Monday, September 12, 2011

A Little "Ruler" Project and our Give Thanks Pillow

YOU CAN NOW PURCHASE OUR GROWTH CHART IN OUR SHOP!




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I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Ours was nice and busy. We have been working on quite a few projects around the house as well as designing some new Dear Lillie items. We have one new item available this morning, our "give thanks" pillow cover.

Also we have spent some time this past week reviewing things and found some ways to cut shipping costs. We have now lowered all of our domestic shipping charges!


One of the new projects we have been working on here was this fun oversized ruler growth chart to measure Lillie and Lola. I saw a great tutorial on the blog 517 Creations for this that was inspired by the Pottery Barn Kids one that is sold out. I used a different font and process for ours as well as a darker stain for mine because it is in our family room which has a lot of dark tones in it. Also, I just used a sharpie instead of a paint pen because that is what I had on hand and it worked great! (The ones in our shop we use an entirely different process as they are screenprinted!)

Jon and Jason both informed me they didn't like it at all (although now they are taking it back) but I really love it! I wish I could get a picture so you could see it and the rest of the family room but I had trouble finding an angle that worked.


YOU CAN NOW PURCHASE OUR GROWTH CHART IN OUR SHOP!




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If you look closely you will see I messed up quite a few times but I am going to blame that on the fact that I was doing it with Lola in the Bjorn and she kept squealing and flailing her arms and knocking the sharpie and half of the time I was balancing it as I was writing on one side and Lillie was on the backside making her own version. Fortunately she didn't seem to mind when we hung it on my side. =)

 Sorry for the fuzzy picture, Jason took this one =)


I hope you all have a wonderful Monday!


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72 comments:

  1. GwendolynKaySeptember 12, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    I love the pillow and the measuring stick. I wish I had one while my boy was growing up. We do have marks all over a corner of a wall. I am going to go have a peek in your store next.
    Blessings~

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  2. Rashon CarrawaySeptember 12, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    You always have such great projects. Its really fun to drop by and always see what's new.

    Truly an inspiration.



    Rashon aka Mr. Goodwill Hunting

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  3. Ruth @ White WhimsySeptember 12, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    Love the growth chart. That is the best idea and it looks great in your home. I love the give thanks pillow also, but I love all your pillows. I always enjoy visiting your blog.

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  4. KristelSeptember 12, 2011 at 10:22 AM

    What an awesome idea! Now, if you move, you can take their growth chart with you. I did not see anything wrong with it, and little Lola looks too adorable chewing her little hand. What great helpers you have.

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  5. katie [the bright life]September 12, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    This is adorable! I don't even have kids, but I want one of these in my house...so very sweet. I love seeing all your projects! Xo, Katie

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  6. Miss KittySeptember 12, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    Super Duper cute growth chart! Amazing that you did it perfectly (well, from our vantage point) with a baby in bjorn strapped to you...extra points! Thanks for sharing this AND the beautiful pillow...I am "pinning" it now.

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  7. GLENDA CHILDERSSeptember 12, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    Beautiful pillow with an even more beautiful message.

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  8. Laura@The Oily CupboardSeptember 12, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    Love Love Love this...can't wait to bug my husband w/yet another craft project of mine! ;o)

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  9. TeresaSeptember 12, 2011 at 11:13 AM

    I wish mine were still little so I could do this. Instead we have left their marks of growth on door jams in each of our homes for someone else to cover up :(. It didn't occur to me 14 years ago to make something that could go with us. Love it!

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  10. pballardSeptember 12, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    love them both, thanks for sharing. Pam

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  11. BriannaSeptember 12, 2011 at 12:38 PM

    I have been there with the Bjorne! Saved my life last year! :) Cute project!

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  12. 3 PeanutsSeptember 12, 2011 at 1:13 PM

    I LOVE the RULER!!!! So cute and the best part is that it can move as you move. Our kids growth sticks have moved as this is our 4th house since Will was born. Some people mark the inside of a door or closet anc cannot take it with them.

    Love the give thanks pillow too.

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  13. UnknownSeptember 12, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    very creative idea...When I will have kids I'm gonna do it hopefully ( unless I forgot because no babies soon :D )

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  14. Polly @ Pieces by PollySeptember 12, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    I painted a board yellow a couple weeks ago to make something like this. Now I'm wishing I stained it like yours. I've been putting off doing the markings...but maybe I'll use a sharpie like you. :)

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  15. ℳartina @ Northern NestingSeptember 12, 2011 at 2:55 PM

    Jennifer I love it!! I've never seen anything like that before and I'm a PB shopper! Martina

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  16. Elena @ La Petite VieSeptember 12, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    In LOVE with the pillow! Need to order that asap! I just love your style!

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  17. ShawnaSeptember 12, 2011 at 4:07 PM

    LOVE that pillow and the measuring stick is awesome!

