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 books 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 is no longer available
- Cricut Cutting Machine
- White Vinyl
- Big Shot
- Heart Framelit
- Red Cardstock
How to Make Inspirational Map Decor
There are really two ways you can assemble the This Land is Your Land kit, you can glue it 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 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.
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. 🙂
Katie Adams
Creator at The Crafty Blog Stalker
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Pam@over50feeling40
That is quite a masterpiece! Thanks for sharing how to make it with the Thursday Blog Hop!
Katie
Thank you Pam, I am so glad that you like it!
Marina @ Home Office Geeks
Wow, this looks amazing - I love it! It would fit perfectly into my home office.
Katie
I am so glad that you like it, Marina! I am sorry but the kit is no longer available.
Nellwyn
I love this! Both versions are so beautiful, I love the natural wood look. Too bad I'm Canadian! Any chance of a version for those of us north of the border?
Nellwyn | http://www.thecardinalpress.com
Katie
Thank you! I will put a good word in for you Nellwyn 🙂
Ashleigh
This came out really good! I love it and i know exactly where to put it in my home once I make it!
Katie
Thank you, Ashleigh! It was a really fun project to create.
megin
This is a super cool project! I love that you are able to customize it to your own decor.
Thank you for sharing this week at Brag About It link party on VMG206 (Mondays at Midnight).
~ Megin of VMG206
Katie
Thanks Megin! It was a lot of fun to make too!
Morgan
OH I LOVE LOVE LOVE this! And it's so simple!
Katie
Thank you Morgan! I am so glad that you like it. It was really a lot of fun to make.
Gwen
I am obsessed with maps! We have a huge one that takes up almost an entire wall in our homeschool room and I have some printed of places we have lived or traveled! Needless to say, I find this adorable! Well done!
Katie
Thank you so much Gwen! I love maps too and wish I had a huge one on a wall! 🙂
sue
Oh you are talented - I'm pretty hopeless at DIY but this really looks impressive. Thank you for sharing with us at OVer the Moon link up.
Katie
Thanks, Sue. It's actually pretty easy since it comes in a kit with instructions. I bet you could do it! 🙂
Lizzie @ Living Pretty
This is crazy cute! Wish there was a world map version (my fam is from all over the place).
Katie
Thanks Lizzie. A full world map version would be cool!
Ali B
This looks fabulous! Saw your post at the DIY Crush link party and had to come over to see how to make it!
Katie
Thank you Ali!, It has been one of my favorite Apostrophe S kits so far. I am sorry but these kits are no longer available.
Nicole
That is such a nice idea ~Thanks for sharing!
Katie
Thank you Nicole, It was a fun project to put together and turned out even cuter than I had pictured. I love those kinds of projects!
Diana Rambles
This is so adorable! Thanks for sharing!
Michelle Lichter
Hi, Katie - Oooooh, ahhhhh! Love the colorful chevron version - what a gorgeous project!
Katie
Thank you, Michelle. I am so glad that you like it!
EMMA
This is so beautiful,now I just need one for Canada and the UK
Fiona - Coombe Mill
I like your creative take on the design
Katie
Thank you Fiona. It's kinda of fun to think outside of the box.