If you are you looking for a new DIY project to spruce up your home decor, look no further than this Mod Podge Map Project! With this fun and creative project, you can transform an old map into a beautiful piece of art that showcases your wanderlust and adds a unique touch to any room.
I received a box of amazing craft supplies from Plaid and it included a shopping card from Walmart.
I couldn’t wait to go shopping and find something to create.
Have you seen all the Plaid craft supplies at Walmart? The craft department is filled with tons of options!
They had everything that I needed to create a fun summer tablescape: Mod Podge, FolkArt chalkboard paint and Apple Barrel acrylic paint 🙂
So many choices!
Road trips are a big part of our summer, so I decided on a road trip inspired tablescape. I bought square chargers and I searched for a chambray fabric for my napkins. When I didn’t find what I wanted in the fabric department, I headed to the clothing section. Bingo! A shift type dress was made of exactly what I wanted!
Mod Podge Map and Chalkboard Center Chargers
Supplies
To get started, gather your materials: an old map, Mod Podge, a foam brush, and a canvas or other surface to apply the map to. Once you have everything you need, it’s time to get to work!
- Map
- Chargers
- Mod Podge and sponge applicator
- Ruler
- X-acto knife
- FolkArt Chalkboard Paint
- Chalk
Directions
First, select the area of the map that you want to feature on your canvas. This could be your hometown, a favorite travel destination, or any other location that holds special meaning to you. Next, apply a generous coat of Mod Podge to your canvas, making sure to cover the entire surface.
Carefully lay your map on top of the Mod Podge, smoothing out any wrinkles or bubbles as you go. Then, apply another layer of Mod Podge on top of the map, using long, even strokes to ensure that it adheres smoothly to the canvas.
I measured the charger, used a pen and ruler to mark the 4 pieces of map to fit the area that I was going to Mod Podge. I applied the Mod Podge to one area at a time, lined up the map and positioned it on to the charger. Pressing out bubbles as I went. Repeat 3 more times, until the charger is complete.
When the Mod Podge Map Dries
As the Mod Podge dries, you’ll begin to see your map project take shape. And once it’s completely dry, you can add any additional touches or embellishments that you like.
Once everything was dry I applied Mod Podge over the top of the mapped area.
The Mod Podge Map Project is a great way to add a personal touch to your home decor, while also getting in touch with your adventurous side. So why not give it a try? With a little bit of creativity and a lot of Mod Podge, you’ll have a beautiful and unique piece of art that’s sure to impress.
Chalkboard Painted Center
As I was applying the map to the canvas, I suddenly had the thought to add a chalkboard texture to the center of the map. This would allow me to write on it with chalk, adding a fun and functional element to the project. And let me tell you, it turned out even better than I could have imagined! Read on to learn how to create your own Mod Podge Map Project with a chalkboard center.
I applied two coats of FolkArt Chalkboard Paint to the center of the chargers. I love this chalkboard paint. It went on so smooth and dried dark. Cure the chalkboard by rubbing the entire area with chalk.
After everything dried I used my X-acto knife to trim the overhang of the map.
Staying with my theme, I chalked popular road trip sites :).
Napkins Painted with Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint
Supplies
- fabric
- painters tape
- Apple Barrel acrylic paint
- pinking shears
Cut fabric in to 18″ squares, tape off the design and paint with Apple Barrel acrylic paint.
Here’s how it all turned out:
Using square clear plates ( also available at Walmart), you can see the chalkboard signs!
The napkins wrapped in raffia hold the silverware.
Now I’m ready for a Road Trip and a party!
My Amazon affiliate links for supplies:
Keep up with Plaid Crafts, I do 🙂
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- Wal-mart Crafts on Pinterest http://pinterest.com/walmart/
This is a terrific use of 2 things i adore! Maps & chalkboards. Nice job on the tutorial and thanks to Amy @ MPR for sharing it with all of us. I love your site.
