Clipboard Crafts: How to Make Customized Decorative Clipboards!

Searching for the best Clipboard Crafts? You’ll love learning How to Make Customized Decorative Clipboards!

A few years ago, I made my first customized clipboard. These Decorative Clipboards are fun to use, simple to make, and are a great thrifty gift, too!!  I’ve give them to teachers, homeschooling moms, and friends that run businesses at home, and they’ve always loved them!  And yes… I even made two extras for me! 🙂

Would you like to make one, too? Seriously, you can do this!! Here’s how…

Clipboard Crafts – How to Make a Decorative Clipboard

Clipboard Crafts – Supplies Needed:

• 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!

• Foam Brushes {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
• Paper Corner Rounder Punch
• Push pin or Xacto Knife

What You’ll Do:

• 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 in the upper right hand corner… 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

Frugal Gift Ideas for Everyone on your List!