On the Cheap: Scrapbook Paper iPhone Covers

I found this clever trick on Pinterest the other week from Oops I Craft My Pants and had to try it for myself: iPhone covers using scrapbook paper!

Now when I had my first cell phone in high school (the old Nokia), I probably had about 15 different cell phone covers that I would switch out to match my clothes everyday! I figure this scrapbook paper iPhone phone cover is an easy way to update my phone without spending all the cash!

First thing I did was purchase a couple sheets of scrapbook paper from Michael’s.

I also purchased a clear iPhone 4 cover from Best Buy. You could really purchase any cheap clear phone cover, but I wanted one with protective rubber sides since I’m a klutz and always drop my phone!

First thing I did was trace the scrapbook paper around the iPhone cover to get the basic shape.

I cut out the main section just using a pair of scissors. I kept trimming and setting in the clear plastic phone cover until it fit perfectly. Once the shape was set, I used this as a template for the rest of the scrapbook paper.

For the camera hole I used a pencil to sketch in the hole that I had to cut out using an exacto knife…. and that’s about it!

I’m really digging these fabric scrapbook pages! Love the texture plus I scored them on clearance for only $1 each!

This is also a great way to get festive for the holidays!

And I think the black damask one is my favorite for now!

Oh, thank you Pinterest for another great idea that’s affordable and easy to make!

 

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Comments

  1. And here I thought I was the only person who was klutzy enough to always drop her phone. :)

    What a great idea! I am definitely going to do this when I get my iPhone. Thanks for the inspiration!

  2. Oh I love this idea! I just an iphone after waiting many, many years and this will dress it up nicely!
    Debbie

  3. Jessica says:

    What a great idea, seems so easy!

  4. What a great idea!

  5. And for this week’s cover you need a Cardinal one :) Go Cards!!

  6. Megan says:

    Love! I’m sure you have one for you sister, right??

    • howtonestforless says:

      Of course, I always make stuff for you! Why just make one when I can make two at twice the price, LOL! :)

  7. Megan Brooke says:

    Such a cute idea! I’m finally entering the 21st century and getting an iPhone this weekend! So excited :) I went ahead and got a clear cover. I might try and make some of these. I definitely have enough scrapbook paper to choose from :)

  8. Lori says:

    Oh man how about fabric?!?!!

  9. Ann says:

    Boy these would make fantastic stocking stuffers!!! I’m going to pin this on my board. Thanks!!
    Ann

  10. I love this idea and can’t wait to make some. I agree with Ann above – they would make great little gifts. I am linking this to my Daily DIY page on my blog.

    My best- Diane

  11. Super idea!! I’ve been looking at all the cutesy phone covers on Etsy for $50… not anymore! Thanks for sharing ~ visiting from T&T at A2Z. :)

  12. Lynette says:

    Wow, super cute. Thanks for sharing!

  13. caralyn says:

    Ditto the Stocking Stuffer Idea!!!
    I know a few cousins who will be getting new Phone Covers this year! It’s like a Swatch Watch…only better.

  14. Katie says:

    This is so awesome!! I love this idea ’cause I can never decide which cover to buy! I love how you can just change it up this way!

  15. Mindy says:

    Love this idea! It’s so easy to switch your covers out! Thanks for sharing:)

  16. These are great! :) Love the easy interchange. Does the paper scratch the phone at all? (I was just thinking you could achieve the same effect with fabric perhaps).

  17. Melissa says:

    Great idea. Gonna have to try these.

    Melissa
    redflycreations.blogspot.com

  18. Chelsea says:

    So clever!! Gotta love pinterest! ;)

  19. Lyndee says:

    Why didn’t I think of this? Such a great idea! I love that I would be able to change the look of my phone anytime I wanted.

  20. You rock so I featured you this week at my Hookin Up with HoH Link Party!

    Feel free to stop by and grab a button if you’d like.

    xoxo

    Allison @ House of Hepworths

  21. Bec says:

    Brilliant!
    I’m totally gonna have to do this!!!
    THANKS!
    ~Bec :-)

  22. Great idea. I’ll have to look for a clear cover for my phone and make some customized covers for my phone.

    Saw you featured at House of Hepworths.

