Our next finalist in the Ultimate Southern Challenge, burlap edition, is a sweet DIY sent in by Taryn from Atlanta, who writes the blog Formal Fringe. Based on the idea that one thing all Southerners share is a pride in their home states, she imagined a creative guest book alternative wrapped in — you guessed it — burlap.

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From Taryn:

“One thing that all Southerners share is pride in their home states. Instead of a traditional guestbook, let your wedding guests leave their mark on a burlap-covered map. Each guest can grab a ribbon-covered pin from the mason jar, then pin it onto the burlap map and show how far they’ve traveled to be there on your special day. This is an easy DIY project that any bride can do. The red and natural brown burlap and the sweet query “Where y’all from?” adds Southern flair to any party south of the Mason-Dixon Line!”

Materials: Foam core board, brown & red burlap, extra-long satin pins, red and black striped ribbon, stick-on black glitter letters, craft wood, white paint, spray adhesive, hot glue gun

Directions:
1. Print a large map of the United States onto paper using the “poster print” function. Tape the pieces together and cut along the edges of the map. Trace the shape onto your foam core board, then cut out the shape with a craft knife.
2. Spray the front of the board with spray adhesive, then cover it with the brown burlap. Pull the excess burlap around to the back of the board and secure with hot glue.
3. Paint the craft wood white and let dry, then use stick-on letters to spell out “Where y’all from?” on the wood pieces. With hot glue, attach the craft wood sign to a “ribbon” of red burlap, then attach it to the burlap-wrapped foam board outline. Attach a long length of ribbon to the top of the map for hanging.
4. Cut the remaining ribbon to 2-inch lengths, then fold and attach to the ends of the satin pins with hot glue. Hang the sign and leave ribbon-topped pins nearby for guests to pin their home states.

Thank you so much for sharing, Taryn! Readers, if you love this idea, be sure to let us know in the comments! And remember, you’re welcome to give a vote of support to more than one concept.