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August 30, 2012

DIY Rustic Growth Chart

This is probably one of my favorite projects to date and I’m pretty excited about finally showing it off! Meet my DIY Rustic Growth Chart.

DIY Rustic Growth Chart

DIY Rustic Growth Chart

I’ve been wanting to make my own Growth Chart for a long time and I can’t believe it’s finally finished. I’ve had the wood stained for over a month but was lacking inspiration. After browsing through a lot of growth charts, I landed on this one from Cozy. Cottage. Cute. I loved the contrast between the dark stain and the white and the distressed look. And then I stumbled upon this one from The Goods and was really loving the chevron pattern. I used inspiration from both of these charts and created my own version that used both the chevron, rustic flair and white and dark contrast.

DIY Rustic Growth Chart

I have a confession. This was my very first chevron project. Can you believe it? Where have I been. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it at first, but I’m really happy with the final look.

DIY Rustic Growth Chart

To continue with the vintage and industrial look, I used Paper Key Tags as a way to document Miss E’s annual height. The nail marks the exact height. I wish I could take credit for this cute idea, but I can’t. I saw it on another chart but can’t find it again! Sorry!

Supplies Needed:

– 1 6ft board

– Minwax Dark Walnut Stain

– White paint

– Painters Tape/ X-Acto Knife

– Chevron Stencil (Optional)

– Electric Sander

How To Make Your Own Growth Chart

DIY Rustic Growth Chart

Start with a piece of 6′ X 1″ X 5 ” piece of lumber. I couldn’t tell you what I used, but I always buy the least expensive :)

Give it 3 coats of Minwax Dark Walnut stain and let it sit overnight.

Make a chevron stencil. Using my Silhouette, I created a chevron pattern. I wanted the pattern to fit perfectly so I made the chevron pattern 6″ long so it went into 6′ evenly.

DIY Rustic Growth Chart

Cover the stained board in painters tape and make marks every 6″ to help guide the stencil.

Trace the stencil onto the entire board. The ends of the stencil should align with the top point of the previous pattern.

Using an X-acto Knife cut out every other chevron block. I colored in every other chevron block with a sharpie so I could easily point out which ones needed to be cut.

Remove the pieces of tape.

DIY Rustic Growth Chart

Paint 3 coats of white paint over the blue tape.  I used left over Valspar Dove White Paint from our trim.

Let it dry and then remove the tape. Just a tip, if I wasn’t planning on sanding this down, I would have been disappointed with how the lines turned out. Some of the paint bleed through and it definitely wasn’t perfect. I might suggest using Vinyl if you aren’t going to distress it.

Stencil on the numbers. I used my Silhouette to make my numbers. They are Baskersville Old Face font and 2″ high.

DIY Rustic Growth Chart

Let it dry over night.

For the record, I really like how this looks ‘before sanding’. It is really crisp and clean and I think it’s really pretty. You could totally stop here if you wanted to. But it just wasn’t the look I was going for. I really wanted a vintage industrial look.

Sand the entire growth chart using an electric sander. I used 180 grit paper and thought it worked well. I focused on the edges and tried to make it look naturally distressed by making it uneven.

DIY Rustic Growth Chart

Lastly, I picked up a pack of these Paper Key Tags to use as the marks on the growth chart. (You may need two packs depending on how many kids you have!)

DIY Rustic Growth Chart

You’ll have to stay tuned to see how I displayed it in my home. It’s rather unconventional :)

About Taryn Whiteaker

Hi! I’m Taryn! The voice behind Taryn Whiteaker Designs. I launched this brand over 11 years ago when I became a stay-at-home mom. What started as a small craft and mom blog eventually grew into a full time design and DIY site. My goal has always been to inspire others (especially women!) with design ideas, DIY tutorials, entertaining ideas and give you the tools you need to complete them yourself!

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Filed Under: ALL POSTS, DIY Home Decor, DIY Projects, Furniture Builds and Makeovers Tagged With: DIY, Family Room

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kristyn says

    August 30, 2012 at 7:04 am

    LOVE this!! Just pinned :)

    Reply
  2. Katie says

    August 30, 2012 at 8:42 am

    Love it Taryn! I really need to make a growth chart for myself as well. This one is beautiful!

    Reply
  3. Jaime from crafty scrappy happy says

    August 30, 2012 at 8:54 am

    oh my gosh I just LOVE this so so so much :) totally pinning and sharing…. really… you are SO creative I just love it!
    Jaime

    Reply
  4. SJ@SweeterStill says

    August 30, 2012 at 11:19 am

    I love this! I’ve been looking for a cool way to track the little ones’ growth that isn’t permanent. In case we ever move, I’d want to be able to take it with us. I really like the distressed look too. Great idea!

