Do You Love Maps?

I have always loved maps. I study them, I create them, I navigate using them. I find myself wondering if this is a common trait amongst home designers. We love space and spacial relationships and tend to understand three-dimensions. Does that correlate to a more significant relationship with maps amongst designers? Interesting question. Probably a thesis in it.

I recently completed a map project which got me to exploring other uses for maps in craft and home decor. It is a theme that resurfaces occasionally in the blogs and there are some examples of applications. Now that we are all getting in-car navigation systems or have smart phones that assist us, the need for the collection of maps has diminished. Here are some ideas for recycling them.

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Old maps can be used to recover anything from storage boxes to magazine files to presents.  Or to create envelopes...

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Here is a link to a site that provides instructions on how to print a Google Map of your location and use that to make an envelope. Cool. 

Or here is a tutorial on just lining an envelope with a map...

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Because maps are printed on a paper that is heavier than normal, they make a good source for folding and creating envelopes....

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Or origami shapes shown here in a garland of globes. 

When using maps you need to pick carefully. Some use a better color palette than others. I have a collection of old Automobile Club (AAA) maps that are decidedly dull in color. I have been trying a variety of paper crafts with them but the results have been equally as dull. I am on the hunt for colorful maps!

Previous Posts of Interest

• Global Designs
• Map Pillows
• Blue Jeans and Bandanas

©2012Ashbee Design, Marji Roy