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  18. diana56September 12, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    Jennifier,
    Is the measuring stick actual inches?
    My husband is discussing it with me....thanks for any info.

    Love it...dj

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  19. Dear LillieSeptember 12, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    Thanks everyone!

    Diana, yes each line is one inch.

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  20. JemsmomSeptember 12, 2011 at 7:04 PM

    I love the new pillow and that sure is a cute little helper you have there! I think the imperfections make it perfect and I love the idea!

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  21. CindySeptember 12, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    I think that ruler is like the cutest thing i've ever seen! Cool! Trying to do creative projects with little kids around is definitely a good way to torture yourself... i've tried, phew... but you sure pulled it off! Sweet pillow too, what a great reminder to spend more time in appreciation ...

    Cindy

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  22. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleSeptember 12, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    Jennifer, I love it!

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  23. AnonymousSeptember 12, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    Oh I love a good height ruler! We have a our special height board and have started tracing the boys hands as well!

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  24. Amy ChalmersSeptember 12, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    Oh Jen, this is a great one! I need one of these...I have a wall that I have been marking up in my kitchen...and then when I went to repaint I couldn't paint over the kids height marks...this ruler looks like the green giant came over and forgot it after he did his math homework. It is really great looking! You and the baby look so cute. keep up the good work! I know it is hard to get all this stuff done with the two girls. thank goodness for Jason (JK).

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  25. JenniSeptember 12, 2011 at 10:00 PM

    ok, i am in LOVE with that ruler! seriously, so awesome!!!! i must make one for my house asap!!!

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  26. MJ @ 517 CreationsSeptember 12, 2011 at 10:55 PM

    I love how your version turned out!! Thanks so much for linking my little ol' blog. :)

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  27. TriciaSeptember 12, 2011 at 11:52 PM

    I can't believe all the cute stuff you come up with, Jennifer! I love the pillow and the ruler. I might have to try and whip up one of those rulers. I've been marking my kids' heights on the trim of the doorway :)

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  28. WSUGirlSeptember 12, 2011 at 11:58 PM

    I love the measuring stick. We are a military family and move every few years - this would be perfect for our families as we don't have that one special "wall" with the marks that so many have growing up. This would be something we could take from house to house! GREAT IDEA and that you so much for sharing!!!!

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  29. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2011 at 6:53 AM

    Love all your ideas as usual. Moms always have to balance everything(including babies ). Your pillow is great and like the wheat on your mantel. Can't wait to see what you are always doing. Donna

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  30. UnknownSeptember 13, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    How cool it that.....

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  31. AmandaSeptember 16, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    i absolutely positively need to make this for our family room! Jack would love it, and i definitely have a blank wall or two that could use something unique. ;)

    yours looks perfect, as usual. :)

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  32. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2011 at 1:11 PM

    Hi! Love the growth stick...how did you get the numbers so perfect...did you trace them from something? I want to make one of these for my boys. Thanks...Angie Rice arice4272@gmail.com

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  33. BritniSeptember 20, 2011 at 7:43 PM

    I love this! What color stain did you use? I like the darker color better personally! Britni.Rhodes@gmail.com

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  34. Dear LillieSeptember 23, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    Thanks Britni, I used American Walnut from Rust-Oleum

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  35. brandySeptember 23, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    I can't wait to make this for my kids! Thank you so much for sharing! What were the dimensions (measurements) of the board?

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  36. AmberOctober 5, 2011 at 12:54 PM

    I really want a ruler grwoth chart. Do you have them available to purchase in your store? I am not very crafty

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  37. Dear LillieOctober 5, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    Amber, I wish we could make them for our shop! I just don't know how we would ship them :(

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  38. Tonya RobisonOctober 7, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    I bought the stuff to make this! I'm very excited. My husband wants to know what you use to mark the height of the kids? Help?

    tonya.robison@gmail.com

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  39. Dear LillieOctober 8, 2011 at 12:19 AM

    I haven't marked it yet. I'm waiting until Lillie's birthday. I'll probably just end up using a pen or a paint pen.

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  40. Tonya RobisonOctober 10, 2011 at 10:50 PM

    Ok. It's done and ready to be put on the wall. What did you secure yours with?

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  41. Dear LillieOctober 13, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    Hey Tonya, I put a sawtooth picture hanger on the back!

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  42. AnonymousOctober 17, 2011 at 1:40 PM

    Beautiful project/keepsake. So... the numbers... how did you do those?

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  43. Dear LillieOctober 17, 2011 at 4:46 PM

    Thanks! I did them with a sharpie and a stencil.

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  44. Amanda kumherOctober 18, 2011 at 2:39 PM

    I did mine yesterday! We love it! I used a stencil and paint for the numbers, very fast. I was wondering though exactly how did you mount it? I would need to be mounted well in my house, 5 boys :)

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  45. Dear LillieOctober 18, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    I just put a sawtooth picture hanger on the back, it should hold up :)

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  46. RenTaluOctober 24, 2011 at 1:14 AM

    Can I ask what the measurements of the ruler is? Is it 6ft x ____ x _____thickness??

