Family Rules Altered Washboard with Chevron Ribbon and Simple Stories Vintage Blessings
Hello, Ribbon Lovers! Today I’m sharing a treasure that I found while out junkin’ with my sweet sister. This Family Rules Altered Washboard was tucked in a dusty corner at one of our favorite flea markets. Since my daughter in law collects washboards, and had a birthday coming up, I snapped it up in a jiffy! While it was very cute in its original form, I thought it would be even more delightful dressed up with some Really Reasonable Ribbon, paper pretties and mulberry flowers. What do you think?
My mom kept a washboard on a bathroom shelf when I was a little girl. (I know, I know…I’m dating myself!) I can still remember her hand washing her “delicates” in the white enamel claw foot bathtub. It always looked like so much fun and there was a sort of rhythm to the whole procedure that appealed to me. Run the bar of soap over the ridges, whump thump! Then douse the slip in the water, swish, swish. Now rub the dampened garment up and down over the washboard while you sing a little tune. What could be more fun than that? I used to beg my mom to give me a turn, and finally, she gave in. I quickly learned that it was backbreaking hard work. I’m so thankful for my automatic washer…aren’t you?
Family Rules Altered Washboard: the details
This 3/4″ Chevron Striped Twill Ribbon looks fabulous with these papers from Simple Stories Vintage Blessings. Altering this vintage washboard only took about 30 minutes and it was so much fun!
Our son is pretty handy when it comes to building things. He just built our daughter in law a beautiful display shelf in her laundry room for her washboard collection. This little beauty will fit right in with the rest of the bunch.
When altering this washboard, I decided not to cover up the top portion. I loved the typography and the cute bee engraving. So I kept my decor to a minimum. First, I stitched the 6″ x 8″ sentiment panel onto corrugate paper.Then I attached thick jute cording to the top of the stitched sentiment. Next, I ran washi tape over the top and bottom border. Once this was done, I secured it to the washboard with vintage style brass thumbtacks.
Mini clothespins seemed a natural choice for decor, especially when topped with pretty pink ribbon, burlap string and creamy white WOC Magnolia Blossoms.
I hope I find another one of these washboards some day, as I’d love to have one in my own laundry room area!
I hope I’ve inspired you with some ideas and techniques that you can use in your own crafty adventures. If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.
Thanks for stopping by!
Cheerio,
kathy
Beautiful project!
You made this so pretty! I thought it was great when we found it but now that you have beautified it, it’s amazing!
This is such a sweet project filled with love for your daughter in law! She must be really special for you to create something for her collection! Love the papers with the house rules and those sweet, sweet bows!
I always loved the look of washboards, but we never had one! I guess we were pretty technologically advanced having a washer living on a farm! (No dryer, though) I do remember using my grandma’s wringer washer.
Sending hugs!
Kathy, this is so delightful. You and your sister must have great fun haunting the flea markets. Your clever washboard has me wondering what else could be altered in a similar way. I’ll keep that in mind when I browse a flea market. Thanks for the inspiration.
I love this! Such a wonderful idea!!
Hi Kathy, thanks for the memories. this wash board is beautifully done. it is so good to share times gone by, it helps us to appreciate the now. I love your creation. Remember the ringer wash machine. I used it for yrs, even had to heat the water on the stove. when I was a kid we had no indoor pluming. OH! so thankful for what I have now. ….have a good day and God Bless
Hi Kathy, thanks for the memories. this wash board is beautifully done. it is so good to share times gone by, it helps us to appreciate the now. I love your creation. Remember the ringer wash machine. I used it for yrs, even had to heat the water on the stove. when I was a kid we had no indoor pluming. OH! so thankful for what I have now. ….have a good day and God Bless
Great project. I have a washboard sitting in my hallway to be hung up 🙂 I do adore antiques. I have a few.
Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. Boy things are being bashed up and flooded in so many places down south, saying prayers for everyone affected.
Love this. I have my mom’s washboard hung up in my laundry room.
I bet you had a ball growing up Kathy! I just love this idea, impossible to buy these now- well in the UK. I remember my mother using one, unlike you, I kept well away on washdays! Going to chill some beers now to sweeten hubby up and maybe, just maybe, he might make me one. Ever the optimist! TFS
Blessings from UK