the same for the half inch marks making a 3/4 inch line. 

I used the ruler to make sure all the marks were the same length. I'm OCD. 

Since Alice will probably be our only child, I chose to put her name on the top using the Sharpie. If we find ourselves with another child, I'll make them one as well! If you don't want their name on it, continue with more marks. 

I put her length at birth on the chart with the date and then I measured her with my measuring tape. She's growing at even numbers, I appreciate this. ;)

I still need to add a hook to the back and figure out where I want to hang it but I think it turned out perfectly!

Overall the project cost a little under $40 with paint brushes and taxes and only took about 2 hours. That doesn't include the staining, that takes several hours between coats. And it could probably be done in less time but Alice was awake so....... 

It really was an easy project! And it's something special to mark the progress of our little bitty. 

Hope this inspires!!

Until next time.....