Create a personalized mod podge photo collage clipboard for Christmas, a birthday, or Father's Day. Covered in photos of your choice!
Supplies
Clipboard
Painter's tape
Black spray paint
Mod Podge or other decoupage medium
Photo copies of photographs
Decoupage squeegeeor a credit card
Sealer spray
Sandpaper
Instructions
Clean the metal clip on the clipboard. Remove any dirt or sticky residue. Cover clipboard with a piece of cardboard and painter's tape. Be sure all areas except for the metal clip are covered.
Spray paint the metal clip with black paint. Allow to dry for 20 minutes then add another coat. When completely dry, use a piece or heavy floral wire or several pipe cleaners to hold the clip open. Spray the inside of the clip, repeat.
Remove the painter's tape and cardboard from the board. Apply a thin coat of decoupage medium (Mod Podge) to the board to prep the surface.
Photo hint: I chose photos of several of the cars, trucks and motorcycles my husband has bought, worked on and sold over the years. They mean a lot to him, so putting them on something useful, like this clipboard, makes a great gift. Photos of your children, favorite pets, a project he's worked on, are all great examples.
Trim your photocopies and spray each one with sealer. Allow them to dry completely. Applying sealer will help keep the ink from bleeding when decoupage is applied.
Paint a layer of decoupage medium on to the back of your first photo copy. Place photo copy onto the board and gently press from the center of the picture. Use a straight edge like a credit card, to smooth the paper down from the middle to the edges, to keep bubbles out.
Repeat this process, overlapping photos as you go, until you have covered the board. You can trim the excess pieces hanging over, but you will clean this all up in a later step. Let this dry for 2 hours.
Apply a generous coat of decoupage medium over the entire surface. Let it dry for a few hours.
Turn the board over and use a razor blade or craft knife to trim the edges of overlapping paper flush with the board. Use a piece of sandpaper to rough up the edges a bit. Dust it all off and apply another generous coat of decoupage medium and allow to dry overnight.
Untie the wire from the clip.
Expert Tips & FAQs
Hint: Bubbling often occurs because the paper has not had sufficient time to dry underneath before another wet layer is applied to the top.