{back 2 basics} a little tipsy

 I adore Michelle and her darling blog, A Little Tipsy, and I'm so excited she's here!

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Hi, I'm Michelle from A Little Tipsy {creative tips and ideas}. I am so excited to be visiting here on Brown Paper Packages for the Back 2 Basics event!

My oldest turns four this winter so we have not yet braved the big boy school, but he did start preschool last month. His teacher send home a calendar each month of what they will be learning each day and suggestions to reinforce their learning at home. If you're like me, it is a lot to ask to keep track of a piece of paper for a whole month.

I was inspired by this post for an altered clipboard and thought it would be perfect for organizing school papers. It could also be used as a super cute teacher appreciation gift!

Command Station/Teacher Appreciation Gift

Supplies needed:

• Plain clipboard
• Martha Stewart satin paint in surf
• Martha Stewart glitter paint
• Foam brush
  
• Numbered packing tape from Michael's
• Scissors
• Exacto knife
  
• Measuring tape
• Hot glue
  

1. Give the clipboard, including the metal clamp, a good coat of paint. Let it dry for an hour like it says on the bottle.

2. Give it another coat so it is good and covered. Let it dry for another hour. (I used the Martha Stewart foam brush that goes right on the bottle for the first coat, but completely destroyed it so used a regular one for the second coat. I was by no means gentle with my strokes.)

3. Begin covering the clipboard with tape. I started at the top because it would be the most difficult and show the most. I cut a slit to lie up the tape with the clamp and then trimmed the rest with my exacto to go around the clamp base.

4. Cover the rest of the clipboard with strips of tape. I overlapped them by aligning the top of my strip with the bottom of the 6s on the strip above. Trim the edges of the tape using your exacto.

5. Place an extra piece of tape under your clamp for extra protection while you add some pizzazz aka glitter paint. I did two coats letting them dry completely between. I am not a whiz with glitter paint and did not like the clumping near the bottom. No worries, we will be hiding that here soon.

6. Add a strip of measuring tape near the bottom for a little color and to hold the paper down when super heroes run by. Just hot glue each end on to the back.

7. Add another strip of measuring tape on the clamp with hot glue. Trim it with your scissors to match the rounded edges.

8. Tie a knot of measuring tape through the hole and fringe the edges with your scissors if you're feeling sassy.

9. Hang it up and always be able to find your school papers! Or make up a couple and give them as teacher appreciation gifts!

Thanks to Kierste for letting me pop in! Swing by and visit any time!

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Definitely make sure you go say hi to Michelle over at A Little Tipsy...she has many more great ideas to share!