Map Garland

What do you think of when you think of Summer? I think of family time, road trips, travel. So I decided it was time to make something using maps.

I bought these maps for .50 cents each at a thrift store about a year ago. I was holding onto them until I though of something fun to make. I used a 1 3/4″ punch for the circles because that’s what I had on hand, but any size will work.

I punched 100 circles.

And used string and a glue stick to put them all together.

I glued 2 map circles together with the string running through the middle. I let a little bit of string show between the circles.

The whole garland took about an hour to make while I watched TV. I used different parts of the maps to vary the colors. I love the blue so I used a lot of the water.

Then I hung it on the mantel.

When I redo the mantel for Summer I have an idea for another way to display it.

But for now it will remain here. Do you like maps? How do you decorate with them?

{ 25 comments… add one }
  • Maya @ Completely Coastal May 18, 2011, 9:57 pm

    Your garland is adorable! All map projects are beachy to me (or say sea-y). This goes in my files for projects to be featured.

  • Susan Luke May 18, 2011, 10:17 pm

    Wow! I just bought an old atlas at the thrift store the other day…now I have something to make with it! Thanks!

  • Comeca Jones May 18, 2011, 11:59 pm

    This is the cutest idea!

  • Susan May 19, 2011, 3:39 am

    Leanne I love anything with maps, this is really cute!
    Susan

  • KJ@letsgoflyakite May 19, 2011, 4:12 am

    This turned out so pretty. It would look great in a child’s room or play room too. I have a box full of National Geographic maps just waiting for a project.

  • Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage May 19, 2011, 4:12 am

    I posted a map project today too! 🙂 Looove maps! Love your garland!

  • Kari May 19, 2011, 4:20 am

    I love this idea! I have seen maps at Goodwill before and had no idea what to do with them! You could also take those circles and scatter them on a tablescape for a party ( like a bon voyage party?)! Love the mantel too!!!!!

  • Little Brick Ranch May 19, 2011, 5:00 am

    LOVE it!! Bookmarking for future use!!

  • radhikanavekar May 19, 2011, 10:21 am

    I just saw your comment. Thank you so much!

  • Sheila A. May 19, 2011, 10:38 am

    Very clever…I “like”.

  • Deneen May 19, 2011, 11:29 am

    This is great! I have been looking for ideas with maps. Thanks!

  • Alicia May 20, 2011, 9:05 am

    I made butterflies and hung them on the wall around our honey moon pictures. I <3 maps too 🙂

  • Sassy Sites! May 20, 2011, 8:44 pm

    Great use of a map! Thanks for linking up at the Sassy Sites Free For All party! When you get a chance, come back by and see what we’ve done for the American Crafter’s competition… and maybe vote for us too! *wink*

    xoxo!
    Marni @ Sassy Sites!

  • Mandy @thetinkersmuse May 21, 2011, 7:50 pm

    very fun! i am brainstorming some map ideas myself 🙂 dontcha just love them?

  • Ellen May 21, 2011, 8:12 pm

    I love it…I made a similar one except I sewed the circles together.

  • Alexis May 21, 2011, 8:38 pm

    GENIUS! Love it

  • lyndsey @ the stationery place May 23, 2011, 12:28 pm

    that is so cute! what a fun idea.

  • Katie A May 24, 2011, 9:13 am

    I love this garland! Now I just to to think of where I could put it in my house. hmmmmmmmm

  • Jengerbread May 24, 2011, 11:35 am

    This would be great for a going away party or something! Very cute!

  • Laurel @ Ducks in a Row May 25, 2011, 8:44 am

    We LOVE maps and this is just too cute!

  • bmlay May 26, 2011, 3:05 pm

    This is such a great idea! My daughter loves to travel, and this would make such a neat item for her apt. Thank you for sharing.

  • Michelle May 26, 2011, 8:28 pm

    love this! My parents are tour guides for Israel, Egypt, Greece, etc and this would be so fun for the tables at their meetings with their tour groups! Thanks for linking up with DIY under $5!

  • Marilyn November 11, 2011, 11:06 pm

    Love the map idea for garland! I love maps as others and did a desk with map fronts! First time visiting, will be back!

  • Kate November 12, 2011, 9:20 am

    WOW–you did an awesome job with this. What a fabulous idea! Thanks for sharing at the Funky Junk Interiors link-up.

  • Ginger February 24, 2012, 8:08 pm

    LOVE this! I teach a missions class called Impact Education… will be using this idea! Thanks

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