Sometime back I wrote a blog post on how to do the same thing for windows http://hariniachala.blogspot.com/2009/11/hide-messy-looking-desktop-icons-with.html. When looking for a similar method for my ubuntu desktop i came across this..
http://bayu.freelancer.web.id/2009/05/03/showhide-desktop-icon-on-ubuntu/
Follow the instructions in the link and soon your desktop will be magically free of all clutter!
Before

After

If you like my wallpaper you can get it here (http://bit.ly/35rzNB). The word at the bottom means 'Spring'. I've put it in Greek to add a touch of mystery to the wallpaper:)