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Ruler Clip Art Rails

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Display your children's artwork or even a chore list with this cute wall display system. Made from Jumbo clothespins and a wood yardstick.

So I have a story for you.

My sister Claudia is in town and Grace was showing her her room.  And of course, Grace only has a toddler bed.

And Aunt Claudia asked where she was going to sleep, because Grace's bed is too small.

And Grace replied, with confidence, "Don't worry, I'll make another bed."

And Aunt Claudia said, "Won't that take a long time?"

And Grace said, "No, I promise, I can make another bed real fast."

Well, we didn't make a bed.  But we did make this together.

 

And it was real fast.

And real cheap.  You will need a yard stick.  Ours came from the Lowe's paint counter and was eighty-nine cents.

And four of these giant clothes pins. I got them on sale for three dollars for all four.

 

And some leftover paint.  Acrylic paint in the tube works too.

This one is high gloss red from Valspar.

And this blue is a homemade oooops concoction.  Add a little gray to the color to tone it down and balance the brights.

More ooops paint.  Can't beat $1 per quart.  Especially in premium paint.

And I wanted to show you this photo because this plum is green ooooops paint.  Notice how the paint is thinner than the other colors (all single coats)?  I'd pay for green paint, but this one doesn't have the same coverage as the other paints.

Now line out your clothes pins on the yardstick.  Mark the locations.  Flip the whole thing over.

And screw the yard stick to the clothespins with short screws (measure your clothespins and yardstick, I used 1/2" screws)

And then just screw the whole thing to the wall.  I screwed mine to a stud in the wall, but you could also use drywall anchors.

Project Type
shelves
Toys
Room
Teens
Bathroom
Craftroom
dining room
Entryway and Mudroom
Kids and Toys
kitchen
office
Style
Children's and Kid's Room Furniture and Toy Plans

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Thu, 05/19/2011 - 14:03

I used a hot glue gun on mine and it worked fine. I also painted the yard stick a navy blue and the clothes pins a bright grean. Between the Pins I painted white wooden stars and hot glued between. It looks great with my sons Toy Story room!

Mary Anne (not verified)

Tue, 11/02/2010 - 02:06

Love this! It's self-measuring too!

I'd think your pre-drilling advice would be especially good here... wouldn't want to split the yardstick. Where did you find the huge clothespins?

Also love your creativity with the oops paints!

Megan (not verified)

Tue, 11/02/2010 - 02:26

Such a cute, simple idea! We JUST got our son into school and he starts tomorrow, this will be awesome for his little bring-home projects!

Also, wudjya ever do about the bed situation? (lol!)

Darla (not verified)

Tue, 11/02/2010 - 03:16

If you use glue, just skip the paint on that spot. It'll stick better. I think I'd just use wood glue or gorilla glue though.

Rebecca (not verified)

Tue, 11/02/2010 - 04:49

I *love* this project. Soooo cute and I've been looking for a creative way to display the *many* coloring pages/drawings/craft projects that seem to multiply when I'm not looking. I think I've found my answer!

Nan Tovar (not verified)

Tue, 11/02/2010 - 04:53

@ Mary Anne---if you click on the giant clothespins, it will come up with Jo-Ann's.
What a great idea, Ana! Even better than your Clip Art rails.

Nan Tovar (not verified)

Tue, 11/02/2010 - 04:54

@ Mary Anne---if you click on the giant clothespins, it will come up with Jo-Ann's.
Ana--this is even better than the Clip Art rails, more colorful too

Amanda (not verified)

Tue, 11/02/2010 - 05:03

I think I will make a shorter version and attach heavy-duty magnets on the back! That way I can use it on the fridge! I never have enough clips on the fridge. Thanks for the idea!

Andrea (not verified)

Tue, 11/02/2010 - 05:17

We have something very similar in our play room. Regular clothespins (about a dozen of them), painted red, on a piece of scrapwood painted yellow. The kids love having their artwork on display.

Lisa (not verified)

Tue, 11/02/2010 - 05:44

love, love, love this idea! I've been trying to come up with an idea to hang all my kids artwork. This is perfect! I'm seeing a while wall of these!

emily* (not verified)

Tue, 11/02/2010 - 11:05

I tried a hot glue gun and seems to work just fine. Now after 6 months of little hands hanging and re-hanging art it may need another dab of glue, but so far it's great. I love finding projects where I have everything I need already lying around the house!

