Getting Crafty- Cork Board Map

I've wanted a map of the US to hang on my wall for a while. I thought it would be neat to have one I could use to mark states I've been to. I found a few different ideas (adding photos in the shape of each state was a good one!) but ultimately decided on a cork board map. I made one for myself and one for Courtney, my oftentimes travel companion, for Christmas.

What you'll need:

• Cork board
• Printout of the US
• Pencil
• Sharpie
• Scissors
• Ribbon
• Hot Glue
• Push Pins
• Stickers (optional)

I bought two cork board's from Walmart (about $8 each). I printed a map of the US using Microsoft Publisher so that I could make it larger than a regular 8x11 sheet of paper, the only size paper I had. I cut out the map and traced the outline on my cork board. Then, I cut out a few states at a time, tracing them from West to East. 

Once I got it all traced, it looked like this. (Side note- I drew Hawaii in the wrong direction on the map below. This was the first map I drew so the second one turned out better.)

I traced back over my pencil lines with a sharpie to make it stand out more.

I found stickers in the scrapbook section at Michael's of all state license plates ($3 each) and I bought large push pins at Office Depot ($4 for 50pk). I hot glued the stickers on the push pins so they wouldn't fall off.

Next, I, with the help of my co-worker, made bows with ribbon I bought a Michael's. I cut a longer piece of the ribbon and attached it in two spots on the back of the cork board with staples and hot glue and then hot glued the bow to the top of the ribbon. (Note- It is better to attached the bow separately so that it does not pull loose once you hang it on the wall.)

I attempted to paint my cork board frame black (they only had one black one when I bought them) but paint wouldn't stick to the frame too well. It worked out though because now it looks artistic. :)

They turned out better than I expected. Now I just have to fill in all of those states!

Also that's one thing off of my list! Technically I'm not 27 yet, but I'm still counting it!