I did the November article for Her on how to tile a backsplash. While it actually an easy project that just looks intimidating there can be some tricks to it. Having an home built in the 40's pretty much means that if I am doing anything that involves the wall, floor, ceiling, etc. I can guarentee that they will not be square. So here's a little tutorial on how to make your backsplash straight even if your counters are not.
1. Start by finding the low point of your counter (just take several measurements from top of counter to bottom of cabinets to find). Place a whole tile against the wall at this point and mark the wall at the top of the tile.
2. Now using a level make a line on your wall all the way around the area you'll be tiling.
3. Now going along the wall hold up a tile to the wall and mark on the tile where the line is. While doing this number your tiles as you go so you will know which tile goes where.
4. Take the tiles to the tile saw and make all the cuts.
5. Adhere them to the wall and then you can start with the second row just like normal.
