He-llo friends! I have another knock off for you guys today. Are you sick of them yet? I mean, you can tell me if you are...I really tried to have a different type of project ready for this week but the darn materials {I'm being sneaky and not telling you what materials} took sooo long to dry. I mean, grr!
So instead I hope you guys will be head over heels for my new maps- cuz I know I am!
On one of my most favorite blogs ever, The Painted Hive, Kristine made a super amazing map and used it as her headboard. I totally love her map and her use of it AND she added an excellent tutorial if you want to make your own over size map!! It's pretty sweet, right?
I have 16"x20" frames flanking our sliding glass windows that have been crying out for some real art and I have been dying over Restoration Hardware's map
art for ages!! So, I knew the second I saw Kristine's post that I would be making my own
version of the art ASAP.


I scoured the Internet for ages, seriously- for days and days, trying to find the best map options out there. If you're looking for maps you want to search for public domain maps, open source maps or public library maps. I collected quite the collection of awesomeness here in case you want to make your own!!
In Kristin's tutorial she says to find a zoomable map- but then again she was making an image 47"x23"! I only needed a 16x 20, remember? I still followed her tutorial- just to be certain I didn't have any mishaps, but I think I could've gotten away with printing some of them.
.
It's not hard at all to make these {you know, after you spend days looking for just the right ones!} To make oversized art, especially if it's huge like Kristine's, you want a "zoomable map."
1] Just zoom into your map and take screen shots for each little section allowing for overlap until you've copied the entire map.
2] Then use Word to overlap all the images into one complete pic.
Since I was copying Restoration Hardware's map
art, I also changed the names for some of the maps I found so the towns would match up with the RH pieces.

4] Once the images are jpegs you can also change the dimensions of the pic so it will fit the frame you have.


That makes a savings of nearly $5600- yup, that's my best saving for a knock off yet!!
Here's a shot of the before:

