States and Strings

Attention Dad: (Not that you really read my blog) SPOILER ALERT! 

This is part of your Christmas gift. 

Over the past several years I've found that my dad is the hardest person to find a Christmas gift for. My mom and I have so much in common and like so many of the same things that she is no problem. Although my dad and I have things is common also, he is harder to buy for. What do you get for the man who has everything he wants on his farm. Answer: You make him something that he could buy no where.

I saw this idea on Pinterest done with the state of Texas.

What you will need:

Board - I got this 12x12 board at Home Depot for $1.00

Paint - I had paint at home but this little bottle cost .49 cents

Nails - 1 box of 3/4 inch nails, Home Depot $1.27 

(I bought 2 incase and didn't need the second box at all)

String - Michaels Crochet String $1.59

Map - I just googled a map of MO and printed it at Staples on 11x17 paper, .20 cents.

Hammer - Tool Box :)

Tape - I had blue painters tape.

Time - Seriously, this can be time consuming!! 

 I apologize for not having an entire step by step, but it's very self explanatory and easy. Just time consuming. 

1. Paint Board

2. Cut out map and where you want your heart, and place onto board, I taped down the backside of the map so it would stay.. 

3. Nail, nail, nail, each nail is about 1/4 inch apart. 

4. Nail some more...

5. Nails

6. Nails

7. You get it... 

8. Remove paper. 

9. Tie a small knot onto any nail of your choice and connect the dots. 

10. After they are all connected, the last knot needs to be VERY tight. 

* on the parts that are a little dis connected from the state, the boot-heel and the top near KC, were a little tricky. I did those after with separate pieces of string. Just make sure they are angling toward the heart and you'll be fine! 

Good luck, and if you get frustrated just remember how much the person you are making it for will love it. That makes it all better! :) 

You can do it...really it's not as hard as it seems!

I believe in you.