    Reply
  5. Chelsea Coulston says

    August 30, 2012 at 11:22 am

    Taryn, I love it! I’m working on one too! Great job :)

    Reply
  6. Heather @ new house, new home, new life says

    August 30, 2012 at 12:05 pm

    Love it! And the cool thing is that if/when you move, it’s totally transportable. You’ll have this forever.

    Reply
  7. Britt @ My. Daily. Randomness. says

    August 30, 2012 at 12:52 pm

    I love this idea! I had a growth “stick” growing up, and I think this is something that is decor friendly and functional! Consider it PINNED! ;)

    Reply
  8. Carrie at lovely etc. says

    August 30, 2012 at 2:32 pm

    Love it – this turned out so awesome. I actually really like it both distressed and pre-distressed. Like you said just depends what you are going for. Can’t wait to see how you displayed it.

    Reply
  9. Courtney says

    August 30, 2012 at 3:17 pm

    Awesome job on this~ I love it!

    Reply
  10. Crystal says

    August 30, 2012 at 4:50 pm

    Love love love it! I bought the wood to make one a year and a half ago and still haven’t gotten around to it. I can’t wait to see where you display it!

    Reply
  11. GlamorousMommy says

    August 30, 2012 at 5:02 pm

    Super cute! Can’t wait to make one :)

    – Fotini

    Reply
  12. Lolly Jane says

    August 30, 2012 at 7:31 pm

    Love this Taryn!! XO

    Reply
  13. Shannon Fox says

    August 30, 2012 at 7:37 pm

    Supah CUTE!

    Too bad Austin is heading for 6 feet tall now ;) LOL!!
    Cute if you still have littles though :)

    Reply
  14. Jenn says

    August 30, 2012 at 8:41 pm

    I LOVE this Taryn! I need to make one for my boys too but didn’t want it to look too juvenile. This is perfect! I love how it looks like little arrows pointing up as they grow. Absolutely love the finish too!

    Reply
  15. Jenn @ My Fabuless Life says

    August 30, 2012 at 9:00 pm

    I am so in love with this I can’t even tell you. This is AWESOME!

    Reply
  16. Brooke @ Design Stash says

    August 30, 2012 at 11:56 pm

    I’m in LOVE with your first chevron project!! Love your blog too……such great creative ideas :)
    Hugs,
    Brooke

    Reply
  17. Sarah K says

    August 31, 2012 at 4:56 am

    This is really cute! I love it.
    Sarah

    Reply
  18. Born27 says

    August 31, 2012 at 9:05 am

    Growth charts are so fun to start when your child reaches the age of one. By the time your child is seven or eight, they can look back at the growth chart and see how much they have grown over the years.

    Reply
  19. Gina says

    August 31, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    Super cute idea!!!

    Reply
  20. Jenna says

    August 31, 2012 at 5:34 pm

    This looks sooooo great! Love the rustic chic look! And I really love the idea to use the paper key tags. Totally takes the growth chart up a notch. Great job!

    Reply
  21. louise says

    August 31, 2012 at 9:36 pm

    This looks great!! I love it! If I didn’t already have a rocket ship one that his uncle gave him, I’d be making this one. Rarely do I see growth charts that I like. And I love this one!

    Reply
  22. Holly says

    September 1, 2012 at 1:54 am

    Great idea and I love the paint design.

    Reply
  23. Karah @ thespacebetweenblog says

    September 1, 2012 at 11:28 am

    I am loving all of your projects!! So happy to have found your blog. :)

    Reply
  24. Kim @ Plumberry Pie says

    September 3, 2012 at 10:42 am

    this is fantastic! love it! might have to put this on my to do list. (stopping by from thrifty decor chick)

    Reply
  25. kristin says

    September 3, 2012 at 7:04 pm

    Oh my goodness, I love this!!! Thanks for linking up.
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
  26. Amy @ the Happy Tulip says

    September 3, 2012 at 10:33 pm

    I love this project, Taryn! I don’t have any kids yet, but when I do, I’m sure to make our own growth chart. So fun. The chevron design is beautiful. Just seeing the one section of the chevron makes a rather trendy pattern new and fresh. Awesome.

    Reply
  27. Sarah @ 20 State says

    September 3, 2012 at 11:33 pm

    Great minds think alike, I made a kitchen sign that is very similar to this…and I have to say I look like a copy cat as our creations share a cosy corner at Not Just A Housewifes linky party. Your pics and tutorial have left me feeling very envious :)

    Reply
  28. cassidy says

    September 3, 2012 at 11:50 pm

    LOVE this! The chevron print looks great and I love how it is distressed.

    Reply
  29. michelle@somedaycrafts says

    September 4, 2012 at 1:46 am

    Awesome. Totally cute and functional!

