How to Recycle a Map Three Ways

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Like pay phones, paper maps are pretty much a thing of the past, but they are perfect for recycling. Today I will show you how to Recycle a Map Three Ways – into a set of coasters, a gift bag, and a family canvas.

I have been upcycling and recycling since I was young.  I find the challenge of re-purposing something that someone else would throw away to be extremely exciting!  What will that map become?  Follow along with me today and spark your creativity.

Recycle a Map into Three Home Decor Projects

This week I am co-hosting Creative Crafts – Recycled Edition with my crafty friends Laura from Me and My Inklings and Lindsay from Artsy Fartsy Mama. Featuring recycled craft projects each day this week from some of the most talented designers we know. Check out my tutorial, then scroll to the bottom to see all the creativity, AND stop back each day this week to what we recycle!

This post, How to Recycle a Map Three Ways, contains affiliate links. Using links to these sites means I will earn a percentage of the purchase at no extra cost to you.

Recycle a Map Three Ways: Family Canvas

Let's start with a vintage map of your town and an 8″ by 10″ canvas.  My canvas is from my stash and was stretched out, so I wasn’t sure if it was salvageable.  Decoupage the map onto the canvas with Tombow MONO Aqua Liquid Glue using the broad tip.  The paper might get quite wrinkly, but once dry the paper (and the canvas) will be tight and flat! MONO Aqua is my go-to adhesive for decoupage projects!

Draw the outline of a house on plain computer paper with Tombow MONO Drawing Pencil, cut the outline with a craft knife, and then trace onto white cardstock 7″ by 9″.  Cut out the house image again with a craft knife.

Pencil in some guidelines and sketch in your family’s last name and the year it was established.  Ink in the lettering with the fine tip of the Tombow MONOTWIN Permanent Pen. The MONOTWIN has a larger bullet tip and an extra-fine tip, so it's like two pens in one!

Cut four sections of Tombow Foam Tape with scissors and apply onto the back of the cardstock, peel the liner paper, and apply a section layer of Foam Tape.  Peel the liner paper and apply it to the canvas.

Color in a section of scrap cardstock with Tombow Dual Brush Pen #856 and punch out a small heart.  Apply a double layer of Tombow Foam Tape and attach it to the map at your family’s home address.

Here is a close-up of the finished Recycled Map Family Canvas!

Recycled Map: Coasters

The second project is how to recycle a map three ways, let's create a coaster set with some 4″ by 4″ white ceramic tiles that were leftovers from a bathroom project.  Rough cut sections of the map that are slightly larger than the tile with scissors.  Tear the edges of the map.  Apply a layer of Tombow MONO Aqua Liquid Glue and then decoupage the map onto the tile.  Burnish with your finger to smooth out any wrinkles or folds.

Embellish coasters with travel-related words hand-lettered with the Fudenosuke Brush Pen, Soft Tip.  I looked up “journey” in the Thesaurus to select my words.

To make the coasters waterproof apply a layer of Tombow MONO Aqua Liquid Glue to the top, smooth gently with your finger, and let dry.  Apply a second coat, if necessary.

And a final photo of the Recycled Map Coasters!

Recycle a Map Three Ways: Gift Bag

The third project I'm sharing with you today is a quick and easy gift bag created with the leftover sections of our vintage paper map.  On plain paper, I drew a simple template with my MONO Drawing Pencil that has a 4″ by 4″ front and back with a 3″ by 4″ bottom and sides.  And tabs on the sides that are 1/2″ wide.

Apply the template onto the map using Tombow MONO Removable Adhesive. Trace around the edges of the template with Tombow MONO Drawing Pencil. I cut out using a craft knife but you can also use scissors.

Fold and score all edges.  Apply Tombow Xtreme Permanent Adhesive to the four tabs, rolling to apply, then swiping to the side for a clean application.

Fold in tabs, lining up with the edge of the gift bag, and then burnish from the inside to secure. The Xtreme Adhesive is five times stronger than traditional tape runners, it's like having red-line tape in a runner!

Cut two 8″ lengths of grosgrain ribbon and attach it to the inside of the gift bag with Tombow Xtreme Tabs.

Here is a close-up of the Recycled Map Gift Bag!

Quick and Easy Recycled Map Crafts

I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial How to Recycle a Map Three Ways!  They were all quick and easy to put together in just an afternoon. All three projects would make excellent housewarming or hostess gifts, as well. If you don't have any vintage maps, use a new Map or Atlas.

Now it's time for some INSPIRATION!

Below are even more upcycled and recycled projects created by some of my craftiest designer friends who are participating in the Team Creative Crafts – RECYCLED Edition. Scroll down to see all the goodness AND thank you for joining us this week for all the super cool projects!

Laura from Me and My Inklings is our host this week and she has upcycled a Pillow for Father's Day which is SUPER CUTE!

Katie with A sweet Berry Designs made a Gratitude Jar from a Recycled Icing Container and her lettering is fabulous!

Smitha blogs over at Smiling Colors and has created Decorative Letters from Recycled Magazines very upscale!

Dru blogs with her daughters at Polka Dot Poplars and created gorgeous Upcycled Bottle Vases

Laura with Laura's Crafty Life has made a simple but elegant Toilet Paper Roll Butterfly

Michelle with Michelle's Party Plan-it created fun Magnets from Recycled Straws – brilliant idea!

Beth with The Ruffled Daisy created the sweetest Recycled Wine Bottle Unicorn

Jenny from Jenny's Crayon Collection Upcycled Art Supply Storage

Sharing is Caring! If you LOVE it, Please PIN it!

Too busy to make these Recycled Map Crafts right now? Pin it for later!  I'd love for you to pin this project to your favorite craft board on Pinterest and then it’ll be waiting for you when you’re ready.

Today is day four! Thanks for joining me this week for all the fabulous inspiration. Check out the Day One Projects, the Day Two Projects, and the Day Three Projects! And for the round-up of 31 of the BEST Recycled Crafts and Upcycled Inspiration click the link and save the pin!

Thanks for stopping by!