Giant Ruler Growth Chart

I absolutely loved doing this project.  It was easy and didn't cost much money yet the outcome is amazing!

 

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own version:

Materials

• 1-1” x 8” x 6’ pine board
• Sandpaper
• Foam brush or paint brush
• Stencils (I used my Cricut machine)
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Black paint marker
• Polyurethane
• Hanging method—sawtooth hanger, heavy duty mounting tape, anchors and screws, etc.

We had nearly everything to make this at home, except the board. A quick trip to Lowes and we had ourselves a 1” x 8” x 6’ premium board for less than $10. Make sure to look for one that isn’t warped and has a texture and grain you like.

There were a couple things printed on the board that I wanted to remove so I just used sandpaper to remove it.

 

Now the print is gone.

I used a foam brush to put on a couple coats of polyurethane.  You could use a paint brush if you want but I like the foam brush because it is cheap and I can just throw it away when I'm done.

I decided that I wanted to hang the ruler 8” up from the floor, so I started my first hash mark at the 9” spot. There, I just drew a pencil line. To keep the ruler looking authentic, I made the 1/8 marks 1-1/2” long, the 1/4 marks 2” long, the 1/2 marks 2-1/2” long, and then the foot marks 3” long.

 

I used a black paint marker to go over my pencil lines.

I used my Cricut Machine to make the stencils.  You can buy them or draw them freehand if you prefer.

This is the part I messed up on.  I put the stencil down and just used the paint marker and colored it in but when I pulled the stencil up the paint had bled under the stencil. 

I used nail polish remover to take up the paint and decided to use a pencil to trace the stencil and then use the paint marker to color it in.

The paint came right up with the nail polish remover.

It's hard to see in the picture but I used a pencil and trace the stencil.

Then I colored it in.

My significant other put a hanger on the back and hung it up for me.

Cover Wire Shelves

I love the outcome of this project. I saw this blog post and was inspired:

http://thefrugalhomemaker.com/2015/02/19/how-to-change-up-wire-shelves-for-less-than-10/

I didn't take a before pic but this pic shows the bottom two shelves covered and the top two not covered. 

A simple project makes such a big difference in the look of the pantry. 

Road Trip Snack Box

We are leaving for our coast to coast road trip tomorrow and I have been prepping like crazy. I made this snack box for the drive. The box was a little under $8 at Walmart. There was a craft organizer that was $3 but it was a little smaller and the dividers couldn't be moved like the ones in this one can. I think for kids the other would have been fine but considering the snacks are for two adults I figured this one would work better for us.

I also put some veggie straws and veggie chips in the snack box. (Those are not pictured above). 

Done!  I'm sure we will devour these snacks the first day but we can just refill it with different snacks next time. 

Add Countertop Space in an RV

I'm just so excited about this project. This summer I am going to be spending a lot of time in my RV so I have been doing lots of little things in it to organize it or modify it. This particular project was simple and makes a big difference. 

Originally I was going to mount a big heavy duty cutting board to flip up but when I went to Walmart to buy one it was around $20. It was heavy and I could have cut things right on it. But as I was walking through the store I saw a wooden folding tray table for about $9. It was a similar size as the cutting board but it wasn't as heavy. I chose to buy the table although I can't cut anything right on it but then I also don't have to see scratches on the flip up counter space from using it as a cutting board. 

I used a screwdriver and removed the legs of the table. 

Here's three pictures of the end of the countertop that I was mounting the flip up table to. I just didn't have enough counter space but I also didn't want to take up more room in the RV with a stand or table. 

I purchased two folding shelf brackets at Menards for about $5 each. 

The instructions are simple and detailed on the back but in case the ones you buy don't have great instructions you can look at the below picture. 

I mounted the brackets to the side of the cabinet low enough that the table top can sit on top but not too low because I wanted it to be just under the lip of the existing countertop. When mounting you MUST ensure the brackets are level and the same distance from the top. This is important otherwise the table top won't fold down flush with the side of the cabinet. I learned this the hard way. 

Flip open the brackets and screw the table top on from the bottom. 

I get a little more countertop space when I need it but I can fold it down when I need more walking space or while we are traveling. 

Chore Chart with Expo Markers

I framed printed chore charts in regular picture frames. My kids each cross off each chore as they complete them. My daughter has two, one for the morning and one for the evening. My son has one. I hung a 3M hooks near it and attached two Expo markers to string to hang them so that the markers are readily available when they need them. When the week is over they just erase the chart and do it again. 

Hang Measuring Cups on Cabinet Door

As a renter I try to come up with inexpensive and removable storage and organization solutions. This one is both. I used 3m hooks to hang my measuring cups and spoons to the inside of a kitchen cabinet and used my label maker to identify them.