Creating an altered clipboard is creative, fun, and eay to do.  These make great gifts for teachers, and the possibilities are endless.  You can make them so they are functional or decorative. I have created over 40 altered clipboards for fellow colleagues and gifts for my children's teachers.

I found the cheapest clipboards at Office Max. They have a two pack for approximately $3.00. 

1.  I paint clipboard with acrylic paint. It is best to choose a paint that corresponds with your paper. You do not need to paint the entire clipboard, only the parts that will not be covered by the paper. I have found that thicker paper works better.  Some of the DCWV specialty paper work well.

2. While your paint is drying, cut your paper to the size of 8 1/2 by 11 1/2 for the front and 8 1/2 by 11 3/4 for the back.

3.  Once you are satisfied with the paint on your clipboard, you are ready to add your paper.  Using a sponge paint brush, use Modge Podge to adhere the paper to the clipboard.  Make sure you put this on evenly all over the paper.  If you have another set of hands around, ask for help.  My son holds the clip part down while I slide the paper under.  Make sure it is lined up evenly on all side and that the paper is not hanging off of the bottom.  Run you fingers over the paper pressing out all the bubbles.  This is very important because you don't want any bumps. Do this longer than you think you should until you get used to the process.

4.  After your paper has dried, put 2 layers of Modge Podge over the top of your paper and let dry.  Do the same to the back of the clipboard.

5.  You are now ready to decorate.  Choose old vintage cards, Bingo cards, flashcards, vintage music sheets, recipes to place on your clipboard. The possibilities are endless. Place Modge Podge on these items and repeat the same step as you did with the paper.

OR

6.  You can also make picture mats.  These mats can hang off of the edges in all direction.  By placing photo corners on your picture mats, you will be able to change your pictures periodically.  Add your favorite embellishments in the blank spaces. These can hang from the wall as holiday or everyday decorations.  I have a Christmas clipboard in which I display last years Christmas photo's of the family

7.  Use a variety of ribbons that correspond with your paper for the clip.  Just tie them through the the hole at the top and let the ribbon hang down over the clipboard. Fibers work great too.

8.  You can also hot glue vintage buttons to cover up the metal portion of the clipboard or leave blank. The ribbon on it looks beautiful. This project should take you a few hours as well as set you back about $6.00 for two clipboards depending on your embellishments. 

I will look through my pictures to see if I can add some examples.  HAVE FUN AND BE CREATIVE!!