DIY Photo Puzzle Tutorial

By: Ginger Snap Crafts
February 7, 2014

Hello! It’s Ginger from GingerSnapCrafts.com, and I’m back to share another easy tutorial using some fabulous DecoArt products. :) This time I used some Americana Satin Decoupage & Americana Acrylic Paints to make this cute & simple DIY photo puzzle. It’s such a fun way to display your photos, & plus your kiddos will LOVE a personalized puzzle of themselves. ;)

Items needed:

• Americana Decou-Page (Glue-Sealer-Finish) 2oz - Americana Decou-Page Gloss
• Americana Acrylics 2oz - Sea Breeze
• Americana Acrylics 2oz - Espresso
• 4x6 photo print
• 4X6 unfinished wooden puzzle
• Foam brushes
• X-ACTO knife or scissors
• Pencil
• Cutting Mat

Instructions:

First I turned my photo over & traced the outline of all the puzzle pieces on the back with a pencil.

After I was done it looked like this. Then I used an X-ACTO knife to carefully cut my puzzle pieces apart. You could also use scissors if you wanted. Be careful to cut on the lines. :)

Then I flipped the pieces over & this is what it had ~ a puzzle. :)

Next I got my Americana Acrylic Paints out. I painted the puzzle frame a warm Espresso color.

Then I painted the puzzle pieces Sea Breeze to match my picture. :)

I gave everything 2 coats of paint letting them dry between coats. Once all the paint was nice & dry I grabbed some Americana Satin Decoupage. I love this Decoupage! It is water based, has low odor, dries fast, & it is acid free. It is perfect for so many projects. It can be used on cardboard, wood, canvas, glass & more. It worked perfectly for this project to adhere the photo cut outs to the puzzle pieces.

First I put a thin layer of the Americana Satin Decoupage onto the puzzle piece.

Then I put the photo cut out on top of the puzzle piece, smoothed it into place, & then I put a thin layer of the decoupage on top. Let the puzzle pieces dry. After about 20 minutes the pieces will be dry to the touch. It is recommended to let them dry and cure for about 24 hours before you turn the kiddos lose with their new puzzle. ha! ;)

I made this puzzle for my now 4 year old. I can’t believe how big he is getting! Boy, they don’t stay little long, do they? He just loved this puzzle of himself! He could hardly stand waiting for it to dry so he could put it together again & again. :) Do you have any fun ways to display photos? I’d love to hear. :)

Be sure to visit Ginger Snap Crafts  for more projects and to learn more about Ginger.