So with Teacher Appreciation Week being, well, this week, I tried to come up with something special for my sons teacher that she could use but was also personalized an unique in itself. Though the idea has been around for years, this was my first attempt at making a personalized clipboard. It was actually rather simple and only took a total of about two hours. It's relatively cheap (about $5 in supplies in all).
Supplies:
Clipboard
Mod Podge
tooth pick
sponge brush
clear acrylic spray (I used glossy)
coordinating scrapbook paper
embellishments (ribbon, flowers, photos)
fine grade sand paper
The style of clipboard I used has the older style lip on it so I first unscrewed that to make it easier to apply the paper. (Be careful, it does have springs on it so it will pop out at you!) I then started out by deciding what I wanted on the back of the clipboard. Personalization came to mind and what better way than to put his teachers name on it.
I used the clipboard as the template and traced the shape of it onto the paper and cut out, deciding what paper went where along the way and cutting accordingly. I then used my sponge brush and applied a very thin coat of Mod Podge to the clip board and gently placed the paper on it. The paper will bubble - just be patient and gently smooth out the bubbles. Work on only one side at a time. If you rub the bubbles too hard it can tear the paper. If you aren't sure it's best to be patient and just let it dry. You can always go back to the bubble after it dries and put a small slit in it with an exacto knife and place a little more Mod Podge on it to smooth it out.
After you have decorated the front and back with paper I then do a heavier coat of Mod Podge on top of all the paper, stickers or photos I have placed on it, to make sure the edges of the paper are sealed. Once that is dried, gently sand around the edges of the clipboard to smooth out any paper that may be hanging off the edge. You can use an exacto knife, but the sanding gives it a nice extra effect.
Next it is time to spray a thin layer of Acrylic Sealant on to it, I used glossy and it gave it a nice extra shine. At this point after the spray has dried I gently take a tooth pick and poke the holes through the paper where the screws had been to attach the clip. I then re-attached the clip and added some ribbon to it as well. You can paint the clip itself to coordinate with the clip but I thought that it would perhaps rub off too easily. I apologize that I don't have any photos showing the steps. Will have to remember that for next time!
