"Life Is Either A Great Adventure Or Nothing"

That quote from Helen Keller really caught my attention the first time I read it. For our first anniversary I wanted to celebrate the great adventures of our life. Those we had already experienced and the many many more we would experience together in the future.

Matt has a love for maps. He is a geospatial analyst which is basically a high tech mapmaker. He buys maps on every vacation and we have a pretty cool collection and no where to put them!

In the hallway leading from the bedroom to the bathroom we had some painted canvases I made for my apartment I lived in before buying Maplewood Manor. They worked fine but I wasn't loving them anymore.
Since the first wedding anniversary theme is paper and maps are made of paper I knew exactly what Matt's gift had to be! I made him a pushpin map that we could use to track all the places we have visited and travel quote prints to frame along side the map. It turned out awesome and was pretty easy!

What You Need:

• A map! I went with this one: World Executive Poster Sized Wall Map
  I trusted my abilities but if you fear messing up you could go with this cheaper one and at only 62 cents each you could buy a few: Pyramid World Map Vintage Style Poster Print
• Spray Adhesive: I got mine at Michaels, any craft store should have this
• Foam Poster Board: This needs to match the size of your map.
  I got this Tri-fold Foam Display Board from Walmart. It was the only option they had that would fit the dimensions of my map.
  
  
  If you plan ahead you can find foam board in all different sizes online one example I found that would have worked perfect for me is this: Coroplast Signs 24"w x 36"h x 3/16"d White Corrugated Plastic Blanks for 24"w x 36"h Images - Poster Backers
  You could also try corkboard like this: Cork Sheets - Plain 24" x 36", 1/4" thick
• A frame that fits your map and your style

Assembly:
This is really super easy!

• First you need your backing (foam board or cork or whatever you choose) to match the size of your map. If you purchased the exact sign then you are done and can move to the next step! if not cutting the poster board is quick with a rotary cutter
  ***If you use a rotary cutter make sure to have a cutting mat or something underneath that won't be damaged!
• Spray the backing with the spray adhesive
• CAREFULLY apply the back side of the map to the poster board. Be patient and go slow. Smooth out each section as you go so you don't get wrinkles or air bubbles!
• Let the adhesive dry
• Remove the glass from the frame and replace with your new map assembly
• Depending on how the back of the frame secures you may or may not need the back piece
• Hang it up, you are done!

Here is my finished product. I created a dozen or so printables with different black and white maps as the background and travel related quotes in bright colors. I chose four and framed them. If you want to create something similar I would be happy to share my prints, just let me know!

I also got Matt a book and wrapped it in an old map (both made of paper of course)!

It was 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, when we visit a location highlighted in the book we write on the page the date and what brought us to that location. It is a fun little history of our adventures!



This was such a fun gift for our "paper" anniversary!


What great adventures have you been on or do you have planned in the future?