There’s something poetic about embracing a little bit of American history and a few thrifted pieces together in one DIY project.
If you’ve followed this blog for longer than a minute though, you’ve probably already gathered that we get uber mushy and sentimental about a lot of things. About pieces of our past that often inspire us in the present day. And today, we’re wrapping up the last craft in my hubby’s vintage military inspired office… all manly in its manliness.
This craft idea came along at the perfect time since my friend Beth from Home Stories A to Z invited me to team up with her and 21 other talented bloggers for a Thrifty Under $50 blog hop this week.
If you’re visiting from Finding Home Farms after seeing Laura’s brilliant vintage door vanity desk, I’m so glad you’re here!
My ultimate goal is always figuring out ways to decorate our house on a major budget, so I was ALLLLL for this challenge!
And it all started with a pile of yardsticks…
I searched high and low and couldn’t believe this idea had never been done before (as far as I could find anyway). Yardsticks are pretty “Americany” since the metric system is used everywhere else. I always wanted to do something fun with them but could never find the perfect project until now.
So here’s what I used: (Affiliate links are provided below. For more information, see my full disclosure here.)
- About 20-25 wooden yardsticks (I got mine in a bundle for $1.50 per stick on eBay, but Etsy has them too.)
- 1 folding yardstick (These are on eBay and Etsy too.)
- 1/8″ thick plywood
- Circular saw (We have this one and it does a great job.)
- Heavy duty construction adhesive (Loctite or Liquid Nails)
- Clamps and/or weights
- Painter’s tape
- Craft brush
- Craft paints in red and blue
- Paper towels
- Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
- Hanging kit
First, Robert and I figured out the size we would need to fit all of our yardsticks. We had 21 of them, and obviously, our flag was going to be a yard wide. (Yay for projects that measure themselves!)
Then we marked and cut the plywood with our circular saw.
We just happened to have a tube of this construction adhesive in our stash, but you could use any brand you like. I usually like Liquid Nails the best since the drying time is faster.
We just applied the adhesive, placed one yardstick at a time, and clamped it.
Our weight system got uh… a little interesting. Hey, whatever works.
After an hour or two the adhesive was dry, so I positioned the folding yardstick into a star shape and taped the square part of the flag to fit the star and prepare it for paint.
I put a strip of tape on any of the yardsticks I wanted to leave blank to represent the white stripes.
Then, I dry brushed the red stripes. If you don’t know what dry brushing is, you just dip your craft brush into a little paint, wipe off the excess on a paper towel until it’s seemingly dry, and brush it onto the wood you’re working with.
After dry brushing the red stripes, I did the same with the blue.
Since some of the yardsticks were a yellowish wood, some of them took on a greenish blue color, but that was totally okay with us. Yay character!
When the paint was dry, I attached the star with a little hot glue at the corners, added a hanging kit on the back, and hung it up.
Robert had an old rifle from World War II that he decided to hang above it. It doesn’t fire or anything but it’s a really cool piece of history.
The yardstick flag seems to fit right in with our office gallery wall that has a few pieces from Robert’s past.
I found these vintage style wooden frames at 50% off at Michaels that work great for some of his accolades and diploma.
We made a spot for him to hang up his old pack too.
And I found this clip board on sale at Michaels that fit his old field books exactly.
If you are on the lookout for some gallery wall tips and tricks, you can find all of mine in this post. And if you want more thrifty wall decor ideas, you can see my big list of them here.
So now this office is 99% finished! Except for a light fixture switcheroo that’s happening soon.
To continue on the Thrifty Under $50 adventure, you can head over to Traci at Beneath My Heart for I’m sure what is bound to be a stunning makeover. She is definitely one of the sweetest, most talented people I know, and her style is like a breath of fresh air.
You can catch up on any of the other makeovers you missed this week and check back until Friday to click around for even more inspiration:
Monday
Home Stories A to Z
Design Dining Diapers
Finding Silver Pennies
Anderson + Grant
Tuesday
French Country Cottage
Refresh Restyle
Just a Girl
Finding Home Farms
Wednesday
Bless’er House
Beneath My Heart
Love Grows Wild
Ella Claire
Thursday
Friday
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Mary-the boondocks blog says
April 13, 2016 at 7:40 amYay for Character! This thrifty project packs a whole lot of character and a burst of color in the manly room!! Very well done Lauren!
Lauren says
April 19, 2016 at 10:08 amThank you, Mary! It was a lot of fun to make.
