How to Make Inspirational Map Decor and add Cricut Vinyl to a wood map. An easy DIY craft tutorial idea to create beautiful home decor.

The This Land is Your Land kit is designed to look like the picture below, but I got a little creative and made my own design.

If you are making the kit as is, it includes almost everything that you need. All you need to provide is a paper plate to serve as a paint palette, a couple heavy book and a few hours to craft. Easy Peasy!

If you’re taking on my design you’ll need a few additional supplies.

Supplies Used: Some links may be too similar items when exact items couldn’t be found online.

• This Land is Your Land – Kit no longer available
• Cricut Explore
• White Vinyl
• Big Shot
• Heart Framelit
• Red Cardstock

I do have a video tutorial if you would prefer to watch the tutorial. If you like my video subscribe to my YouTube Channel so you don’t miss out on any future video tutorials!

How to Make Inspirational Map Decor

There are really two ways you can assemble the This Land is Your Land kit, you can glue together and then paint, or paint first then assemble. I chose to paint first. The map part comes in two pieces and several pieces that go on the back to hold it all together. Only the two front pieces need to be painted.

Using a foam brush, start by painting the stain into the grooves of the map to make sure they are nice and dark. Then spread the stain by brushing the same direction of the grain of the wood. Brushing in the same direction of the stain will help you get a nice even color and make sure the stain soaks nicely into the wood. Paint the front of the two map pieces.

When the two pieces are dry, the assembly begins. The main back brace piece to the map is an airplane looking piece. Apply glue to the left side. The line in the middle is to be used as a guide as to where to place the pieces.

Line the left piece of the map up to the line on the brace piece. Layer several heavy books on top to really push and secure the two pieces together. Then add your glue to the other side of the brace. This time put a line of glue in the corner of the first piece so the two pieces will be glued to each other and the brace.

When adding the second piece, place it in a downward motion instead of a sliding in motion. This will help keep the glue down in the crevice so it won’t leak up where the two pieces are coming together.

Add another stack of books to that side, and let the piece dry.

While the pieces are drying go to Cricut Design Space where you can cut the words onto vinyl with your Cricut. If you want the same words as me you can download the file for free! Otherwise, you can create your own.

Let the pieces dry with the books on them for about 20 minutes. Remove the books and turn the map over to finish applying the brace pieces. There are two additional arms that get glue to the back, as well as three small square wood pieces. There are two with holes in them that go at the top of the two extended arms, these are so you can hang your piece on the wall. The one on the bottom doesn’t have a hole, it is a stabilizer piece so your piece will be nice and sturdy on the wall. Use the included glue to adhere the pieces to the back of the map, and let dry.

When everything is completely dry it is time to apply the vinyl words. If the piece is not completely dry the vinyl won’t stick right, so make sure it is dry before you proceed.

Prep the vinyl words by weeding out the excess vinyl and applying carrier sheets to the front of them. This makes them work just like a sticker.

Peel the words from the backing sheet and apply to the map. Rub the top of them until they are stuck to the wood, then slowly peel back the carrier sheet. If they aren’t sticking, reapply the carrier sheet and rub more before trying again to remove the carrier sheet.

To create the heart, I used supplies that already had on hand which was my Big Shot and a heart Framelet. You could also use a heart punch or go to the store and purchase little wood heart pieces.

I cut 6 hearts out of red cardstock and stacked them together with a layer of glue between each piece. This gave me a very sturdy little heart that was about the thickness of the wood stars.

Then glued down about where I live on the map. So while this is a cute saying, Home is where the heart is, my home is literally where the heart is on the map.

This inspirational map decor piece looks awesome hanging on my wall and I have gotten compliments from just about everyone that has come to my home. Plus, I made it! And I love that feeling!

So which map do you prefer? The original version or my design? Leave a comment below, and don’t worry, you won’t hurt my feelings. 🙂

SAVE HOW TO MAKE INSPIRATIONAL MAP DECOR TO YOUR FAVORITE HOME DECOR PINTEREST BOARD!

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