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Wednesday, July 18, 2012

DIY - Let's Make Treasure Maps


Treasure Map


Oh these are just so much fun! 
And I am very excited to share how we make our very own
Treasure Maps
here at my house -
Ok, so here's what you will need:

Supplies:
sheet of paper
warm water
tea bags/coffee grinds
baking dish
tin foil 
cookie sheet
and a 
waterproof pen

When I was a little girl, I made treasure maps leading to hidden buried treasure all of the time. 
 I loved creating them so much.. Making new paper look old...and crinkling the paper was so much fun!
So, inspired by our Summer Soiree Collection, I thought it would be perfect to include my own DIY instructions for making the perfect treasure map.

It's really a great afternoon project for the kids!
 Start by taking a piece of paper, I use computer paper,
 and tear the edges off...to give it that slightly aged and used look.
 Just like a real pirate's map.
Argh! 
Now let the fun begin! Grab a waterproof pen and  begin creating your own maps.
Here's where you can get SUPER creative

Don't forget "X" marks the spot of the buried treasure...
Just like Old Captain Blackbeard


When you have completed writing and illustrating your map, crinkle the paper up into a ball.


Next, it's time to soak your map in the tea and coffee mixture.


Fill the baking dish with enough water to cover the paper.
Then, place the tea bags and coffee grinds into the water.

Let it soak up the "coffee water"  in the baking dish for 10-20 minutes.
Or until you are satisfied with the color of your map.

Now, it's starting to look like a real,
vintage treasure map.

After , it's time to place your wet map on the foil lined baking dish in the oven.
Place the map on the baking sheet for 10 minutes at 170 degrees Fahrenheit.
Oven temperatures may vary, so you may have to add time to this.

When your map is done, it will be dry 
and crisp and ready for a
real pirate adventure!

Have fun!

Just Like My Little Pirates!






6 comments:

Brian Miller said...

that is a cool trick on the tea bags...we used it for a pirate party we were throwing...this is lots of fun for the kids too...

Christine said...

what a magical activity! Thanks for sharing!

Valerie-Jael said...

Fun project, this should be great for all kids! Valerie

AtelierBrigitte said...

This is so cute! Thanks for sharing, I might do this as well some time.

Wanda said...

This is so clever and so real looking. I've done a few watercolor projects with tea bags..the fruit ones add nice colors, like pinks, berries, reds,

I also did a painting of an old fisherman, then wadded up the paper and restretch it, and it made him really look old and wrinkled, including his clothes.
These are fun experiments for young artists.

Betsy Brock said...

We did these, too...but in reverse order...staining and crinkling first, then drawing the map. So fun and they do look real!