Lindsay Eidahl says
April 13, 2016 at 7:59 amI love yard sticks and I have used them on so many projects. I always pick them up at yard sales when I can find them. I think the old ones have so much character! I love what you did with your stash!
Lauren says
April 19, 2016 at 10:08 amThank you, Lindsay! I love the old ones too. They definitely don’t make them like that anymore.
Marcia says
April 13, 2016 at 8:32 amGreat idea Lauren and Robert did a super job again! kisses ML
Lauren says
April 19, 2016 at 10:08 amThank you, Marcia! xoxo
Brooke says
April 13, 2016 at 9:41 amAbsolutely love this. So creative with the star and everything. It looks great on your wall. Thanks for sharing.
Lauren says
April 19, 2016 at 10:07 amThank you so much, Brooke!
Kim says
April 13, 2016 at 9:50 amAs always, I absolutely love your project!
Lauren says
April 19, 2016 at 10:07 amThank you, Kim!
Laura says
April 13, 2016 at 10:37 amI love a great yardstick project AND I love a good flag project and you have perfectly joined the two – love this! Such a great idea!
Lauren says
April 19, 2016 at 10:07 amThank you so much, Laura! Your door vanity was absolutely brilliant! Definitely going on my to-do list for my daughter when she gets older.
Beth says
April 13, 2016 at 11:09 amWhat a beautiful Americana art piece! Thanks for joining in the hop Lauren!
Lauren says
April 19, 2016 at 10:06 amThank you so much for having me, Beth! I had a blast, and I’m so amazed by all of the creative minds in this group. So honored to be a part of it. 🙂
Shirley says
April 13, 2016 at 11:40 amLaren this is fantastic!! The star made up of a fold up ruler is inspired. Love it.
pamela says
April 13, 2016 at 12:06 pmVery cool flag. great job.
Colleen says
April 13, 2016 at 1:31 pmLauren, this is a great project! My husband would love something like this in his office too 😉
Lauren says
April 19, 2016 at 10:04 amThank you, Colleen!
Julie Blanner says
April 13, 2016 at 5:23 pmThis is so creative and full of character. I love it!
Lauren says
April 19, 2016 at 10:03 amThank you so much, Julie! Loved your desk makeover. 🙂
Danielle says
April 14, 2016 at 9:42 amThis came out so cool!
Lauren says
April 19, 2016 at 10:02 amThanks, Danielle! Loved your furniture flip too!
Jamie | anderson + grant says
April 14, 2016 at 6:11 pmThis room has come together so well, Lauren. I’m sure that you husband has to appreciate the fact that you’ve worked together to create such a perfect room for his office. There are so many meaningful details. And your flag is so neat!
Lauren says
April 19, 2016 at 10:01 amThank you, Jamie! He is so excited about this new office all for him. Makes me happy to see him happy. 🙂
Jessica says
April 15, 2016 at 8:40 amLove how your project turned out. You really made a gorgeous piece of art for you home… great job!
Lauren says
April 19, 2016 at 9:59 amThanks so much, Jessica! I love how your centerpiece turned out too!
Toni says
April 15, 2016 at 5:27 pmWhat an awesome idea, I remember playing with my grandpa’s old folding measuring stick. I wish I still had it so I could make one of these too. I might just have to search eBay for the supplies 🙂
Lauren says
April 19, 2016 at 9:56 ameBay all the way! They have everything over there. 🙂
Keri says
April 16, 2016 at 10:37 pmLauren, this yardstick wall art is seriously too awesome!!! How creative to use the folding yardstick for the star! I’m going to be on the lookout for yardsticks now. You all did a great job on this!!
Lauren says
April 19, 2016 at 9:55 amThank you, Keri! My husband loves it soooo much. Makes me happy to see him happy. 🙂
[email protected] says
April 20, 2016 at 2:40 pmI love this creative project and it’s perfect for you military office. Our office has somewhat of a military theme (lots of Civil War stuff) and this would look good in it. Currently I have a huge vintage flag hanging over my husband’s desk but I’m taking that to the lake soon, so a version of your project would look good to take the flag’s place. Thanks for a great idea.
Lauren says
April 21, 2016 at 11:38 pmYay! I hope you make it! If you do, I would love to see a picture. Hope all is well with you, Paula!
Bonnie says
October 9, 2017 at 9:29 pmWhat a great idea for yardsticks! I have more than I can count. Love your painting technique.