A meaningful map project

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On a personal note:
Let me be honest, I am having a hard time dealing with my upcoming move….I love the lake house I am living in, I love the memories I have made here in Michigan, I love my friends that all live HERE. At the same time I am also crazy excited to be living in the same state, same city and same house as my husband in just a short two weeks time… So my thoughts and emotions are everywhere on this topic!

Anyways, on to my inspiration:
Those of you who have been around this blog for awhile know that I am totally head-over-heels in love with MAKING MEANINGFUL art and avoiding all things store bought…why buy something without meaning when you can make something that means the world to you?!?

So todays project was inspired by my wanting to reflect upon my time in Michigan while at the same time trying to remind myself to have good perspective when I am once again living with my husband.

I just started with a printed quote that I love on a page of my beloved encyclopedia paper.

I then I went to town with a heart puntch and a vintage Michigan map….

I picked all of the towns and cities that remind me of my time here—-I have had sooo many great memories here and many of them were during road trips or antiquing adventures, some were on weekend getaways with hubs, and others an friends homes in other cities.

I taped all of my hearts to vellum so they would be a bit more noticeable than if they were right on the encyclopedia paper.

I then practiced my sewing-on-paper skills before trying it on the real deal! ——I LOVE sewing on paper, it will for sure be my new thing…..I love the detail it adds even if it is only noticeable to me… Watch out I shall be sewing all of my new paper projects!!!

I sewed each heart individually right down the middle because I knew I wanted to fold them up a bit when I was done. ***I didn’t just do one sewn line down the middle of my hearts (like I had originally intended) because I realized I didn’t make them perfectly straight when I taped them on….I think I like how they turned out this with this method any ways.

I then sewed my vellum onto the encyclopedia paper—-has anyone else noticed that it is no easy to attach vellum to regular paper without having the double sided tape show through????

I must note I only sewed 3 sides of the vellum to the encyclopedia paper because I wanted the top open just in case I want to stick some memorabilia inside the pocked I made down the road.

Then I distressed my super cheap (we are talking six dollas here) shadow box because plain black just isn’t my thing at the moment and because I am in love with distressing EVERYTHING.

I added so burlap that I picked up this week at a garden shop for .75 cents a yard—is that good or bad, I don’t even know? But I love the stuff and knew I wanted to used it for some things so I just went for it. At least my compulsive shopping only cost me .75 cents a yard right?!?

And I added clips that I found at Hobby Lobby (pack of 16 for $2.99)

I just secured everything with pins because you never know with me….I might decide tomorrow that I would like to change everything….I have a hard time committing when it comes to crafts!

So this is my project as it is right now, what do you think?

I chose the quote because I wanted to remember each day how grateful I am to be living with my husband instead of 7 hours away. I also want to remember that I am beyond grateful for my memories and moments in Michigan. I want to remember specific places that brought me joy and the friends that were with me during those moments.

I really like this project becasue,

I am REALLY GOING TO try to have a grateful heart each and every day for the journey that has been my life and is my life—for the blessing each and every day.

{Horrible photo I know—gotta love the flash, but I wanted to show you how it looks on my door!}

{By the way—I got sooo many compliments on my door from my last door post that I think it might stay around just like this….we shall see! Buttt I must say how did no one tell me that I have the thing upside down?!?! oopppss! I didn’t even notice and now I am feeling a bit lazy so I will not be taking new photos}

I am linking up here.

Comments

Sarah @ So Not Donna Reed says:

April 30, 2011 at 5:02 pm

I love this idea, Jaime! I think I'm going to have to do a similar project soon. I've just found your blog & now I'm sad that you're moving b/c I'm in Michigan, too! I hope your move brings you great joy & that you soon find yourself falling in love with your new surroundings.

Rachel says:

April 30, 2011 at 5:20 pm

I totally love it, as usual! What a great way to remember your time there!

Rachel @ Maybe Matilda

Connie @ Measured by the Heart says:

April 30, 2011 at 5:46 pm

I love this such a great idea! We travel ALOT so I may have to make this with some of our favorite spots!

Bec@littlelucylu says:

April 30, 2011 at 7:28 pm

This is AWESOME, Jaime!
I saw your feature on Tater Tots & Jello – great job!
You've got yourself a new follower!
~Bec @ littlelucylu

kate says:

April 30, 2011 at 7:40 pm

this is such a darling idea. and i love that it's not only cute but it's meaningful to you.

Danielle says:

May 1, 2011 at 3:30 pm

I love this! What a great idea.

danielle

Sweet Little Smoothie says:

May 1, 2011 at 6:17 pm

What a great idea – and such a beautiful piece of art! Thanks for sharing!

