There are 1st anniversary gifts, and then there are the gifts we’re crafting up today with the help of our dear friends at the Paper and Packaging Board, a group that knows everything about celebrating that “paper” anniversary with a little creativity. First up? An ah-mazing photo map that is one part crazy cool artwork, one part travel memory central and one part DIY fun. Grab your inner design diva and let’s go.
Map Poster
2 Bottles Aqua Paint
2 Bottles White Paint
Medium & Small Paintbrushes
Gold Paint Pen
Digital Photos
Photo Paper
Foam Adhesive Dots
Exacto Knife
Scissors
Pencil
Tracing Paper
1 Sheet Foamcore
Spray Adhesive
Ruler
Wall Mounting Adhesive Strips
Spray the foamcore with a light coat of spray adhesive, then press on the map. Smooth out any air bubbles as you go.
Trim any excess foamcore from the map with the ruler and exacto knife.
Paint the ocean and surrounding countries blue in 2-3 coats. Don’t worry about getting the detail exact- the simpler the outline, the better.
Paint the states white in 2-3 coats. Be sure leave the lines between the states somewhat apparent.
Trace the borders of the states and country in gold paint pen.
Trace the state you want to be a photo onto tracing paper. Measure how big it is at its widest and tallest points. Size your photo to be large enough to cover the whole state (there is an option in most photo programs to print it out at 4×6, 5×7, etc), then print out onto photo paper.
Lay your tracing paper on top of the printed photo (you may want to tape it in place on the edges) and cut out the state shape from both sheets.
Place 3-4 foam adhesive dots on the backside of the photo, then press onto the corresponding state on the map. Repeat steps 6-8 for as many states as you’ve traveled to.
Hang the map on the wall with wall mounting adhesive strips, and add more photos as your travels continue!
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From encouraging handwritten notes to championing printed books + textbooks to offering up fun + innovative ideas for all things paper (hello cardboard furniture), the Paper and Packaging Board’s mission to slow the decline in paper use + expand the demand for paper-based packaging products is all sorts of awesome. Get your creative juices flowing by learning more about their campaign here… and then stay tuned for one more fabulous DIY up later today. Trust us, it’ll be sooo fun.
What: The Paper and Packaging Board is giving away a second honeymoon to the locale of your choosing: New York City, Napa Valley, Puerto Rico or Maui!
How: From now until Oct. 31, the Paper Anniversary contest invites couples celebrating one year of marriage in 2015 (January through December) to share a photo of their paper – and packaging – based moments! Click here for all of the details… and good luck, lovelies! xo
Photography: Ruth Eileen Photography | Design & Styling: Style Me Pretty | Event Planning: Amazon | Invitations: Staples | Invitations: Michaels
