If you haven't yet seen the tour of Michael's Michigan Cottage, it's definitely worth checking out. His home is full of simple but great ideas, like this one — a magnetic map board that's incredibly easy to make.
Michael says the bulletin board is "an IKEA magnetic board that I decoupaged using vintage maps from e-Bay." That's it. So smart and so simple.
Materials
• Spontan Magnetic Board from IKEA, $12.99
• Vintage maps from eBay, Etsy, or your local thrift store
Tools
• Decoupage Medium
• Brushes
• Sponge
Instructions
• Brush the decoupage medium in a thin layer across the magnetic board.
• Make sure to brush the medium around the edges of the board as well.
• Smooth out the medium with the sponge.
• Place the map onto the board and use your fingers to smooth out the wrinkles.
• Wrap the edges of the map around the edges of the magnetic board.
• Apply a thin coat of medium over the map to seal it and wait for it to dry.
• Apply one or two more layers of medium to give it a final sealed finish.
• Hang it up on the wall.
• RELATED: How to Decoupage Furniture and Other Items
Photo: Michael Jon Watt
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Love it! Simple yet fantastic!!
Good idea
love it!
must... have... bowling pin!
Love this idea.
Glad to see that my map board has inspired some of you. Another note: If you want to make a newer map look vintage, tea-stain your decoupage medium with a teabag. It will give the map an aged look!
http://www.transitdesign.etsy.com
Question: Will the paper decrease the effectiveness of magnets one typically has/finds -- to the point where items are barely hanging onto the board? Or not?
i love it... going to bring this idea into my classroom.
Another great use for vintage maps.
I love maps, and I love this idea - thanks for posting this!!!
The paper does not affect the way the magnets work. Everything holds quite nicely.
F'ing magnets... how do they work?
sorry to sound retarded, but what is decoupage medium? is it something you can make? I am in the UK and without access to all the amazing craft stores you have in the US...
This is super cute! Now if only I could find a wall to hang this!
Becca
cmmarie, when I decoupaged part of my bathroom a couple years ago, I used Mod Podge (http://www.plaidonline.com/apMP.asp). Something like this works great for decoupage and so many other craft products. Hopefully you can find it or something similar in the UK!
This is my bulletin board, and all I actually used was Elmer's white school glue diluted with a bit of water. It needs to be the consistency of thick cream.
The pictured board looks a lot larger than the Ikea more slender one. Did you use a different magnetic board?
I gave this a shot and it looks awesome! Thanks for the great idea!
My result: http://traps.posterous.com/just-a-bit-of-diy