Map Picture Frame

I was working on a little project this morning that I'm so excited to finish up and put on here (not because it's all that spectacular, really, but because it's a gift for a friend that I'm excited to give her!), and, well, I went a little Mod Podge crazy. Can you blame me? The stuff is incredible. I was Mod Podging (can "podge" be a verb? I podge, you podge, he/she podges . . . ) project #1, which hopefully I'll finish and be able to show off soon, and I was having so much fun podging (yes, podging) that I started another quick project while waiting for the first one to dry. 

Here is (some of) the result of my podgetastic morning:

I love my new Mod Podge map picture frame!

(and look! I had hair!)

(Want to know a little secret? I couldn't wait for it to dry completely to see it in action, so that picture is now permanently bonded with the frame. Oh well.)

I snapped a couple pictures along the way, so click read more below if you'd like to make one, too!

Here's what you'll need:

- a few atlas/map pages

- handy dandy Mod Podge

- brush

- basic flat frame

1. Start by ripping a page from your atlas . . . I guess you should choose a state you don't plan on visiting (sorry Ohio, Nebraska, and North Carolina. I'm sure you're great and all, but I don't plan on vacationing with you anytime soon.). 

Gently fold the page around the corners of one frame side and cut at least 1/4-1/2 inch away from the mark (so you have room to fold the extra paper onto the back of the frame--you don't want any scruffy edges showing)--you'll end up with a rectangle that should be a bit larger than the side of the frame you're about to cover.

2.With your cut piece laid on top of the frame, make a little mark at the inside and outside corners of the frame:

and cut diagonally from the edge of the map to the marking:

Repeat for the other side of that frame edge.

3. Apple a layer of Mod Podge to the frame and press your map on well, making sure that the diagonal cuts are lined up on the corners of the frame.

 

 Apply Mod Podge to the sides of the frame, too, and press the paper on, folding over the corner pieces.

Repeat for the opposite side of the frame.

4.Cut another map piece long enough to cover the exposed frame sides, making sure that it's wide enough to wrap around the sides of the frame. (Just a note: make sure all your map pieces are facing the same direction, unless you don't mind having the street and city names upside down on one side of your frame. Amazingly enough, I didn't make that mistake. I know, I'm improving, right?)

Podge 'er down, and repeat.

5. Trim any excess paper hanging around on the back of the frame, and apply a layer of Mod Podge to cover the front of the frame.

Let it dry (or not, if you just can't wait and don't mind your photo permanently becoming one with your frame), and put it up for display!

There we go! I think this would make a great gift for a new neighbor or a friend moving away, using a map of your town. It would also be really cool made with newspaper or sheet music or just cool scrapbook paper . . . and may the Mod Podge fun never end.

If you liked this project, make sure to become a follower so you don't miss anything!

Linking up here!