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I have several items on my bucket list. One that I decided on after S was born was to take her to visit all 50 states before she graduates from high school. That does not mean driving through a state. It means actually exploring the state…visiting museums, state parks, tourist attractions, etc. I believe that exposing S to different experiences, activities and travel is very important.
When we decide on our next state to visit, I am the one that does all the research, but then I ask my husband and S what they would like to do from my research. We try to get a good mix of experiences while in a state. We also try out local restaurants with no chains that are in our area.
We have been lucky enough to have already visited Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Minnesota, Texas, Wisconsin and the two farthest Alaska and Hawaii. Nine out of fifty is not too bad since S is only 4.
With all this traveling, I wanted a special memento that would continue to grow as we visit additional states. I decided on a photo travel map, which is a canvas (or two) with family photos cut out in the shape of each state to form a map of the US.
Cutting out the States
I have a Cricut cutting machine with the 50 states cartridge (you should also be able to create this using other electronic cutting machines). I gathered up a bunch of scrapbook paper that I love and looked good together. Starting with the largest state in the continental US: Texas I cut it out as large as I could. I made sure that the real dial size is turned off. Then I used that size to cut out all the states.
Cutting up the Photos
Using photos from our trips, preferably family photos with lots of background space. I found photos with a lot of background space worked the best due to the size and irregular sides of the states. Some states a 4×6 photo will work, but others you will need larger prints made. Another option is to create a collage which is what I did with Texas and Alaska.
To cut the photos, I lined up the piece of paper that had the outline of the state on it centering on the picture. Then I placed the picture on the Cricut mat based on how the photo lined up with the cut piece. That means sometimes the picture was not square on the mat and I had to trim the photo before sending it through the Cricut. I also hand cut the outline of a couple states, Texas, and a couple islands.
Painting the Canvas
I decided to use two canvases to mount my map on. I bought the canvases at Hobby Lobby using 40% off coupons, so I ended up paying $20.99 for each canvas. I also bought two different acrylic paints that I loosely mixed together because I wanted the canvases to be uneven, not perfect. Make sure to cover your whole canvas and the edges. It just makes it easier (I didn’t and I had to go back and paint almost the whole canvas).
Assembling
Once the paint is dried, I started at the split between the canvases and the center of my map. Because I was using two canvases I had to cut the center states in half. I decided to leave a slight gap so that some of the blue background shows through.
I placed all the states on the canvases, to make sure that I had everything where I wanted. When I was happy I took the first state, top center (North Dakota). Using a pencil, I marked where the canvases met (both top and bottom of the state). Then I used my paper cutter lining up my pencil marks to cut the state.
To adhere the states to my canvases I used a lot of Scotch Advanced Tape Glider (ATG) in permanent. I made sure to use adhesive all the way around the edge of the state and several strips inside the state. Once the first state was adhered, I started fitting the other states around. I tended to work off the center. Assembling did not take long. I added Alaska and Hawaii to the side with Alaska up and Hawaii down.
Hanging
To hang the canvases we used Command Strips in large (here is a post about my love for command strips) and hung this huge piece of art above our bed. We had a large blank wall, so it was a perfect fit.
*Note: you will see that I have scrapbook paper states instead of photos for some states we have visited and that’s because I need to print a different photo with a larger background.
I am so in love with this project! I am super excited to continue switching out scrapbook paper states for photos as we move closer to completing this journey. You can find an update on my Photo Map here and here.
I really love this idea…very cool
Thank you!
I’m in love with your project, too! I really need a Cricut! And I think visiting all 50 states before your daughter graduates high school is the coolest bucket list item! I love to travel to the Caribbean and I’ve been trying to think of a way to display all of the islands I’ve visited. This would be the perfect way to do that. I just pinned this and had to head right over to see how you did it. Great job! Great project! But then, all of your projects are amazing.
Thank you Alli! I hope you use this to document your travels to the Carribean! You could definitely cut with an outline of the country printed from the internet.
This is so cute! What a great idea!
Thank Logan!
This is adorable! I’d love to make one!
I hope you give the project a try Brenda!
This is such a great idea! It would also work for documenting which states I have ran a race in 🙂
That’s an awesome idea Heather!
What a great idea and way to share memories! Love it!!!!
Thank you!
I ADORE this idea. I have a pin that suggests doing it with your spouse but of course, a family would be just as fun.
Thanks Stephanie
what a brilliant idea! I need to try this!
Thank you Tianna!
I love this!! Pinning this for sure.
Thank you Lysha!
This is such a cool idea! A great way to preserve memories.
Exactly!
Neat Idea!
Thank you Julie!
OMG! This is such an awesome idea! I am pinning this one because we are definitely going to try it!
Thank you! I hope you give it a try!
This is such a great idea. Sounds like you have a wonderful start already! We have friends that did the 50 state tour with their kiddos. The oldest just graduated this year. They have some precious memories of their journeys, for sure. I’d love for you to share this at my Creative Ways Link Party that’s live when you get a chance.
Blessings,
Nici
Thank you for the invite Nici! I’m off to visit your blog.
I love this! Pinning for sure!
Thank you Ashley!
Oh my goodness this is cute and now I want to make one asap
Thank you!
This is such a cute and creative idea! This would make such a fun gift for my friends who travel often!!
That’s a great idea Ashleigh!
I have been thinking I need a Cricut and this project has just convinced me! Gorgeous.
Thank you Nicki! The Cricut is a nice tool to have on hand.
I LOVE this idea. We travel a ton and my 4 year-old daughter has been to more states than most adults. I would love to start making one of these for her. What fantastic memories. Thanks for the brilliant idea! And thanks for linking up with Coast to Coast Blog Post Party 🙂
Thank you Brittany! I hope you make a similar project for your daughter.