Trina Curran says:

May 2, 2011 at 1:26 am

This is a great idea! I am a vintage paper lover…gotta make this one for me too.

Aroura says:

May 2, 2011 at 8:37 am

SOOOOO cute!

Amy says:

May 3, 2011 at 7:41 pm

I love this! What a great idea, and it looks gorgeous! I found you over at Creative Carmella {congrats on the award} and I'm your newest follower.

Amy
http://oneartmama.blogspot.com

Andrea . Charcoal and crayons says:

May 4, 2011 at 5:34 am

Love this! I keep coming across your inspiring projects so had to become a follower.

the cape on the corner says:

May 4, 2011 at 5:56 pm

what a special reminder of those places, and you will find a special place for it in your new home.

Cheryl says:

May 5, 2011 at 12:23 am

This is lovely! I just shared it on the write click scrapbook tumblr – thank you for sharing!

Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made says:

May 5, 2011 at 1:43 am

What a great idea!! There are so many possibilities with this! Wouldn't this be a great gift for someone you've visited/stayed with as a Thank You gift?! I am so bookmarking this idea for future reference! Thanks for posting!

{Peppermint Plum} says:

May 5, 2011 at 4:32 am

This is SO sweet! I love that you chose meaningful cities. Love Love Love!

-Annie @ {PP}

meijo's JOY says:

May 5, 2011 at 6:42 am

What a HEART project … love it!

Heather says:

May 6, 2011 at 2:23 am

This is so sweet! I heart it:)

Junker Newbie Stephanie says:

May 6, 2011 at 12:18 pm

Hi – visiting from Finding Fabulous. This is such a cute idea! I love all things to do with maps so this drew me in just from the title We've moved a lot so I was looking for an idea to incorporate the places we live…this has given me much inspiration! thanks

Anonymous says:

May 7, 2011 at 1:54 am

Beautiful and meaningful art!! I'm going to try something very similar … where did you find the encyclopedia paper?

Kate says:

May 7, 2011 at 5:30 am

What a sweet idea. I'm from Tennessee but I live in California now. I've been looking for a project that will honor my hometown. Thanks for the idea!

Wendys Hat says:

May 7, 2011 at 8:19 am

This is great!

Tracy Suzanne says:

May 7, 2011 at 9:11 am

Hi Jamie Lyn. I just found you over at Finding Fabulous. And how perfect is that because your creations and your blog really are fabulous! I'm looking forward to following you and getting to know you better.

Hugs…Tracy

P.S. I'd love you to stop by and visit anytime.

Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence says:

May 7, 2011 at 4:52 pm

I love this and what an important sentiment–what a different place our world would be if we remembered and practiced this each day. Thanks for linking up to Beyond The Picket Fence.

Mel the Crafty Scientist says:

May 12, 2011 at 6:44 pm

This is so cool – it's gorgeous before you even know the personalized part of it, but with that little bit too… it's just perfect! : ) Good luck with the move!

Rachel Sue says:

May 14, 2011 at 9:37 pm

This is such a great idea! I would love to feature this on Reduce, Reuse, Upcycle. Feel free to stop by and grab a featured button. Thanks!

http://reuseandupcycle.blogspot.com

Anonymous says:

July 20, 2011 at 2:30 pm

It's interesting to me..as I was reading your blog and you expressed yourself sooo well – from my work, I recognize something you might not realize. Your project and each one of things you do this way, are all forms of self help and therapy. The piece you are doing is helping you to say goodbye and deal with your grief.
You are taking care of yourself and keeping yourself healthy. Don't ever think you are wasting a minute in your beautiful work – maybe you can get a company to buy it….it's beautiful!

It's Raining Jelly Beans says:

July 20, 2011 at 3:37 pm

I just found you so I don't know if you now know that they sell vellum tape which isn't so visible. Love tour projects. I read you moved from Michigan- bummer- I'm in Portage (zoo) and am always looking for crafty friends

Brenda says:

August 7, 2011 at 3:36 pm

love this idea! thanks for the inspiration. just bought some frames at the flea market for about $2…will use the butterfly stamp i have, love the saying!

Khrystyne says:

August 26, 2011 at 12:50 am

This idea is so cute! Where did you get the encyclopedia paper from?

Anonymous says:

August 30, 2011 at 1:02 am

Wow, what a fabulous idea. How do you come up with these things?? I am a good "copier" but not good at thinking up original ideas. Amazing. And love the quote. I think I should tattoo it to my forehead!

Kids craft ideas says:

October 6, 2011 at 3:48 am

Great idea. Love it, thanks for sharing.

Kim @ Plumberry Pie says:

March 28, 2012 at 6:08 pm

love this!