Make a puzzle piece pumpkin to usher in fall with style. It's an easy DIY craft that upcycles those old pieces.
There is finally a chill in the air around here and even though fall is still technically a few days away, I'm ready to jump on the seasonal bandwagon and decorate for autumn.
This puzzle piece pumpkin has always been one of my favorites.
It is a super easy and very inexpensive craft that can be used as part of a seasonal home décor vignette or made for or by kids as a holiday photo frame.
I used to make it in my classroom when I was teaching with kids from age two to grade four.
This year, since I am not teaching and do not have small children of my own, I decided to make it as a frame for a fall saying and employ it in a more sophisticated way.
No matter which way you choose to display it, the directions are the same.
To show you both outcomes, I put a picture of my pretty kitty in the frame, as my teens did not approve of any of the photos I wanted to use of them.
Cats do not have the same veto power.
I started by drawing a pumpkin shape on the cardboard from an empty cereal box.
Then I cut the shape out, folded it in half and cut the middle portion out to fashion a frame.
The shape does not have to be perfect. If you need a guide, a small paper plate can give you a good start.
I had a some old pieces from my art cabinet, but not enough, so I grabbed a puzzle from the dollar store.
The picture on the puzzle does not matter.
Since I had a choice, I picked one that had some green in it, as I knew I would use those pieces for the stem of the pumpkin. It would save me some painting and add a little interest.
I painted both the pieces and the frame, to provide a uniform background in case it peeked out at all. I painted the back of the puzzle pieces, not the shiny front, as it does not hold the paint as well, also it would require more than one coat to cover the printing.
I used some old craft paint and a foam brush.
However, when working with kids, either your own or in a classroom, I would suggest spray painting or pre-painting the pieces. It saves a lot of time and a lot of mess.
Or you could embrace the mess and use orange finger paint. It makes a really sweet kids' craft, but painting the tiny pieces is a messy job and gets all over little fingers.
FYI, it gets all over big fingers too!
When the pieces were completely dry, I glued them around the frame, layering several pieces on top of each other, any glue is fine, just make sure it dries clear.
Like I stated earlier, I had green pieces in my box, so I used them as a stem. I also added some leftover greenery as leaves.
I like mixing textures and finishes, I think it adds more interest to the project.
When I was happy with my creation, I coated the entire thing in decoupage gel to set it and give it a little shine. I used the drying time to print out a seasonal phrase on card stock.
I did it on my computer, no fancy tools or programs, I picked a pretty font in Word and was done in minutes! I used scotch tape to adhere it to the back of the pumpkin.
When dry and complete, I leaned my puzzle pumpkin against my pitcher, but the options here are many.
I could've added another piece of cardboard to the back as a stand if I wanted.
If I were going to use it for a child's photo, I would add the picture and then add a piece of paper over the back to secure it, including the child's name, date and maybe even handprint.
A small piece of paper on the bottom with the words "MY LITTLE PUMPKIN" could be added to enhance the frame and in the past I have tied a green ribbon at the top to make it a hanging decoration.
You can even lace a few up for a seasonal banner.
If you make this on a larger scale, it would be a really cute ornament for your front door or wall, wreath style.
Smaller pumpkins could be made to just adorn a burlap or twig wreath or you could make acorn, gourd or black crow puzzles.
The possibilities here are truly endless, limited only by your imagination!
For Thanksgiving, I transformed my pumpkins into place cards, simply by adding a name.
I can honestly say that making this project was so much fun and brought out the kid in me ~ hands in paint, bright colors and puzzle pieces!
If you try this project I would love to hear from you and know what you thought about it and how you made it your own!
Until then, enjoy the season and like the sign says, Happy Fall Y'all!
Genius Kim! There are tons of puzzles everywhere and this is a perfect way of reusing them! Thanks for the great idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks Vel. You are right! Great way to recycle your old kids' puzzles and they are dime a dozen at Goodwill for sure!
DeleteThis is such a cute idea! How clever of you to make a pumpkin out of puzzle pieces. I saw this on Primp Your Pumpkin and was fascinated by it!
ReplyDeleteHi Gail, I love this craft too! It was a staple in my classroom. I made wreaths for Christmas and hearts for Valentine's Day....I figured why not pumpkins for Halloween! Thanks for your kind comment!
