How to make a puzzle from any design

Hi folks!!!   Glad you stopped by.   Today I have a treat for the kids, but it is also a treat for the "maker" in the family.  This is a super easy and creatively fun project, that you can customize to any age group and/or any special interest.

                                                   Here is what we are going to make today.  I chose a simple pattern for a young child.

Materials needed

2 pieces of 1/4"  to 3/8"  thick wood  The backing piece of the puzzle should be slightly larger than the front piece which will create a border (if you desire)

My back sheet measured 12 1/4 x 11 1/2"    My front measured 11 1/4 x 10 1/4"

You can make your puzzle larger or smaller!  😁

Wood glue.

Plaid paints of your choosing.

I used burnt umber, nutmeg brown, golden brown, 

black, spring white, bright blue and cloudless

Krylon Crystal clear sealer.

Proxxon mini scroll saw.

Proxxon mini table saw.

Proxxon OZI/E delta sander.

Proxxon scroll saw           Proxxon OZI/E delta sander.

  Let's get started.  

The first thing I did was to choose my pattern, then I cut my wood to size using the Proxxon mini table saw.  

Next, I painted my back board with Plaid paints "bright blue" color.  Wow this is a really bright blue and I am sure it will please the kids.  

While that dries I use some carbon paper and get my pattern transferred onto my other, smaller board.

After I cut out my puzzle pieces I will still need the outer piece of this front piece so I must make an "inside cut" using the proxxon mini scroll saw so that my border remains in one piece.  I do this by drilling a small hole in an inconspicuous place and thread my scroll saw blade through the hole and then reconnect it to the saw.    I am now ready to cut out my pattern.  This is so easy with Proxxon's mini scroll saw.  I just followed the lines I drew and cut out all the pieces.  To get my remaining piece out, (the border), I release the scroll saw blade and slide my piece out.    Now I have the puzzle pieces for the dog and an outer border piece.

I want my border piece to be a different shade of blue that will go with the bottom piece.  I chose cloudless by Plaid paints and paint the entire border this color. (not shown).  When it is dry I glue it to the bottom piece with wood glue and clamp it until it is good and dry.  I used a scrap piece of wood on top to provide even pressure.  

, Next, it is on to the pieces.   Each one needs a thorough sanding using the Proxxon OZI/E delta sander.   No one likes splinters.   This tool makes it so easy to get into the curves.  It has multiple speeds you can adjust with a dial.  Also it is so easy to change the sandpaper because it has hook and loop fastner, (velcro), so even after removing a piece it can be put back on later!.   I started with 80 grit paper because I wanted to round over the bottom edge of the pieces.  This just makes it easier for the child to slip the pieces together.   I then switched to 150 grit for the final sanding.

I painted all the pieces using Plaid paints.   I finished them off with a coating of Krylon crystal clear sealer.

Looking at my pieces I noticed a piece that had some skinny sides and was somewhat sharp.  A brilliant idea 💡 hit me that I should glue that to the back of the puzzle so that would give the kids a starting point AND it would keep that piece from being broken or hurting anyone.  💡.   So I glued it in place.  

Puzzle is done!!  Wasn't that fun and so easy.

 Hope you had fun and are gonna give it a try.   I thank you sooooo much for visiting.   Hope to see you back next time.  Carol

Thanks to Proxxon tools and Plaid paints............so much fun to play with!!!

How to use Proxxon Tools for home improvement projects

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today showing you how to use Proxxon Tools for home improvement projects.

 

I needed to add some shelves in a closet so I used the Band Saw to cut the shelves to size.

 

Then used the Delta Sander to smooth the edges.

 

I used the Scroll Saw to cut the firing strips to size.

3 new shelves were added to the closet.  Plenty of room to hold all my albums as well as crafting supplies.

 

On what home improvement projects will you use your Proxxon Tools?

 

Thanks for stopping by.

Mixed Media Sign

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here with a new mixed media project using the Delta Sander,  the Bench Drill Press, and assorted colors of Plaid Paints.

Start by lightly sanding the panel, then add tape to the edges to avoid painting the bark.  Use molding paste through a Plaid stencil. Allow the stencils to dry.

Glue a selection of chipboard, floral, clay and metal elements to the panel.

Paint the entire panel and all elements with black gesso.

Once dry, add metallic paints to selective elements.

 Using Plaid Color Shift paints, add color to the panel.

 Once the panel is completely dry, spray Tattered Angels Pearl Glimmer Mist over the panel.

