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April 18, 2012 By Christine 25 Comments

This Rules!

I found an image on Pinterest a few months ago of an oversized ruler that was originally from PB, but was knocked off by Dear Lillie. When I saw it, I knew I had to make it! It is such a whimsical piece to have in your home, a definite conversation starter, and it’s so inexpensive to do! Here’s my version and tutorial!
 
 
Supplies:
 
-8ft unfinished plank of wood
-wood stain (your choice)
-paint brush
-black sharpie
-numeric stencil
-ruler or yardstick
I started by giving my plank of wood a good heavy coat of stain. I stained, and wiped off about 3-4 times before I got the color I liked.
 
 
The color stain I chose is called “weathered oak” it’s a grayish color wood stain that gives the wood an aged almost burnt look. I like it, but like I said this step is personal preference, so choose whatever will go with your home decor.
 
 
The next thing I did was mark my lines with a plain old black Sharpie. I tried to mimic the yard stick I was using. I made my inch line the longest, and my centimeter lines the shortest. Here’s how I measured. Stay with me..it’s kind of confusing…
 
I started by marking my “inch” lines- 12 inches apart (3 inches long)
Then I went back and measured every 6 inches from the “inch” line, marking the “1/2 inch line” (2 inches long)
Then I marked my 2 small “centimeter” lines at the 1 1/2 and 4 1/2 ( 1/2 inch long) and the middle “centimeter” at 3 inches (1 inch long)
 
Are you cross eyed now?
Sorry! Told you it was kind of confusing.
 
 
Once all my lines were in place,  I used my stencils and Sharpie to make the numbers.
 
 
That’s it!
 
I’m going to leave it leaning against the wall in our family room for now, although I have seen it on other blogs hung up. I may do that eventually, but I just love how random it is. A ruler! Who knew it could be art as well?!
 
 
Talk to you soon!
 
xo-Christine

linking up at:
 

shabby creek cottage 
HookingupwithHoH 

Redoux
Inspiration Friday Graphic1

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Filed Under: Tutorials

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Comments

  1. Carlene @ Organized Clutter says

    April 18, 2012 at 11:33 PM

    Very cool! Love it!

    Reply
    • Christine @ First Home...Love Life says

      April 19, 2012 at 8:58 PM

      Thanks so much 🙂

      Reply
  2. Claire@alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com says

    April 19, 2012 at 1:28 AM

    Christine,

    Your ruler looks amazing! The finish that you chose for the wood is perfect for giving it some vintage character. Thanks for sharing such a neat project!

    Claire

    Reply
    • Christine @ First Home...Love Life says

      April 19, 2012 at 8:58 PM

      Thank you for stopping by Claire. I’m happy with how the stain turned out too! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Four Marrs and One Venus says

    April 19, 2012 at 4:33 AM

    This is a super fun idea! I as well love the stain color you picked- looks perfect! Great job!

    Reply
    • Christine @ First Home...Love Life says

      April 19, 2012 at 8:57 PM

      Thank you 🙂 It was really fun!

      Reply
  4. Rose :: Fine Craft Guild .com says

    April 19, 2012 at 8:02 AM

    somehow I love this. maybe the exact part of me. however the oversized nature makes it also theatrical and whimsical. lovely and well executed job. please come add it to one of our parties, http://www.finecraftguild.com/party/

    Reply
    • Christine @ First Home...Love Life says

      April 19, 2012 at 8:57 PM

      Thanks so much for the invite…coming over now! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Kelley @ TheGrantLife.com says

    April 19, 2012 at 8:23 PM

    Super cute! Love it!

    Reply
    • Christine @ First Home...Love Life says

      April 19, 2012 at 8:59 PM

      It was so easy to do! I love it. Definitely one of those “where’d ya get that?!” pieces 😉

      Reply
  6. Good Time Charlie says

    April 20, 2012 at 4:26 AM

    I saw that too and dismissed it because I knew I wouldn’t have the patience to figure it out. But you did it for me! Thank you so much for sharing at my party. I love this project. -K

    Reply
  7. Milady says

    April 20, 2012 at 7:47 PM

    Melanie here! I absolutely loved this piece, please email me–I have a question about your blog 🙂 MelanieLBowen[at]gmail[dot]com

    Reply
  8. Donata @ DK's Craft Cafe says

    April 21, 2012 at 12:18 PM

    Found you at Rose’s Fine Craft Guild, Christine.
    I’m glad I did because I love how a simple item can look special when over-sized.Great job!
    Cheers

    Reply
    • Christine @ First Home...Love Life says

      April 26, 2012 at 3:20 AM

      Thanks so much for stopping by Donata! Your comment totally made my night! Cheers 🙂

      Reply
  9. Jill ~ Jillify It says

    April 24, 2012 at 7:21 PM

    Just a note to let you know that you have been featured on Jillify It!! Congratulations! 🙂

    Jill
    http://www.jillifyit.com

    Reply
  10. Good Time Charlie says

    April 26, 2012 at 2:30 AM

    I so love this, sharing at my party tomorrow, should be up around 2:00 PST. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Christine @ First Home...Love Life says

      April 26, 2012 at 3:21 AM

      Ahhh Thank you 🙂 always makes me smile seeing a comment from you! XO

      Reply
  11. Miss Kitty says

    April 27, 2012 at 6:44 AM

    So darn cute! I had seen the one over at Dear Lillie but thought of it more as a measurer for kid’s growth. On your blog it looks like more of a home decor item. Thanks for the great instructions! I saw your post over at Redoux. I “pinned” this project.

    Reply
  12. Amy W. @TheBlissfulBee says

    April 28, 2012 at 12:03 AM

    Too cute!! Really great tutorial.

    Just wanted to let you know I’ve given you a Leibster Award! Stop on by to check it out;)

    Reply
  13. Amy W. @TheBlissfulBee says

    April 28, 2012 at 9:59 PM

    How cool about Haverty’s! I had no idea they had anything like that! I actually just bought our cast iron wheels for the warehouse cart project, but I’m still heading over to the Haverty’s website to check out their other furniture. Thanks for the suggestion. I’m always looking for good deals;)

    Reply
  14. Mixed Kreations says

    April 29, 2012 at 2:55 PM

    This is just way to cute. Love the old weathered look. You did a wonderful job. Thanks for sharing your tutorial.

    Reply
  15. Anonymous says

    May 3, 2012 at 12:58 AM

    I love it! I thought it had a metallic finish some how. The photo totally looks like an old, bent, rusted metal tape measure.

    And FYI, I don’t think you have “centimeter” marks at all. Looks like inch, 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8 marks to me. Generally the metric and English measurements aren’t on the same side as a ruler. 🙂

    Reply
  16. jamie says

    December 28, 2013 at 1:39 AM

    Hi I actually did this project but instead of just using it as art, I’m using mine as my sons growth chart by adding his age each year to the height. yours looks great!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. » Have It All: A Growth Chart and a Clean Wall BrightNest Blog says:
    October 16, 2012 at 9:44 PM

    […] Photo: First Home…Love Life […]

    Reply
  2. A Look Back at The Best of 2012 says:
    December 29, 2012 at 5:09 PM

    […] oversized ruler was so fun, yet simple and cheap to make! It still gets quite a few hits and I can only hope that […]

    Reply

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Oh, hi there!

Hi! I'm Chrissi! I'm a homebody and get excited about finding ways to turn my house into a home. I love being able to share whatever inspires me too. Whether it's an easy DIY project, cleaning tip or delicious recipe...you can definitely find something to try here! This is my happy place to share what's going on in my life...Oh, and maybe talk a little bit about the love for my furkids too! I hope you'll stick around... Read More…

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