How To: Plot Your Escape

This "why didn't I think of that!" project from Jordan Ferney is perfect for Great Escapes Month. What better way to plot your exit strategy than to pinpoint your dream travel destinations on a map. Use one pin color for places you've been and other for places you'd like to visit. This project encompasses our two favorite things — it's cheap and simple...

For this simple project, Jordan mounts a $12 map to foam core. The full project instructions and photos are available from Project Wedding.

The awesome map tacks from The Map Center absolutely make this project. In addition, to the semi-precious stone map tacks above (Yes! Semi-precious stones used as map tacks!), they have little flags pins and tacks with crosses, dots or stripes. Fun!

Comments (10)

I actually always do this!! I pull out a map to see which regions I've frequented most and which I'd like to start exploring. I love discovering the small archipelagos waiting to be seen

posted by sassifrassi on July 1st 2009 at 1:22pm
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I love map boards. The semi-precious stones are a pretty touch. I now use an electronic version - the cool thing is that you can access your friends boards as well on Facebook. I love to see where they have been and if they can give me any inside tips.

posted by alexis on July 1st 2009 at 2:05pm
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FUUUN! I really want to do this and put it in my spare room.

posted by clampers on July 1st 2009 at 3:53pm
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We actually have such a map in our bathroom. When you're a captive audience anyway, what a great way to while away the time! It's hung on the wall at a lower-than-usual level. I've learned so much just by going into the bathroom!

posted by Whichbrew on July 1st 2009 at 4:09pm
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One more thing, I'm so happy apt. therapy is focusing on TRAVEL!!!!!

posted by sassifrassi on July 1st 2009 at 5:16pm
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It would be fun to do this with a globe, too.

posted by jyw on July 2nd 2009 at 4:02am
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We've done this for years on a little 6 inch globe we keep on a knickknack shelf. Just the trips taken together. Never the solo trips.
Getting kind of crowded with pins in the eastern US & Canada. Maybe time to get a larger globe.

posted by NavySeabee on July 2nd 2009 at 6:12am
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I've been doing this since childhood. We use different colored pins for different members of the family and have two large maps: One U.S., one world. A new boss came into my office and spied the U.S. map with all the pins and asked what they were for. I told him they indicate where the bodies are buried :-) He's given me a wide berth since.

posted by Casey Leigh on July 2nd 2009 at 10:44am
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I think one of these might have to go in our office when I move next month.

posted by michpc on July 2nd 2009 at 11:20am
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I have that exact map and have tried the same project, and let me tell you it is NOT easy. Foam core cannot be cut at home, end of story. Has to be pasted and then brought back to the art shop for them to cut down to size. Second issue, that particular map, though lovely, is a really weird size for framing so that you either have to get it custom framed or leave it unframed. I chose neither of those options and tried to get semi-custom metal frame kits from Nielsen... which worked, except they only come in 1" increments, and apparently this map requires 1/2" increments. This is now officially a 3 year old project and its still not done. :(

posted by mh330 on July 2nd 2009 at 11:38am
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