So, did you start your clipboard? Will it be for yourself or will you be giving it as a gift? For those of you that missed Part 1 of this tutorial, please see my post here. Now, let's continue with the instructions.
Altered Clipboard Instructions (continued)
9. If you decided to finish the back of your board instead of painting, I am sure you discovered that you needed to punch out spaces for the metal "brads" on the back. The way I do that is I lay my paper on the back of the clipboard where I want my paper to be. I then "emboss" the brads with my hand. When I remove the paper, I can then see exactly where I need to punch holes for the brads. Sometimes I use a circle punch but for this clipboard I chose to use a flower punch. I thought it was appropriate for the design.
10. Using Photos--If you have chosen to use photos on your clipboard, you will want to print them on matte photo paper. After they have printed, put a thin layer of Mod Podge on the photos before trimming. Sometimes the Mod Podge darkens the photos too much, and I need to reprint the photos a bit lighter. If you put the Mod Podge on first before trimming and adhering to your clipboard, you will make sure they are the color you want. You will eventually put another layer of Mod Podge on top but this one layer is sufficient for now to make sure your colors stay as you want them. Here are the photos I printed for my clipboard after the Mod Podge has been put on but before the photos have been cut down to use. Don't be alarmed if they curl a bit. They will smooth out when you adhere them to the board.
11. Next start playing with placement of photos and embellishments. Since I use the clipboards I make, I always use flat embellishments. Once I am certain where I want the photos to go, I go ahead and adhere them to my paper. You will want to make sure that you cover the back of the photo entirely with adhesive; otherwise, you could get bubbles when putting your sealant layer of Mod Podge on top (see Step 14). Some people use a Xyron, some use Mod Podge as their adhesive, and some use Scor-Tape or another type of adhesive. I like to use either Mod Podge or Scor-Tape.
12. After the photos are attached to your paper, start adhering your embellishments. One thing I love to do on these clipboards is to stamp on them with acrylic paint. You can see I put paint on the stamp and then stamp it directly where I want it on my paper. Don't be afraid to stamp with the paint on your photos. It's fun! Here I used the Memory Box Vintage Scroll stamp {E1388}. I also used the Memory Box Budding Branch stamp {D1360} which you will see on my finished board tomorrow.
13. Once you have your photos and embellishments attached, it's time to attach your entire page to your clipboard. You will want to adhere it by putting a thin layer of Mod Podge on the board and on the back of your paper. You can also use other adhesives I listed above in Step 11 but you will still want to put a thin layer of Mod Podge on your clipboard. Once you have the adhesive on your clipboard and on your paper, carefully put your paper down. Then use your brayer to make sure there is good contact between the adhesives and to get any air bubbles out. I also put down a piece of paper towel on top of my paper so that I don't mess up my design as I brayer over the paper and embellishments.
14. Let that dry for an hour or so. Then you can put one or two thin layers of Mod Podge on top of the entire board to seal it. I let it dry for 30 minutes or so between layers.
Next post we will finish with ribbons, and I will reveal my finished clipboard (front and back). I hope you are joining in on the fun! See you tomorrow!
Altered Clipboard Instructions (continued)
9. If you decided to finish the back of your board instead of painting, I am sure you discovered that you needed to punch out spaces for the metal "brads" on the back. The way I do that is I lay my paper on the back of the clipboard where I want my paper to be. I then "emboss" the brads with my hand. When I remove the paper, I can then see exactly where I need to punch holes for the brads. Sometimes I use a circle punch but for this clipboard I chose to use a flower punch. I thought it was appropriate for the design.
10. Using Photos--If you have chosen to use photos on your clipboard, you will want to print them on matte photo paper. After they have printed, put a thin layer of Mod Podge on the photos before trimming. Sometimes the Mod Podge darkens the photos too much, and I need to reprint the photos a bit lighter. If you put the Mod Podge on first before trimming and adhering to your clipboard, you will make sure they are the color you want. You will eventually put another layer of Mod Podge on top but this one layer is sufficient for now to make sure your colors stay as you want them. Here are the photos I printed for my clipboard after the Mod Podge has been put on but before the photos have been cut down to use. Don't be alarmed if they curl a bit. They will smooth out when you adhere them to the board.
11. Next start playing with placement of photos and embellishments. Since I use the clipboards I make, I always use flat embellishments. Once I am certain where I want the photos to go, I go ahead and adhere them to my paper. You will want to make sure that you cover the back of the photo entirely with adhesive; otherwise, you could get bubbles when putting your sealant layer of Mod Podge on top (see Step 14). Some people use a Xyron, some use Mod Podge as their adhesive, and some use Scor-Tape or another type of adhesive. I like to use either Mod Podge or Scor-Tape.
12. After the photos are attached to your paper, start adhering your embellishments. One thing I love to do on these clipboards is to stamp on them with acrylic paint. You can see I put paint on the stamp and then stamp it directly where I want it on my paper. Don't be afraid to stamp with the paint on your photos. It's fun! Here I used the Memory Box Vintage Scroll stamp {E1388}. I also used the Memory Box Budding Branch stamp {D1360} which you will see on my finished board tomorrow.
13. Once you have your photos and embellishments attached, it's time to attach your entire page to your clipboard. You will want to adhere it by putting a thin layer of Mod Podge on the board and on the back of your paper. You can also use other adhesives I listed above in Step 11 but you will still want to put a thin layer of Mod Podge on your clipboard. Once you have the adhesive on your clipboard and on your paper, carefully put your paper down. Then use your brayer to make sure there is good contact between the adhesives and to get any air bubbles out. I also put down a piece of paper towel on top of my paper so that I don't mess up my design as I brayer over the paper and embellishments.
14. Let that dry for an hour or so. Then you can put one or two thin layers of Mod Podge on top of the entire board to seal it. I let it dry for 30 minutes or so between layers.
Next post we will finish with ribbons, and I will reveal my finished clipboard (front and back). I hope you are joining in on the fun! See you tomorrow!
I never even though of punching out holes for the brads on the back. My paper just goes over them and bulges a bit. I will certainly do that next time. I have another blank board waiting to be altered. :)
Posted by: Stephanie W | 09/04/2010 at 03:46 PM
See my luck, if I didn't punch the holes that would be where I would get my paper caught and tear it thus ruining my clipboard. LOL! I use these for a LONG time, and so I painstakingly make sure everything is sealed down well! :)
Posted by: Patter Cross | 09/04/2010 at 03:49 PM
Thanks for these great instructions. I'm excited to make one of these for myself.
Posted by: Sylvia from Minnesota | 09/04/2010 at 09:27 PM
You are welcome Sylvia! The Memory Box 6x6 packs work GREAT for these boards along with the stamps and acrylic paint! :) Can't wait to see what you make!
Posted by: Patter Cross | 09/05/2010 at 02:59 AM