Easy Upcycled and Repurposed Yardstick Photo Displays
March 28, 2019
I love old yardsticks. I once used several for a frame project, and I am sorry that I did.
I spotted a plain, new yardstick at our local craft shop.
It wasn't really cheaper than the older ones but I didn't have to sacrifice one of my cool yardsticks for this project.
(When you click on the bold Amazon, Old Sign Stencils or Dixie Belle Paint Company affiliate links you will be taken to the products I use for this project. If you order it does not change the price or service at all. As an Amazon Affiliate, Old Sign Stencils Affiliate or Dixie Belle Paint Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)
(When you click on the bold Amazon, Old Sign Stencils or Dixie Belle Paint Company affiliate links you will be taken to the products I use for this project. If you order it does not change the price or service at all. As an Amazon Affiliate, Old Sign Stencils Affiliate or Dixie Belle Paint Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)
I didn't give it much thought, but I just assumed the yardstick was unfinished wood.
So, I grabbed a gray wood stain and rubbed it on. Wrong! It did not soak in at all.
I wiped off all of the stain, and rubbed on Rust-Oleum Chalked Glaze Semi-Transparent in Smoked
. I had this on hand from other projects.
. I had this on hand from other projects.
I applied a second coat of glaze to make the yardstick look like gray weathered wood.
This is the yardstick after two coats.
I also sanded off the "Made in China" lettering on the front of the yardstick, and painted the brass/gold metal ends of the yardstick with Fusion Mineral Paint in Coal Black
. This also made the yardstick have a more authentic vintage look.
. This also made the yardstick have a more authentic vintage look.
.
I spaced the clips out equally on the yardstick, and glued them on using E6000 Craft Adhesive
.
.
I let the glue dry overnight.
These Tim Holtz Remnant Rubs, (rub on transfers) are getting harder to find, since the scrapbooking craze has subsided.
If you can find them online or in a local craft shop, they are fun for decorating projects.
I found these rub on transfers at a local thrift shop recently.
Rub on transfers are pretty easy to use. Just cut around the words you want to use, remove the white backing, position the transfer on your project, and burnish or rub on the transfer with the stick provided. If you pull up the clear top sheet and all of the transfer is not stuck down, just rub some more before removing.
Most of the rub on words were sentimental or inspirational.
All different fonts and sizes.
All different fonts and sizes.
After applying the rub ons, I applied Dixie Belle Best Dang Wax in Clear
with a paper fiber rag.
UGH! This removed some of my smoke glaze. So, I then waxed on top of the clear wax with Dixie Belle Best Dang Wax in BLACK.
I applied it with a fiber rag, let it dry about 30 minutes, and then wiped it lightly with another rag. This worked. If you can find or use an unfinished yardstick, you can use wood stain.
with a paper fiber rag.UGH! This removed some of my smoke glaze. So, I then waxed on top of the clear wax with Dixie Belle Best Dang Wax in BLACK.
I applied it with a fiber rag, let it dry about 30 minutes, and then wiped it lightly with another rag. This worked. If you can find or use an unfinished yardstick, you can use wood stain.
Since both ends had holes, the yardstick hung vertically with two nails.
I love the addition of the rub on transfers!
Several years ago, I made a vertical yardstick photo display, basically the same way, but I used an old yardstick, and didn't add any rub on transfers.
I love displaying photos in creative ways!
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Carlene, I can't tell where you used the rub-ons. Can you explain? I love the idea. And I have some old yardsticks!
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