So the holidays are almost here and any fan of tolkien would love a replica of thror's map from THE HOBBIT. But the framed noble collection replica is a bit pricey and it is so much more fun to make your own for 2 dollars :)

Step 1: Printing

Print out your map on regular copy paper. I have attached a photo above of the map i used off GOOGLE. You could drag it to your desktop and print it for yourself. Also, cut around the border of the map so that you dont have any excess edge.

Step 2: Staining

Make some really dark tea like EARL GREY or you could use coffee but coffee does leave a very strong smell afterwards. Pour your coffee or tea inside a cookie sheet and put your map inside it for a while. I let mine soak for 40 minutes in cold tea. if you keep your tea hot for a long time then soak your map for about 15 minutes. Also if you want to pour your tea in a sauce pan and let it simmer while your map is soaking in it, that would work much better. Once it is soaked all the way through, you could lay some paper towel in another cookie sheet and let your map dry over night on it

Step 3: Framing (optional)

You could have stopped at the last step but if you want it to look very nice than you could frame it. I bought a 2 dollar frame at the dollar store and i put the map in it. I also put a piece of cardboard in the frame, too, to press the map up against the glass more. Now you are done!