DIY Back-to-School Ruler Wreath
Looking for a fun craft idea for back to school or a teacher appreciation gift? You may enjoy making this Back to School Ruler Wreath. If you like this project, you may also enjoy this Personalized Teacher Appreciation Banner tutorial.
A couple of days I posted on the Polkadot Chair Facebook page asking for ideas for a wreath for my front door. I was stumped, too late for summer, too early for fall. Lots of people suggested that I do a back-to-school wreath. Then they suggested I use school supplies to make it; then VOILA, I had an idea! (thanks, guys!!!).
I decided to make a wreath out of rulers! The idea might have come from my unnatural obsession with starburst mirrors lately – I thought this was a fun spin on that idea.
Supplies Required
- 14 Wood Rulers
- 6″ Wood Embroidery Hoop
- Hot Glue Gun
- Decorations such as silk flowers, paper, and buttons
- Ribbon
How to Make a Ruler Wreath
Purchase wooden rulers (I got mine at Target for .50 each).
Next, cut them in half. (I used a saw, it was pretty easy).
This wreath took 14 rulers in all. You could also use 6″ rulers, but I couldn’t find any, and I liked the variation of the numbers when you cut them in half.
After you cut all of your rulers in half, you will hot glue half of the rulers to a 6″ embroidery hoop. Leave a little space between each one, and try to space them evenly.
Hot glue the remaining rulers on top of the space between the rulers on the bottom row. You will get a starburst design.
Next, cut a slit in the other half of the embroidery hoop. Fit it into the center of the wreath, mark where they meet. Cut off the excess so that the hoop fits into the space.
Hot glue in place.
Finishing Steps
When you are done the wreath base will look like this. I kinda like it just plain… but I decided to decorate it up a bit.
I added a few scrapbooking supplies (most are Jenni Bowlin) and some flowers that I had to the corner. I just used hot glue.
I love the way it looks on the front door; I’m just not sure if I trust it out there with the humidity- I think I’ll move it indoors, which means I still need to come up with an idea for the front door 🙂
I love this! This would make a great back to school gift for a teacher. Thanks for sharing.
What a beautiful wreath. The wooden rulers are perfect.
Oooh so cute! I want one of these on my classroom door to welcome my new students for Meet the Teacher in a couple weeks!
SOOO CUTE! Great idea! Thanks for sharing!
This is so cute and might also be cool to make into a clock accent.
That’s beautiful! I love your work!
What a fantastic idea! I’m envious of your creativity. 🙂
I really really love this!
That is just too darn cute. I just did an entire back to school vignette so I think this is a great idea.
Is it strange that this is the sixth year that I’ve been on “extended maternity leave” and my first thought was “Oh, that would look great in my classroom?” Oh well, it’s adorable. I’ll just make it for home instead!
This is so creative!! And the results are darling. I love it! I’m going to share this on my crafty facebook page : )
Jaimee @ craft-interrupted.blogspot.com
So crafty..perfect for a teacher appreciation gift. Thanks for the tut!
i love this and i have so many rulers but how did you saw threw the metal?
This wreath is seriously awesome!! LOVE it. : )
Super cute!!!
what a great idea 🙂
LOVE this! Great idea!
Wow, Melissa! So creative – I love it!
HI Melissa . it is such a great idea … simply beautiful creativity… my kids are grown up now but I really want to make one for some one … very lovely dear… thanks a lot for sharing…
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LOVE this!!!
Oh my goodness!This is so so cute!! You are so creative!
I absolutely LOVE this idea! I Pinned it a few weeks ago when you posted it and just had to share that it has been my #1 RePinned item! Amazing and great job!!
Love it–so stinkin’ cute!
Such a cool idea! So different! I LOVE IT!
I don’t have kids, but I am an artist, so the theme still fits. I’ve already got ideas forming for how to make it more ‘me’. 😉
Would you mind if I shared this at my art blog (with full credit of course). 🙂
My boy is 5 & we are starting home school this year, so this looks like a fun idea for decorating the “school house door” which is really just the attic door. Thanks for the fantastic, fun idea!
This is too cute!! Can’t wait to try to make one…thanks!! Sally B.
this is such a cute idea!
I wonder if you could seal the whole thing so that the humidity doesn’t get at it? PS. Thanks – this is my mom’s (a teacher) Christmas present to-be!! 🙂
This is so amazing! Thank you for allowing us to feature it at Paper Issues! Here is your link: http://paperissues.blogspot.com/2011/08/ruler-wreath.html
any teacher would love to have this. This is a fantastic idea.
well this is just fabulous!!
This is FAB! Such a fun project, love it!
You inspired to make one. This was such a fun project.
What a completely adorable wreath ~ I love it!
Have a Happy Labor Day.
This really is a great wreath – very nicely done and the extra embellishments are fab!
immeasurable creativity! you rule! 🙂
What a great teacher gift- and it looks so easy to make!
Hi Melissa – I did a post a day ago about one of those shim mirrors. I mentioned that I had seen one with rulers and would look for it.
I found it this morning and posted it on my blog, and did give you credit for it. The rulers look great, too.
Let me now if I did this right as it’s my first time posting with other’s material.
Love it. Thanks for sharing
A wonderful idea, using your method made one for my sister in her school colors. She starts her 5th year in a couple of weeks, but at a new campus with a new age group (8th graders) I hope the wreath I made with your lovely inspiration, reminds her what an amazing thing she does every day. Thanks so much for the idea, and the tutorial, it was such fun, can’t wait to take it to her tomorrow!
Thank you! I’m so glad you had fun making the wreath!
Love it Love it …looks so easy to do all so ,,,Great Job..Cookie17 in Va.
I Love your Idea… I’m going to make this in use it in my Sewing Room…
Fabulous little wreath!
<3 Christina at I Gotta Create!
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Thank you!!
I have a lot of 6 inch rulers I was looking to do a craft with, this is perfect. Thanks
I’m a math teacher… I’ve gotta make this for my classroom! I’m going to add a round chalkboard to the center with my name painted on it to welcome my new students next year! Thanks for the inspiration!!!
I loved this so much that I shared it in a roundup of Back-to-School projects on my blog today! You can see it here: http://justagirlandherblog.com/21-creative-back-to-school-projects/ Thanks so much for the inspiration!
~Abby =)
Just a Girl and Her Blog
I just made mine!!! I can’t wait to out it on my classroom door for the first day of school, and…see all the compliments from my colleagues!!
I’m so glad you are able to use the tutorial! Good luck with school this year!
I just uploaded my picture if you want to see how mine came out…I personalized it a little more, thank you again for the idea!
Those designs are awesome! I never knew so many designs could be done with rulers before 🙂
Hi! I love this idea! So cute!
I’d like to create this but I’m confused about the middle of the wreath. After you glue the rulers on top of the first set – do you use another embroidery hoop? I’m having a block and can’t figure out what what you mean by cutting the hoop in half. Sorry! Help would be much appreciated! Thank you!!
I made one of these for each of my son’s teachers. So fun! I change out the decorations and ribbon on the wreath each month to fit holiday themes. I use decorative clothespins to attach the new decor. I put each month’s decor in a labeled bag for them after I change it out. Now they have a whole year of wreaths. I was a way I could give them a gift for each holiday. Thanks so much for your idea and design!