Hi Everyone!! I’m so glad to be here during Dollar Store Crafts to show you a fun and easy craft. I know we’ve all seen clipboards decorated with paper, ribbon, paint, etc. I think I’ve made more than I could use in a lifetime!! BUT, I was walking through a store a few weeks ago and saw a super cute clipboard. It had a great shape to it – not just your basic clipboard shape. The problem – it was $13.99 and that’s just nuts!! So, I picked up a clipboard from the dollar store and got some tools out.
Supplies needed:
Clipboard
Template with desired shape
Dremel (or similar tool)
Paint (optional)
Patterned paper
Mod Podge
Sand paper or nail file
Adhesive runner (optional)
First, I found a shape I wanted for the bottom of the clipboard. I used my Silhouette to cut the shape I wanted, but you could sketch it out, or print it and cut it out. I traced the shape on my clipboard and got busy.
I used a Craftsman tool that’s similar to the Dremel. I started slow and sanded away right below the line I drew.
Since the bottom of my design ended close to the bottom of the clipboard, I just started at the edge and drilled in for that small section.
Then I moved to the side areas and I sanded, sanded and then sanded some more. I just continued to sand and sand until I could see a little light through the clipboard.
I was able to just break off the bottom section eventually.
As with any project, be sure to wear proper safety gear and remember to not let your tools overheat. I stopped three or four times to give the Craftsman a break and cool off a bit since this took a lot of sanding.
Once the bottom section was removed, I sanded along the edge and smoothed it out. I went ahead and sanded all the way around the clipboard, front and back, just to have a consistent look!!
Here’s a close up:
Now it’s time to move on and decorate the board. I decided not to paint my clipboard since the paper I picked went well with the natural color of the clipboard. If you want to paint, this is the time to do that. Then you can pick your paper.
I coated the back of the paper and the clipboard with Mod Podge and then placed my paper on the clipboard. I use extra Mod Podge on the curved end since there isn’t a straight edge.
Then I coated the top of the paper with Mod Podge. I would give the clipboard time to dry before applying the top coat of Mod Podge. This is when you wait and wait and wait for the Mod Podge to dry!
I added a few scraps of paper to the top of the clipboard, as well, applying it the same way.
Once my clipboard was mostly dry, I took a nail file and filed off the edges all the way around the clipboard.
I decided to add a piece of ribbon around the clipboard and I attached this with my adhesive runner. I’m thinking I could loosen the ribbon and slip a pen in and tie it back!!
And here’s my finished clipboard – I simply added a cute note pad and it’s done.
I had everything on hand except the clipboard and it was only $1!! I really want to make a few more and try different designs. We have friends we play cards with and this would be really cute to use for us to keep score on. And Teacher Appreciation is just around the corner and you know teachers can always use a clipboard and there’s even room to put a name across the bottom!
Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you enjoyed this little tutorial – now go run to a dollar store and get crafty!!
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Lisa Tanner
~ This is a great Teacher Appreciation gift or end of the school year gift. But really who wouldn’t want one just to have!! I love it!
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