Back to School Mini Message Center

Authentique Bountiful Altered Clipboard: A Back to School Mini Message Center

Hello, Friends!  How can it already be the last day of August?  This summer came and went with lightning speed!  With the kids heading back to school, I thought it would be fun to share a great idea for a Mini Message Center.  I altered a Tim Holtz mini clip board with gorgeous papers from Authentique’s Bountiful collection and in just a couple of hours this adorable  back to school mini message center was ready for action.

Back to School Mini Message Center Bountiful by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 1

The front side has a little cork board layer so you can pin small notes, passes, or locker keys here.

Back to School Mini Message Center Bountiful by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 2The back side is also finished with designer papers and a sticky note pocket/mini pencil.

How to Make  a Back to School Mini Message Center

These little clipboards are so much fun to alter!  The hinge screws off to make the job easy.  Here’s how I put this one together:

  • First, remove the hinge by unscrewing the round caps. The screws are on the back side of the clipboard and will just pop right out.  Set the hardware aside in a safe place so you don’t have to search through a huge pile of paper looking for the missing round cap.  Not that it would ever happen in my studio, of course.
  • Next, trace the clipboard on two different patterns of designer paper.  One for the front, one for the back. Cut these out.
  • Now, glue the front paper in place.
  • Then, use a hole punch from the back side so that you’ll have an easy time of getting the screws back in.
  • Sand lightly around the edges and ink with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.
  • Repeat this process for the back side of the clipboard.
  • Next, cut two 3.5″ x 4″ squares of cork.  (You can buy cork in a roll at Wal-Mart.)
  • Then join the two squares together with Scor-Tape.
  • Now attach the cork square to the clip board with more Scor-Tape.
  • Add a Border Sticker on the bottom and a strip of matted designer paper on top.
  • Then mat the sticker on kraft cardstock and glue in place with foam tabs.
  • Add bows, buttons and flowers.

Back to School Mini Message Center Bountiful by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 3

Mini Message Center: The Flip Side

The reverse side is equally easy to create.

Back to School Mini Message Center Bountiful by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 4

I scored and folded some corrugate packaging to make my sticky note holder.  Cut a short piece of ribbon, add Scor-Tape to the ends (leave the middle adhesive free) and you’ve got a nifty pencil holder!  After staining a mini ruler, I hot glued it over the screws to hide them from view.

Back to School Mini Message Center Bountiful by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 5I created this little sticky note pad cover  then popped it into the pocket.  Add some matted images or sentiments from the collection and you are good to go!

Of course, if you’re making this for a fella, just leave off the bows and flowers.  It’s still really cute!

This is such a quick and easy project!  You could easily make these for each of your kids,and I think they’d make great teacher appreciation gifts, too.

I hope I’ve shared some tips and tricks that you can use in your own crafty adventures.  If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Supply List:
Authentique Products: Bountiful 12x12 Collection Kit (comes with Details Stickers) 6" x 6" Paper Bundle  Other Supplies: Tim Holtz Mini Clip Board, Cork, thumb tacks, 3" x 3" sticky note pad, cardboard packaging, buttons, flowers, ribbon from your stash. Vintage Photo Distress Ink, Scor-Tape

5 thoughts on “Back to School Mini Message Center

  1. Helen

    Hi Kathy. Another great idea — the cork is a great addition to the clip board. I’m even thinking of a regular-sized clip board with a set of smaller cork squares for each day of the week. If I ever get a chance to try that, you’ll be the first to know how it turns out! As always, thanks for sharing your creations.

  2. Carol Edwards

    Hi Kathy, lovely back to school project. I love the the hardware top and guessed the reason why was coming. Good tip too from previous lady. Yes summer is out today, still waiting though for it to start. And boy or girl would love your message centre.xx

  3. Sara Emily Barker

    Kathy what a wonderful useful fall project! So inspiring! That ribbon is beautiful with those papers and what a clever design with the pencil holder, sticky note pad, and corkboard–I love a functional, yet beautiful project! I always giggle when you say ‘quick and easy’, and wonder how that translates to me with two left hands!

    As for your missing hardware, I have a tip for YOU! I use one of those magnetic bowls that they sell at the hardware store for people just like us who lose their parts! Now if i could just find it! Tee Hee! Hugs!

  4. Linsey

    This mini message center is absolutely wonderful, Kathy!! I love every awesome detail and it’s so useful too!! SO cool and neat!! I’m altered some clipboards right now too, but they are completely different than yours and I love this amazing inspiration!!! TFS and have a GREAT Thursday!!! Muah!!! xoxo

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