If the current decorating trends of vintage maps and hand lettered typography are some of your favorites, then you’re in luck!
I happen to love collecting vintage maps and I’ve found the trick to finding them is by searching in old National Geographic magazines at garage sales, they almost always still have their map inserts in them.
If you can’t find one you like, stores such as Walmart carry current maps that work great.
While you’re at Walmart, you can pick up all the other items you’ll need (you can them all in the craft aisle).
Supplies:
Map
Picture frame
Foam core board
Carbon paper
Paint or marker
Scotch® Brand utility knife
Scotch® Brand Super 77 spray adhesive
Command™ picture hanging strips
I had an old yellowed print and seriously outdated wooden frame that belonged to my grandmother that I’ve held onto for years since she passed. I knew there would be a day that the frame could be repainted and used, and it works perfectly for this map art. So, if you don’t already have one, make sure you pick up a frame while you’re gathering your other items at the store.
First, measure your frame, and use the Scotch® Brand Utility Knife to cut your foam core board and map to the correct size.
In the past, using utility knives made me nervous, because they can be so bulky and heavy, and the razor is intimidating.
I loved the size and handling capabilities of the Scotch® Brand precision utility knife. It’s small and fits well in my hand, yet cut the board and map like butter.
Perfect!
Next, you’ll need your spray adhesive to attach the map to the foam core board. I liked how easy the Scotch® Brand Super 77 Spray Adhesive was to reposition my map when I didn’t stick it down correctly onto the board the first time. I was able to reposition it, and realized that if you start at the top, and slowly press down from top to bottom, you should be able to place your map perfectly. Once I had it in place, I pressed the entire map down, and it didn’t budge.
The typography is next. Don’t quit on me now, anyone can do this, trust me.
Place your carbon paper under the print, and simply trace the outline of your words.
It’ll leave an outline of your letters, ready to fill in.
Then, using paint (my preference) or a marker, fill in your letters just like you would a coloring book. This is crafting for adults after all, and you know how much we’re into our adult coloring books these days.
Hanging is easy using Command™ picture hanging strips. I purchased the ones that hold up to 16 lbs and won’t damage my newly painted walls. My husband almost had a fit thinking I was going to be nailing into our walls after they were just all patched up, but the Command™ strips are the best the damage free solution.
Like I said before, this vintage map wall art makes a great gift.
Here are some customization ideas-
For a wedding gift- Add the couple’s wedding date and use a part of a map that shows the city they’ll be living once they’re married, or even the city where they first met.
As a graduation gift- Include the “Class of” date and display at a graduation party, and have all the guests sign the map.
For Mother’s Day or Father’s Day- Instead of a travel quote, add the names and birthdays of all the family members and cut the map to display the city the family lives.
What are some of the other ways you can think of to use this unique map wall art?
Courtney Buteau says
This is such a fun idea and seems totally doable. I love that font you picked. What a great use of a map! #Client
Emily @ Two Purple Couches says
I LOVE this map art! And your lettering is so cool! Thanks for linking up with Creative Spark last week. I selected your map art as one of my Features for this week's party, which goes live at 6am EST on Wednesday. I hope you'll stop by to grab a Featured button and link up again! Have a great week 🙂
Myra says
I just LOVE this project! I am gonna make this for a gift. Would you mind telling me what font you used for the wording It is Beautiful! myra.norton57@yahoo.com