Stamp around the panel with a script stamp using black ink.  Stamp dots and numbers randomly about the panel.

Add metal clocks to finish.

Use the Bench Drill Press, to drill holes in the panel.

Add twine to hang the panel.

Thanks for stopping by.

Live Love Bark

Hello friends. Larissa here today with another fun wood project.

This is a little wood bone sign for a friend who is a dog lover like me.

What I used: 

Proxxon 

Scroll Saw and Delta Sander 

Other products: 

Small Piece of Plywood 

Plaid Chalk Paint in Black 

Plaid Chalk Paint Brushes
Chalk Pen in White
Felt Flowers


First I cut the bone out of a thin piece of plywood using my Scroll Saw.

I then smoothed the edges and any rough spots with the Delta Sander. 

I then applied 2 coats of the Black Chalk paint to cover the bone. Once is was dry I used my White Chalk Pen and wrote the words out across the front and outlined it with some white dots. 

I also added a bunch of felt flowers to the top and adhered them with hot glue. 

I placed a little hook in the back so it can be hung. 

I hope you enjoyed my post today. Have a wonderful day friends. 

How to make a cute St Patrick's Day Wooded Wreath

Hello friends. I am here today to show you how I created this cute little wooden St Patrick's Day wreath. This is a some what easy project if you have the right tools.

I started off cutting the wreath out of a thin piece of wood. I used the amazing Proxxon Scroll Saw DSH/E for this. I used a a green marker to draw the outline of the wreath on the wood first and then followed the outline to cut it out. Ok I will admit as I did not take pictures of this but this was my 2nd try. The first one was a little jagged and not what I wanted. That is the beauty of doing this kind of projects you can always do it over. :)
For the middle circle you can use a router to cut it out.  I didn't need to do this because the wood was smooth but if there are any rough edges make sure to sand them.

I grabbed a few different paints for this project. I didn't want a deep green so after digging through my stash I came up with a Milk Paint and Dye. I also used a Gel Medium to add a little more to the paint.  

Because this was a light colored paint I gave this little wreath three coats to cover it completely. 

After it was completely dry I added a few embellishments. These Shamrocks and Letters can be picked up and your local craft store. 

I placed the letters and shamrocks around the wreath. 

I am loving the way this little thing came out. It is perfect to use inside or out from year to year. 

What do you think?

Supplies Used:

Proxxon Scroll Saw DSH/E

Proxxon Micro Router MOF

Plaid FolkArt Milk Paint in Churn Butter 
Plaid FolkArt Ultra Dye in Emerald City

Plaid FolkArt Paint Brushes 

Thin piece of ply wood

Embellishments (Letters and Shamrocks) 

Christmas Wall Hanging

Hi everyone Steph Ackerman here today with a Christmas Wall Hanging.  Now that Thanksgiving has passed, it's time to start thinking about Christmas.

I started with a sheet of plywood that I cut with the Scroll Saw.  After some light sanding with the Delta Sander, I stained the panel with Folkart Ultra Dye Paint in Emerald City.  Of course it needed some additional sanding so I used the Delta Sander again to sand it down.

 

I dry painted some Plaid Milk Paint in Petticoat across the panel.  Next, I used the Precision Rotary Tool to create holes in the panel so I could add string.  Then I used modeling paste with a Clearsnap Artscreen  to create a pattern of swirls on the panel.

I painted Paverpol on a burlap strip then used additional Paverpol to adhere the burlap strip to the panel. 

 

In the corners I used the Crafter's Workshop stencil with molding paste, then continued adding assorted elements - die cuts, flowers, resin bits, additional stenciling, etc, until I was happy with the panel. 

I then painted a layer of gesso over the entire panel, leaving some of the green background showing.

Once dry, I added selective colors about the panel using Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists, Plaid Milk Paints and Prima Metallique Paints.

 

I decided I did not like the "Past Present Future" in the center of the panel, so I used the Delta Sander to remove the words.  I replaced them with a stamped and die cut phrase.

 

Finally, I added a second layer of reindeers and Christmas stocking die cuts.  To the stockings, I added some white paint.   I created a clay element from Makin's Clay using a Prima mold, painted it with Prima Metallique Gold, then placed it under the pointsettias.  I also created a clay wreath, placing it on the hearth above the stockings.  A red pearl was added to the lead reindeer.

 

A touch of gold painted around the panel added some vibrancy to the panel.

Why not try using a wood panel today.  It's the perfect blank canvas that can be use for so many projects.

Thanks for stopping by.