Ashley (not verified)

Tue, 11/02/2010 - 11:08

Will you explain this comment? I've read and reread it a dozen times, and just can't figure it out.

"And I wanted to show you this photo because this plum is green ooooops paint. Notice how the paint is thinner than the other colors (all single coats)? I’d pay for green paint, but this one doesn’t have the same coverage as the other paints."

Julie (not verified)

Tue, 11/02/2010 - 12:17

This is so cute! I am an occupational therapist for a school district in Arkansas and this is a really great project for my kids. Thanks!

Theresa (not verified)

Tue, 11/02/2010 - 14:15

I'm thinking that this might work for me with a few bills I keep loosing and have trouble keeping in order. Maybe in my sewing room where I need to hang a pattern and instructions while I sew. Thanks Ana, and its a fast project too!

Christy Panzarella (not verified)

Fri, 11/05/2010 - 09:36

Gorilla Wood Glue would prolly work too. I just picked some up on sale at Harbor Freight!

Heather (not verified)

Fri, 11/05/2010 - 19:39

If you do the same thing, but turn the clothespins the other direction & hang the yardstick up vertically, this makes a good rack for baseball caps. I did those one year with the Fire Dept Auxiliary to sell at a fair.

Judy (not verified)

Thu, 11/11/2010 - 03:11

I LOVE this idea!!! I'm a teacher in an inner-city school and have a HUGE wall of block glass windows that I haven't been able to figure out how to hang the kids' work on.... yardsticks with clips, hung from suction cups are perfect!!! Thanks so much!

Teresa (not verified)

Wed, 01/19/2011 - 08:58

I did this but I marked where the clothes pins were going and painted a piece of scrap wood I had, I left the part where the clothes pins were going unpainted, painted the front and sides of the clothes pins and then just hot glued them to the other piece of wood.

Still together and works great!!

countrymomma (not verified)

Sat, 03/05/2011 - 18:38

This is just what I've been looking for. My four kids create an endless stream of artwork and I wanted a creative way to display it. And this is it! I'm definitely going to make this. Hope to make it to town tomorrow and get the supplies! Thanks Ana, this entire website is so cool! :-)

Char Haas (not verified)

Tue, 05/24/2011 - 07:40

If you don't want to put holes in the wall, I'd grab some of the "command" hooks by 3m, and use them in place of double stick tape. The adhesive will come cleanly off the wall. Follow the directions on the packaging, just apply the adhesive to the back of the ruler, rather than to the hooks! I've used these for years, and they hold well, except in high heat/humidity situations.

claydowling

Tue, 05/24/2011 - 08:49

One thing to keep in mind is that long-term, an adhesive is more problematic than a screw or nail hole. Over time the adhesive will either fail, or become one with the wall (typically over the course of 6-9 months). If that happens, the only way to deal with it is to gouge out the drywall and patch.

With a screw or nail hole, you can make it more secure by drilling or nailing into a stud (use a stud finder, they're cheap and useful). You can also pre-drill the hole, so that you pierce the surface in a controlled way and minimize the size of the hole. When it's ultimately time to take the ruler down, it's a couple minutes to fix with spackle or joint compound and a putty knife.

If you have real plaster walls, the situation is more complex. You must pre-drill nail or screw holes because the plaster will crack and the crack will spread, and the fix is tedious (and may require skills you don't have). The problems from the tape adhering are magnified as well.

Dgidgi

Sat, 10/01/2011 - 15:18

Adorable project, thank you so much for sharing... I made a version this afternoon and I just loved it...
Best regards all the way from Brasil

Cloe (not verified)

Thu, 10/06/2011 - 11:33

Ok, I took apart my clothes pins and painted them.... problem is, I can't figure out how to get them back together... any advice? - I feel like a dud!

Thanks for the great project this is perfect for my classroom.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wood Questions

What kind of wood should I use?
Most of our plans use standard construction lumber like pine or fir. It's affordable, easy to work with, and easy to find. It's also rapidly renewing and biodegradable, so a great eco friendly choice!

Can I use hardwoods instead?
Yes—just keep in mind they're heavier, cost more, and can be tougher on tools and harder to join together and finish. I recommend not tackling a hardwood project until after you have built several softwood projects.

What if my boards are warped?
Choose the straightest boards at the store. You can often work around slight warps by cutting them into shorter pieces.

What wood should I use for outdoor furniture?
Use red-toned or pressure-treated 2x lumber for framing, and cedar or cedar fence pickets for the decking. Outdoor furniture should be built like a deck—your local home center can help recommend the right wood for your climate.

