A Trio of Upcycled Map Projects by Beth Watson 2

Good Sunday Morning!  Beth here to share my Trio of Upcycled Map Projects – a set of coasters, a gift bag and a family canvas – here on the blog today!

I have been upcycling and recycling since I was young.  I find the challenge of re-purposing something that some one else would throw away to be extremely exciting!  What will that map become?  Follow along with me today and spark your creativity!

Upcycled Map Family Canvas

Get started with a vintage map of your town and a 8″ by 10″ canvas.  My canvas was from my stash and had gotten stretched out, so I wasn’t sure if it was salvageable.  Decoupage the map onto the canvas with Tombow MONO Aqua Liquid Glue using the broad tip.  Don’t be concerned that the paper gets quite wrinkled, once dry the paper (and the canvas) will be tight and flat!

Attach the map to the sides, corners and back of the canvas, let dry.

Draw the outline of a house on plain computer paper with Tombow MON Drawing Pencil, cut the outline with a craft knife and then trace onto white cardstock 7″ by 9″.  Cut out the house image again with a craft knife.

Pencil in some guidelines and sketch in your family’s last name and the year it was established.  Ink in the lettering with the fine tip of the Tombow MONOTWIN Permanent Pen.

Apply four sections of Tombow Foam Tape onto the back of the cardstock, peel the liner paper and apply a section layer of Foam Tape.  Peel the liner paper and apply to the canvas.

Color in a section of scrap cardstock with Tombow Dual Brush Pen #856 and punch out a small heart.  Apply a double layer of Tombow Foam Tape and attach to the map at your family’s home address.

Here is a close up of the finished Upcycled Map Family Canvas!

Upcycled Map Coasters

Next we are creating a coaster set with some 4″ by 4″ white ceramic tiles that were left over from a bathroom project (more recycling!)  Rough cut sections of map slightly larger than the tile.  Tear the edges of the map.  Apply a layer of Tombow MONO Aqua Liquid Glue and then decoupage map onto tile.  Burnish with your finger to smooth out any wrinkles or folds.

Embellish coasters with travel related words hand lettered with the Fudenosuke Brush Pen, Soft Tip.  I looked up “journey” in the Thesaurus to select my words.

To make the coasters waterproof apply a layer of Tombow MONO Aqua Liquid Glue to the top, smooth with your finger and let dry.  Apply a second coat, if necessary.

And a detailed photo of the Upcycled Map Coasters!

Upcycled Map Gift Bag

The third project I would like to share with you today is a quick and easy gift bag created with the left over sections of our vintage map.  On plain paper, I drew a simple template that has a 4″ by 4″ front and back with a 3″ by 4″ bottom and sides.  And tabs on the sides that are 1/2″ wide.

Apply template onto map using Tombow MONO Removable Adhesive.  Trace around edges of template with Tombow MONO Drawing Pencil.  Cut out using craft knife.

Fold and score all edges.  Apply Tombow Xtreme Permanent Adhesive to the four tabs, rolling to apply, then swiping to the side for a clean application.

Fold in tabs, lining up with edge of gift bag and then burnish from the inside to secure.

Cut two 8″ lengths of ribbon and attach to inside of gift bag with Tombow Xtreme Tabs.

Here is a close up of the Upcycled Map Gift Bag!

I hope you have enjoyed my Trio of Upcycled Map Projects today!  They were all quick and easy to put together in just an afternoon.  All three projects would make excellent house warming or hostess gifts, as well.

Check out the Tombow IG account for TONS of INSPIRATION!

Thanks for stopping by!  -Beth