Yardstick & Scrabble Tile DIY Garden Markers
Hi there! Welcome to this month’s edition of the Thrifty Chicks challenge. Every second Wednesday, I and some of my special blogging friends, participate in thrifty DIY event. For July we had to develop a [dazzling and unique] project using yardsticks or rulers. You’ll have to let me know whether we succeeded.
After reading about my project–vintage yardstick & scrabble tile DIY garden markers–you’ll find links to each participant’s post. I hope you’ll take some time to visit them all and enjoy their delightful entries.
* This post contains affiliate links.
Materials:
- Vintage yardsticks or rulers
- Scrabble tiles
- Sand paper
- Hot glue
- Large craft sticks
- Stain (optional)
- Polyurethane or Wood protector
- Plants!
Pick out scrabble tiles that will form garden-related words, like “garden,” “herbs,” and “grow.” What other words could you form?
Cut your yardstick/ruler to size for each marker you plan to make. For 6-letter words, use a 7″ piece, for 5-letter words, cut a 6″ piece, etc. Basically, cut your pieces 1″ longer than the number of letters in the word. I cut mine with a miter saw and lightly sanded any rough edges. [See below for a saw-free version of this project, using rulers.]
Before gluing the tiles onto the yardstick, rub the backs on some sandpaper to roughen them, allowing for better adherence. Lay out the tiles on your piece of yardstick so you can see where you want each placed. Apply a small amount of hot glue to the back of each tile, one at a time, then press in place firmly and hold until dry.
I decided to stain my craft sticks to give them a more vintage look and to coordinate better with my yardsticks. Allow the stain to dry and then glue it to the back of your yardstick using a small amount of hot glue. Hold firmly in place until dry. To weatherize your markers, apply a few coats of polyurethane or wood protector.
Pretty cute, right? Time to tuck them into your flower box, herb garden, or pot of greenery. They would also make an appealing addition to a fairy garden, right?
The “Herbs” marker found its way into my pot of chives.
If you are unable to cut vintage yardsticks or rulers into various lengths as I have, don’t worry! You can make equally charming garden markers simply by using rulers and gluing your scrabble tiles down the ruler, as I have in this photo. Push the end of the ruler into the dirt and your good to go. My sweet sister actually preferred this version to the previous one.
I plan to bring my markers to the Shaker gift shop where I have a line of products for sale. This particular site, only 5 minutes from my home, had an herb garden focus back in the day, when it was a thriving community.
The gift shop manager is therefore interested in providing merchandise consistent with this theme. I think these will perfectly compliment the silverware garden markers I already have for sale in the shop (and which have been selling well).
Please be sure to check out my friends projects below:
You may also be interested in these posts:
Concrete Brick Garden Markers
Aging Terracotta Pots
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I’d love it if you’d pin me 🙂
The garden markers are so adorable. I can see using them not only as garden markers but as plant sticks for your potted plants.
Hi Diana! Scrabble Tile Yardstick Garden Markers is such a great idea. They really turned out cute! I’m glad you have plans to sell them. I think they have mass appeal. It wouldn’t surprise me if a big box store comes knocking on your door.
Best wishes,
Kristi Kirk Trent, Oklahoma. City
Super cute! Thanks for sharing.
So cute! I like both versions! I need to find another scrabble game though…running low on letters! Pinned!
These garden markers are so much fun Diana. I love how you combined the rulers and the scrabble tiles. Great project!
Love these! I have some yardstick scraps left over that I could use for this!
Tania
What a great idea! I seem to collect wooden yardsticks and now to find the scrabble tiles…
Oh I love these super cute garden markers, Diana! The yardstick/scrabble tiles are meant for eadh other! Pinned 🙂
Am I the only one who can’t bear to cut up vintage yard sticks? We have a store I love to hit (HARD!) 1-2x a summer that has .25 rulers. I think (free) paint stirrers would be good, too. I’d love them spelling out the herb names, too!
Another great Scrabble tile project! These really are darling. I’m betting this is also a great project to use up broken yardsticks that might otherwise get thrown out:) Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm! Kathleen|Our Hopeful Home
Where do you find Scrabble tiles? It would also be a cute idea for Thanksgiving table settings:)
Super cute idea. I just pinned it. I am on the lookout for old scrabble pieces. Glad I found your post on the link party. Happy Summer, Kippi
Sageandivydesigns…you can buy the scrabble tiles online at Amazon and many other places.
Adorable garden markers DIY project. Love it. Think I will paint this into other colors.
I couldn’t bare to cut my yard sticks up, so I’ll have to go buy some new ones and make them vintage looking before I did this. This is just too darn cute!! I have tons of scrabble tiles so this should be a breeze. Just too darn cute, just too darn cute!!
Great back-up plan 🙂 So glad you enjoyed the project!!
Well DARN! I am just finding this fun, eclectic, crafty site. Lordy, I will be spending a ton of time here. So many wonderful, creative ideas.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying my blog, Donna! Thanks for taking the time to write such a lovely comment 🙂
I love your markers with the scrabble tiles. I bought some tiles late last year and plan on using them in some of the ways you did. These are so cute. Thanks for sharing.
Would you mind giving me advice on how much to charge for these items? If you don’t want to, I understand. I just opened my first small shop at a small flea market and am placing items there for sale.
Thanks
I’m so glad you like them Lori! No, I don’t mind telling you at all. I sell them for $8 each (the vertical ones sell for $10 each). I wish you all the best with your shop (once things settle down with the virus). I’d love to see photos of your markers and your booth as well. Are you a member of my Facebook group (Your Vintage Headquarters)? That would be a great place to post them 🙂
I loved this project and fun to make. I’ve found the scrabble tiles and glue do not withstand my Arizona intense sun and heat. They would last longer and keep their color if they were in partially shaded pots. I’ll re-glue and put on a weather proof clear stain to protect them.