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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!)
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!
LOVE this!! Just pinned :)
Love it Taryn! I really need to make a growth chart for myself as well. This one is beautiful!
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
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!
Taryn, I love it! I’m working on one too! Great job :)
Love it! And the cool thing is that if/when you move, it’s totally transportable. You’ll have this forever.
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! ;)
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.
Awesome job on this~ I love it!
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!
Super cute! Can’t wait to make one :)
– Fotini
Love this Taryn!! XO
Supah CUTE!
Too bad Austin is heading for 6 feet tall now ;) LOL!!
Cute if you still have littles though :)
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!
I am so in love with this I can’t even tell you. This is AWESOME!
I’m in LOVE with your first chevron project!! Love your blog too……such great creative ideas :)
Hugs,
Brooke
This is really cute! I love it.
Sarah
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.
Super cute idea!!!
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!
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!
Great idea and I love the paint design.
I am loving all of your projects!! So happy to have found your blog. :)
this is fantastic! love it! might have to put this on my to do list. (stopping by from thrifty decor chick)
Oh my goodness, I love this!!! Thanks for linking up.
XO
Kristin
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.
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 :)
LOVE this! The chevron print looks great and I love how it is distressed.
Awesome. Totally cute and functional!
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!
What a great idea and just my style!!
SO DARLING!!! I JUST love it! GREAT JOB AND tut. too. hugs, jen
This is beautiful – I LOVE it!!
Gorgeous – love the little tags you added!
Kelly
Great idea! I wish I had the patience to distress things. ;) Looks fab!
So beautiful! And I have to admit, I have as yet to do a chevron project at all. :)
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!
pinning!
I love this! Girl you are AMAZING
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:)
I”m featuirng this tonight!
Wow, this is awesome. I would love for you to stop by My Dream Canvas. Have a super weekend.
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
This is amazing I am totally going to make one of these!
totally LOVE this!!!
Love this! The design, the rustic finish. Gorgeous!
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.
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
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 :)
Hey there, I just became your newest follower and joined the organizing party. Thanks for all the inspiration here and for hosting the challenge :)
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
This is adorable!! I might hafta try something like this! You deff just inspired me!
Shelly
I love this Growth Chart. ! I’m going to share your post on my french blog ! ;-)
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!