Vintage Washboard Memo

I am sharing a vintage washboard memo project. Why? I’ve joined a group of bloggers doing themed projects, Thrift Store Décor! I’m so happy to be part of this wonderful group of multi-talented ladies!

And …. y’all know how much I love shopping at thrift stores.

After some larger furniture projects lately, including my hall table and the recent waterfall dresser redo, it’s fun to have a small project to share with you.

 

Materials

• Vintage Washboard (take a magnet with you to make sure it is magnetic-many are not)
• Small Tin Basket
• Small Hooks
• Screws
• Wire (I use 18 gauge)
• Decorative magnets

 

Supplies

• Paint
• Pencil

 

Tools

• Drill (bits)
• Hacksaw (the screws of most hooks will be too long and need to be cut)
• Needle Nose Pliers (to curl the wire)

 

I picked up this vintage washboard at my local Vendors’ Village a few weeks ago.

Right away, I knew I wanted to make a memo holder out of it. I saw many washboards that day, but many wouldn’t hold magnets on the metal.

To make it a versatile memo board, I wanted a place for keys and mail. I took the washboard to Hob Lob to pick up some accessories.

After looking all over the store, I finally found the perfect red tin basket as the mail holder.

 

 

I could not find red hooks, but that isn’t a problem when you have Poppy paint from Reclaim.

Paint Hooks to Coordinate With Vintage Washboard

I dabbled on a bit of paint with a cheap chip brush.

Drill Holes in Metal Basket

While the paint was drying on the vintage washboard, I pre-drilled some holes in the red metal tin basket.

 

Drill Pilot Holes in the Vintage Washboard to Hold the Metal Basket

I marked and drilled some holes for the basket on the bottom of the vintage washboard.

I drilled them at an angle to allow me room to get the drill in place to secure the screws.

 

Use a Hacksaw if the Hooks Are Too Long

The threads on the hooks were too long, so I used a hacksaw to trim them. I didn’t use the washers and nuts on the back of the threads. I drilled holes in the sides of the washboard and screwed them in.

 

To hang the vintage washboard, I drilled some holes in the top and used some rusty wire to thread through the holes.

 

Needle-nosed pliers were used to give a slight curl to hold the wire in place.

 

Aren’t these tiny decorative clothespins cute? I bought them at Hob Lob. I have some of those super strong magnets stuck on the washboard, then placed the clothespins onto the super magnets. The tiny clothespins were held in place by the spring mechanism. EASY! I’ve learned a better way to use wire for displaying projects. A twisted wire handle looks so much nicer.

 

 

Here’s a nice close-up of the vintage washboard memo board hanging on the fence with good lighting. Initially, I was going to do a chalkboard for the top, but after buying the red items, I wanted to leave the advertising in place. You could use some chalkboard contact paper if you wish to have a chalkboard feature.

 

 

Featured Here:

And here it is hanging on my plank wall. Do you love it? Isn’t it so practical?

See more great Thrift Store Projects from my friends!

Petticoat Junktion

Domestically Speaking

Debbiedoos

Our Southern Home

Mom4Real

Bliss Ranch

Redhead Can Decorate

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

My Repurposed Life

I know you will love all the great projects above!

gail

Sharing my Vintage Washboard Memo over at Heartsie Girl’s Wordless Wednesday

If you love this project, see these other great Thrift Store Makeovers:

Easy iPad Stand or Tablet Holder

$2 Hexagon Table Makeover