A sad side effect of the rise of GPS is the growing obsolescence of maps. But it’s so hard to just give up those maps. With all of their colors and the sense of perspective they give, I miss maps. Those turn-by-turn directions just don’t cut it for me in comparison to the visual appeal of an old map.
BENEFITS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT: Reusing old maps is much better than making crafts out of new paper. Recycled paper may be greener than new paper, but you can’t beat reused paper in terms of environmental friendliness. Reuse is always highest on the environmentally friendly three Rs scale—reduce, reuse, recycle ☺
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Cost: Low. Maps are free and abundant. Even if you don’t have many old maps lying around, you can ask neighbors, friends and family, and even your local thrift stores. You can check the magazine section for old National Geographics, which usually have maps inside. Old atlases are also a good bet.
Time and effort: Varies, low – medium, depending on the chosen project.
Easy Map Projects:
- Map Memories: Use a map to remember a fun trip. You can find an old frame at a thrift store, then use a map from your travels to cut out and glue to the matting of the frame.2 Add some fun photos to paste around as well! This project can also make a great gift for a family or friends you traveled with.
- Coasters: Maps make perfect coasters. They are super fast and easy to make while also being free if you have old maps and cardstock on hand. Trace out coaster shapes onto cardstock, glue maps onto the cardstock, and mod podge (a glue, sealer, and finish all in one!)3 the coasters so that they aren’t ruined when they get wet. Be careful, though. Once you see how fabulous your coasters look, you’ll want to mod podge everything in sight: display trays, boxes…you name it!
- Map Candles: Inspired by a set of map candles from Pottery Barn, The Inspired Housewife blogger Dianne Weed cut out maps from an old atlas and glued them around candles to create decorative beauties. For safety purposes, you should probably only burn them for a short period of time.4
- Love Map: You can document the history of your love out of maps! Break out a few tattered maps of your home state and revive them for a sentimental statement piece. Minimoz blogger Danielle Mozjerin thought up a unique “love map” that includes three hearts cut out of different maps: a map of the city where you and your partner met, got married, and currently reside.5
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Harder Map Projects:
- Map Envelopes: You can use an envelope template to fold a map into a functional envelope. Just a map and a little patience, and you are ready to drop a note in the mail!
10 - Map Cork Board: To create a unique corkboard, find a map of a state, city, or country that is special to you. Cut out the state or city, then spray mount the cut-out into the cork board. Cut out the corkboard with an exacto knife so that it doesn’t show behind the map, and use your new creation to hang up notes or mark the places you love and have visited on your map.11
- Map Decorations: If you need some last minute party decorations, cut out circles from maps using the 1-inch hole punch. Once the circles are cut, punch two small holes in each circle and string them all up to create a unique streamer.12
- Revamp Your Furniture: If you have a piece of thrifted furniture that needs an upgrade, you can use a map to spruce things up. After refinishing a cabinet or table, you can use a map to cover the top of the furniture piece. First create a template out of baking paper, then cut out the map. Once cut to size, use mod podge or a thick coat of slightly diluted PVA to the cabinet, and then put the map in place. Finally, apply coats of satin clear sealer to finish the piece off.13
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