One look at this journal and you know there just has to be something good inside. 
Well, there is. {er,…well,…there is about to be.}
It’s a “Map O’ Love”. What?! You don’t know what a “Map O’ Love” is?! Okay, I just made that term up. It’s basically a Map Memory Journal. I was inspired by two gorgeous map collages from by Kayla Danelle and Minimoz. Here is my version:
I started by listing all the places that meant a lot to my husband and me.
I cut each location out and distressed the edges.
I found a map of each location where that memory took place.
I glued each map to one of the journal pages (and added a location heart).
Each page holds a location where many memories were created.
On the back of each page I jotted down the address, and started making a list of memories there.
I plan on having my husband add to the list of memories after he receives his Valentines gift. These are things I want to remember. I want to cherish his memories too.
The best part of this gift is that we will continue to fill up the pages for years to come. I wonder what maps we will add? Oh the adventure… 🙂
To say that I am excited to give him this Valentine’s gift would be an understatement.
Do you think he will like it? If he doesn’t, oh well. I will. 🙂 I love gifts that benefit both the giver and receiver. {Do you remember this post? Hee Hee}
Now WHERE IN THE WORLD did I get this journal?! I know you’re wondering. I spotted it on Etsy, from Medieval Journey, andI fell in love. I truly love buying handmade items and when I saw this journal, I just had to have it.
Every last detail is perfect. I adore the vintage looking pages.
Take a peek at Medieval Journey. If you aren’t in the market for something like this right now, make sure to favorite {heart} her for the future. This is truly such a beautifully made product.
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What are you doing for your man for Valentines Day? Remember that it isn’t about how much your gift costs, but it IS about how much it means.
Here are a few other sentimental ideas we’ve posted on recently: 2037 BC – Old School Poetry, Bed of Hearts, Secret Cupid, A Year of Reasons, Hide and Seek Notes, & Someday they’ll be old enough.
If that wasn’t enough for you, make sure the check out our whole Valentine’s Day category. We’ve got you covered.
Alison says
Cute SHelley! Brad is lucky to have you:)
Laura says
Cute idea! What font did you use? I love the dingbats.
Shelley says
For the main font, I used Pea Sarah Quick. For the doodles, I used a combo of several of the doodle fonts on Fonts for Peas. WE LOVE fonts for peas around here. 🙂 http://kevinandamanda.com/fonts/fontsforpeas/
Laura says
Thanks! I am going to try to whip one up for the hubby by the 14th. 🙂
Gina says
Awesome idea! I am off to buy the journal…. now, where did you get the maps? printed from internet or did you buy maps from different places?
Shelley says
I printed all my maps from http://www.yellowmaps.com/ and used the reference physical map option. 🙂
gina says
thanks!
Nicolette says
Super cute, Shelley! What a fun journal to show the kids too. I think it’s so important that our kids see visual examples of their parents’ love for each other. Love, love, love it!
sorina says
Extremely beautiful! The journal is an art piece and it is made by a very sensitive person! The way you put your memories on each page brought it to life and it seems that they have been there forever!
Penny says
Such a great idea! I’m sure it will be treasured forever. I hope it is big enough to hold your lifetime of adventures ;). He WILL love it!
Bezencilla says
Such a beautiful story and a wonderful handmade journal. Things made with love for those who care about love.
alysha says
I love these gift ideas that are going to be cherished FOREVER. My memory seriously stinks, so this is such an awesome idea. Your husband is going to LOVE it. (And that journal is seriously gorgeous!)
Mindy says
aw great idea – I’d throw one picture from each memory on there too!
Shelley says
LOVE this idea. I’m on the hunt for pictures to put on the back pages before Valentines day. 🙂 Thanks for the idea.
Kate C says
I love this idea! I’m a huge fan of handmade books, and I make them myself!
If anyone is interested in different types of books/journals, please check out my website (www.winzydesign.com) and my etsy shop. I just opened last week, but I have years of experience and can make anything you want.
It’s so fun to have a place to put all those memories. Great idea and post, HDS!
Missy says
Shelley. I love this. It will be cherished for sure. Thanks for the great idea!
Lindsey says
Okay so I find myself wanting to copy everything you do! I will add this to the list!!!!
Shelley says
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. 🙂 I’m so glad you love it. 🙂
kayla Danelle says
Aw, thanks for the shout out! I love your version!! I may have to try something like this… except our version would be pretty boring since most of our story happened in the same town! hah 🙂 oh well.
GawgusThings says
This is just wonderful!
Such a great idea 🙂 I’m sure hubby will absolutely love it!
Emma
Cristi Dame says
I am in love with this idea!! How exciting. I want to get a huge map and do something similar like this!! Great idea!
Janette says
What a SUPER cute idea! So, what is in the frame that says “Brad & Shelley” at the top? A list of memories you have framed and hung? Please share!!! 🙂
Shelley says
Janette, you noticed! 😉 It was basically our story. “Boy, meets girl,.. etc. etc. etc. with a “to be continued” at the end.” It was for our anniversary last year. 🙂
Janette says
So, so creative! Love that idea!
Kelli D says
Shelly, I was wondering the same exact thing (about the frame under the journal book in one of the pics); I noticed the frame and was more interested in making that framed gift instead of the journey book LOL 🙂 – Any possibility that the framed gift will show up on HDS as a tutorial in the near future?
Thanks for sharing and giving me inspiration!
