Since we moved up North, Zander and I have been doing quite a bit of weekend traveling. I really wanted a special way to keep track of the places we have been together (and our bedroom walls were bare) so I decided to make this travel map cork board! It was pretty easy once I figured out the logistics… so now I’m going to share the how-to with you!

 

MATERIALS

paper // printer // tape // frame // cork roll // spray paint // exacto knife // spray glue // map tacks
These links are what I used but feel free to be creative!

 

1. Decide what size your map needs to be to fit in the center of your chosen frame. Print out and tile together a map of the US. My map is about 20″ wide for a 18″ x 24″ frame. The map I used can be downloaded here: [download id=”25″ format=”10″]

2. Once your map is tiled together, tape it to a piece of cork just big enough to fit the map. Work on a cutting mat and trim around the outer border with an exacto knife (making sure to trim all the way through the cork). You will not be able to get very detailed here, and that’s okay (as you can see I chopped the little hook off of Massachusetts all together)!

3. Once you have cut around the entire map you can go back in and cut out any additional details. Remember, it is easy to cut more away but not to add back on!

4. Trim your next piece of cork into a rectangle that fits snugly into your frame. I used the cardboard backing that came in the frame as a size guideline. 5. Bring the trimmed rectangle outside and paint one side white. 6. Once the paint dries, use spray glue to attach the cork map to the center of your (now white) cork backing. Remember, spray the backside of your cork map only!

7. Place your map board into the frame (using the cardboard the frame came with as a backing). You can glue to the cardboard to the cork back if you prefer.

8. Print out and trim your title and location flags. 9. Fill in your flags with places you have been and places you want to go! 10. Add your title and destination flags to the cork map with pins and your done! You can download my template here: [download id=”26″ format=”10″]

The measurements above are what I used for my frame, but make sure to measure yourself, as frames will differ. You know the saying, measure twice, cut once! And please be VERY careful with the exacto knife, I actually cut myself while working on this project!