    Reply
  30. Bekah says

    September 4, 2012 at 6:08 am

    I love it! I have been wanting to make one for a long time, its one of those projects that keeps getting put off, and now my guys are getting taller every day!

    Reply
  31. Kristy Life-n-Reflection says

    September 4, 2012 at 8:45 am

    What a great idea and just my style!!

    Reply
  32. Jennie says

    September 4, 2012 at 10:14 am

    SO DARLING!!! I JUST love it! GREAT JOB AND tut. too. hugs, jen

    Reply
  33. Laurel@Ducks in a Row says

    September 4, 2012 at 12:30 pm

    This is beautiful – I LOVE it!!

    Reply
  34. Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage says

    September 4, 2012 at 4:52 pm

    Gorgeous – love the little tags you added!
    Kelly

    Reply
  35. Shantalle says

    September 5, 2012 at 8:19 am

    Great idea! I wish I had the patience to distress things. ;) Looks fab!

    Reply
  36. Amanda says

    September 5, 2012 at 9:32 am

    So beautiful! And I have to admit, I have as yet to do a chevron project at all. :)

    Reply
  37. Holly @ My Sister's Suitcase says

    September 5, 2012 at 7:43 pm

    Oh my gosh!!! Loving this Taryn! Pinning NOW :) Wish we lived closer and could have late night crafting parties together… everything you do is something I want in my house! {little jealous of your genious actually!} This is my favorite growth chart I have ever seen. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  38. Emily says

    September 6, 2012 at 5:16 am

    pinning!

    Reply
  39. Desiree says

    September 6, 2012 at 10:03 am

    I love this! Girl you are AMAZING

    Reply
  40. Jennifer says

    September 6, 2012 at 3:31 pm

    Well I can see why this is one of your favorite projects to date! It came out teriffic and I like that it isn’t all “charactery” like most kid’s growth charts:)

    Reply
  41. michelle@somedaycrafts says

    September 7, 2012 at 7:43 am

    I”m featuirng this tonight!

    Reply
  42. Anu@MyDreamCanvas says

    September 7, 2012 at 8:32 pm

    Wow, this is awesome. I would love for you to stop by My Dream Canvas. Have a super weekend.

    Reply
  43. Tanya says

    September 8, 2012 at 5:22 pm

    This is awesome! I love the rustic wood and chevron combo, and I just realized you bake gluten free as well! Have a wonderful weekend, hugs

    xoxo, Tanya

    Reply
  44. sarah says

    September 8, 2012 at 7:02 pm

    This is amazing I am totally going to make one of these!

    Reply
  45. Rebecca says

    September 8, 2012 at 8:59 pm

    totally LOVE this!!!

    Reply
  46. Jessica @ Dear Emmeline says

    September 11, 2012 at 6:25 am

    Love this! The design, the rustic finish. Gorgeous!

    Reply
  47. Debbie {visual eye candy} says

    September 13, 2012 at 6:12 am

    I love how this turned out! It is beyond adorable, I’ve been wanting to make one for awhile. I think you just inspired me to make one.

    Reply
  48. Jennifer says

    September 13, 2012 at 7:58 am

    What a fabulous idea! I love it!! Your blog is fantastic as well and I am so glad I found you! I hope to keep in touch :) xoxo

    Reply
  49. Debra says

    September 19, 2012 at 5:25 am

    It turned out good. I would probably nail the little tags to the board. I would be afraid they would get lost hanging loose in my home. lol :)

    Reply
  50. Helen @ Seaside Interiors says

    January 15, 2013 at 9:38 am

    Hey there, I just became your newest follower and joined the organizing party. Thanks for all the inspiration here and for hosting the challenge :)

    Reply
  51. Laura says

    February 14, 2013 at 7:25 pm

    I just found you blog!! Im in love with arrows, I think we were channeling one another, I made a table with a arrow stain design.lol loving all your stuff

    Laura

    Reply
  52. Shelly - minettesmaze.blogspot.com says

    May 15, 2013 at 7:00 pm

    This is adorable!! I might hafta try something like this! You deff just inspired me!

    Shelly

    Reply
  53. Amayalady says

    May 6, 2015 at 3:32 am

    I love this Growth Chart. ! I’m going to share your post on my french blog ! ;-)

    Reply
  54. MommaB says

    April 7, 2020 at 11:02 am

    This is absolutely adorable! The only thing is, I would be scared to put the little nails in it to hang the paper keys, I would be afraid my kid could accidentally run into it? Or is that little nails? I am thinking I will mark it the old fashion way as he grows! Thank you for the idea!

    Reply

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Taryn Whiteaker

Hi and welcome! I'm Taryn and the voice of style behind Taryn Whiteaker Designs. Sharing our journey of modernizing our European style home in Dallas. Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to subscribe to my mailing list to get all the latest updates! Read more...

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