I recently made a photo banner for our daughter’s ‘You Are My Sunshine’ birthday party. I wanted to hang the photos using clothes pins, but after hanging them up, I found the black and white photos and tan clothes pins looked a little drab.

I decided to use some of the bright-colored paper used on the banner to decorate the clothes pins.

This was a quick, inexpensive project using materials I already had on hand. The finished clothes pins provide a much-needed pop of color and can be used long after the banner is taken down. With a little focus, I made 21 of these in under 15 minutes.

Materials:

• Modge Podge, Matte – $6 (use a coupon!)
• Clothes Pins – $1.79 for 50 at Target
• Paint brush
• Scrapbook or other patterned paper of choice
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Pencil

Steps:

1. Trace a clothes pin onto the back of the patterned paper
2. Measure theLxW and draw the pattern on the back of the patterned paper(s) for as many clothes pins as you have
   • I decorated only one side. If choosing to decorate both sides of the clothes pins, make twice as many strips
3. Cut the strips and set aside
4. Working quickly, use a paint brush to coat the flat side of a clothes pin withModgePodge, and apply the paper strip
   • Apply liberally since the wood is porous and will soak up some of the Modge Podge
   • Align the paper before applying, as it does not slide easily once applied
5. Press firmly to
   1. If any glue squished out, simply wipe off with your finger or a rag
6. Continue, coating and applying paper. I did 2 or 3 pins at a time without the Modge Podge drying
7. Allow to dry 1 hour
8. Use a paint brush to apply a thin layer ofModgePodge on the top of the paper (dries clear)
   • Use the brush to smooth out any wrinkles
9. Allow to dry 1 hour