Recycled Map Christmas Ornament

If you love to travel the world or simply want to remember a special place, then you have to check out this Recycled Map Christmas Ornament. In a few simple steps, this tutorial will help you learn how to create a truly unique, homemade Christmas ornament. Give it an extra special touch by reusing a map you used on a recent trip to commemorate a vacation or any other town that has a special place in your heart. This is a great way to add a personal touch to your Christmas tree.

Materials:

• STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam: 4” ball
• Map
• Mod Podge, matte finish
• White or iridescent glitter
• Ribbon, 3/8” x 8” 
• Thick, white craft glue
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Wooden skewer
• Stiff bristle paintbrush

Instructions:

1. Insert wooden skewer into the foam ball to use as a handle. Cut map into 1-1/2" squares. Working on a small section at a time, brush Mod Podge onto the ball of STYROFOAM Brand Foam, and apply paper squares. Repeat, overlapping the squares as you go, until the ball is covered. If needed, cut tiny slits along the edges of the paper squares so they will lay flat. Let dry.
    
2. Seal the ball with Mod Podge, and sprinkle with glitter while still wet. Let dry.
    
3. Knot together the ribbon ends, forming a loop. Poke a small hole in the top of the ornament using the wooden skewer. Add glue to hole, and push the knot into the hole. Let dry.
    
4. For more antique looking maps, Mix ¼ cup of water and 1 T. of light brown, acrylic craft paint or sepia ink in a glass bowl. Mix well. Adjust the color by adding more paint, ink or water.
    
5. Crumple into a ball a 6” x 18” piece of a map. Smooth out the paper and paint it with a generous coat of the tinted water.
    
6. Blot the paper unevenly with a sponge or rag, creating a mottled finish.
    
7. Repeat, if you’d like a darker finish.
    
8. You can also age the baker’s twine by dipping it in the mixture, and then letting it dry.