Make a Framed Places Valentine’s Day present

Framed Places

In the weeks coming up to Valentine’s Day I have been perusing Pinterest for gift ideas. We even have a group board with some other wonderful bloggers – loads of great ideas in there to check out. I love the idea of making something special to share with my love on such a commercialised day.  And these maps are the ticket.

One of the ideas that I fell in love with last year was a series of framed maps, plotting out special places.

image from PBFingers

You can read the tutorial on how to make this particular one here.

In the spirit of internet creativity, I took this idea and adjusted it, using Google Maps & Canva, to make an anniversary present for my husband. But I think it would make a great Valentines day present.

This is how I made my version.

You might not be a video kind of person, so here are the step by step instructions:

You will need:

  1. A frame that holds four photos. Target and Kmart both have inexpensive versions.
  2. Four places that are special to you and your partner. It might be where you met, where you got engaged or married, where your children were born, special holiday places, where you first lived, the places you have lived, the location of your first kiss, the list goes on!
  3. A computer and printer.

How to:

(if any of the below isn’t clear, just take a gander at the video)

  • Go to Google Maps and search for the map of your special place.
  • Take a screen shot (on Mac, this is Command + Shift + 4 to control exactly what is screen, on a PC use print scrn).
  • If on a PC, paste into paint and save your image. If you on a Mac, the image should automatically be saved to your desktop.
  • Repeat for each place.
  • Open Canva (sign up if you don’t have an account)
  • Create a custom dimension image of 1200 x 1800 pixels (note the youtube video suggests100mm x 1500mm but using the pixel dimensions should give you a better resolution).
  • Upload your created pictures.
  • Drag the first map into the new image. Add another image and continue.
  • Filter the first image until you are happy with the look. Copy the filter code and apply to all images.
  • Write on the maps using the text tools, add hearts or other images – even photos! Be creative.
  • Download as an image.
  • In your downloads folder, there will be a subfolder holding the 4 images separately.
  • Print and frame.

Voila! A gorgeous, inexpensive and unique gift

13 thoughts on “Make a Framed Places Valentine’s Day present

    • Robyna says:

      Thanks Emily – I was quite happy with how it turned out. I have a new found respect for any blogger that does tutorials or recipes – and this was an easy one to put together.

  1. Sew Crafty Deb says:

    This is such a fabulous idea. After 21 years of marriage it can be so difficult coming up with meaningful presents to give to each other. I think this might cover our next anniversary.

    • Robyna says:

      Tell me about it! I always scratch my head each year and we are only 9 years in 🙂 Last year I gave my partner 9 little handmade presents, and this was one of them.

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  3. Myke says:

    Wow, such a unique and wonderful idea! Love the step-by-step tutorials! Thanks for making Canva a part of your creative “must haves”. =) Awesome post and I’ve just bookmarked your blog. All the best!

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