Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Paint Chip Dry Erase Board

I found this inexpensive, easy gift project for anyone on your gift list.. friends, teachers, co-workers.  It takes an hour or so and cost about $5.00.

You know those paint chip squares that you get from HD, Lowes or even Walmart.  Anytime, I go to these stores and I frequent them quite a bit, I always choose a handful for reasons such as this, or one never knows when I will want to change the paint on a wall. 

Here is where I got the idea...over at The Aesthetic Writer.  I followed their directions, although I couldn't cut the squares as straight as they did.

I bought a $5.00 11x14 frame at Walmart.  Keep in mind, it needs to be large enough to hold a month of numbers.  I cut the squares to be about 2x2 size.  I then spray painted the cardboard that comes in the frame white, as you can see the board in between the squares.

I taped the squares down, by just taking a little piece of tape rolling it up and sticking it on the back of the square.  That allowed me to adjust as necessary.
You could make another one or several and line a wall, if you need to see months in advance.  Or when the month is over, just grab a tissue and wipe it clean, re-number and you are ready for another month.

Neat, easy peasy idea.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Ruler Growth Chart

With my 10 year old granddaughter we have marked her growth on a wall in the garage. I have kind of framed it in, but nothing permanent.  We have only lived her 3 years, and even though she loves to stand and see how much she has grown, I always think how nice it would have been to have started it when she was born.

With the birth of our second granddaughter next month, I knew I wanted to find some kind of chart.  So, set out for internet travel to find something I could do. Well, lo and behold, I found the coolest and easiest growth chart over at 517 creations , this really neat ruler growth chart. 

My ruler growth chart
 Went to HD and bought a 1x8

Chose a stain and wiped it on.  In hindsight the color I chose is a bit too dark.  I then got out the yard stick and a small ruler.  I pretty much copied 517 step for step.

I used a pencil to first mark off each foot, then went and marked half of that then inches in between.  I then went back with a black medium point paint pen and drew over the penciled in lines.

517 said she enlarged the font to 200...oh no, I had no idea how to do that. The drop down box only allowed the font to be enlarged up to 72.  So,  back to google to search how to enlarge font.  I found exactly what I needed here at ehow. It worked like a charm.

I rubbed pencil on the back of each number and then turned them over and used an ink pen to trace the number where I wanted it.  I then took my paint pen and filled in the number.

It's not secured to the wall yet, as I have to make sure it is 6 inches off the ground.  Just wanted to share.

I love how it turned out.  Hugs to me.