The map chalkboards are VERY cute!!
I browsed your blog looking for the signs you made….I remember early on you used paper to creat letters and a fun sign. But, I put signs in your search and came up with nothing. Hopefully you can give me the link. Thanks Debbie! Hope you’re having a great time away!
These are so great – LOVE maps! Can’t wait to feature!
I love it all! I am working on my Plaid projects…they are totally different, but you have inspired me to try something new! I love, love, love the napkins!!!
Jessica
So clever! Thanks for sharing!
Just adorable Debbie. I did a mod podge project tonight. I have used many of plaid projects and love them. Yours is adorable and so fun!
The map chargers are amazing! Would be perfect for a going away party — so creative 🙂
Charlie @ Match Made On Hudson
HOW COOL!! I’d love to try this!
And you did it again! So, so clever and cute! Always amazed at what you come up with! Can’t wait to see you in one week! eek!
Heather
I love maps and these are the cutest! For a second, I thought you picked up a little dress for yourself! Love those no-sew napkins!
Of course, this is pin-worthy!
Kelly
How about a road trip to ATL and Haven for your party???
Adore this project — and yes, that WalMart craft aisle is something else!
xo Heidi
No, you did not just put clear square plates over those – how AWESOME is that!!! So cute, and they combine two of my favorite things in the whole world – mod podge and chalkboard paint. Pinning and adding this to my list of summer projects…
this idea is such fun, debbie! i always love your use of color- those maps are perfect!
That is a fabulous idea!!! I love those chargers, anything with maps on it makes me happy! The napkins are darling and that was a super creative idea to use an inexpensive piece of clothing to get just what you wanted. Fantastic job!
Okay–I saw the map in the first photo–my home (just north of Newark, NY on Lake Ontario) and started to sob. Dang hormones.
So cute! I love anything made with maps!!
Your project turned out great! Love the chalkboard paint. 🙂
Fun! You are my entertaining hero. Plaid rocks. Thanks for the great ideas. Let’s be honest, I am way to lazy to probably ever put that much into entertaining, but if I weren’t, I would know where to go 🙂
Those chargers are awesome, and what a fun little napkin project! Beautiful. I’m sharing all around. 🙂
Wow they look GREAT – what a fabulous craft idea, thank you!
Those are darn cute. At first I thought you also bought a painting *smock*, but I see now you only loved it for the fabric!
~Bliss~
Pinned, because they are cute, not because I had too
love it! everything looks great! I love that it’s so colorful!!
Debbie–love your chargers (chalboards) they are so cute! I too love their chalkboard paint. You did a fabulous job writing on the chalkboards… so envious. I need an art class at haven. hahaha
cool napkins too.
great tute, super post!
gail
You’re sorta freakin awesome, did you know that lady? 😉 LOVE this, ALL of it!
xoxo
Evey
Very nice crafts! I’ve been Mod Podging myself…….can’t wait to show everyone. I love what you did with your products.
Hi Debbie-
I love maps! This is such a clever way to use them – so colorful – summer vacation time – love them!
Super cute – love that you used the dress for material! Take care, Laura
Adorable!! The napkins are my favorite! I like the small chalkboard paint with the sponge applicator. Looks easy to use. You rock! As always…
What a cute idea! I love chargers and especially if you’re using clear plates, then you won’t cover up your great creation!
Debbie, those are absolutely amazing!! And love how you used the dress for napkins. So clever!!
Love the “See Rock City” sign! When we used to drive down from Chicago to Florida, we would count how many of those signs we would see on barn roofs!
I didn’t know that you could buy the chalkboard paint in the same art size – I will have to check it out!
Could those chalkboard chargers be any more creative? Debbie, they turned out wonderfully! The close up of the map (in the collage photo) is close to home, I live a ways to the east! So funny to see that. Anyway, the napkins you made are so cute. Great idea and who would ever know what the fabric started out as! lol