Friends! You are making me blush! Thank you so, so much for all of your sweet comments about the crazy hectic blog mayhem that happened on Monday and resulted in a whole new look for the blog! I was nervous about how it would go, but you all have been so encouraging and I just love you to pieces!
And now, a confession: I kind of cheated on this week’s challenge. Our theme for the Get Your DIY On link party is a $20 thrifted upcycle. Mine didn’t come from a thrift store. I got it for FREE!!! Woo-hoo! A couple weeks ago my sister texted me and asked if I wanted this growth chart that they were getting rid of at her work:
I was about to text her back, “No! I’m trying to get rid of junk in my house, not add more!” when I had a vision. I remembered seeing those super cool magnetic racetrack walls on Pinterest, like this one from Cutesy Crafts:
While I wasn’t ready to commit to a whole wall, I thought that the C’s would love a growth chart where we marked their height with magnetic cars, so I told my sister I’d take it and set out to create a fun little decor item for the Cs’ room. Along with my free growth chart, here’s what I used for this project:
1. Paint {I used black wall paint and white and yellow acrylic paint since that’s what I had on hand.} and Brushes
2. Magnetic Paint {I used Martha Stewart brand, found at Michael’s.} and Magnets
3. Painter’s Tape
4. Numbers, Printed on Card Stock
5. Toy Cars {Buy the cheap ones from the dollar store! They’re lighter and stick more easily!}
6. Glue Gun
Step 1- Hot Glue Magnets to the Cars
I did this step first so I could test the cars’ magnetic ability while I was creating my chart. I used one large magnet and one small magnet on the back of each car. I found that one magnet wasn’t “sticky” enough and three magnets made it too heavy, so two it was!
Step 2- Paint Your Piece of Wood with Magnetic Paint {over and over and over again}
I began by applying the magnetic paint to my growth chart. The container recommended two or three coats, but I tested out the cars along the way and ended up doing five coats {using all of my paint} to really make them stick.
Step 3- Paint It Black
I only used one coat of black paint because it covered well, and I was worried that if I used more than that the board would lose some of its magnetic quality.
Step 4- Mark Out the Lines and Tape It Up
Here’s where it gets a little tricky to explain. I wanted the board to look as much like a road as possible while still having the growth chart hash marks down the middle. I enlisted handy hubby to help me mark off the lines and tape them off. First we measured in 1/4″ from each edge and measured for a 1/4″ wide line going down each side. {These will become the white guidelines on our “road.”} After we did all of our measuring, we taped off those lines.
Next we measured and taped off a 1″ wide strip down the middle for our hash marks. we marked out each inch in pencil, then measured 1/8″ above and 1/8″ below our marked line so that each hash mark would be 1/4″ high. Since our painter’s tape was too wide to tape off every inch at the same time, we began by taping off every other inch.
Step 5- Seal the Tape Lines
I have read a million tutorials about painting stripes on walls, and the bloggers always recommend sealing the tape lines by painting a thin coat of the base color over the edges in order to create really crisp, clean lines with no bleeding. I figured if it worked on walls, it would work on my itty bitty little growth chart too, so I painted over the edges of my tape with black paint to seal them.
Step 6- Paint the Lines!
Now that everything was finally prepped, it was time to paint the guidelines white and the hash marks yellow. I first tried spray paint for my yellow lines because I thought it would be quicker, but it came out really splotchy and icky. I ended up using acrylic paint for both the white and yellow lines, and I was very pleased with how it turned out.
{The tape sealing method ended up working really well! There were a few small spots that I had to touch up, but for the most part, it worked like a charm!}
Step 7- Tape and Paint the Remaining Hash Marks
We can’t just measure every other inch! Once the paint dried, hubby helped me mark off the opposite hash marks so that I could paint those as well.
{This is when it’s partially taped, so you can see how we’re taping off in between our existing hash marks.}
Step 8- Add the Numbers
A stencil would work just fine for this. Since I didn’t have one, though, I went back to my old chalk transfer method that I described in my monogrammed onesies post, using chalk on the back of my card stock numbers to create an outline on my growth chart. I then filled in the outline freehand.
