DIY Butterfly Growth Chart

Build and paint: butterfly growth chart

A friend requested this growth chart for her daughter Molly.

This growth chart has spots to mark her height as she grows and picture holes:

The butterflies are wood cutouts adhered to MDF board:

Oval picture holes provide a visual reminder of Molly at that height:

Each hole has a plastic sleeve on the back to hold the picture:

Here’s how I made the growth chart:

1. I started with a sketch:

The actual dimensions are 41″h x 7″w.

2. Using 1/2″ MDF mark out 41″h x 7″w including clouds that stick off the sides.

Then use an oval template for each picture hole:

3. Layout wood butterfly cutouts to be sure everything fits good and no picture holes are covered by butterflies:

4. Cut out using jigsaw.

Then begin cutting out oval picture holes with a spade bit making a circle hole at each top and bottom:

5. Secure each large butterfly from the back with glue and 3/4″ wood screws countersunk:

6. Then glue on the small thin wood butterflies:

7. Chaulk around the large butterflies for seamless look:

8. Prime:

9. Paint.

I used all acrylic craft paints.

10. Mark off measurements and add lines and numbers with black paint:

11. The antenna are made from colored beading wire, 24 gauge:

12. Make a hole for the wire with a thick straight pin:

13. Apply E-6000 adhesive to end of wire and insert into hole:

14. Curl ends of antenna by wrapping around a pen:

15. The photo holders are plastic 4″ x 6″ sleeves:

16. Trim off the sleeve excess and apply E-6000 glue around edge then adhere to back of board:

Then add sawtooth hanger:

Be sure to hang at the correct height off the floor for accurate measurements!

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