A Cork Map

I have to admit I was really nervous about this project....

I have a pretty fabulous SIL with really incredible taste!

I was really hesitant to even take this on

because I didn't want to destroy the great idea she had for this project.

Autumn probably thought I would never get it done.

There were moments I felt like I was the dad from A Christmas Story

chatting with his furnace.....

(Yup, I'm not perfect, lots of dagnabbits and darnits used.)

But it looks so pretty in her den she is remodeling.

Go over and check it out at

 Design Dump.

I blew up the pattern of the USA map that

Julie from Less-Than-Perfect Life of Bliss

was so kind to share on her blog.

Candace has used this great pattern for another project

so I knew it would be perfect.
I first cut the map out of MDF and
then using a topographical map to see the different

elevations, I cut each elevation out of cork,

layering them for a cool 3-D look.

Cork is not the easiest medium to work with for sure.

Phew, glad it's done!

Thanks Autumn for entrusting this with me,

I can't wait to see what you think up next!

Also on another note we've had lots of emails

from you wondering why Candace does all the posting.:)

We got a good chuckle out of this because seriously we do

just about everything together.

We talk on the phone at least 2-3 times a day.

We write each post together, giggling over the phone

on the correct way to say it....

Candace saved up all her boutique money, Christmas money, birthday money

to get her new camera which is pretty fantastic and makes me

want to toss mine in the garbage.

So of course she starts every post because
she does take all the great pictures.

I am totally flattered that anyone would even notice

and thanks, it makes me feel special! (insert blush, insert wink!)

It's Tool Time Tuesday!!!

If I were to be stranded on a deserted island and could only bring one tool, what would I bring?

Well I'd try to convince the powers that be that Carmex is a tool I simply couldn't live without but otherwise... I'd bring my jig saw.

A jig saw you say?

The first real saw I ever got was a jig saw, after my sister got hers and told me how AWESOME it was

I had to have it.

I couldn't live with out my jig saw.  It can do most anything and is really easy to use.  You have a line on your board, you simply follow the line with the easy to see guide,
push the magic button and you're chopping away! 
Replacement blades are only a couple of dollars and easy to change.
It doesn't get any more user friendly than this!

Right now this is my baby.....

My hubby got it at a pawn shop for about $15.

The beauty of the failing housing market is that there are a lot and I mean it, A LOT of great tools for dirt cheap at the pawn shops.

I never thought I'd go into one of them.

They are a little scary, stinky, dark....

but they have great deals, great tools

and my hubby feels pretty important when he scores a good deal for me.:) 

This year we Crafty Sisters want to share with you our love of tools,

 I guess we want to "enable" you so to speak.

Tune in for Tool Time Tuesday...(insert Tim Allen's dog growl here...)

So back to the jigsaw, make sure it's a decent brand.  Black & Decker is fine,

but I've already broken 2 of them.

Make sure it's orbital, which means it can make all sorts of cool curves and twists, it will change your life!  You can do just about anything with it,

including making a silly huge P for your sister for Christmas.......