Step 9- Admire your work!
I admit, this project ended up being more work than I imagined for a simple growth chart, but I LOVE how it turned out!
And the C’s love it too, which of course was the ultimate goal!
Oh, and I couldn’t leave you without a good old before and after, so here ya go:
Connor will be displaying his new magnetic race car growth chart proudly at the Get Your DIY On link party this Sunday, September 22nd at 7 pm EST! He hopes you’ll come by and join him with your $20 thrifted project! And speaking of thrifted projects, check out the gorgeousness my co-hostesses came up with:
Upcycled Homework Station by Krista at The Happy Housie
Three-Tiered Wood Trays by April at House by Hoff
Upcycled Stool by Mandy at The Hankful House
Old Fence to New Tray by Christy at Confessions of a Serial Do-It-Yourselfer
Have you upcycled anything lately?
I link up at Inspire Me Please and these fun parties!
Christy says
September 19, 2013 at 10:45 amThis turned out so stinkin’ cute, Abby! What a fun and clever way to track the boys’ growth! Have a great day! XO
abbylawson says
September 23, 2013 at 4:00 pmThank you so much, my friend! Hope you are having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Allyson says
September 19, 2013 at 2:11 pmThis is SO cute, Abby! I am going to share it on my facebook page if you don’t mind!
abbylawson says
September 23, 2013 at 3:57 pmI appreciate it! Thank you so much, friend!
~Abby =)
[email protected] says
September 19, 2013 at 2:43 pmIt’s adorable! I keep meaning to make or buy growth charts for my kiddos but am a slacker. 🙂
Question: Will you keep track of past heights once the cars drive on up the chart? If so, how will you do that?
abbylawson says
September 23, 2013 at 3:57 pmThanks, Laura! I have so many “planned” projects, but it’s so hard to get to them all, right?! I am planning on keeping track of past heights. I’m thinking of either making little flags (to go with the race car theme) with the date and height on it to attach or just keep track in their baby books. We’ll see how creative I’m feeling, lol! Hope you have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Amy W says
September 19, 2013 at 3:41 pmThis is so fun! I saw where someone did this one a wall, but I’m with you that’s a big commitment. I love the idea of kids being able to move the cars around. Thanks for sharing, so adorable!
Amy @ https://www.delineateyourdwelling.com
abbylawson says
September 23, 2013 at 3:53 pmThank you, Amy! They are definitely having a good time with it! Hope you have a great week!
~Abby =)
Crystal says
September 19, 2013 at 6:13 pmSuper cute!! I love the magnetic cars to mark their growth. Love it!!
abbylawson says
September 23, 2013 at 3:53 pmThanks, Crystal! They’re having fun with it! Hope you have a great week, girl!
~Abby =)
Val @ Home Made Modern says
September 19, 2013 at 9:23 pmSeriously genius!
abbylawson says
September 23, 2013 at 3:51 pmThanks, Val! Have a great week!
~Abby =)
[email protected] at home mom says
September 19, 2013 at 11:41 pmit’s adorable! 🙂 I really like it very much Abby! it’s so fun! 🙂 the addition of the little cars is great!
abbylawson says
September 23, 2013 at 3:45 pmThank you, Ingrid! It was fun to make for the C’s! Hope you and little Nate are doing well! Have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Krista @ the happy housie says
September 20, 2013 at 12:14 amSuch a cute idea Abby!! I love it – Your boys must love it – I bet you are just the coolest mom.
abbylawson says
September 23, 2013 at 3:44 pmLol! I don’t know if they would say I am cool, but they do like their new growth chart! (Mom is never cool to her own kids, right? Haha) Thanks so much, Krista! I hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Antonella says
September 22, 2013 at 8:01 amWhere was this when my son was growing up??? I will pass this onto a new grandmother of mine who will truly put this to good use…
I linked over from the Fun In Functional Link Party where I am participating too with Ghost Shaped Card and Free Cut file and would love it if you’d stop by.
