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kojotutorial- interactive world map

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Our family loves maps. Everywhere we go, we collect a map. We use globes in all our decor and our girls would rather look at maps than have a bedtime story (seriously).

For awhile now, there has been a huge blank space above our sofa in the living room. I wanted to fill it with a piece of art; something unique and creative. My husband wanted a wall map; think of the political one that was surely in your elementary class. I didn’t love that idea and every art piece I found didn’t seem to represent both of us, so it remained empty for years while we tried to think of something we would both love. I was so excited when we finally agreed on the idea of an abstract world map but as I began looking for such a piece I realized I would have to make one. This fits us perfectly. I love the colors and the way that having 12 different canvases makes it more artistic. My husband is so happy to have a map and he (and the girls) love the pins that show special places we have been, want to go, or know people. We just love it!

To make one for yourself you will need:
– 6 X 9 canvas drop cloth
– 4 jars of sample paint (in 4 coordinating colors)
– 3 2ft. x 2 ft. ceiling panels
– upholstery tacks in three colors
– spray adhesive
– staples
-12 picture hanging fasteners
Before you start:
1- Find a map you want to use as your peice of art. Perhaps you want just the U.S.A., a more detailed map of your state, or a country you have visited or lived in? Ding Maps is a great tool for some very simple maps. I, obviously, chose the whole world.

2- For the world map, I used photoshop and put a grid over the world map and tried different color combinations:


Now that you have an idea of what each square canvas of your map will look like, print out your map, buy your colors and get to work! (if you want, you can print any of these images as well)

To make the map:
1- Cut Drop cloth into twelve 18 inch x 18 inch pieces
2- Iron all 12 pieces.

3- With a pencil, draw a 12 inch x 12 inch box at the center of each canvas. (I made a 3 inch wide piece of paper to measure with and then traced around 12 inch tile, you could also use a 12 inch piece of scrapbook paper)

4- Lightly trace a grid onto each box. I made a 3 inch piece of paper to mark my grid. I also made grid lines on my map to give myself a better reference. If you were really smart, you would just print onto grid paper.

5. With a pencil, start drawing your map onto the canvas one square at a time. If you don’t trust your own free-hand drawing skills, you could also use a projector to project the image, or take the map to a copy store and have each square printed individually (on 12 inch paper) to create a stencil for yourself. If you are free-handing, draw lightly and don’t try to erase mistakes with an eraser. if you do mess up, just ignore it and draw over it. After the project is painted, you will wash all the pencil marks away. Using an eraser will just set the pencil further into the canvas and make it impossible to remove.

6. Once you have drawn all the squares, paint each square. Use your map as a reference for which color to paint each square. The paint-sample cans come with a paint brush, but you will need a finer one for the edges.

7. Let the paint dry completely. With my lighter colors, I needed a second coat, so I painted them again.

8. Once everything is completely dry, spray the pencil lines with a stain remover (I used Spray and Wash) and wash canvases in washing machine on delicate cycle with cold water and a tiny bit of detergent. This will remove all pencil lines. Air dry.

9. Once dry, iron each canvas square individually on a low setting with a non-terry cloth towel over the paint (unless you want paint on your iron).

10. Using a box cutter, cut ceiling panels into 12 inch x 12 inch squares.

11. One canvas at a time, spray the back of the canvas with adhesive spray and put a ceiling panel square on top. make sure to match up the edges of your map with the panel. Smooth out any wrinkles and fold the canvas around the square ceiling panel. Staple into place.

12. Place a picture mounting bracket (we used saw-tooth hangers) on the back of each panel and hang on the wall 1 inch apart.

13. Use upholstery tacks (you can use colored tacks as well, I just like the vintage feel of the upholstery ones) to mark special places on the map. You can customize your key to whatever you want! Our says:
Place To Go, Places We’ve Been, People We Know.

You are finished! Enjoy your map and piece of art for many years to come!

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Comments

  3. This is such a cool idea! I've been coveting almost this exact thing on Etsy for awhile now but its about $300. Yikes! This is such a great, cheap alternative!!

    Reply

  7. LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this. I voted for it of course. I can't wait to attempt this once our basement is kiddo friendly. Good luck on the finale!

    Reply

  10. this is an awesome project you guys, really cool! my girls would love one, now just to find a bare wall in the house to make one… hmmm, I'll have to get thinking. 🙂

    Reply

  12. I totally love the world map, I voted for it and I am glad to get the directions to make one too. We are also a family fan of maps

    Reply

  15. What an amazing project, you are so creative. I am looking at re-doing my boys' rooms and was going to get a huge world map wall mural but I am not entirely confident about putting that up myself. This is so unique and I cannot wait to get started. Thank you!

    Reply

  20. After looking long and hard for a map to put in my livingroom, and being unsucessful, I saw your map on Pinterest. Your finished map, along with your great instructions and photos, have become the inspiration for my own world map project. I have started but have a question: What kind of paint did you use? Latex? Acrylic? Oil?
    Thanks for your help!

    Reply

    • Hey Mel! I love it that you’re going to make one of these. It was Jordan’s project and they haven’t had internet for more than a week… but I think she used latex paint. I will let you know if she says otherwise!
      And send over a picture when you’re done- can’t wait to see your take on this! 🙂

      Reply

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