Whenever I run across a yardstick at a garage sale I buy it.
Not that I ever use them for measuring, but I LOVE the advertising slogans and typography styles on them.
They sort of have an industrial style crossed with farmhouse style vibe to them. With a pinch of kitschy used car store showroom thrown in.
Now that I've gathered a few dozen yardsticks and since today is Thrift Store Decor Team Wednesday, I decided it's as good a time as any to make something fun out of some of them.
I'm not sure exactly what to call this, but it's basically an old wooden frame with a background "mat" of wooden yardsticks with a little wreath stuck on it.
Or in short . . .
Repurposed Yardstick Craft Idea
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.)
Supplies:
- yardsticks (I used 6 for this project)
- picture frame
- candle sized wreath*
- saw (I used a miter saw)
- glue
- Command Strips For Posters
* I purchased the small wreath at a local shop so unfortunately I don't have a link to that particular wreath for you.
Instructions:
Measure the inside of your frame from the back. Your yardsticks are going to sit on the lip of where the glass would sit, so use that as your measurement. If you have the glass that was in the frame you could use that as a guide (mine was LONG gone).
Cut your yardsticks to that measurement. I used a miter saw to chop them off.
For added interest, be mindful of the wording on the yardsticks. I wanted certain words to show on the frame and did not want phone numbers, so I just strategically cut them that way.
Odd Note: I actually wanted the wording "Milk - Cream - Eggs" to show up from one of the yardsticks and cut it so that would be the case. But when I put the wreath on the frame, it totally covered up those words. I might end up prying that one off and moving it lower on the frame.
My frame was 11 x 14, and it took 12 pieces of yardstick to fill in the "mat" area.
Dry fit your yardstick pieces by laying them on the back of the frame. I fiddled around and moved the pieces until I felt they looked good and I got the wording where I wanted.
Darn you Milk - Cream - Eggs!
Then I laid them to the side and ran a a bead of glue along the back inside lip of the frame. I used Gorilla Glue because it is what I had on hand, but you could use E6000 or a wood-specific type of glue.
Glue from a craft gun would probably not hold strongly enough if you plan to hang anything on the front.
Apply you yardstick pieces in the same order you had arranged them previously, making sure the correct side is facing the front of the frame.
Oops, I'm now realizing I did not take enough process photos for you! Imagine a photo of me and my meaty fingers laying wooden sticks on top of glue.
Once that dries sufficiently (my Gorilla Glue bottle told me to let dry 2 hours) you have a few choices for how to hang your wreath:
- Use a Command Strip for posters like I did.
- Use a tiny little nail if you can bear to pound it into your masterpiece and you're sure you always want to have a wreath hanging there.
- Use a ribbon to loop around the wreath and glue it to the back, similar to how you might hang a Christmas wreath in your window.
And you are done!
This project really measures up!
Didn't think you'd get out of here without a silly pun now did you?
OK, let's get on with the Thrift Store Decor Team party!!!
Petticoat Junktion - Table Top Organizer Tray
My Repurposed Life - Thrift Store Basket & Leather Belt
Sadie Seasongoods - Bun Feet Or Sofa Feet As Wood Pumpkins For Fall
Domestically Speaking - Fall Tissue Paper Art
Our Southern Home - DIY Painted College Sign
House Of Hawthornes - Repurposed Yardstick Craft Idea (that's me)
More posts you may enjoy:
100 Best Thrift Store Makeovers
Repurposed Funnel Jack o'Lantern
GAIL
So charming !! Love that Milk Cream wording also but the wreath
is adorable ...Thanks for sweet idea .
Kathy Owen
Adding this to the list of projects to make. I have to find some yard sticks first. Something I haven't collected in my stash! Great idea Pam, love it.
gail
Pam,
I totally LOVE this project! I have a bunch of yardsticks in my stash (of course) 🙂
I need to do something with them, now you have me thinking . . . .
gail
pinned!
Leslie Schmidt
Pam, you have the best ideas! I love this project. You were smart to use the Command Strip to attach your wreath. It should be no trouble to move it. Those old yardsticks are such fun.
Stay safe.
Eme
Very clever. My husband saved a few rulers with local advertisements and now I find that if I come across the wood ones, to keep them as well. I truly love this idea. I once saw someone take all their yardsticks and since they were all 3 feet in height, she used them as beadbarding or wainescoting and she painted them white. SInce the height of her wall wasn't very tall, it looked good. I also used to collect advetising pencils and now only have one that I still like. It is a pencil that is a made to look like a judges gavel with the eraser being the head of the gavel. For some odd reason, I can't seem to donate thsi one. Love this season of them all. Time to bring out the plaid thermoses.
Pam Kessler
I've seen the wainscoting idea! Love it! Of course I'd have to get a whole lot more yardsticks to make that work 🙂
Maryann
So cute! So rustic and perfect for fall!
Diane M.
Beautiful! What a Great idea. Now, I'll be on the hunt for measuring sticks. Thanks for sharing.
Fonda Rush
I love this project!
Marsha Heskett
Wowza~ this is adorbs & I luuuv it!!! You’ve combined 2 of my luvs… yardsticks & frames😍 Going to make 1 right away! Thanks for inspiring & sharing!!!
Dee
Love this! I did something similar, but used a styrofoam letter "F" for our last name. I cut strips of old book pages and glued them on the F, then mounted it in the center. Still one of my favorite projects!
Linda Petersen
Hi Pam👋, this project is soooo cute! I love it💗! Looks awesome & expensive.
Linda
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage
Hi Pam,
Oh this is so amazing. I love this idea. I love the wreath you put on this too. Have a great rest of the week. xoxo Kris
Pam Kessler
Thanks, Kris! Enjoy your week also!
Sarah Ramberg
I love this so much and am SO JEALOUS of the wording on your yardsticks. I've always collected the colorful ones but now I'm kicking myself for not paying closer attention to the advertising on them!
Pam Kessler
I do have a couple of the colorful ones, but in general just pick up the wood-colored ones 🙂
Nana Diana
That is a really, really cute idea. I love yardsticks, too. Guess I am not the only crazy one out there. I have some that are quite old.
Have a wonderful day-hope your son is doing well. Covid is scary for anyone with a compromised system. xo Diana
Pam Kessler
We're still doing OK right now. Of course I only go out for essential trips (my husband seems to think the thrift store isn't essential???) and my son hasn't been out and about since March. Stay safe!
Gay Correll
It seems to me that you could move your wreath down just scootch and milk cream and eggs would be visible. I only suggest this because if you are like I am, trying to pry off that piece that’s been gorilla glued would only end in disaster...
Pam Kessler
True! I would probably end up splitting the yardstick. I'll try lowering the wreath a bit since it's only held on by the command strips!
Christy Little
I absolutley LOVE this idea! I need to hunt for some yardsticks now because it would so work with the many thrift store frames that I have in the attic!!
Pam Kessler
Thank you! Hope you're feeling better today!