DIY Holiday Gift Ideas: A Puzzle

Welcome back to day 2 of our week-long series on DIY holiday gifts.  My favorite puzzle company is Eeboo, they make beautifully designed puzzles that are fun to play and educational.   Molly loves her pre-school colors puzzle (it's almost too easy now), her Animals one, and her Alphabets one.  You've got to check this company out if you have kids and haven't seen them before. 

The problem with these puzzles is the same problem I often have with things that I really like. They're expensive!  They range from $15 - $30 each.  Krissy at B-Inspired Mama has a great puzzle idea that will only cost a fraction of this.  It's educational, too and I am sure Molly would have a lot of fun doing it.

Krissy put together this amazing tutorial to help you create this puzzle at home.  

Supplies to Make a Puzzle: 

• PSA Essentials Fancy Flakes
• PSA Essentials Country Home
• PSA Essentials Espresso & Turquoise 2 Color Ink
• PSA Essentials Stamp Centering Guide
• (16) Loew Cornell 1.5″ Woodsie Squares
• tape (I used clear packing tape, but painters tape might work better.)
• Plaid Clear Acrylic Sealer
• Mini Square Paper Mache Box
• white card stock
• Fiskars Paper Trimmer
• EK Success 2″ Scallop Punch
• scrapbook paper
• Scotch Adhesive Dot Roller

How to Make a Puzzle, step by step: 

1. Lay out 16 wooden square tiles in a 4 x 4 square pattern. Carefully place strips of tape over all of the squares, holding them together in the 4 x 4 pattern.

2. Carefully flip the squares that are all tapes together over.  The tape underneath will hold them together while you stamp on them.

3. Stamp a snowflake at each four corner intersection.

4. Spray the stamped tiles with acrylic sealer and let dry.

5. Remove tape from tile puzzle pieces.

6. Use some scrapbooking paper, the scallop cutter and paper trimmer, dot adhesive, and another snowflake stamp to decorate the top of the paper mache gift box.

7. Store the tile puzzle pieces in the gift box and use as a stocking stuffer or holiday gift.

How fabulous is this?  I just love the idea.  Great work, Krissy and thanks for the tutorial, too!  Head on over to her blog for 55 great DIY kids gift ideas.   What an amazing list she has compiled!