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    Home » Repurposed Items » Yardstick Tray

    Yardstick Tray

    Published by Gail | Published April 19, 2012 | Updated November 25, 2022
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    How to make a great yardstick tray by Little Nostalgia. Easy project to make from thrift store yardsticks. Step by step directions. #littlenostalgia #MyRepurposedLife #yardstick #diy #project #tray via @repurposedlife
    repurposed-yard-stick-tray-2

    image
    Nice to virtually meet you! I'm Paige from Little Nostalgia, and I'm so excited to be posting here! A big thanks to Gail for having me over, so to speak. Today I'll be showing you an easy DIY project you can tackle this weekend. Say hello to the vintage yardstick tray!

    If you only have a few yardsticks, you may want to make a Yardstick Biz Card Holder.

    repurposed-yard-stick-tray

    This is one of my all time favorite pieces. It's cool and kind of unusual, but still functional. I haven't hosted any wine and cheese nights since I made it, but you better believe it's making an appearance at the next one.

    Supplies

    • a tray
    • vintage yardsticks or rulers
    • spray paint
    • wood glue
    • a small saw

    First, gather your yardsticks and/or rulers. When I was casing estate sales and thrift stores for mine, I tried to find ones that were similar in color, but you don't have to:

    Next, use one of the yardsticks to measure your tray. Once you've found the length, it's time to start cutting. Because this project has so few cuts and uses thin material, it's great for people who are new to using tools, or who live in the city (like me!) and don't have a yard or garage for big power tools.
    Here's the saw I used instead:

    Cut down however many pieces of yardstick you need, depending on the size of your tray. After you've double checked your slicing skills to make sure everything fits, it's time to bust out the spray paint!

    Before...

    After!

    You can do any color you want; I went with Krylon's oil-rubbed bronze. The can says I can handle the tray after an hour, but I'm paranoid and like to let things sit overnight. So that's what I did.

    When it's fully dry, grab your yardsticks and glue them into place. I used my trusty Gorilla Glue, but any kind of wood adhesive will be fine. Again, I let it sit overnight with a heavy book on top of it, just to be safe. And that's it! Yardstick tray: complete.

    repurposed-yard-stick-tray

    Now you have a fun conversation piece to use at your next get-together. Have you ever made anything out of old yardsticks/rulers? Or revamped an old tray?

    If you have a thrift store tray that needs an update,  you could always paint it and trace a cool design on it like Maryann did with her navy tray. Maryann definitely knows the power of paint!

    Trays are so handy for decor and more, don't you think?

    gail

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    About Gail Wilson

    Hi, there! I’m Gail, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Renee

      April 23, 2023 at 1:20 pm

      Super idea!! Where do you find your yardsticks? I can't find any around here.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        April 24, 2023 at 7:41 pm

        Renee,

        I have a booth at a "resale" mall type place. You know, unmanned booths with a central checkout. There are a lot of "junk" booths that sell the most random stuff cheap! I think a lot of the items are storage unit buyouts.
        I rarely go to anything like goodwill anymore.
        Good luck!!
        gail

    2. Pam

      August 12, 2016 at 12:17 am

      This is really neat. Nice job

      Reply
      • gail@myrepurposedlife.com

        August 12, 2016 at 10:14 am

        Thanks Pam!

        I hope all is well with you. Are you like me, ready for some cooler weather?

        gail

    3. Michele @ The Scrap Shoppe

      November 20, 2014 at 7:20 pm

      What a great upcycle! Adding this to my list of favorite projects. 🙂

      Reply
    4. ArchippoRizzo

      April 22, 2012 at 1:57 pm

      Hi, this blog is really instructive. I would like to know more about this.

      pallet racking

      Reply
    5. Chase the Star

      April 22, 2012 at 9:23 am

      Love it Paige!! I needed an idea for a tray this just might be it!! Thanks for sharing!
      Barbara '@ chase the star

      Reply
    6. Just Stuff From a Boomer

      April 19, 2012 at 5:57 pm

      What a cute idea. Now yard sticks are on my flea market list.

      Reply
    7. Rose

      April 19, 2012 at 5:39 pm

      Paige did a wonderful job with this! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    8. Pam

      April 19, 2012 at 1:40 pm

      Gail...I love that. It is just so cute. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    9. Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures

      April 19, 2012 at 1:28 pm

      Love this! Old yardsticks are always on my treasure hunting list. Very nice.

      Reply
    10. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper

      April 19, 2012 at 1:14 pm

      that is too cute! i love it ! love the use of yardsticks!

      Reply
    11. Paige @ Little Nostalgia

      April 19, 2012 at 1:12 pm

      Thanks, Gail! I loved popping over for a guest post! 🙂

      Reply
    12. I Play Outside The Box

      April 19, 2012 at 1:12 pm

      Love the tray...had to go check out the 'Little Nostalgia'. Fabulous mirror makeover she has posted there too. Thanks for sharing this great 'makeover artist'.

      Reply
    13. Sandi @ The Primitive Skate

      April 19, 2012 at 12:59 pm

      Love it!

      Reply
    14. Proper Prim

      April 19, 2012 at 12:43 pm

      Sweet... love it. I have a lot of "old" yardsticks but I don't know if I have the heart to cut them up.

      I already have the tray so I will be on the lookout now for some newer ones... love this idea.

      Hugs, Deb

      Reply
    15. allenaim photography and design

      April 19, 2012 at 12:36 pm

      total cuteness!

      Reply
    16. Mugwhy

      April 19, 2012 at 11:13 am

      Love, Love, Love it. I'm off to find some old rulers. I've seen them from time to time, at op shops, but couldn't think what to do with them. Problem solved. Cheers.

      Reply
    17. Susan

      April 19, 2012 at 11:03 am

      Love it!

      Reply

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

    More about me →

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