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A few years ago, I made my first decorative clipboard. They’re fun to use, simple to make, and are a great thrifty gift, too!!
I’ve given them to teachers, friends, family members, and… myself! 
Would you like to make one, too? Seriously, you can do this!! Here’s how…
What You’ll Need:
- Clipboard {I buy mine at Wal-Mart for $1.00} ~ you’ll want your clipboard top to be similar to the one pictured below… it will allow you to tie on ribbons!
- Sponge-style Paint Applicator {small and large} ~ when you’re done, wash these out and save them to reuse again later!
- Mod Podge ~ I used the Matte variety {found at craft stores}
- 12×12 regular Scrapbook Paper {not cardstock ~ trust me!}
- Ribbon {thin} in a variety of colors & styles that match or coordinate with your paper. I cut pieces of ribbon between 6″ – 7″ long.
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Corner Rounder {if you have one}
- Push pin or Xacto Knife
What You’ll Do:
- The first thing you’ll need to do is trim the paper down to fit the clipboard.
- Turn paper over and measure with a ruler.
- You’ll want the paper to be approx. 1/4 inch in from the edges of the clipboard.
Once the paper has been trimmed down to fit the clipboard, use a corner rounder {or scissors} to gently round the corners of the paper…
Now you’ll need to flip your page over again, and get ready to carefully make a cut out around the clip at the top…
- Now set your paper aside.
- Lay down newspapers ~ it’s time for some fun with the Mod Podge!
- Use the large sponge brush to make long strokes from top to bottom,
of a thin layer of Mod Podge on the clipboard.
Be careful now ~ Catherine Zeta-Jones is watching you…
do you see here on the newspaper there?
She thought I did a good job… she’s smiling!
She’s calling Michael Douglas to let him know.
Now carefully lay your paper that you’ve prepared on the clipboard {color side up}.
- Gently smooth it down with your hands to avoid bubbling.
- As it begins to dry, if you see bubbles, you can…
carefully poke them with a pin needle, push pin or Xacto knife tip.
{Card stock will really bubble, so promise me you didn’t use it.}
- Let glue completely dry {30 min. – 1 hr}
- After it has dried, it’s time to do a layer of Mod Podge on the top!
- Use long strokes from the top to the bottom again. {You can use the smaller brush to get around the clip at the top.}
After you’ve applied the Mod Podge, allow it to dry completely.
- Just like before, you can watch for any little bubbles,
and either poke them or gently smooth them out with your hand as it dries.
- Once it has dried completely, just for fun… it’s time to add one more coat of Mod Podge.
- After applying that last coat, allow it to dry completely.
- Now if you want to add anything else {a photograph, letters cut out to spell a name, etc.} you can add them after the final coat has dried.
- Just put a dab of Mod Podge on the back, then add Mod Podge over the entire top.
- Allow to completely dry… and then on to the ribbons!
- Once the clipboard is dry, begin adding the ribbons and knotting them up at the top on the clip.
- Once you’ve tied on all the ribbon, trim them down if they’re too long,
then trim the ends slightly diagonally in alternating directions. {I usually start with ribbon pieces that are 6″ – 7″ long}
- Have fun with the colors… here’s one I made using pink paper and pink & white ribbons…
Make one for yourself, or give some as thrifty gifts!
See Also:
How to Make Toilet Paper Pumpkins
How to Make Cute Hair Clips for Babies & Little Girls
How to Make Flower Headbands for Babies & Little Girls
How to Make a Fringed Fleece Scarf
More Fun Crafts & Project Ideas!
This is such a cute idea. My kids have clipboards they use in the car or just around the house and they are so ugly. This would be a great way to “dress them up”. It would also be good practice to do this as a holiday gift for the teachers. Thanks for such a great idea.
Wow i am going to use this for my Scentsy business!! Thank you!!
I was thinking the same thing..TEACHERS GIFTS!
I have one like this that was given as a gift several years ago. In fact, I’m using it right now! Very useful & cute gift.
I love this! Cannot wait to try it.
Do the clipboards have to be the wooden kind or would it work on the acrylic/plastic kind also?
Very very cute!
Hi Jeanette ~ I’m honestly not sure if this will work on the acrylic/plastic kind. I’ve only ever tried it on the wooden clipboards. If you try it on acrylic, let me know how it goes!
~ Heidi
I have used paper and modge podge on jumbo acrylic clothespins and it works great…so I would think it would work on a clipboard too.
Thanks for the great idea and awesome picture instructions! Can’t wait to show the kids so they can do it themselves for gifts!
Thanks for the neat craft idea! I have made two of these so far, one for my Mom and one for my son. Next up one for each of my son’s teachers for Christmas…
Keep the craft ideas coming!
Cutest ideas ever…this is going to be one home-made Christmas…and is likely to be the best
I had my girls pick out 2 scrapbook papers (when on sale of course)and ribbons without telling them what they were for, so now I can make them each a clipboard for Christmas with patterns that they chose. I am putting patterned paper on the back too. I am avoiding other embelishments on the front so it is not a bumpy surface, but I can add them to the back.
Thank you so much for such detailed instructions. I am not totally crafty yet, but who can go wrong with these steps? Thank you. Also, I hate to bother you. But, I am having a fundraiser for my disabled son to have dolphin therapy and am looking for ideas of crafts to make for a craft fair. Do you happen to have any suggestions? Thank you very much and please feel free to contact me!
Hi Naomi ~ for more crafts and tutorials, head on over here…
http://thefrugalgirls.com/feeling-crafty
~ Heidi
I did this with my whole sorority and it was a HIT!
We may just be having a modge podge marathon for Christmas gifts. Love this idea and others you’ve shared!
Wow…..love these…you just solved my gift problems…birthday, Christmas, get well, etc…such cute and thoughtful gift to make..oh and bonuse it is actually something everyone can use
I love this idea, but what do I do with the top of the clipboard that shows the wood?
Thanks!
Heidi- about how long do you cut the ribbons? Thanks!
Hi Rebecca ~ I usually start with ribbon pieces that are 6″ – 7″ long.
Hope that helps!
~ Heidi
I’m going to do this for Valentine’s Day gifts for my co-workers….