Creating an Altered Clipboard
Using Paper Crafting Techniques to Decorate a Clipboard
An altered clipboard makes a great gift for teachers, friends, or family members.
An altered clipboard is an easy gift idea that is fun to make and people will love. An altered clipboard makes a great handmade teacher gift, scout leader gift, or a gift for any organized person. Only a few materials are required, and very little time is needed to create a gorgeous, hand-crafted gift, using only a few simple instructions.
- Step 1: Choose materials for the clipboard. Because the front side is a writing surface, it is important to use flat materials, such as papers, rub-ons, or stamps. Thicker embellishments such as chipboard, ribbon, or buttons are "lumpy", and will not provide a good writing surface.
- Step 2: Cover the front side of the clipboard with paper. Use either a glue stick, or a decoupage medium to get good coverage over the entire surface, rather than using double stick tape around the edges. After the adhesive has dried, use a craft knife to trim the paper close to the edge of the clipboard. Then, use an emery board to sand the edges of the paper to smooth out the edges. Optionally, apply a bit of colored ink or paint around the edges of the clipboard in a color that contrasts with the paper.
Tip: If you are using a decoupage medium or other liquid adhesive, press the clip open and tie the loops together with string or a twist tie. You can then adhere the paper to the clipboard surface without the clip getting in the way. Be sure to let the decoupage medium dry thoroughly before proceeding to the next step.
- Step 3: Embellish the clipboard surface. Use a variety of embellishments to decorate the clipboard surface. Stamps and rub-ons are perfect for this application because they do not add extra bulk.
- Step 4: Add additional touches. Add flowers or other embellishments to the clip. Add flowers, ribbons, chipboard embellishments, or other touches to the top edges of the clipboard that are out of the writing area.
Optional: Don't forget the back surface of the clipboard. The back side can be decorated as well, and when the recipient is holding the clipboard, the back side can be seen by the people around her. Because the back side is not a writing surface, thicker and "lumpier" products can be used to decorate it. Use stickers to spell out the recipient's name so everyone knows just who the clipboard is for.
For additional handcrafted gift ideas, please read the article Handcrafted Teacher Gifts.