RetiredPJ says
I received a leather journal from my honey this last Christmas and have hesitated putting anything in it. I wanted it to be special. Cautiously he mentioned including memorable accounts but added that scribbles or notes of any kind could clear up the collection of napkins notes…. Your “Map O’ Love” is perfect!! Thank you
Allison says
Oh my gosh! I absolutely loved this newsletter and all the ideas! I am so excited to create some of these memory keepsakes! You are some amazing women! Thanks for all you do!
Shelley says
Alison, THANK YOU for taking the time to comment. We love little “love notes” like these. They make all of our hard work worth it. Thank you. 🙂
Debi Jenkins says
Wow I can not believe I open my mail, go to this post and their is the Leather Journal I have be looking for for over a year! Thank you thank you thank you. Great minds must think alike. I want 1 Blank page Journal to Document Mina and my husbands long distance love for a year I was in Eutis fl. and he was in Ligonier In. The other I want for my Jewelry Ideas. You really made my day.Now to save to get them . I am so excited. Again Thank you Debi
Shelley says
Awww. That makes my heart leap right out of my chest. To know that it was something you were looking for, and that lil’ ole me helped you find it, makes me so happy. It truly is a beautiful journal. It’s worth saving up for. 🙂
Kayla Danelle says
PS. Funny that you just gave me a shout out, because I just realized I just gave you one too – as I was putting together this post and I talked about your awesome playdough recipe! 🙂
http://kayladanelle.blogspot.com/2012/02/very-hungry-caterpillar-first-birthday_06.html
Kayla says
This is such a wonderful idea!! I pinned this, hoping to do something like this in the future. Our story is just starting, been together 5 years, and finally tying the knot this April!! 🙂
Monica says
Wow! I adore this!!! Such a great idea. Thanks for sharing and the journal is GORGEOUS
Shelley Glass says
I love this idea Map O love! Best idea I have ever seen. Love, love, love it! Went on ESTY to order one and couldn’t get the journal. Is there somewhere else that has something similar? Would love to do this for my Family!
Thanks,
Shelley
Shelley says
She keeps selling out!! 🙂 It is truly such a beautiful journal. She has a current listing up for pre-orders: http://www.etsy.com/listing/91907049/journal-made-to-order-the-story-within -hope that helps! 🙂
elaine harris says
This journal is spectacular and your idea for customizing it is so romantic! I love it.
mheanne ojeda says
I like the title MAP O’LOve! Why I didn’t think of that coz I have a heart-shaped box I call I LOVE YOU MAP since my boyfriend’s of almost 5 years is named Mark Alan Poff and MAP is his initial. Inside the I LOVE You MAP box are heart-shaped maps I got from airline magazines which shows where we have met and traveled together – from Manila to Paris to US. With your post, I improved it by putting hearts stickers on the place. Thanks
Shelley says
Aww. yay! Thanks for sharing!
Janette says
Ok, one more question 🙂 What font did you use for your “Story of Us” in the frame? Looks like a fun font!!
{amy k.} says
i LOVE this idea! thanks for sharing, i’m going to pin it for future!
Dori says
A wonderful way to use a beautiful journal! The maker of this journal has so many other beautiful pieces, and she really loves her craft so you can be sure that your memories are in a safe place 🙂
Tina S says
Oh. My. Goodness! I love and adore this idea! I will shamelessly copy it in the future. Gorgeous!!!!!
Stacey says
Where did you find all the maps?
Shelley says
The link is in the post 🙂
Brittany says
That is really cute! I have been working on something similar to that; I am making canvas art with the places that mean the most to my husband and I, but I really like that you can keep adding to the journal! Quick question: where did you find your maps? I had a little trouble finding maps I liked, and yours are really sweet! Great post!
Julie says
Did you just use an old map that you cut out or print something from the internet? I’ve tried doing something like this in the past but could never find a map that would fit.
Shelley says
It was a map from the internet. 🙂 The link is in the post. 🙂
Chris C. says
The Lord works ALL things together…Romans 8:28. Wow. Last week I began jotting down dates and events in an old spiral notebook with just a few pages left. My husband and I have been married for thirty years and two years ago he was diagnosed with epilepsy. On top of that there is a history of Alzheimer disease in his family. He’s beginning to struggle to recall the important dates in our lives. I knew I needed to write things down for him (and for our children to have someday) but I had no inspired idea as beautiful as this. Thank you so much for sharing with others. I may cry now. God bless you.
Elizabeth says
Beautiful! How special. You have inspired me, once again. I have already ordered a beautiful, hand-made journal from Etsy. I cannot wait to make our own “Map O’ Love.” Thanks to all the “How Does She” ladies for your constant inspiration. BTW, I’m about to make my own laundry detergent, thanks to y’all! : )
Cheryl says
First, I want to say that this is lovely. Great Job!
I wanted to ask, did you use each state only once… like for example….we went to the Bahamas on our honeymoon and then again years later on our first cruise (with our children) both important and need to be included.
Did you just pick one milestone to go on the map page and the rest on the back with the memories? I know there is more than one way to do this I was just curious as to what you did as yours looks awesome from what I can see!
Thanks
Sarah says
Did you print the maps on normal printer paper? or did you use a specialty paper?
Shelley says
Just normal paper 🙂
Erin says
Absolutely love this idea! My husband is a map maker by profession so I think he would get a kick out of his own personal map book filled with places that are special to us (we’ve moved 8 times in 8 years so have plenty to work off of). Guess what he’s getting for Fathers Day this year? 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh and just on a side note I had to giggle that two of your maps (where you met and your internship) match out locations just different years. Small world.
Jen says
Love this idea! Just a question. The OCD in me wants to know if two things happened in one state, did you make a second page for each event, with another map of the same state? Or what?