  23. What a fantastic idea – I LOVE it!

  24. Anne Francis says:

    I’m going to Best Buy tomorrow to (hopefully) find a clear case for my 3G. All the cute cases out now are for the 4! Ugh! So, I hope I find one. I have been dying for a new case. Can’t find anything cute for my model phone. Thanks!

  25. Wilma says:

    Great idea, I just completed mine. I COULD not find a cover I liked for my new iPhone, but you saved the day. Thanks.

  26. Loving this idea. Might have to hunt down a clear cover!

  27. Jimmie says:

    Love this idea. Just got new phone but was looking for a cover. Now I can have what I want

  28. Eleni says:

    This is such a good idea! I always see scrapbook paper I like, but I don’t scrapbook. Now I can finally have a reason to buy them, haha.

  29. Jessica says:

    I love this idea!! I use scrapbook paper to use home-made picture frames, which I gave out as Christmas gifts a few years back. Everyone loved them!
    I will be upgrading my phone to the Verizon Rhyme…I hope I will be able to do this with my phone!
    Crossing my fingers :)

  30. Oh wow, This is awesome! I’m definitely going to have to try this with a few of my favorite Washi stocks & I now have an excuse to find some new favorite patterned paper!

  31. Kristina says:

    Super cool!!! I would have never thought of that, what a great idea. I love changing my iphone cover too, but they can be expensive. Thanks so much for the idea, I’m headed out to Michael’s ASAP!!

  32. Cass says:

    I’m so doing this for my HTC Evo!! :)

    • Dana says:

      DId you get to do this with your HTC? I have a Skyrocket and cannot find any cute cases whatsoever! I know alot of cases are designed specifically for the iphone! SO just wondering how it turned out! Thank you! Have a great day!

  33. janelle says:

    love love love this idea! so simple and easy :) can’t wait to try it out with my scrapbook paper that’s just laying around collecting dust!

  34. Stephanie says:

    I love this idea eeekkkkk!!!! What a money saver idea. Thank you for this one. : )

  35. Gretchen says:

    I wish I could do this for my phone its an android and shaped

  36. Charmaine says:

    I think this solved my problem of constantly becoming bored of the Iphone cover that I have. Once I find a clear cover I can change up its look all the time. Thanks for the idea!

  37. Ciara Kay says:

    SUCH a good idea… I just discovered this today on pinterest… almost makes me wish I had an iphone. ;)

  38. Love this idea Erin and I actually just did the same thing with my phone last week – I love the idea of changing it often. I used scrapbook paper and then added my initials J and B with stickers. I have the old phone, so mine doesn’t have a flat back, but it still works. This post just came through on stumble upon and I gave it a thumbs up :)

    Jenna

    • howtonestforless says:

      Thanks Jenna! I love the initials idea! I might actually try my blog logo next instead of buying an expensive version online. We will see if it works!

  39. Leslie says:

    Super cute idea! Let me warn you, though, if you’re a true klutz! I have the same case and after dropping my phone twice in one night (with the phone set on vibrate), my phone is forever in vibrate mode! Just be careful! :-)

  40. Berlin says:

    GENUIS!!!!!!!!

  41. Devorah says:

    This is so cute! I wish I would’ve seen it before I got my hot pink one:( O well, in due time I will need a change and this is def something I want to try!

  42. Maggie says:

    I love this! Can’t wait to try it.

  43. ellis says:

    ooh, I love this.
    But i’m going to try it with my ipod. :)
    ‘Cause I don’t have a Iphone.

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  45. Love this idea! I have tons of scraps of scrapbook paper so the possibilities are endless. Thanks for sharing!

  46. Kenzie says:

    I was wondering if you have a pattern for how big the back of the phone is?! This is an amazing idea!

    • howtonestforless says:

      Sorry, Kenzie. I don’t have a pattern. I would suggest using a plain piece of computer paper to trace and keep trimming down until it fits perfectly. Then use that as your template going forth! Hope that helps :)

  47. Jackie says:

    I am not going to lie, this is pretty sleek & chic! You should definitely add this blog post to my list of Sleek & Chic iPhone Cases < http://www.skinnyscoop.com/list/jackie/sleek-chic-iphone-cases

    Such a fun idea :) And it reminds me of this Nokia I had back in the day where the case was clear so I could do exactly what this blog post suggests..so fun!

