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Sunday, September 5, 2010

Homemade Puzzles




L and I have been making our own puzzles! I'm kind of addicted to them at the moment, so I plan to make many more! They are so easy, and L can help with a few of the steps. These are great to make as gifts, or to just whip a few extra up to keep as a suprise as an emergency boredom buster!

what you need
Craft Sticks
Modge Podge
picture or printed coloring page (on thicker cardstock paper)

what you do

1. Chose your picture and print it on thicker cardstock paper. If you chose a coloring page, your child can color it first which makes it more fun!

2. Cut it out

3. Lay out enough craft sticks to fit your picture on. My printers ink was low which is why we have a blue and green dinosaur. I kinda like it though :)


4. Modge Podge the back of your picture and then carefully lay it on your sticks.
 Be sure to keep your sticks orderly.


5. Spread the modge podge very generously over the entire picture to seal it, then let it dry. It usually dries in an hour or so.


Adult only Step!
6. After it's completely dry, use an exacto knife to carefully cu
t between the lines of each stick. Do this on the BACK of the puzzle so you keep a straight line.






These are the ones we've made so far.  Numbering them only adds to the play and learn element.
 


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22 comments:

  1. Judy WhatiliveforNovember 9, 2010 at 1:39 PM

    Oh my word! How cute is this! I am making some of these to stick in my boys' stockings this year for sure! Thank you for sharing!

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  2. fdkljsdflkgjNovember 12, 2010 at 1:17 PM

    Thank you Judy! Stocking stuffers...can't believe I didn't think of these for that so THANK YOU for that idea! They are perfect stocking stuffers! Guess I'll go make some more then! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousNovember 12, 2010 at 4:24 PM

    So glad I came across this way of making puzzles. I was having a hard time using cardboard and such - it just wasn't cutting out right - all bent looking. So happy I found your page!! Thank you!

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  4. fdkljsdflkgjNovember 12, 2010 at 9:02 PM

    My pleasure! Thanks for stopping by! :)

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  5. tiny tornadoesJanuary 25, 2011 at 3:41 AM

    Oh my I can't wait to try and make these for my toddler. Love so many of your ideas tonight!

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  6. CathyMarch 6, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    How fun! I'm definitely going to be making some of these soon! Thanks for sharing.

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  7. gassyboxerApril 17, 2011 at 7:59 AM

    this is so great! have you tried making them two sided?

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  8. UnknownMay 13, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    Brilliant, love it! This might be a good idea for birthday party favours...

    ReplyDelete
  9. Teaching the PunkJune 21, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    These look awesome, so I had to try a few. I linked back to your blog in my post - thanks!!

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  10. DanielleAugust 8, 2011 at 1:26 PM

    love this! made some today for the 3yr old i nanny for! he loved the idea! i just have to cut the back and it's done! he is going to love playing with it when his nap is over! we made two this AM and i have to make one more for him because the one photo i printed out was too big. thanks!!! love your blog BTW!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Mary PetersonNovember 18, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    For numeral recognition practice, I would number the pieces on the BACK. Then encourage the child to line up the pieces in numerical order. After they line them up, they turn the pieces over to see the picture and check to see if they lined up the numbers correctly.

    ReplyDelete
  12. LilyNovember 28, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    What a sweet idea! What kid wouldn't like getting one of these with their own photo or a picture of a favorite pet, cartoon character, or activity on the front?

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  13. RalucaJanuary 13, 2012 at 4:13 PM

    wow!!! wonderful idea!! thanks for sharing! I plan to do this.

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  14. AnnaJanuary 16, 2012 at 12:40 AM

    This is a GREAT idea! I'll definitely use this when I have kids, and for babysitting in the meantime.

    I write about DIY and homemaking too - check out my blog if you like, at patchworkradicals.weebly.com

    Take care, love the blog!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Georgianne HollandFebruary 2, 2012 at 8:56 AM

    Hi Jessie! I wanted you to know that I provided a link to this wonderful project of yours to my Nestle and Soar readers. I just knew they would want to find out more about you! I send my best wishes and will enjoy keeping up with your inspirational projects...it will be for my grandkids :-)

    Georgianne Holland
    www.nestleandsoar.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousFebruary 29, 2012 at 11:41 PM

    What is modge podge

    ReplyDelete
  17. AlysonApril 12, 2012 at 10:43 PM

    Love this!!! Can't wait to get started. Now where is that jar of Modge Podge I bought so many years ago, just knowing I'd need it "some day." Today is the day.

    Blessings,
    Alyson

    ReplyDelete
  18. Denver HomesMay 1, 2012 at 1:04 PM

    this is a really cute idea for little kids, and it stores super easy! Great little things to keep in your purse or car to keep the kids busy while you're running errands or whatever! I can't wait to give it a go. Thanks for sharing :D

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  19. PhoebeMay 25, 2012 at 2:35 PM

    I have been looking at a pile of popsicle sticks FOREVER, just KNOWING there was something clever to be done.....and here it is!!! Thank you so much for sharing.

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  20. UnknownMay 25, 2012 at 8:01 PM

    excellent

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  21. AshleyCrouchOctober 2, 2012 at 7:44 AM

    You have the best tutorial I've found for puzzles like these! So cute! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  22. KeleFebruary 7, 2013 at 6:57 PM

    Making these for my son's classmates for Valentine's Day! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

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