Step 1

Paint the reverse of your clipboard and sides with the "fired brick" Crackle Paint, the thicker your paint the more crackle effect you will get (seal the clipboard first if the surface is porous). Leave to dry. You can speed up the drying process by using a heat tool. If you intend the clipboard to be hanging up permanently then skip this step.

Paint the front of your clipboard. We will be covering most of it so just paint the areas that are going to be visible. When perfectly dry press all the edges against a metallic gold ink pad.

Using a paint brush gently dab the board intermittently all over, front and back, with gold metallic ink. Use soft strokes to achieve a distressed look.

Step 2

Cut a piece of Imaginisce "The Game of Love" paper into size 245mm x 217mm. Round corners with a corner rounder. Fold in half on the longer length and cut. Ink edges with metallic gold ink (one side reverse).

Cut two pieces of striped paper (I used Imaginisce "Weak at the knees") the same length as the width of the other papers and about 3cm wide. Round two corners on each strip. Brush edges with gold metallic ink.

Step 3

Cut a strip of the same striped paper measuring 1/2" deep and the  width of the board. Ink edges with dark blue ink then thread through a 7Gypsies Metal buckle.

Step 4

Create a word circle in Microsoft Word. To make the circle see our "Word Circle" class. The words here are "Things to remember....", you can of course choose the words appropriate to your project.

Resize it by selecting and dragging the corner until it has the desired size (mine is 8cm in diameter). Change the fill colour to dark brown and the outline to dark green (on the WordArt format menu. Print on a piece of Basic Grey Two Scoops Butter Pecan cardstock.

Cut around the circle. Don't worry about making it a perfect circle, we will be covering up the edges later later.

Step 5

Cut or punch out three flower shapes from coordinating scrap paper and ink the edges with metallic gold ink, I used scraps from the papers in The Imaginisce "Love Me" range. Use a paint brush to obtain a soft distressed look. Sew buttons to the centre of each flower with different coloured threads. All buttons in this project are Basic Grey Two Scoops Buttons.

Ink the edges of the following Basic Grey Two Scoops ChipSticker shapes: arrow, a small plaid heart,  a photo turn, a border, plus any other shape you wish to use, with blue ink (I used Tim Holtz "broken china" distress ink). Use your finger to rub it slightly round the edge onto the surface whilst still wet. Wrap an elastic band around the arrow and poke a bit of ribbon through (I used ribbon from the Imaginisce "Love Me" collection).

Step 6

We are just about ready to start assembling everything. Using your board as a guide assemble the main papers. Mark the strips 15mm down and glue the paper onto the bottom half. Glue the two halves together 15mm down onto the dark pink side.

Step 7

Glue on the middle strip but leave the ends loose. Decide where you want the word circle and glue it on. Attach any brads you are using now, you wont be able to later. Attach the chipboard photo turn also with a brad in the middle. Place the arrow in position so you don't put brads where you want it to go (but don't stick it down).

Step 8

Remove the arrow and glue the main piece onto the clipboard, using a good quality craft glue that is suitable for both paper and wood, I used K&Co Wacky Tac Craft Glue. Keep pressing and smoothing the paper to eliminate air bubbles. When dry adhesive the ends of the middle strip and wrap around the the back.

Step 9

Gloss the letters on the word circle if you so wish and leave to dry (optional). Thread some of the buttons with different coloured thread. Stick on all embellishments. Remember to use a good quality craft glue for the buttons so that they are totally secure.

Make little notes to go behind the clip. I used Simple Thoughts Stickers on Basic Grey "Butter Pecan" cardstock and embellished with Imaginisce Blossoming Rub-Ons. On one of the notes attach an eyelet and hang from under the clip by fibre or ribbon (I used Basic Grey Two Scoops Fibre).

I also painted a Maya Road chipboard flower with acrylic paint, doodled on it with a white pen and inserted a silver Hot Off The Press Great Big Brad in the centre.

Finish by tying a variety of fibres to the top of the clip.

Click on pictures to enlarge

Variations and Suggestions:

• Lightly sand and ink the metal clip

• The board in this project is intended for decorative use. If the board is for actual use then seal the papers well when on the clipboard before adding embellishments. You can of course also leave out bulky embellishments for a smooth surface.

• Use acrylic paint instead of crackle paint.

• Add a mini book. Below I have added the mini book from our January Design team Project page.