When I go to the flea market during the warm months, I’m always looking for old maps to use in craft projects and home decor projects. Last fall I picked up a few state road maps, but each time I tried to use them in a project they just weren’t the right fit.
However, when I saw and saved this map birdhouse project from Midwest Living on to my inspiration pinboard, I knew exactly what to do. Midwest Living instructs that you match your paint colors to the colors within your maps. That was brilliant advice, positively brilliant!
Road maps are actually not as fun to use in projects as I had originally hoped. The roads and highways aren’t quite as glamourous as vintage maps are, hence why I was having trouble working them into a project.
I bought 3 small wooden birdhouses from the craft store and opened up the maps I had to really look and see what colors they held.
I decided on blue, yellow and green which matched with the lakes, cities and land masses. I used DecoArt’s Americana paints in Winter Blue, Mustard Seed, and Hauser Light Green. I also used DecoArt’s Americana Decoupage to apply the maps.
First, I painted each birdhouse so they had plenty of time to dry while I worked on the maps.
To make the templates, I just placed paper onto the face of the birdhouse and and traced with a pen.
I used the templates I made to cut out the map pieces. Note that I made sure that I cut out map pieces with the colors of the birdhouses. For example, for the green birdhouse I used a piece of the map with a large national park area. After cutting them out I trimmed them to make sure there was wood visible along the edges. To prep the paper, I painted a layer of decoupage onto the back of each map piece and let them dry.
While the maps were drying, I sanded all the edges of the birdhouses to expose the wood underneath. I prepped the surface of the birdhouses by painting the section to be decoupaged with decoupage medium. Then I applied the map to the surface and pressed out all the air. It’s important to be patient and let the decoupage dry completely, several hours, before applying the final finish coat. Bubbles occur when the final coat is applied because the paper underneath has not had a chance to dry and stick completely.
Toby liked watching me. He’s a good mascot.
I hope you like them! I’m really happy with how they turned out. In fact, the green birdhouse didn’t last more than a day. My daughter saw it and snagged it for her apartment. :)
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Karen Williams says
I made one immediately. I knew the vintage map would come in handy someday.
Lori Hartman says
I loved these birdhouses. You did such a beautiful job. Do you get the blank birdhouses only at craft stores? Thanks for sharing your idea – this was wonderful.
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Lori! Sometimes Walmart carries them too. You can find them online as well :)
Ann says
I loved this project and made one using the Knoxville, TN map. I am just noticing that you applied the decoupage medium to the roofs of the bird houses also. Is that correct? I only applied the medium to the areas where I applied the map. Can I go back now and apply the medium to the roof?
Thanks so much,
Ann
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Ann. Decoupage medium is also a sealer, which is why I applied it to the roof as well. It will give your project that added layer of protection, but it is optional. To answer your question though, yes you can go ahead and go back and do it now :) So glad you enjoyed the project!
amber whitehead says
Love them . I want to make some for Christmas gifts for my Dad and grandmothers gardens. Would I have to seal them with something special for that?
nita says
Love the birdhouses I just got new license plates and had thought to use old ones for roof on birdhouse – how perfect with the maps!
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Nita! I’ve always like the birdhouses with the license plate rooves, they are cool!
Marie says
These are so cute!! I love maps. I need to start making more with them!
Penny Heflin says
Your birdhouses are darling, so clever, thanks for sharing
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you Penny, I’m so glad you like them!
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme says
Love these! I’ve always liked vintage road maps. They’re so colorful and interesting. Great way to use them in this project!
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you Lana! I appreciate that, maps are one of my favorite ways to dress something up!
Crafty Gardener says
Great idea using the maps to cover birdhouses. I’ve used old maps to wrap gifts or make notebook covers.
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks! I love working with maps, they are so interesting looking and full of character.
Maria says
These are so fun!
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you Maria!
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
Awesome! I love maps, and love to display ones from our travels in different ways – thanks!
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Brenda, yes maps are a really fun way to create keepsakes too!
Angie @ Big Bear's Wife says
ahhh that green one is my favorite!!
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you Angie! I think the blue one is my favorite :)
Esh says
This is very nice idea.. I love it.
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Esh, that’s very nice of you!
June says
I have like you saved maps for craft use
Would be good to get loads of other uses…………………?
I covered a lampshade
Amanda Formaro says
lamp shades are lovely done with maps :)
Cookie 17 says
i have lot little bird houses thank’s for great ideas,,Tops again Cookie 17
Becky says
I love this!
Jodi says
Soooooooooooo super cute! LOVE THEM!
Geri Johnson says
Hi! I love your little map birdhouses! The turned out so cute! I need to make some map birdhouses to add to my collection. I have a bunch that I’ve made that sit up on a shelf in my kitchen. I’ve decorated them with wrapping paper, fabric, beads, lace, ribbons, buttons, paint, glitter, napkins, pearls – you name it I’ve probably put it on a birdhouse! :D”
If you have a minute you can see my collection starting here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3801212942291&set=a.3801211942266.2149012.1036342162&type=3&theater
My Aunt Joan saw my birdhouses & she said she wanted one so I made her 3 new ones so she could have/start her own collection & you can see them starting here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3954174606237&set=a.3954171886169.2152706.1036342162&type=3&theater
Amanda Formaro says
A wonderful collection Geri, thank you so much for sharing it!