After returning from our cross-country adventure, I stitched the route we drove and gave it to my travel partner as a "thank-you-for-putting-up-with-me-for-30-straight-days" present. This DIY was cheap, easy to make, and ended up being one of his favorite gifts of all time! Five years later, and we still have it displayed in our apartment.
DIY Tip: Before stitching your particular route, I would recommend first stenciling it with a pencil. This way, you'll have a better guide to work off. Be sure to also choose a bright color of thread to ensure your stitching will pop against the shade of your backdrop. Believe it or not, I found this map of the US in a cheap atlas at Target, and it was the perfect size and thickness for stitching. In total, this DIY cost only $15, a few hours of time, and allowed me to flex new creative muscles!