Don't forget to check out the other maps I'm crushin on right now. I've included several favorites for you guys! Some of them are linked to sites that have tons of options- like the NY public library's selection. I can't guarantee that each map I chose is big enough to blow up- but included the ones I loved anyhow!
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I'm also linked up here.
That is so cool! I love all your amazing knock-off versions, you totally rock! And the coolest part, they actually look like the original OR BETTER! Very nice!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I love old maps...may have to try this! Thank you so much for sharing your project.
ReplyDeleteLove these! I just printed a couple of old maps to make an anniversary gift with. I haven't gotten too far on it yet so I don't know how it's going to turn out.
ReplyDeleteHello! Stopping by for the first time! Love the map project. Adds a lot of style and interest to a room. Looking forward to perusing many of your posts!
ReplyDeleteNice visiting with you this evening.
Kindly, Lorraine
Way cute! I love this idea! You never cease to amaze me lady! Love ya!
ReplyDeleteSo cute! And great links.
ReplyDeleteI love this, my husband and I were talking about doing this! Thanks for the tips. :) I am super inspired to do this soon!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome - so subtle and gorgeous! Great job!
ReplyDeleteYou always have the neatest projects! These are great! Thank you for sharing your lovely Valentine decor at Potpourri Friday!
ReplyDeleteLove these. Have to make some, now. I've seen lampshades redone with maps and I love the way they look, too. Thanks for adding to my new mania ;o)
ReplyDeletethey look great, i love maps at the moment, you always have great projects, i would love for you to link up at my new party starting today at http://twiggstudios.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeletei hope to see you there xxx
I love maps too and got a huge book at a garage sale this summer full of maps. I painted a table yesterday and I plan on mapping the top with these. Fun fun, thanks so much for all the info you gave on these and you room looks awesome with them as art.
ReplyDelete'Very nice! I've been trying to think of something to do for my office at work. This would be perfect! I could choose a location that is special to me! Thanks so much! -Marci
ReplyDeleteYour map art looks fabulous Becca. I LOVE maps and the memories and dreams of travel that they conjure up. I haven't done any crafty things with maps yet - but you've inspired me to look into it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
Thank you for sharing. I have long been a fan of maps and particularly antique ones..RH has amazing pieces. This looks great!
ReplyDeleteGreat job. And you can't beat the price.
ReplyDeleteHolly
Beautiful job. I like the subtle colors.
ReplyDeleteGreat job and fantastic idea!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love these! After I get some big projects behind me that are kinda hanging over my head, I might try something like this for my school room.
ReplyDeleteAnother fantastic knock off (and much less stress than the stencil I'm sure)!! I love maps too - I found a few old pull down school maps at an estate sale - 2 for my kids rooms and one for a house I'm decorating. Your savings is amazing!!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks so much for the great comments on my kitchen - you can feature me anytime!!
Kelly
Beautiful and a great addition to your space! I'm getting ready to do a little map project of my own so I appreciate the inspiration and tutorial. I'm your newest follower and would love it if you would share this project at my Show & Tell party, going on now @ the Delectable Home.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this!!! My party just started...I would LOVE to have you stop by and share your projects!!! XO Aimee
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome and beautiful project! I am so glad that you shared it with us at our party! Take care!
ReplyDeleteTrish @ Uncommon
This is beautiful! We loved having you at our "Strut Your Stuff Saturday." Come back next Saturday and share more of your great ideas! -The Sisters
ReplyDeleteYour map project is really wonderful. I've always thought maps are a beautiful addition to any home decor.
ReplyDeleteAWSOMENESS!!!! Thanks for scrounging up all of those maps for us! Great job. I am planning some Restoration Hardware magic myself.
ReplyDeleteI have maps on my wall, on a tray, on a desktop. I love maps too. I have several I still haven't done anything with! Great post! I am featuring today at Home Sweet Home!
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry
Thanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteFabulous post,
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking your post up! , hope you will stop by today and link up another great post!!
http://polkadot-pretties.blogspot.com/
See you there
Claire x
Love the look and that they add a splash of color to the walls. Your drapes are very pretty btw.
ReplyDeleteSuperfantastic maps! All your hard work really paid off...they look perfect! Thanks for all the links. I've been a map fiend since I was a kid and I discovered them in my grandparents' National Geographics. I had them all over my room, and had a glow-in-the-dark celestial map taped to my ceiling. In fact that would be a cool idea for one of those closet-turned-tiny sitting room projects or closet-turned-kid's reading nook projects. Thanks for the inspiration...cheers!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a lovely idea! Thanks for getting all the maps too. I'd love for you to share this at Mix it up Monday:
ReplyDeletehttp://flourmewithlove.blogspot.com/2012/02/mix-it-up-monday_19.html
I hope to see you soon :)
Love this idea! I'll definitely have to try something like that :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great idea. I would love for you to stop by and link up at my linky party via: ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteMrs. Delightful
Ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com
Really love these and they turned out so great! Thank you so much for sharing at Taking A Timeout Thursday!
ReplyDeleteAnother great knockoff, Becca!
ReplyDeletexo,
Shannon
(www.akadesign.ca)
I have a big pile off "sea route maps". I think those would work out also. Thanks for the idea!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great tutorial! I am in love with maps and yet to have one on my wall. I have a feeling it won't be long now that I read your great post. I saved a map pic a long time ago from a cute blog. It doesn't look like the blog exists anymore, but you can try seeing if the link works. I really love the colors in this one.
ReplyDeletehttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o2ziWY30-OY/ToMLxuAjIZI/AAAAAAAAC34/m1T-QTULx_0/s1600/nla.jpg
OMG I am totally obsessed with maps!! these look awesome.
ReplyDeleteI have revamped a nasty old side table with an old atlas http://madeinmorningside.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/side-table-revamp.html
Made our own personalised world map with everywhere we have traveled to:
http://madeinmorningside.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/winter-pinterest-challenge3rd-time.html
And made some personalised art using a map of Amsterdam for our picture wall
http://madeinmorningside.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/few-wee-updates.html
Love seeing what you have done to your home, it looks lovely xox
I don't think I have a single map in my house, can you believe that?! Maybe someday I can follow your tutorial and add the charm - I love them - they look so authentic!!! Great job and thanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteI love it. I am doing a post tomorrow on Maps and Globes.
ReplyDeleteCheri
A tip to help "blow up" an image is to save it as a PDF first. You can do this using cute PDF or other means to save a PDF file. When you take it to Kinko's ( or other print shop) they can open it as a vector and enlarge it with less pixelating. Also, the old Sanborn insurance maps are pretty detailed, are public domain, and have gorgeous typography. :)
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