Turn a standard map of the world into a showcase for your travels by plotting the places you've been.

Make a plain wall into a travel diary and source of inspiration.

Step 1: Foam Board

Layer 1 - Lay the foam board next to each other so the total size is larger than your poster

Layer 2 - Make a second layer but cut the board in halves and quarters so that none of the seams will lie on top of the seams on the first layer

Use spray adhesive to glue the two layers together

Use tables and books to hold the layers together while the glue dries.

Step 2: Mount the Map

Use double sided tape or spray adhesive to attach the map to the board

Cut off the excess foam board with a sharp craft knife

Step 3: Plot Your Travels

Push small nails into all the places you have been.

Wrap the string around the nails in the order you traveled to each destination

Add a drop of super glue under the head of every nail to hold the string in place.

Step 4: French Cleats

Make 4 french cleats out of thick corrugated cardboard by staggering 2 strips and gluing them together with hot glue

Make the other half of the french cleats (that will mount on the wall) but chamfer the corners and leading edge so that the cleats will slide together easily

Note the ‘grain direction’ of the corrugated cardboard. This is the strongest way to use the cardboard in this application.

Check out butynski’s instructable https://www.instructables.com/id/French-Cleat/ to see what a real french cleat is made of wood. This will help to understand the concept if you don't know what a french cleat is already.

The cardboard cleats were a bit of an experiment. I wasn't sure how strong they would be but they turned out great. It is very strong and stable.

Step 5: Mounting French Cleats

Glue the straight cleats to the board with lots of hot glue

Slide the cleats to be mounted on the wall into the cleats on the board and add some double sided tape. I added some masking tape to the chamfered edge so that it would grip the cleat and not fall out.

Put your map on the wall in the position you want it and then unhook it from the cleats.

The wall cleats will remain in place held by the tape in the perfect position. Put some screws in to hold them permanently

Step 6:

Hang your map by sliding it down over the wall cleats and surround it with your favorite traveling pictures.

There are two threads on my map. One for my travels and one for my girlfriends. I twisted both threads for destinations we went to together.

Tips

Use gel super glue and use a pencil or toothpick to apply the glue.

I picked an old looking map and copper nails. I think this color scheme works great.

If i was to do this again i would try and use a thicker thread or a color that contrasts the map more.