How to Make a Puzzle Wreath
Find a new purpose for your old jigsaw puzzles -- a wreath. Use puzzle pieces to make a distinctive wreath to hang indoors or out. Puzzles that have been put together and forgotten are suitable candidates for this craft as well as puzzles that have missing pieces. Enlisting children to recycling puzzle pieces into a wreath is a way to reduce the clutter in your house while decorating.
Things You'll Need
- Newspaper or butcher block paper
- Masking or painters tape
- Puzzle pieces
- High gloss, acrylic spray paint
- Chipboard
- Small jars of acrylic paints
- Small, round paint brush
- Glue
- Clear, polyurethane spray (optional)
- Ribbon
- Braided cording
Instructions
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Cover your work surface with newspaper or butcher block paper. Tape the edges down with masking or painters tape. Spread the puzzle pieces out on the newspaper with the glossy side down.
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2
Spray the puzzle pieces with the spray paint. You can also paint each piece individually using a bottle of acrylic paint and a paintbrush. Wait the amount of time specified on the paint for the pieces to dry.
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3
Apply two more coats of paint, waiting for them to dry after each coat.
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4
Trace and cut a ring from the chipboard in the size you want your wreath to be. You can make a small wreath that would hang on a door knob or on a branch of the Christmas tree by making a small circle. Enlarge the circle to make a wreath for the front door.
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Create a circle of puzzle pieces by laying each one end to end on top of the ring. Each piece should be touching the piece on either side. Glue the pieces to the chipboard ring.
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Lay a circle of puzzle pieces in a ring atop the first circle you made. Stagger the pieces so they cover where the pieces meet side by side on the first ring. Glue them down with craft glue once you have decided where they need to be placed.
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Create layers of puzzle pieces until you have multiple layers. You should cover the entire chipboard ring. Let dry overnight.
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Paint berries, flowers or other decorative accents with the acrylic paint in the small jars. Let dry.
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Spray with clear polyurethane if you plan to hang the wreath outdoors.
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Tie a decorative ribbon in a bow around the bottom of the wreath. Grosgrain or wired ribbon makes a rigid bow.
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Loop a length of cording through the middle of the wreath. Tie in a knot. Snip the ends and hang on a door.
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Tips & Warnings
Use green paint to create a Christmas wreath. Paint red holly berries as accents.
Paint the pieces red for a Valentine’s wreath. Use white paint to write the word “Love” across the pieces.
Choose pastel paint colors for an Easter wreath.
Glue on glitter or jewels for a sparkly wreath.
References
- Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
