Look whose little old MacBook got a facelift this weekend! I spotted this idea from minifanfan on Making It Lovely last week and just had to give it my own spin.
I purchased my Japanese washi tape from Le Box Boutique on Etsy. There are hundreds of washi tape sellers but I chose Le Box because they allow you to purchase tape by the foot rather than having to purchase the entire roll. They were very easy to interact with and I would definitely recommend them if you’re looking to purchase washi tape!
I chose these ten patterns but only ended up using eight of them on my keyboard. The purple and blue patterns looked a bit more opaque than the others when applied to the keys and I’m kind of crazy when it comes to matchy-matchiness.
I first thoroughly cleaned my keyboard with rubbing alcohol to remove any dirt or oil that might keep the tape from sticking. Then I created a template from cardboard to more easily cut the length of tape needed for each key. I also snipped off the corners to keep them from snagging and peeling off the keys. Washi tape is similar to masking tape or blue painters’ tape in that it is easy to stick and restick in case you don’t get the placement perfect each time.
I originally wanted to do all the keys, including the small keys in the top row, but the tape seemed to have a harder time sticking to the small keys. If you’re wondering, most of the patterns are easy to see through, just in case I forget which key is the Z or X.
This project was a bit tedious but simple – perfect for a few hours in front of the tv. It actually went much quicker than I thought! I think the corners may start to peel over time, but the time/money investment wasn’t very big, and for now, I’m pretty sure I have the prettiest MacBook around!
What do you think? Have you ever done a project inspired by a photo found online?
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You’ve completely inspired me!! I’ll be doing this next week when I have some free time
Thanks for sharing!
This is adorable! It inspired me so much that I did it to my own keyboard this weekend
Thanks for the cute idea (and the link to that awesome Etsy shop, I might spend all of my money ever there)!
maybe you could try putting some clear nail polish around the edges to keep them from peeling…
Jamie, I would be nervous about that because I wouldn’t want it to affect the keyboard’s functionality. All it would take is a little drip below the key to stick it forever! It was also important to me for it to be removable – it all came off without a problem.
I bought this to cover over so the tape doesn’t lift.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QKI2DA/ref=s9_simh_gw_p147_d0_g147_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1CV8V9Z6GDPHCHJW0G6G&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846
chris @Granola2Glam recently posted..Sneak Peek: Happy Keyboard
wow, amazing! I’m just now looking for inspiration to do something similar.
I was given several rolls of washi tape for Christmas, but I didn’t have any idea of what to really do with it except stick pictures to my wall–until now!!! I’m trying this out as soon as I get home.
Thanks for all the great crafting and blogging ideas. You’re blog is refreshingly easy to dip into for a few minutes and come out with innovative and creative ideas.
So the tapes used are see through?
I’m gonna try this on a PC, hopefully it’ll work:) just got to pick up some washi tape from walmart or michaels
Any way that you could list the colors that you used? The eysy site is a little overwhelming and I loved the colors that you picked. I cannot WAIT to do this!! Thanks!
So Cute – !!!!!
So doing this today! Thanks so much! I’m trying it on my black keyboard, I’ll let you know how it goes!
Sarah @ http://www.allthingsblogs.blogspot.com
Hi!
Just wondering how this worked out for you, because I really want to give it a go but my keyboard is also black!
Thanks, Emily.
Found your awesome DIY through oh, hello friend and just wanted to say THANK YOU! My MacBook Pro keyboard is super fun and will undoubtedly help me complete my Dissertation now
I’m thrilled!
can the tape be taken off without damaging the keys?
yes, they come right off. no issues at all.
chris @Granola2Glam recently posted..Sneak Peek: Happy Keyboard
Love this! I might try this on my laptop!!!!
LOVE this idea! It turned out great!
I featured you on my blog today, come check it out:
http://www.artsyfartsymama.com/2012/05/pinteresting-features-n-shtuff-33.html
I never did try it on my keys, sorry, but I did do it on my laptop lid and it works wonderful!
http://allthingsblogs.blogspot.com
Oh also, I’m publishing a post about it today!
http://allthingsblogs.blogspot.com
How did u get the letters to show on the tape
absolutely adorable! i’ve yet to find the time to sit down and cut each piece and its corners
soon, i hope! soon.
dorothy
theymaysaythatimadreamer.blogspot.com
So I really want to do this, but my MacBook has black keys. Do you think it would work the same or not? I like the fact that the letters show up a little bit incase you forget but I can always turn up the backlighting to make it brighter. Is there a different tape I should use if this is too transparent?
I just did one with a black backlit keyboard- looks fine. It’s on my blog if you want to see.
chris @Granola2Glam recently posted..DIY Colorful MacBook Washi Tape Keyboard Tutorial
Do you think this would still look alright on a keyboard with black keys??? Anyone tried that? Thoughts?
Is your keyboard backlit? If so, it will be fine. I just did a tutorial on my blog with black keys.
chris @Granola2Glam recently posted..DIY Colorful MacBook Washi Tape Keyboard Tutorial
Thanks for the inspiration…here’s my attempt with tutorial to follow.
http://granola2glam.blogspot.com/2012/06/sneak-peek-happy-keyboard.html
Hey, would this work with a black keyboard?
Taylor recently posted..Hi, im Taylor ( Just-try-to-smile ) and im looking for a tumblr boyfriend. =]
This is such a fun idea! Thanks for the creative tip
Would the tape show up all right on a black keyboard?
What an awesome idea! This is gorgeous!
ATasteOfMadness recently posted..Rye Bread
sooo ~ I am interested in doing this but, will it leave my keys all icky and sticky after I decide I want to take it off???
hi! I really love this idea and right away went out to get some tape. But my keys are not back lit (although they are white) any tips on making the letters show up? thank you so much, it is an amazing idea!
Very nice!! Love this!!
Thank you Kira for sharing this. I love the way you decorated your mac keyboard and you did inspired some of us to do this, too. How creative! Ordered my washi tape too!
Hi any idea where to purchase the washi tapes in the UK?
were do you buy the tape?
You really inspired me to do this and i did it! love it!
i have a q… which pattern is the pink orangy yellow and the light green??
What a fabulous idea!
Raeesa, Amazon do it and if you put it in google, there are a lot of UK sites
This is very cute, but I don’t think I’m steady enough with crafts to not make an edge straight or something. :p
Liza recently posted..It’s October, and I’m already sweating.
how did you make the cardboard template for the keyboard and get each piece of tape to fit each key?
Love it- what a cute idea!
I love this, but do you have to write the letter/symbol on the washi tape, or can you see through the washi tape to see what’s on the key?
Definitely going to try this on my mac very soon! Love your blog!!! Thank you so much!
I have a white backlit keyboard but I want to write the letters with a different font would this still work???
went to do this and realized my keyboard is black and it wouldnt have the same effect
I work for a warehouse where laptops are repaired daily. I love to get the ones that are personalized by the customer. Expressing their own high tech individuality. There is something different everyday. I am inspired now to do my laptop like this. Thanks for the inspiration.
I’m waiting for my washi tapes in the mail! I am so excited to try this
Very original, kind of thing that makes me wonder “Hey, why didn’t I think of that?!” All the better since it allows for infinite amount of designs & patterns
I absolutely love this idea! I really want to do this to my laptop too but my keys are black with white lettering instead of white with black lettering like yours so I have no idea what the tape will look like up against black keys. Is it still possible for me to do this and have it look (at least somewhat) as nice as yours? What colors/patterns do you think I should use?
I love this idea! I want to apply it to my macbook too! But how do you get the letters of the keyboard on the tape??
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