One of my favorite crafty activities to is cover something in paper and glue-otherwise known as découpage. This DIY laptop cover was super easy to create and it’s all about the découpage!
de·cou·page – the art or technique of decorating something with cut-outs of paper, linoleum, plastic,or other flat material over which varnish or lacquer is applied.
I’ve been searching for a cover for my laptop for well over a year, but couldn’t find anything I liked at the price I wanted to pay. A few weeks ago while browsing in Best Buy I came across a clear cover I liked. It was $50 which was still more than I wanted to pay, so it stayed in the store and I went on my way.
That cover stayed in the back of my mind, until one day a few weeks ago I was at a Starbucks and I saw a woman with the same case in pink. Seeing it in action I got an idea for a craft project.
I came home and searched Amazon and came across this clear case and instantly I knew, if I couldn’t find a case I liked, I’d make one! The best part, it was only $20.
When it arrived I was momentarily disappointed because though the description said “crystal clear” it wasn’t. It was sort of foggy, I thought I’d have to return it, but a quick check proved that it would be suitable for my idea and I went about gathering the items I would need to craft a personalized lap top cover for my Mac.
Supplies:
- Lap top cover. I used this one from iPearl.
- Mod Podge I like the matte version.
- craft scissors I use these by Martha Stewart
- flat paint brush – a good size for this is about 1 inch.
- Paper, photos, post cards, what-ever you fancy, so long as it’s paper.
- A printer if you’ll be printing the images you use.
Then be sure to seal the outer layers -the ones on the inside of the cover with more Mod Podge.
I suppose one could use any lap top cover they chose, if they decoupaged on the out-side, but for this project I wanted all of the crafting done from the inside.
If you’ve never decoupaged before check out this tutorial. Here is a tutorial specifically for reverse collage -which is essentially what this project is. It’s also a good idea to practice on something first, to make sure you’ve gotten a feel for the technique, before you begin work on your cover. The good thing about this -if you’re not 100% satisfied with the end result, or you eventually get bored, you can soak your cover in a bit of acetone.
These are the products I recommend for this project:
In case you’re wondering what/why I chose the things I did. I’ll tell you.
Comic book strip -For it’s melodrama and color. There are three references to my favorite book, Pride & Prejudice. Swans are probably my favorite bird, and it’s got some meaning to my first novel. Rhett Butler & Scarlet O’hara, because these two characters, are probably among the best ever written. That little mirror graphic with “Yes you’re the fairest of them all.” I love Snow White, and I think it’s a good thing to look in a mirror and like the person you see. A snowy owl, I also love owls-but the vintage kitschy home decorating type. This one is to pay Homage to J.K. Rowling. Unicorns to remind me of magic. Freckles…because I’ve got them. “Corner of awesome…” -because I am. “Tell you’re story” and “you’re a writer”-just because. Finally, my husband and I-because he is my very own, story book, Prince Charming, come to life, romantic novel, drives me crazy, love at first sight, leading man.
Nicole Olea’s love language is communication. She does this best using her keyboard as a freelance copywriter and editor. Creative and resilient with high-level experience in social media management, content creation, and eCommerce marketing, Nicole Olea was a professional volunteer, sharing her skills with various non-profit organizations who paid her in hugs. For the last 20 years, she’s lived a quasi-nomadic life, moving across the country and the Atlantic with her active-duty husband and their three kids. She’s awkwardly stumbling toward her goal of becoming a saint. She’s got God-sized dreams and wants you to have them too!
I am trying to do this with an iphone case but the ink keeps running when i printed the pictures. How did you keep the ink from running when you mod podge over it
If your using an ink jet printer, the ink will usually run. Make sure the ink is completely dry before gluing and you can try spraying a bit of hair spray on the image to see if that helps. However full proof way to make sure your ink wont run is to print out the images you want to use and then have photo copies made.
I love this! So you glued the papers you chose directly onto the case?
Yes. That’s what I did. 🙂
<3 This is awesome!
Thank you so much!
I love this! If I ever get a macbook (I’m hoping to win one in a contest I entered that ends soon LOL!) I’m so going to do this with all our vacation stubs/tickets/etc. that I’ve saved and have wanted to scrapbook with but never got around to.
Oh Tammy that sounds awesome! I hope you win! **fingers crossed**
How cool!!! I have to try this out myself! Never thought of making my own.
That is so cute! It turned out really good.
That is really cute! I want to make one!
That is so cute! I want to do that!
This is such a cute idea!
What a fabulous idea!
Love it! I just got a laptop and it looks booooring.
how adorable and creative.
I love this, and some of those made me laugh…it’s such a great way to express yourself!
That turned out great! I might just have to make one.
Hi i love you computer cover and was wandering if you think it would work with a phone cover? i really love you cover, you have such an awesome mind. <3
I do. I guess you could do it on the outside if you don’t mind it being lumpy. For a clear cover just be sure to keep the papers super thin if you place them on the inside.
this is probably a dumb question but I am in love with this cover and I want to try and make one. Once you are done how will the cover stick to the laptop?
Not a dumb question at all. You’re using papers so those are pretty thin -try to stay away from card stock, but if you must use it, do so sparingly. The cover just pops on and off (at least mine does) there’s no sliding it on or off. I took extra care around the corners to make sure it didn’t get too thick -if you look closely at the photos you’ll see that’s where I used my “background” papers or the final layer. Most of my design was centered. Hope that helped.
I love decoupage! My friend and I have started decoupaging stuff, just for fun. I like Bonnie’s idea of making something Doctor Who inspired, I am a HUGE Doctor Who fan.
GREAT IDEA! I have just got a new but second hand mac, I love the cover you have done and feel really inspired to do one of my own…..I’m a Dr Who lover…so maybe I will give one ago.
P.S Speaking of Snow White, my girls and I are loving ‘Once Upon A Time’