OoooooEeeeee, I’m super excited. I’ve got such an adorable little bit of craftiness to share with you all today. Yesterday was supposed to be our big laundry day. You know the one that involves the curtains and bedding and stuff. UGH!! I hate it. While I was mentally trying to prepare myself, the idea for these miniature washboard ornaments hit me like the proverbial wet pink panty.
I'm a procraftinator. I'd rather be crafting that doing the laundry or the dishes or the.......
And it’s one of those really easy, fun things that can be made in under an hour. All you need is some craft foam, small bits of wood (I used toothpicks, skewers and ice cream sticks), aluminum tape or tin foil, scissors and glue. Oh and a piece of rebar or long screw. My secret tool of mass “texturedness”.
Making the Miniature Washboard Ornaments
Set the timer, coz I promise, this is going to be a quickie. Stick the tin foil or aluminum tape onto the craft foam. I love using aluminum foil, it sticks like crazy and it’s waterproof. We’ve used it to create giant pencils and even a chain of hearts garden mobile. Grab that piece of rebar or long screw and roll it firmly over the tape to create little indentations.
If you don’t have craft foam and a screw, you can peel some cardboard and use that instead. Cut out small rectangles. Mine are all about 6 cm x 4 cm (2 1/2″ x 1 1/2″).
Hop onto the internet and download a few laundry related graphics. I used a soap printable from The Graphics Fairy and just made the image really small before gluing them onto the washboard ornaments.
Cut the toothpicks, skewers and ice cream sticks to make a frame for the washboards and glue them on.
Play around and get creative. The “Toilet” washboard just has a very basic frame, while the “Shaving and Laundry” one has a teeny little shelf made from ice cream sticks. Don’t you think they’re just soooooo adorable? Add a string to the back and you’re done.
And that little shelf is perfect for creating a miniature vignette. Look Mom I used a big word 😉 BTW if you want to make a washboard that’s a little bigger then check out this awesome tutorial that uses a tin can.
That teeny little plant in the wine glass is our indigenous Crassula lycopodioides or shoelace bush. Doesn’t she look just like a tiny cactus?
I’d love to know what you think of the miniature washboard? Would you hang them in your Christmas tree?
If you like the idea of making miniature washboards for your Christmas tree don’t forget to pin it for later.

Sharing is caring 😉

If you don’t want to go to all that trouble and find some of the materials we used, we’ve got you covered Disclosure: Clicking on the links below, means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us come up with more crafty ideas to share with you 😉
Until next time, be safe and hope you have an awesomely crafty week.
Last update on 2026-08-16 / Source Amazon Affiliates










102 comments
I love how cute these are, and super easy to make! Perfect for a themed Christmas tree or to just decorate with after the holidays.
Thank you Kristina ?
I understand those big laundry days for sure, Michelle. While I don’t like laundry, I love anything miniature and these mini washboard ornaments are perfection. Pinned
I just wish the laundry fairies would discover the washboards and maybe help us out with our laundry 🙂 Thanks for the pin to Angie
I’m a procraftinator too. I would rather be doing something creative. You made the right choice 😉 !!
Ahhhh I’m so glad there’s a fellow procraftinator out there, thank you Thena 🙂
These are adorable, Michelle! I really love the little postcard and the “cactus”. I’d definitely hang these on my trees. We have faux mini trees that we also put ornaments on & these would be cute on them too! Also, I love procraftinator!
Thank you Samantha, you’m sure you’ll have loads of fun making the miniature washboards 🙂
That is so amazing idea, love how it turned out. The washboards look super cute, would love to try these out with my daughter.
That’s great Preet. You’ll have loads of fun together
These ornaments look so cute! I would definitely rather make these than do chores! ?
You and me both Talina 😉
I am an art school major, but never do these things, although I have the potential. I work only part time now, so definitley should do some crafting, it is very therapeutic
It is Daria, I hope you do get to explore your creative side again soon
Haha this looks fun! I know the feeling, sometimes any excuse is good to leave house chores aside.
xx
lau
Yup, those nasty chores can wait for another day ?
Only you could come up with this awesomeness! These are just the cutest ornaments, I can’t get over the mini vignette, so cute! And I hate that kind of laundry too… but if it ends in making adorable ornaments then that’s worth washing!
Those big laundry days are just the worst ever ?
These are so cute! I love DIY projects but get scared that I’ll mess up. This looks easy to follow. Thanks for sharing.
These are really easy to make, I’m sure you won’t mess up Monique
This is such a brilliant DIY to try at home and looks so adorable as well. I think will try these for Christmas.
Oh yay, I’m glad to hear that Pooja, hope you get to make some
Oh my gosh, this miniature washboard’s cuteness is killing me! I just love it! You always have the most unique and beautiful crafts that I’ve ever seen! You are such an inspiration to me.
Ahhhh Carolann, Thank you so much
While I despise doing laundry. I really do … I love this idea. It is so unique. I wish I had your creativity and dedication to make it 🙂
Thank you so much Tanvi, I really appreciate it
They are so cute and definitely worth of effort of making them. I love the tiny plant and the I love you postcard. I would hang them in my tree if I would have one. I’ll be away for holidays so I am not bothering putting up a tree this year 🙂
Thanks Joanna. I found that postcard in a bead shop and it just seemed so perfect for the washboards ? Hope you have a safe trip
These are super cute Michelle! I would rather be making these adorable little wash boards than washing sheets, curtains, etc. too! You are so very clever to come up with these from toothpicks, and foil. I love the graphic, and that little plant is soooo cute! It does look like a mini cactus. I would most definitely hang them on my tree.
You and me both Linda. Laundry sucks ?
haha, these tiny washboards look so cute! creative moments definitely make a day more interesting than it is.
They sure do ?
I loved the idea of making such cute things for the coming festive season. I would like to give it a try. The miniature washboard that you have made is really looking very nice..
Ahhhh Jagriti thank you so very much. I really hope you do give it a try. Let me know how it goes and share a photo if you wouldn’t mind
Seriously??? THAT IS SO STINKIN ADORABLE!!!! I have to make one!
They’re so quick to make you could probably do a lot more than one ? Thanks so much my friend
What a genius idea, Michelle! These washboards are so super cute! The big laundry day is obviously good for more than just clean curtains and bedding, at least when such a creative brain like yours is involved. Now we need some tiny clothes to keep the washboards company. 🙂
LOL and you know what, we never got around to do that laundry either ? Oh well, there’s always tomorrow or the next day
these are so cute! and they look so easy to make! will be making one for my sisters garden for xmas!
They are real easy Taylor, I’m sure your sis will love them