I made a 3D Map Art Project

* * * * *

I was a bad bad crafter–I started working on this map art project and then never went back to it.  I know BAD BAD crafter.

My plan was to do a few different map art projects but then time got away from me.

I had down loaded the maps, worked on the art and then STOPPED.

Some of the projects I wanted to do were for some over sized Map ART but we are in limbo right now.

The hubs is finishing up a certification and if we all have our way we will be moving so I was kind of holding off to see if we move before I did a BIG over-sized project.  I have moved enough times that I know I like to pack as little as possible.

Then Mandy from Sugar Bee Crafts posted her Map Art Wedding Gift and it inspired me to get my project finished.

This map project was on a smaller scale and best of all it brought a smile to my kids faces, so that made me happy.

It was a reminder of HOME–back in Missouri.

* * * * *

I had some postcards from Canvas Corp and decided this would be a cute craft to use with the postcards.

First-I googled maps and found one I liked.

This is the exact same map as the one above I just FADED it and added some color.

I saved the maps and then played around with one of them in Photoshop to give it a more “vintagy” look (I know that isn’t a real word or maybe it is).

I added in a little color here and there.

(I used red, blue, aqua, yellow and brown)

using some brushes I added the touches of color here and there.
Then I went over it with white at a 20% opacity to soften the colors and edges of the lines.

{then they just sat in my computer waiting for me to get back to them.}

I sized down the vintage map so it was a little smaller than the first map.

Then I printed off 2 of the maps on white card stock.

I trimmed around the state and ModPodged down the bigger (original) map towards the bottom of the card.

I grabbed some wood discs from my craft supplies…

…and glued 3 on top of each other in the center of the state.

I used a needle and thread to poke holes for the word HOME but I replaced the “O” with a heart.

I Mod Podged the smaller map onto the wood discs so it added depth.

I cut out a little heart and painted it and Mod Podged it onto the map right where Kansas City is located.

* * * * *

Next I grabbed some wood from the garage and cut it to the size I wanted –just a little bigger than my 4 x 6 postcard.

I then cut lines into the board (just using a hand saw and working slow and steady to create grooves).

I wanted it to look like the wood had uneven slats. (I cut into the top edge of the board as well.)

I sanded over the entire piece to get rid of any rough edges and smooth out the surface. I didn’t want it perfectly smooth–since I was going for a weathered look.

Then I began painting it in a dry brush method which basically means you are dragging paint over the piece.

I started with gray.  When my gray dried, I added paint in khaki, gray, aqua, navy, black and white.

Once my paints were dry I went over it with  a deep red paint. I used the dry brush method, just dragging paint over the surface but not completely covering everything.

I wanted a dark background so the word HOME would show up.

If you decided to stitch the letters you could paint the wood whatever color you want.  I was concerned that a light background would cause my hole punched word “HOME” to not show up.

Once my paint was dry I glued 2 discs to the board as well, so the post card would be raised up off the wood.

The post card is 3D but the TOP MAP is also 3D.

Then I added a couple of DISChangers to the back so I can hang it.
I picked out 2 tiny ones and I can grab a wire and balance it or hang them off nails.

If you have never used Dischangers they are so easy to use and my favorite hanging tool.  You just wet the disc with a little water on your finger, set it aside for 5 minutes while the glue activates and then apply.  Let it dry for a few hours or over night and it is done.

DISChangers are great for hanging plates on a wall as well.

I think this would make a really cute relocation “We’re Moving” card (without the boards of course).