It's not really easy to use GIS software because they are not as flexible as a vectorial or bitmap drawing would do. At the moment I'm looking how to use JOSM to create my map (don't really know if JOSM can be considered GIS software), and render it with tools designed for OpenStreetMap. I've posted a sample of what I did there: http://www.cartographersguild.com/sh...d-without-name

I'd be curious to see what can be achieved with QGIS.