I have a thing for maps. I love the memories seeing maps of places I have been and lived. It brings back all of the memories of that place. This Valentine’s Day, I wanted to incorporate all of the places that have been so special to our family over the years. I created this fun chalkboard with all of the places that have special meaning to our family.
You will need:
- Access to Google Maps
- A Printer
- A Heart Template
- Scissors
- Laminator
- Chalkboard
- Chalk Markers
- double sided tape
Look up each of the places you want to include on your chalkboard in Google Maps. Screenshot the map and then print out the screen shot. Use a heart shape, I like this one here, to trace around the part of the map that shows where you lived and cut the heart out. I then used a laminator to laminate each of the hearts so that in the future I can pull the hearts off and use the chalkboard for something else. If you want it to be a permanent piece, you can Mod Podge the hearts onto the chalkboard. This is the laminator I have and I absolutely love it. It is so easy to use and I have used it for just about everything from Chore Charts to Paper Dolls.
After the hearts are laminated, cut them out again. Tape the hearts to your chalkboard in whatever pattern you desire. Then using a chalk marker, add why that map is significant to you next to it. I highly recommend a chalk marker instead of just chalk because they give a cleaner finish than normal pieces of chalk do.
For our family I used maps of where we met, where we were married, where we lived when we were newlyweds, where we became a family of three and where we became a family of four. Some other map ideas include favorite trips you have taken, where you got engaged, where each of you are from and any other place that holds significance if your life.
What maps would you include on your chalkboard?
That is a really cute idea. I love it.
I made something very similar to this for husband a few years ago and he LOVED it! It's now hanging out our living room. It is such a sweet present. Thanks for sharing!
Love this! I did something similar on Stamen.com. I love using the chalkboard too. Great idea!
This is such an adorable DIY! I bet it would be great for a birthday gift!!
I love this idea! I am going to try to make one for my hubby for Valentines! Thanks for the great idea!
My husband is totally into maps and cartography. I should make him something like this with all the places we lived with the Marine Corp.
How sweet! I just did a set of map coasters for our house with the states we were each born in and the states we've lived together in. I used SitesAtlas.com for the full state maps as opposed to Google maps.
this is the kind of gift that will be cherished forever. I love how you put them on the chalkboard as it adds to the overall character of it – so cute!
What a precious gift! And so simple! Perfect for any occasion really, but especially with Valentine's Day around the corner.
This is a cute idea. I agree with Laura. You will treasure this gift forever.
How adorable! I used to do a lot of fun projects like this before my laminator broke down. I seriously need to get another one sometime!
This is such a cute idea. I could see making one for my kids for major milestones in their lives. .Thanks for the inspiration.
So cute !! Perfect idea. Laci
So cute! I've always wanted to do this but my guy have lived in the same city the entire time we've known eachother! Heck I was even born here!
I lovethis idea. My family is huge and not sp young anymore. I wish I had some
more memorabilia.
Such a cute idea!! I am so not creative. I never would have come up with something so cute.
I love the idea, it is incredibly beautiful and meaningful!
Aw. Thats a really cute idea. Mine and my husbands would a bunch of different states in there. Thanks for sharing.
Oh my goodness I think I know what I'm making my husband for our anniversary. This is adorable! Thanks for the great tutorial 🙂