Some of my favorite projects never end up how they start – and my vintage yardstick arrow is one of those projects.
You see, I was working on my new gallery wall for our office. I already shared the printer’s box word art I created.
As the wall developed, I knew this little corner was begging for a cute arrow.
So I set out to make one with cute turquoise vinyl I had left over from another project. It was going to be epic – with white paint pen feathers drawn in.
But instead of being epic, it was ugly.
So I went into the garage in search of some of the wood from my Grandfather’s house we tore down, figuring it would be perfect.
But the proportions were all wrong and it just wouldn’t work. So I kept digging through.
And then, speaking to me from across the room were a few lonely yardsticks saying “Pick me! Pick me!”.
Really, that is how it happened.
I began texting my husband about how to release the safety on the chop saw.
Thankfully, he was unavailable.
If I don’t know how to release the safety, I probably shouldn’t be using it.
So instead, I went old school with a miter box. This really was a better solution since the chop saw would have been overkill.
I simply began cutting small slices at a 45 degree angle from a thicker yardstick and cut down the smaller one to the length I wanted.
Just think through your angles for the “feathers”. You can just keep cutting from one direction and side but that means top of the yardstick will showing on one side and the bottom of the yardstick on the other side. If you want the top or bottom showing for both sides, flip over and cut from the other side for half of them. I did four for each side.
I cut two opposing 45 degree angles to make the tip from the thicker yardstick.
Then I filled it all the edges with a black marker to give it a more finished look.
I attached everything together using my trusty glue gun and I attached it to the wall using velcro picture hanging strips.
And now, we all know which way Pleasant Street is.
Thanks for reading!
P.S. If you want some tips on hanging just about anything for a gallery wall, you can visit here.
So cute Laura! I love how it turned out. What a fun eclectic little touch for your gallery wall. I think those projects that evolve that way sometimes turn out the best… maybe because they are such a surprise!
Krista
I love it….what a perfect addition to your gallery wall. I have a printer tray hanging in my hall that needs a little something. This will be perfect. Now all I need is an old yardstick. I can’t wait to see the completed office.
That is too cute! I am pinning this! Now I just need to find a place in my house for one (or three) of these. . . Life to the full! Melissa
Love it! What a fun idea.
LOVE this project! Seriously! Can’t wait to make one! Totally pinning!
🙂 me
I ADORE this!! Sooooo much cuteness! I can’t wait to make one.
What a great creative idea! The arrow looks great on the wall, it would look great hanging anywhere you have a little spot. Have a great weekend.
Michelle. thebashfulnest.blogspot.com
Love this! Amazing, I have to make one, I am crazy about yardsticks, last year I did an end table top using yardsticks and this would be a perfect addition! Thanks for your creativeness!
You’re a genius! Old school is about the only way I do anything; I need to get a miter box. This is such a cute idea! Glad you were able to work it out. Your wall is really looking sweet. Liz
this is the cutest thing! I have a ton of old yardsticks and I’ve been thinking the arrow trend is so fun – now I know what to make my arrow out of! I found this on Craftgawker and I’m pinning it!
I love it! I might have to get Barry to do those small cuts! Have a great week!
Debbie
Seriously SO cute!!!!! I absolutely love this project!!
Anna
askannamoseley.com
Most of my projects “evolve” as I go. I rarely end up with what I first envisioned, but it’s often better than I anticipated. I love the yardstick arrow!
My projects usually “evolve” as I go. They rarely end up as I envisioned them, but most of the time they turn out better than I anticipated (that is the successful ones!). I love your arrow.
Oops, sorry about the repeat!
That’s really fun, Laura! I love it!
I love live love love it – I think it actually qualifies as epic!!
LOVE this Laura! I think I saw this linked up somewhere last week and thought “oh, that’s cute!” even before I knew it was you. So fabulous, without bias! 😉
What a great idea! I just finished my gallery wall and may have to add this.
How cute and clever you are! I just saw the deer yardstick silhouette, then clicked over to this arrow…love your blog! I am pinning both. Thank you for sharing.
This is a great how-to. I appreciate the choice to go lower tech with the miter box and handsaw. You don’t come across many projects using miter boxes any more. Nice work!
Ohhh I like this. I am thinking of doing this but sticking some wine corks on the middle part so I can pin projects I like. It would work well in my new little workspace I am setting up. Thanks for sharing!
I love the yard stick for your arrow. Well done and thanks for sharing