Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Beyond Measure

Yardsticks and rulers always seem to be a magnet to us junkers.  I'm not sure what it is, maybe the numbers or the color of the wood.  I am always on the lookout for yardsticks that have a local business I knew as a child (I live in the same town I grew up in) or great patina.  Right now I am collecting them to line shelves in my work room.  Last Thursday I was up at Ruby Rose buying tickets for Remnants of the Past Antique show and lucked out in finding one that was 48" long instead of the standard 36".  That size will work great on the shelves.
I have gathered some images of ruler and yardstick projects, most are hand crafted and some even have a tutorial.  I can definitely see some I would like to make...starting with number one.  I have already counted, there are 39 yardsticks that make up this fabulous piece.  Enjoy!

Re-purposed flea market find via Patina White
Fabulous Frame
via Patina White
Yardstick buffet
great tutorial found here
via Corner House
DIY Sunburst Mirror
via Frugal Decor Mom

DIY Lampshade
via Design Sponge
Storage crate
via Meridian Road
Yardstick serving tray
via Mamie Jane's
Ruler Organizer
via Etsy (only $8)
via My Salvaged Treasures
and just for fun...
Drop Cloth Table Runner
via Country Home (tutorial)

I would love to know what you have used rulers or yardsticks for! 
cheers for a great week!
paula
 

27 comments:

  1. I haven't used rulers or yardsticks in creative ways before...but my goodness, thank you for some awesome ideas! I LOVE the staircase!!

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  2. Great collection! I am addicted to these too - my only rule is that they have to have the 'old' style phone numbers. I love them!

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    1. shelly, I like those old phone numbers too. I have favorite one right now that has stars on it. love it.

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  3. Awwww now I want yard sticks to play with, lol. These all look amazing. I'm a bit too young to remember yard sticks though. We've been working in centimetres a and metres for the last 30 plus years so we don't have too many yard sticks now in Northern Ireland. But I do remember our teachers used to scare the life out of us by whacking wooden metre rulers off the blackboards. Its making me shiver as I type, lol. Hmmmmm, I wonder if I could sneak back in to my old school and smuggle out some metre rulers,lol. Lee x

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    1. Lee, now that brings back some memories. Grade 6, Jim A. would not stop talking. Teacher walked right over and whacked his desk so hard to get his attention that her yardstick broke in half. Oh boy...that got everyone's attention. I personally think that boy alone sent her into retirement that year, lol. Good times!

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  4. I thought I was the only one who LOVED yardsticks! I have not done anything with mine and I LOVE your ideas. Thanks so much for sharing and letting me know I'm not alone. tee hee.

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  5. I have a whole Pinboard devoted to things you can do with yardsticks. :) I bought a great old table at the thrift store that has an inset top. I want to refinish the table and fill the inset portion with beautiful old yardsticks! I'm always on the hunt for them at estate sales and get particularly excited when I can find a painted one!

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    1. love the idea heidi...I want a picture when it's done...even if it's a year from now!
      paula

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  6. Love all these ideas. I too am addicted to vintage yard sticks and have a few. Would love to create something with them one day. Just picked up my newest folding one last week. Thanks for the ideas Paula.

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  7. Oh be still my beating heart!! Those sticks are just fabulous and wow some great ideas, thanks for sharing xx
    Kaz x

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  8. Oh WOW! I love the idea of using measuring sticks for crafting projects. I pinned some, giving you credit. Thanks for sharing! Vickie

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  9. I totally love these pictures.I knew I was collecting yardsticks for a reason.

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    1. Hi Janet,

      I have to ask, where do you find the yardsticks at?

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  10. Okay. I want all of these items in my house, right now. And I'm not a pushy person....I'm really quiet. But I'm afraid that I have elbow my way in here, ladies. Sorry.

    Fantastic! What wonderful ideas.

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    1. no worries Sharon!
      I find mine at local antique stores...I usually pay between 5 and 10 for each one depending on the store. Anything over 10 is a no go!
      paula

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  11. I did have a nice collection but only have two now as they have disappeared over the years! I also have one that can be closed up. Maybe I better hide the couple I have!

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  12. WOW,love all the ideas but the stairs take the prize. How absolutely cool and different and FUN!!! I should be so talented.

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  13. Yes, I'm making one of those and it's already approved by my husband! In fact, at the Art Is You convention I just bought my first yard stick - just because...and now I know why :-)

    Thanks Paula for sharing the wonderful ideas.

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  14. This comment is from Judi who had a great idea! (I am just posting it for her)

    I wanted to tell you that if you lay out two yard sticks parallel to each other, you can roll out your cookie dough for an even thickness. Or glue two together for each side and get a thicker cookie. Of course, use brand new, cheap rulers as this will wreck the wood eventually! I know, it can't hang on your wall or look pretty on the table, but the cookies will be the perfect thickness every time. (paint stir sticks work also, and then you won't have to sacrifice any good rulers.)

    Love this ruler/yardstick post. So creative!
    Judi

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  15. Love all the photos of the rulers! and of course I LOVE rulers! Great post as always!!

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  16. I love yardsticks! Thanks for sharing some fabulous ways to use them.

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  17. I love all of these ruler creations! I'd better keep my eyes open for yardsticks from now on.

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  18. Still using them for measuring here!

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  19. Amazing ruler art! The staircase is absolutely wonderful!
    Alison x

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  20. I'd seen the framed rulers before, and the drawer caddy, but never the furniture!!! WOW!!! My mind is buzzing with ideas! I love this! Thank you for sharing!!!!

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