Travel Photo Map DIY

Today I'm partnering with Canon USA to make a wooden travel map DIY! If you know me well at all, you know nothing excites me more than the chance to travel the world. I've realized that "traveling" is what I collect in a way. I don't have a collection of any one sort of thing, but collecting photos from my travels is one of my biggest prized possessions. I thought this project was a great way to show a few of these images, as well as create a sort of conversation starter in our home about where each photo was taken and the memories that go along with it.


Supplies:
PIXMA iP8720 printer
wooden board
collection of travel photos
USA map (I chose a free downloadable version by searching Google images)
projector
transparency paper
sharpie
scissors
rubber cement (you can find at any major local craft store)
photo hanging hooks

Begin by printing the USA map onto a transparency film. Once printed, place onto a projector, and trace onto the wooden board with a sharpie. If you don't have a projector you can use, have a friend hold a flashlight to the back of the film while you trace.
Next, begin collecting the images you'd like to print. I chose to print mine in a collage to keep from using multiple pieces of photo paper. With the PIXMA iP8720 printer, you can print on large scale photo paper which can keep you from using multiple pieces, saving you time and money. I was able to print all of these images on two 13x19 pieces of photo paper.
Once printed, cut out each photo the shape of the state you took it in. Then, attach in place with rubber cement.
Once dry, attach the photo hanging hooks to the back of the board, and it's ready to hang on the wall!
What I love most about this project is that it really shows where you've been, what areas you have yet to explore (northeast for me) and is a wonderful reminder of all the adventures and memories I've been able to make. Cheers.