Clipped inspirations

Hands-on time: Less than an hour.
Total time: Add a couple of hours for paint to dry.
Skill: Super easy.
Project cost: Less than $12.

Materials and Tools

• 1 wooden dowel, 110 cm long by 9 mm in diameter
• Medium grit sandpaper and a tack cloth
• Two metal hooks, 6 cm long, with a flat edge band and two screw holes
• Acrylic paint and paintbrush (I used a fresh moss-green colour)
• Matte or gloss varnish
• Two small images of your choice
• Two self-adhesive Clear Page Pebbles, 3 cm in diameter, by Making Memories (available where scrapbook materials are sold)
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Measuring tape
• Level
• Four flat-head screws
• Screwdriver
• Two Command Adhesive Poster Strips by 3M
• Package of 10 hanging clips

A clip rail is an eye-catching approach to display notes, pictures of loved ones, colour swatches, inspirational quotes and even your to-do list. It's also super easy and fun to make. The dowel is supported on hooks decorated with small images set under clear pebbles.

Lightly sand the dowel then wipe it clean with a tack cloth before painting. Paint the dowel and the two hooks using the same acrylic paint colour. Let dry.

Once dry, give the painted surfaces a topcoat of matte or gloss varnish to protect the paint against scuffs and scrapes from the clips. Let dry for a few hours.

Select two small images no larger than the clear pebbles. You can use magazine images, motifs from cards or photographs. Place the clear pebble shape over your chosen image and trace around it with a pencil. Cut out the image, making sure to cut it a little smaller than the traced line; this way, it will fit perfectly under the clear pebble.

Peel the clear backing off the pebble. Apply the image face up onto the adhesive and press the image into place. Repeat for the other pebble.

To mount the hooks on the desired wall, measure and mark the placement for each hook so that they are about 95 cm apart. Use a level to check for straightness. Fasten each hook to the wall using a screwdriver and flat-head screws. Peel the backing off a Command Adhesive Poster Strip and apply to the back of each pebble, pressing it in place for a few seconds. Peel backing off the other side of the strip to affix the pebble over the flat part of the hooks. Press in place for a minute. The pebbles are the perfect size to cover the screw holes of the plain metal hook. The Command Adhesive Poster Strips allow you to change the pebbles as you please and to remove the hooks, if needed.

Slide the hanging clips onto the dowel before placing the dowel on the wall hooks. Then, start clipping your pictures.

Custom clip rails can be fashioned for a variety of rooms throughout your home from your office, workshop, kitchen, or even the children's playroom.

Variations

• In the kitchen, clip rails are perfect for displaying lists, recipes, messages and magazines. Clip rails are also great for displaying children's artwork in their bedrooms or playrooms. You can use images that children like (or even their artwork) under the pebbles. You can also use words or letters under the pebbles. They also make a wonderful addition to a workshop to hang up drying art work, stencils and templates, supply lists, etc.
• For a contemporary look, paint the dowel with silver or chrome paint, and use sleek, modern-style wall hooks.
• You can substitute the hanging clips with S-hooks or colourful ribbons. The Command Adhesive Poster Strips can be replaced with magnet strips.
• For a fast version of the above project, omit the image pebbles and use decorative hooks that will work with your décor.