Will my wood move or warp after I build?
Potentially, especially in humid climates. Let your wood acclimate indoors before building. Once acclimated and kept in a stable environment, movement should be minimal. Remember, most houses are built using framing lumber - it's all about keeping moisture down indoors.

Cutting Questions

Do I need a miter saw?
A miter saw is great, creating fast, safe, and precise cuts, even for beginners. But most plans can be built with a circular saw and a straight edge. If using a circular saw to cut, take time to practice, and get good at making cuts, before cutting your project boards.

How do I get clean cuts with a circular saw?
Clamp your board, measure twice, cut slow, and use a sharp blade. This takes practice, so spend some time making cuts. I go through becoming proficient at freehand cutting in my course, it is worth taking if you want to master this skill.

Will the store cut my wood?
Yes—most stores will do rough cuts to help you transport your materials home. But from store to store, the quality of cuts could greatly vary.

Joinery Questions

What screws should I use?
We recommend star-head self tapping screws for framing, most common sizes are 2-1/2", 1-3/4". Pre-drill if close to the edge or you find your wood is splitting.

Do I have to use pocket holes?
Pocket holes are the cheapest, easiest and fastest way to do some joints - like edge to edge or a hidden fastener joint. There are other methods, but these can be time consuming and expensive. We recommend using pocket holes as indicated in plans for best results.

How do I keep things square?
Use a speed square and measure diagonals after each step. Always clamp joints before screwing to keep them tight and flush.

Finishing Questions

Stain or paint before or after building?
A quick sand before and a full finish after gives the best results. Pre-finish if you're doing two-tone or detailed finishes.

What type of finish?
Use oil-based or water-based stain. For paint, cabinet-grade latex or enamel works great. High use surfaces on indoor projects should get a coat of polyurethane, I recommend a Helsman or Spar or other flexible poly that won't crack or peel with wood movement. For exterior projects, use a finish suitable for exterior fences.

How to get a smooth finish?
Start with a well sanded project. Sand between coats (220 grit), wipe clean, and apply light coats with a foam brush or roller.

Plan Questions

Can I change the size?
Many people do, and that's the great thing about building your own furniture! But do keep in mind going bigger might mean more supports are required, and often plans are optimized for minimal material waste.

Are these beginner-friendly?
Yes—plans are written with simple tools and clear steps in mind, with every effort to make plans as simple as possible.

Can I sell what I build?
Absolutely! Just don’t resell or repost the plans themselves.

General Questions

What tools do I really need?
A drill, circular saw, tape measure, square, and a few clamps will get you through most projects.

Do I need a workshop?
Nope! A driveway or small patio is plenty to get started, just make sure you have a level place to work. If you find you are building several projects a year, creating a small workbench is a great way to store tools and have a dedicated workspace.

What if I mess up?
Wood filler, sanding, or flipping boards goes a long way. Mistakes are part of the process!

What can I do to make my projects look more professional?
Start with straight boards, make accurate cuts, clamp all joints, and line up everything neatly. Sand thoroughly, use a neutral finish, and apply it in light coats for a clean look.

I've never built anything before. Where should I start?
Start with a few smaller softwood projects to get hands-on experience. Or if you're tackling a big project, buy a little extra lumber and practice your cuts and joints first. If possible, work with someone who has a bit of experience.

Care & Maintenance

How long will my furniture last?
With good joinery and regular care, your DIY furniture can last for decades. I have pieces in my own home that are over 20 years old and still going strong! One of the best parts about DIY furniture is that it’s easy to repaint, refinish, or repair—so your projects can grow and adapt with you.

How should I care for outdoor furniture?
Lightly pressure wash or hose it down once or twice a year. Tighten screws and reapply finish as needed to protect it—just like a deck or fence. A little upkeep goes a long way in extending the life of your furniture.

How about indoor furniture?
Regularly dust or wipe with a damp cloth. If it starts to look worn, a light sanding and touch-up paint or stain can refresh it in no time. DIY pieces are meant to be durable and fixable—so don’t be afraid to give them some love now and then.

Want to Build with Confidence?

Check out my ebook: 12 Skills to Build Your Own Furniture
It walks you through the core skills every builder needs—measuring, cutting, joinery, and finishing—so you can build beautiful furniture that lasts.

Still Have Questions?

Email us anytime at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help!