DIY Pinboard World Map

A DIY pinboard map to showcase the places you've been!

We recently decided to incorporate a travel theme to our home because traveling is a common love between the two of us.  I had been trying to think of a related decoration to hang over our piano and wanted a framed pinboard map of the places we've been.  After a quick Google search, I found that this type of framed map is just way too expensive to buy (starting in the $200 range)!

So Ben and I set out to make our own.  We already had a large foam insulation board in the garage that he cut down to size and I found a cheap vintage looking world map poster on Amazon.  Ben came up with how to do it (after my failed attempt primarily using mod podge).  We used spray adhesive to the back of the poster, then quickly and carefully stuck it to the insulation board.  Then, using inspiration from this post, we made a trip to Hobby Lobby to purchase our frame.

Here's how we did it and how much it cost:

Supplies:
24- x 36-inch World Map Poster (Amazon.com) - $5 including shipping
Foam Insulation Board (The Home Depot) - $10 for 4' x 8' sheet, but we already had this on hand
24- x 36-inch Frame (Hobby Lobby) - $20 on sale
Krylon 7777 Super Quick Grip Spray Adhesive (Michael's) - $6 with 40% off coupon
OPTIONAL: Mod Podge Matte Finish (Hobby Lobby) - $6 with 40% coupon
Map Pins (Office Max) - $3.00

Total Cost:
$50.00 (or less, if not using Mod Podge or you already have supplies on hand)

1) Spray the back side of the poster map and the front side of the insulation board with an even layer of the adhesive spray.

2) Working quickly, carefully place the poster over top the insulation board (the sticky side).  We didn't cut the insulation board to the exact size until after we stuck the poster map to it.  In other words, the insulation board was about 1 inch larger on each side in order to give us room for error, then Ben cut it to the size of the poster once it was glued on.

3) Use a credit card to smooth down the poster map onto the insulation board and get rid of bubbles.  Note: You will have to embrace some bubbling.  Unless you are a super amazing bubble blaster, it is impossible to not have bubbles.  If bubbles do not appear now, they probably will later...  Let dry for at least 1 hour.  After this step, I also added a thin layer of matte finish Mod Podge to take out the glossiness of the poster for a more vintage/worn look.  The Mod Podge is not required.

4) Tape the map to the back of the frame.

5) Nail in your hook.  (Look at my man's sexy work hands!  Rawrrr!)

6) You're done! Hang that puppy up and start pinning!

We use our map to pin the places we've been together as a couple (red), as a family (white), and then where we have friends and family ministering so we can remember to pray for them (black).  We want to use this map to teach our children to pray for those serving God around the world, while learning a bit of geography.

Plus, it adds nice a rustic decor to our living room, don't you think?