DIY Growth Chart

Growth Charts

I can still remember as a child going into the laundry room with my mom and little brother every few months to see how much we had grown! It was always so exciting putting our back against the familiar wall while mom pressed the pencil right above our heads. How much?? was always the question and the answer was certain to bring a silly grin to our face. How many of you can remember those "childhood days?" 

In today's world, I feel as if those little moments are just over-looked, thanks to our "BUSY" lives. Although it isn't hard to simply measure our child's head against a wall, most of us have yet to start (me included). Why is that? Well let's look at this from our perspective, a mom's perspective. First of all, if I am going to make something for my children, (as a keepsake), I want it to be special. I don't want the ordinary, boring line against the laundry room wall. I want SPARKLES and GLITTER and PIZZAZZ and hey, who has the time to make something like that? (let me just say, I have no idea why I am this way, no idea. Maybe I use it as a defense mechanism, or maybe just as an excuse to keep myself from having to do so many things. Who knows)?  Second, what if I move? It's not like I could just rip the wall off and take it with me (and since our house is currently up for sale, why even bother starting). 

I could continue to make excuse after excuse, lord knows I could come up with them, but instead I am going to tell you that I finally broke down and JUST DID IT!!! Now it's your turn.

How to make a DIY growth chart!

To make it easier on us moms, I have put a few of the items you need on my website, www.ellebelly.com. Just head on over there from the comfort of your own computer and "add to cart." That makes it so much easier then trying to run out to every store trying to not only find a place that sells the chart but also the right-sized letters. 

You will need:

• A piece of MDF or any other type of wood you choose. Approximately 12"W, 37"L. To make it easy on you, just head over to your local lumber store! they can help!
• White Paint (or whatever color you choose to paint the wood)
• Growth chart scroll -purchase from www.ellebelly.com
• Letters (to spell out your child's name) - purchase from www.ellebelly.com (painted or not)
• Paint for the letters, (unless you order them already painted)
• We used Contact Cement, (but using hot glue would be fine, and cheaper)
• Staple Gun

********UPDATE!!!!!!
For all of those interested in making the growth charts, I stumbled across some great news at Hobby Lobby yesterday! I found a wood piece, a little smaller than what I used, but definitely useable. The wood is cut, sanded, and ready for painting. It is only $8.99. Plus anytime you shop at Hobby Lobby you can print off a 40% coupon off 1 regular priced item. Just go to their website and the tab that says coupon! You can get your board for only $5.39. AWESOME!! You can still use the same growth chart, you would just need to order the smaller letters. Make this growth chart for around $20.00!!

Method:

1)  Go to www.ellebelly.com and order the letters that you need. For shorter names, 6 letters and shorter choose product  LETTERS1. For names 7 letters and longer choose product LETTERS2. The letters can come painted or not, your choice!! 

2) Stay on www.ellebelly.com and order the growth chart scroll. They come in pink or blue. Exactly what is shown in the pictures. 

Once you receive your order from www.ellebelly.com you will need, 

3) A piece of MDF or wood (or any wood you choose) cut about 12"W, 37"L. When it comes to the thickness of the wood, the thinner the better,          (ex: 3/16th). You can head on over to your local lumber store and have the wood cut at no charge to you. At Home Depot you can walk out of the store with this wood for approximately $13.48. (If you aren't planning on moving, and wood like to place the growth chart directly on your wall at home, you do not need this piece of wood).

4) Paint (any type of paint will work just to spray or brush onto the board. Get creative moms!). I used a plain white paint. And hey, if you like the look of the wood, then don't even worry about painting it!!

If you choose to paint the letters yourself, feel free to use any paint. I bought my paint from my local craft store! 

Once you paint the MDF and the letters AND THEY DRY you will need,

  5) To attach the chart and letters to the board we used a staple gun and some contact cement. (I believe a hot glue gun would also be effective for the letters).Check out the pictures to see exactly how we attached our chart and our letters!

Fold over one side of the growth chart and use your staple gun to secure. (Do not staple the 2nd side of growth chart until after placing your contact cement on the backside!!)

Then brush your contact cement to the backside of the growth chart, let cure for approximately 15 minutes (follow directions on the contact cement can). Then press to the MDF or wood. (Press and hold.) If you are using hot glue instead of contact cement then do not cover backside of growth chart so thoroughly, it may create lumps.

At this point it is ok to staple the remaining side of your growth chart.

Finally, cover the backside of your letters with contact cement (again, follow the contact cement instructions) and then place them onto the MDF or wood. Be sure to apply pressure as you place each letter. (PRESS AND HOLD). We want to make sure everything is going to stick and be secure!

PRESTO! 

Congratulations! You have just created a growth chart! If you are feeling really crafty at this point feel free to add stickers and personalize! Now hang it in your child's room and start making memories! If you have any further questions just shoot us a message on our facebook page, Elle Belly BOWtique. And hey, post those designs, I would love to see your creativity!

Pat yourself on the back mom, you just created a memory for your child!! Who are we kidding, just another day in a mom's world!