about those clipboards...

[vegaswife]

So I am thinking about tackling them. I have a question...do you guys actually USE them? I mean can they withstand....say....preteens/teens? I was thinking about making some for Christmas gifts and was wondering!

Thanks in advance!

[jbalcer]

I have a few that I've used to hold pictures that can be easily swapped, and did one with Mod Podge for my daughter last school year. They've all held up well! Consider what they'll be used for before you add embellishments - anything lumpy will make it hard to actually USE the clipboard.

Have fun!

[postcardgirl]

I did one for my 2nd grader last year, who needed to bring a clipboard in to school to use and they used them a LOT - and it came home perfect (except for the frayed ribbon that I untied from the clip and reattached new and we're good to go for another school year)!!

[vegaswife]

Sounds like a new addiction....great!

[karrab]

I've made these as birthday party favors with a notepad and bag of candy and school supplies clipped to them. They're always a big hit since I personalize them with each child's name. The ones I made 3 years ago get regular use and still look great and my kids are terrible about taking care of their stuff.

Quick and easy; go for it!

Karra

[Toni in Kansas]

A question for those that have made them. How in the world do you get around the clip part with your paper? I have a $1 clipboard I bought before school started to make into a picture type holder for my desk at work. I thought I had it cut close to the clippy part, but it wasn't and I ended up having to use a maker to go around it to make it sort of blend in. I'd like to make some as gifts, but not if I can't make it look any better than that!

Help,
Thanks,
Toni

[karrab]

That's definitely the tricky part. I make a template out of scrap paper that involves a lot of little, patchy pieces all taped together to fit nicely around the clip part. Then once I get that to work, I just trace and cut them two at a time. I discovered another tricky thing to watch for in the batch I made this week that came from Office Max. The sticker on the back says that they are assembled by "workers with disabilities" or something like that and I noticed that some are a little more crooked than others so I checked each one to see that it was centered and aligned evenly. I had to do a tiny bit more cutting on a couple of them to make them fit perfectly, but this way works well for me.

Karra

[inkyimages]

I love the clipboards. I'm having a calendar class in October and we will be making the calendar pages (shown on page 11 of the new catalog) and we will use the 4-1/2 x 9 clipboard for the pages.

[Granny Hawkins]

We made them for my granddaughter's competition cneerleading squad and they love and use them.

[Granny Hawkins]

I use measured the clip part and then marked the paper and cut it out with little scissors.

Along with ribbon we made tags with the girls initials and hung them with chain.

I am making more for Christmas presents.

I am looking for a different brand of spray top coat though because the one I use liked to never quit smelling.

[Jenmouer]

I make the smaller clipboard - the 6x9 ones (and use 5x8 scratch pads with them)...I paint the back white and then use designer paper on the front...I modge podge them on and then put a top seal coat (because in warm weather the modge podge can get sticky) - I use silk Heidi Swap flowers to decorate the clip part.

I have sold a bunch and given many as gifts...

to get the part around the clip I use typing paper to make a template first - it can take a few tries to get it just right but once you have the template

I buy my clipboards and scratch paper in bulk at officedepot.com - the smaller cliboards are a little more expensive than the 8.5x11 ones for some reason

[vegaswife]

Okay guys another question....(sorry I am a clipboard virgin!)...what do you do with the back? Wrap the paper around or leave it blanK?


Thanks for all your hints and tips....I need all the help I can get!!!

[gailwoo]

i have painted the back,
sometimes I cover w/ designer paper...depends on my mood.
have fun!