DIY growth chart tutorial

materials
white acrylic craft paint
Mod Podge (matte finish)
tacky glue
Liquid Nails (available at hardware stores) or other strong fabric adhesive 
balsa wood shapes (ovals, leaves, circles multi pack)
24" balsa wood strip
wood chip lettering (optional)
9ft cloth ribbon
2 sheets contrasting green felt
1 yard of denim fabric in "natural"
1/2 yard leafy patterned fabric
a bit of twine
(11) small brads or fasteners
scotch tape

tools
hand drill
glue gun 
scissors
paint brush
thin flat artist's brush
exacto knife
measuring tape
fine point ink pen in black

Download the tree template here.
please note: I created this template & I'm offering it for free. Please don't re-post without proper backlink. Not to be used for personal monetary gain.

More photos of the finished banner here.

steps:
1. Download and print the tree templates on (4) sheets of 8.5 x 11" computer paper.

2. Using scissors, trim around the tree shapes so there is no remaining white areas.

3. Next, using the exacto knife, cut out the white areas in the middle of trimmed tree shapes. Make sure to do this on a protective surface. I used an old magazine.

4. Using scissors, cut the denim fabric 32 inches long, and 30 inches wide. Measure 64 inches from your 9 ft ribbon spool. Cut, so you now have 2 pieces and set aside.

 

5. Place the 24" balsa wood strip on the top of your trimmed denim fabric. Apply several dots of Liquid Nails (or other fabric adhesive) on the corners of the balsa wood. Wrap the shorter piece of your ribbon around the edges, pressing the adhesive as you wrap. Cover both sides of the balsa wood with more adhesive and fold denim fabric over it. Allow this to dry 24 hours, but you may carefully proceed with the next steps.

6. Line up the trimmed tree shapes according to the diagram (included in the download set). Place tiny pieces of tape on the backside of the design to hold them in place.

7. Center the paper tree bark on the denim banner (Don't forget to leave room for the tree leaves!). Using the Mod Podge and paint brush, apply a thin coat over the tree bark. (Tip: If you have trouble with the paper sticking, try brushing a little Mod Podge on the back of the paper too)

8. Allow 1st coat to dry - about 20-30 minutes. Meanwhile, cut leaf shapes out of green fabric and felt, like this:

 

9. Apply 2-3 more coats of Mod Podge until the bark is bonded and sealed to the fabric.

10. Use tacky glue and a small brush to secure the fabric leaf shapes to the banner. Don't be afraid to layer over the top branches. It will give it more depth.

11. Allow everything to dry (I waited about 12 hours). Meanwhile, using the remaining 64 inch ribbon strip, line up with a measuring tape. Using a stiff, thin flat bristle artist brush apply inch marks with acrylic paint. Note: I used a number stamp set with a white ink pad for the foot measurement markers.

12. Using the hand drill, make holes in the balsa wood shapes (again, use a protective surface). With a fine point ink pen, hand-write "year 1" on one of your balsa wood shapes. Continue with "year 2" etc.

13. Once your banner is dry and set, use the hand drill again to poke holes in the tree leaves, all the way through the banner. Using small brads, fasten the drilled balsa wood shapes to the banner.

 

14. Poke one more hole in the banner using the hand drill (This is for the fabric ribbon measuring tape, so make sure  the placement is toward the top of the banner). Fasten the measuring tape to the banner using the twine and remaining brad.

Remember, be creative with the details and make it personal! I added another balsa piece that I stamped with "Watch me grow" and wood chip lettering with the child's name. I also signed & dated the banner when it was complete. Have fun!