surprise tag - marauders map

While I am still waiting to receive my very first postcrossing postcard, I started looking around on the forum. There are some interesting topics I wanted to try out. You have traveling notebooks, where people send a notebook around the world and you can write about a specific subject asked by the host. Problem is they are a little suspicious about newbies here (wich I definitely understand, since you want your notebook back at the end of the traveling). So I'll maybe try that one later.

Another interesting topic on the forum is about so called 'tags'. It took me a while to figure out what they meaned by that, but now I got it! For those who still don't know what i'm talking about, a little explanaition: One member gives a subject, for example 'envelope full of surprises', followed by what he or she expects people to send (like the game rules). Then you can tag the person above you, you ask for his or hers address, and you sent them what you promised! Then you wait till the next person tags you, so you can receive something to. (Who thought it would be that simple!?)

At first, i found it kind of tricky. You never know if you'll get something yourself. But sometimes, we shoudn't think about what we get out of it, and just enjoy giving. So I took a shot and tagged someone! Cathegory: write one letter, send one empty postcard and add a surprise.

I always try to give people something they would actualy like, so I took a look at the profile of my first tagged postcrosser. there I found out she liked Harry Potter! Lucky me, we shared an interest! I decided to make her my own version of the well known marauders map.

And when you ask yourself 'how could I make...' Pinterest is always the answer! That's where I found these really good instructions: http://www.britta.com/hogwarts/Year6/prep/map/MapWithInstructions.pdf
I adore the details in the printable version of the map. Although I like a challenge, so I drew my own version and added my name and the name of the chosen one (I mean the receiver, nor Harry himself) in one of the footsteps marching the castle.

Ok, enough talking now! Here's the result:

Do you see the wrapper around the map? That's where the magic really hapens! I wrote a secret messege with milk on it. When carefully holding the paper above a candle, the words will reveal. WONDERFUL! See my name on the picture? That's the effect you get when it works out (and your paper doesn't burn away ;) )

So, the letter is ready to be posted now. Fingers crossed for a save trip!

With love
Inow.