Creating a Holiday Memory Board Using Your Travel Souvenirs

The memories of my holiday to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are still fresh in my mind. I wanted a way to capture that moment of thinking about my holiday, without looking at a photograph. I came up with the idea to create a holiday memory board. Hanging in my bathroom was an old picture, I thought I could utilise the frame and glass but replace the contents. 

What better contents than some of the souvenirs I had purchased on holiday, they were handcrafted and reminded me of my favorite places. This was the perfect way to capture my travel memories.

Create a Travel Memory Board

This old picture had been a purchase from Next. It followed me from my previous home, of late I have not given it a second glance. Looking at the back there was a date of April 2004, I would never have thought I'd had it for 11 years. Having depth to the frame, these are sometimes called a shadow frame will allow me again to add physical items to the picture and not just photos or prints.

Creating a Holiday Memory Board

Once I took the back off I realised I would need to replace the mount and the board, as an excessive amount of glue had been used causing damage. I took some time placing and spacing my maps and souvenirs. 

It is a delight and now it hangs in my bathroom for me to look at everyday and those holiday memories come flooding back.

Make sure the glass and picture frame are clean and clear from marks and dust. 

Things you need to create a Holiday Memory Board

• Holiday souvenirs
• Old or new picture frame
• Old Ordnance Survey maps from a secondhand book shop
• Coloured cardboard from a hobby/craft store
• Made to measure picture mount  from my local market stall
• Clip on picture hanger
• Craft knife or 
• Glue

Make sure you flatten the cut out map with a heavy book overnight, particularly if there is a fold running through it.


Create your 3D artwork without the glass in the picture frame. That way you can still touch your souvenirs. Although I would recommend glass for a bathroom because of the moisture.

Upcycle an old picture