Day 10-Trendy Clip Board

this craft came from www.thefrugalgirls.comA 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 prefer 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!