What a cute idea and a great project for the family! I really like how you’re replacing the states with photos when you have the family trip there. Such a great keepsake and craft project for everyone to participate in 🙂
Thank you Julie! I really love this project and i’m excited to see it progress over time.
What an incredible project! I’d love for you to share this at my weekly link party. http://www.thelifeofjenniferdawn.com/2014/09/a-little-bird-told-me-link-party-106.html Hope to see you there!
Thank you Jennifer! I am off to check out your blog.
Now I think I need a Cricut! This is just the neatest idea! What a fun way to create memories of the memories! So glad you share your awesome ideas with us at Home Matters Linky. I’m learning so much and happy for our readers to benefit too!
Thank you Shirley! It was so fun to put together.
I seriously LOVE this! What a fabulous idea! Would love to have you and your creativity over at Motivational Monday weekly link-up!! (http://www.kentheartstrings.com/2014/09/motivational-monday-party-link-up-2.html)
Thank you Cassie! I’m heading over to check out your blog and party!
Congratulations! This post is going to be featured over at Diana Rambles tomorrow and has been pinned in the Featured at Diana Rambles board at Pinterest, Tweeted, and Recommended on G+. Please grab a featured button off my sidebar or via the link under the features. Thanks for sharing this awesome idea!
Thank you so much!
I have been wanting to make one of these for months now. thanks so much for the awesome tutorial!
Now I just need to get a Cricut! 😉
~ Ashley
It was easier than I thought it would be!
WOW! This is adorable! Thanks for linking at On Display Thursday! – Bre @ Average But Inspired
Thank you Bre!
This is so awesome! I’m inspired!
Thank you Holly!
Love this idea and love the blue you picked for the background. I am already trying to think where all my pictures are so I know which states I need to hit next!
Thank you! Isn’t that fun to see how many states you’ve visited?
Paris I truly love this so much! Thanks again for linking up at Motivational Monday!
Thank you so much Cassie!
This is so cool! Pinned.It’s always a pleasure to have you be a part of our party. Please take a minute tonight at 7 pm, to party with us! http://loulougirls.blogspot.com/
Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
Thank you so much Kimberly!
Thanks so much for linking up to Teach Me Tuesday last week! You are very much appreciated! Hope to see you again tonight!
http://3glol.net/2014/09/08/teach-tuesday-20/
Have a great week!!
I think this is really lovely!!
Thank you so much Carmody!
This is so fantastic! I’m featuring it at this week’s link party! http://www.thelifeofjenniferdawn.com/2014/09/a-little-bird-told-me-link-party-107.html Thanks for linking up!
Thank you So much Jennifer!
How special is this! Love that you have cut the pictures to the individual state! Great project. Thanks for linking up hope you link up again this week at Creative Spark Link Party http://bit.ly/1lVogBN
Thank you Michelle!
What a snazzy idea!
Thank you Sarah!
I am inspired now to travel with my children. Thanks.
Thank you Mason! I hope you and your children have grand adventures.
Fantastic idea!
FYI: On the main page photo with the wood flooring your website is spelled incorrectly .
This is how it’s displayed mybigfathpapylife.com
Again great project !
Thank you Tami! and I’m off to fix my error!
I love this! Unfortunately I do not have the equipment to cut this. Would you be interested in cutting a set for sale? I would be glad to send you the cardstock/scrapbooking paper. What would the charge be?
Thanks.
Thank you Louise! I’ll email you.
Awesome idea! It came out so pretty!
Thank you Iryna!
This is amazing!! What a fantastic goal and a wonderful project to remember it by. We only moved to the US a few years ago and we’ve done a few states, with the target of doing three new ones before the end of this year… better get cracking on that 🙂 #whatevertheweather
Thank you Sara! I hope you meet your goal of visiting 3 new states this year!
Love this idea, thanks for sharing #whatevertheweather
Thank you Sarah!
I. ABSOLUTELY. LOVE. THIS!!!! As someone who has been in the military and a dependent of a Marine. I have traveled all of my life. This would have been a fantastic representation of our travels! Thank you for sharing your fabulous photo map with our Welcome Home Wednesday link party. We hope to see more of your posts next Wednesday @ 7 am CST!
Thanks so much Lyn!
Wow! That’s quite a challenge you have set yourselves – I love it! You are going to have such great memories. And what a fantastic way to capture them to remind you of your travels. I’ll have to try to do something similar with a map of the UK. Thanks for sharing! #whatevertheweather
Thank you Claire! I can’t wait to complete our travel map!
Paris, this is such an awesome idea!! I love it! I have a Cricut Machine too and I will need to look for this cartridge or download it from the website. Ours would have Florida covered (we are Disney Addicts and go there all the time) and Texas would be a must (we live here). Thank you so much for sharing and linking up with us at Welcome Home Wednesdays Link Party. BTW, I love your blog theme. I may be a bit biased since I have the same one and I have the FUN Theme from PDCD! 🙂
Thanks so much Lisa! Aren’t the PDCD designs so cute!
This is such a wonderful idea to preserve and display your travel memories! How cool for your family, and especially your daughter, to visit each state and see how many you’ve been to! Thank you for linking up with Creative Spark; I’m featuring your awesome map project at this week’s party. Hope you’ll join us and link up again—the party starts at 6am EST tomorrow 🙂
Thank you so much Emily!
I just love this idea! I’d love to do something similar!
Thank you Emily!
Love this idea! And I especially love the pictures cut into the shapes of the states you visited. I need to make one for our family as we start to travel more. Pinned!