Hugs, Antonella 🙂
abbylawson says
September 23, 2013 at 3:35 pmThank you, Antonella! It was fun to make for them! I just love your cute ghost card. Thanks so much for sharing!
~Abby =)
Angi says
September 22, 2013 at 6:07 pmThis is an amazing idea, I think this would be an adorable DIY project for my nephew, thanks for sharing!
cantbuymelovvve.blogspot.com
abbylawson says
September 23, 2013 at 3:32 pmThanks so much, Angi! I bet your nephew would love it! Thank you for stopping by!
~Abby =)
Adelina Priddis says
September 23, 2013 at 12:00 pmThis is just too awesome for words!!! I need one for my son!!
abbylawson says
September 23, 2013 at 3:13 pmAw, thank you Adelina! You are so sweet! It was definitely a hit with my little guys! Hope you’re having a wonderful Monday!
~Abby =)
Carrie From Carrie This Home says
September 23, 2013 at 12:08 pmIt’s so funny how I’m at blog hops and always end up clicking on your posts! I must really love your content! Sometime soon we’re going to put my son in a big boy race car bed and I can’t wait to use that as an excuse to re-decorate his bedroom. This race car growth chart will be the perfect addition to his room!
Would you mind to link this up to my blog hop? I would love to see this there! Thanks!
abbylawson says
September 23, 2013 at 3:12 pmThank you so much, Carrie! You are the sweetest! I linked up to your hop… great party! Hope you’re having a wonderful Monday!
~Abby =)
Katie says
September 25, 2013 at 7:44 pmThis chart is so stinkn’ cute, Abby! You did such an awesome job. I’m sure your boys love playing with the cars. You come up with the best projects!
Thanks so much for sharing at the Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop!
Katie
abbylawson says
September 26, 2013 at 1:16 pmThank YOU so much for hosting, Miss Katie! You are so sweet! I’m so glad you stopped by!
~Abby =)
Elise says
September 25, 2013 at 11:39 pmMy son would go crazy over this… such a cool creative idea!
abbylawson says
September 26, 2013 at 1:07 pmThank you, Elyse! My boys are definitely having a lot of fun with it! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! Have a wonderful day!
~Abby =)
Diana Rambles says
September 25, 2013 at 11:41 pmThis is super cute!
abbylawson says
September 26, 2013 at 1:05 pmThank you so much, Miss Diana! Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Chelsea says
September 27, 2013 at 7:34 pmAbby!!! This is awesome! I love the racecars – so clever and so cute!
abbylawson says
September 29, 2013 at 4:38 pmThank you, Chelsea! It was fun to put together for the Cs! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Samantha @ Five Heart Home says
September 27, 2013 at 9:34 pmHow clever are you, Abby?! So cute! My boys would love this as well…too bad their Mama doesn’t have your level of patience for all of that meticulous taping off… 😉 Great job!
abbylawson says
September 29, 2013 at 4:36 pmLol. That’s why I recruit hubby for all of my taping projects. It always much faster when he helps! 😉 Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend, Samantha!
~Abby =)
Sarah VR says
October 6, 2013 at 9:28 amAwesome idea!!! Now, to come up with a girly one for my Sweetie…
visiting from Let’s Get Social Sunday! Added you to b’lovin, fb, and g+!
justagirlabby says
October 7, 2013 at 3:13 pmThank you, Sarah! I am definitely outnumbered by the boys over here, so mostly boy stuff it is, lol! Hope you’re having a wonderful week! Thanks for stopping by!
~Abby =)
Simply Kierste says
March 25, 2015 at 8:39 pmSo clever! I’m featuring it on Babycenter tomorrow! blogs.babycenter.com
Bernadett says
May 20, 2015 at 12:00 amHi Abby
Love your blog and i will so do this on the weekend for my little one, Archer! Thanks for sharing. I thought I let you know I shared your post (including credentials) on my Facebook page ‘ The Little Tractor Boy’, check it out if you like 🙂 https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Little-Tractor-Boy/562590533884021?ref=settings