  48. Erin Dubrow says:

    So simple and So clever! Thanks for sharing!

  49. Amanda says:

    When I saw this u was like why didn’t I think of this . I got a clear case and lots of scrapbook paper and now my iPhone looks amazing and I don’t need to spend much money on it :)

  50. Sarah says:

    Love this! Was wondering how your case was holding up? Trying to decide which one I want to go with.

    • howtonestforless says:

      It’s actually PERFECT!! I haven’t had one problem with the case so far. And I change out the insert quite often!!

  51. I simply could not leave your web site before suggesting that I really loved the usual info an individual supply on your visitors? Is gonna be back steadily to inspect new posts

  52. Mara Jede says:

    I love this idea!! But I’m having trouble finding clear covers – any suggestions from someone who’s done this?? (aside from the griffin model posted here – I just want to see other models before I buy)

  53. Carol says:

    WOW! I am one for customizing everything I own and even though I don’t have an iPhone, I kinda wish I had one just for this purpose. :] I love it and I love the designs you were using.

  54. Great idea, Love it! but do you know who the original source is? You said you found it on Pinterest…….but I know pinterest didn’t do that craft. :) I wonder if I can find clear covers for my LG phone.

  55. Lori says:

    I just did this for my new iphone! I even got the same case. I had a hard time cutting the hole for the camera though. They aren’t nice and clean looking. Any suggestions? Thanks for the great idea!!!

    • howtonestforless says:

      Oh, sorry… just saw that last part! I used an exacto knife to get the hole nice and clean. Make sure it’s really sharp though!

  56. Lori says:

    Oh btw, I bought the same black and white paper without realizing that you had done that one too!

    • howtonestforless says:

      haha!! too funny! I’m actually use that one right now! LOVE it (and get so many compliments)

      • Lori says:

        I’m using a peacock feather paper right now but have showed the black and white one to a few people and they want me to make them one with it!

  57. Melaina says:

    OMG! Would this work with any phone?? Like, I have a Samsung Gem, so, if I could get a clear case for that, could I make a case like you did?

    • howtonestforless says:

      I hope so!! I know they make clear covers for a lot of different phone models. I’m telling you… it’s life changing :)

  58. Kris says:

    i love you. I mean it. I am kind of addicted to iphone cases…but it is pretty pricey habit. I cannot wait to get a clear cover. Thanks for sharing.

  59. I want an Iphone now.. just to do this.. lol

    :P

  60. Maggie says:

    WOW! This looks way to easy to be that much fun. I love switching my covers but I HATE paying 30 bucks for one! What a rip! Thanks for the awesome idea!

    Take a peek at my place borntobeblonde.com

  61. Mia says:

    I think that this idea is fantastic! I was just wondering what clear case it was that you used in the first picture (the one without the black rim). Thanks!!

  62. Mia says:

    Ok thank you! Is it a hard or soft case?

  63. Allison says:

    Thanks for sharing a great idea. I made some myself and posted them on my blog if you want to check it out.

  64. Tara says:

    Someone should totally make a diecut for this! Hello, Ellison??? Or at least a .pdf pattern… On my next go-round, I might use a series ofhole-punches to try to open up the camera hole more neatly.

  65. Lovely idea :)

    I featured you tutorial on my blog –> http://creativebalorina.com/thursday-tutorials-iphone-case/

  66. This is a great idea. I’ve been looking for ways to make my own ipad 2 covers but seem to find none. But this might work out for me. Thanks for the idea!

    Annabella Merlin
    Creative Photo Albums
    Annabella Merlin recently posted..Tips for Buying Scrapbooking Albums for BabiesMy Profile

  67. Trina says:

    Yay! Easy last minute Mother’s Day idea! Love it.
    Trina recently posted..Happy Derby Day!My Profile

  68. This seems like such an obvious idea, and yet it had never occurred to me!
    Thank you for sharing this – I am off right now to do it!! :)
    Marie

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