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  47. Dear LillieOctober 24, 2011 at 1:19 AM

    The board I used is about eight inches wide by about 3/4 of an inch thick.

    ReplyDelete
  48. AnonymousNovember 15, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    This is beautiful and I have been looking for a growth chart that has some visual elegance and this is it! Thank you for your ideas and sharing the how-to.

    Question: after staining and adding the tick marks and numbers, did you varnish at all to protect it?

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  49. Dear LillieNovember 15, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    Thanks! I didn't bother to varnish it, but that's probably not a bad idea!

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  50. AnonymousNovember 16, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    Oh my goodness.. what a fabulous idea! I am so doing this!!!

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  51. AnonymousNovember 26, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    Love this! What a great idea! Can you tell me what font and size the numbers are? Or where you got the stencil? I love the way your numbers look, but I'm having a very hard time finding a number stencil....thanks so much!

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  52. Dear LillieNovember 27, 2011 at 1:04 AM

    Thanks! I just did them with a sharpie. However, there is a link to a tutorial in the post above, and the woman there tells all the details of how she did hers!

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  53. Jen O'DanielNovember 29, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  54. AnonymousNovember 29, 2011 at 5:47 PM

    How did you hang the growth chart on the wall? Wasn't sure if a standard picture hanger would be strong enough for that big piece of wood.

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  55. Dear LillieNovember 29, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    Jen - I just put a sawtooth picture hanger on the back, it should hold up :)

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  56. AnonymousDecember 4, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    Can I just say how much I love this!!! We are ARMY and we move so much it kills me to not be able to chart the change inmy boys. This is great!!! Thank you

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  57. AnonymousMarch 10, 2012 at 4:09 PM

    I love this! I'm making one and I've finished the stain just trying to figure out your numbers. i love the font you used. I read the link above but she just says she chose a font and printed them. Is that what you did or did you use stencils. i like your numebers better. Could you please let me know if you remember what font your numbers were.

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousMarch 10, 2012 at 6:41 PM

      You can disregard this post. I found a good font that is a mix between yours and the linked one. It is called palatino linotype if anyone was interested.

      Delete
  58. PEGGYMarch 20, 2012 at 8:57 AM

    OMG! The Ruler Project drew me in this morning and now I'm your biggest 'follower'! :-) I'd love to have this in my home and surprise the kids next time they visit. I'm sure everyone will make it a habit to check their height!

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  59. PEGGYMarch 20, 2012 at 8:59 AM

    Shared on fb! :-)

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  60. AnonymousApril 1, 2012 at 5:34 PM

    What font did you use for the numbers? I prefer your font over the original post. Thanks so much!

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    Replies
    1. Jason CrottyApril 1, 2012 at 9:16 PM

      Hi - Jenni actually just free-handing the numbers, they aren't from a font

      Delete
  61. BethApril 25, 2012 at 1:52 PM

    I made one of these, thank you so much!!

    But, mine is warped :( So I am going to make another. Did yours warp? I think I may have made a few errors. I only stained one side and I never sealed it!

    Do you have any tips? Thanks again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jason CrottyApril 25, 2012 at 9:32 PM

      Hi Beth - Jenni's hasn't warped at all, but she did paint both sides, so maybe that might make the difference.

      Delete
  62. CarrieApril 30, 2012 at 8:57 PM

    I used a sharpie too, but it bled. Any suggestions?

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    Replies
    1. Jason CrottyMay 2, 2012 at 8:01 AM

      Hi Carrie - I'm not really sure, Jenni didn't have that problem when she made hers using a standard fine tip sharpie.

      Delete
  63. faux beamsAugust 30, 2012 at 4:36 PM

    You freehanded those numbers? You are better than me, that's for sure. Thank you for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  64. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2012 at 2:12 PM

    Hi. Is there a link for instructions on how to make this? I'm looking for the size and spacing of the lines.
    Thank you!!

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  65. assignments webOctober 13, 2012 at 6:56 AM

    Nice blog to reading thanks for sharing such useful information this is very helpful for student who study Assignment Help Online and keep continue to sharing useful information.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Diary of a Brown Eyed GirlNovember 12, 2012 at 2:50 PM

    I love your blog and this ruler idea!
    New follower!
    Follow me back?

    ReplyDelete
  67. ChelseaNovember 17, 2012 at 9:22 PM

    What height are the numbered stencils you are using? Or did you make your own stencils by printing Century Font at 200% like 517 did?

    I absolutely love these! I wish I had the money to buy one already made!

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    Replies
    1. Dear LillieNovember 17, 2012 at 11:00 PM

      I more or less freehanded my numbers. I did look a font that I tried to make it similar to but I can't remember now what it was. Someone in a comment above said that palatino linotype is a similar type.

      Delete