DeleteCute idea, especially for those puzzles missing a few pieces. =D
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Yvonne~ upcycling at its best! :)
DeleteNow that is totally adorable! My boys would get a kick out of this! Thanks so much for sharing, Kim! Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDelete~Abby =)
I used to love doing this with my preschool classes, Abby. It's a bit messy if the kids paint the pieces themselves, but it washes up pretty easily and honestly, the gluing is almost impossible to mess up. Cute guaranteed! :)
DeleteWe have several puzzles missing pieces -- and a daughter who loves crafts. VOILA! Thanks. I think we'll make puzzle piece Christmas trees, valentine hearts and Easter bunnies too. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a great way to upcycle those old puzzles. Unfortunately, I used my stash up years ago in my classroom, but if you've got them laying around and a bit of old craft paint, this project could be virtually free! :)
DeleteWhat a wonderful and creative idea, you are fantastic, love it. So many possibilities! Great project to do with the grandchildren or a friend!
ReplyDeleteThank You so much
I am so glad that you found some inspiration! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. It always makes my day! :)
DeleteNew subscriber from the post on Hometalk. EXTRA POINTS for using the old cereal box. I am forever looking for ways to reuse stuff so that it does not get thrown out.
ReplyDeleteThanks LuAnn, yes, I try to use whatever I can around here! It saves the planet and my money! :) So glad to have you along!
DeleteA few years ago at a family Christmas gift exchange someone gave my husband and I a set of TK puzzles. From there it has blossomed. DH picks up puzzles at Goodwill for $1 all the time! We could have a whole church bazzar dedicated to puzzle-piece crafts!
ReplyDeleteOh! Now, there is an idea for a fun get-together. Thanks for the cool ideas!
(also over from HomeTalk. Great place!)
That is an awesome idea, Nancy! Hmm...now you've got me thinking about that, too! :)
DeleteAnother thought: Put the puzzle together first (I always hate taking it apart right after it's finished) and then turn it over to paint the back. Spray one color - or one solid color, then lightly spray another color over the top; paint by hand in several different colors - one per section.
ReplyDeleteThat would make it a lot easier to paint. Thing is, the edges would still be unpainted. But that could just add to the depth, right??
It sure couldn't hurt to try it, Nancy! You could always touch up the edges after or take it apart while the paint was drying so they didn't all get stuck together and then you just touch up. If you try it, let me know how it works out for you!
DeleteThat is so stinkin cute, I love it! Pinning now too.
ReplyDeleteWow Debbie, thanks so much! It's an oldie, but goodie! Thanks for the chance to link up, too! You always throw a great party! :)
DeleteWhat a cute and creative way to use puzzle pieces. Love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Babs! I had a lot of fun making it!
DeleteSo adorable!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by to take a peek at my puzzle pumpkin, Jennifer! It's an oldie, but a goodie! Have a super weekend and thanks for the link up! PS ~ I loved reading about your trip to the Country Living Fair. I have been reading about it for years and have always wanted to go! Maybe when the kids go to college! Ha! ;)
DeleteVery forgiving, Dana, we're talking preschool easy here! ;)
ReplyDeletehow cute and I love the textured look. Thanks for linking to DIY Sunday Showcase.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for taking the time to come by and check it out, Wanda!
DeleteOk, now this is really, really cute. I love it. I would love for you to link up to my Inspire Me party that will go live tomorrow afternoon. www.astrollthrulife.net Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Marty! I always enjoy your parties, I will certainly link up! Thanks for the invite!
DeleteYour frame is so cute, clever and creative! I could see this in so many holiday themes!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful week!
It is a very adaptable craft, Laura and it is so super simple to do! I hope you are enjoying the week, as well~ thanks so much for stopping by!
Deletecool idea!! Thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to comment, Shamene. Hope you come back again!
DeleteSO creative! I would have never thought to do anything like this!
ReplyDeleteI'm really not that creative, I've just had years of immersion in kids' crafts, Jenna!
DeleteLove this, Kim! This would be perfect for our Get Your DIY on Fall Party Challenge! This week's theme is thrifty upcycles! Hope you'll join us again :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Christy! I will check it out! :)
DeleteWhat a cute idea! This would be perfect for the kids to make too!
ReplyDeletePinned it!
Sam
The Kitchen is My Dance Floor
http://cooksandcreates.blogspot.com/
Yup~ super easy for the kiddies and there's no need to color inside the lines, so everyone can be very successful with this one! ;)
DeleteKim, This is so very creative. I don't think I've ever seen anything like this before. Thank you so much for linking up at Live Creatively Inspired. We are so happy to have found your blog! ~Tammy
ReplyDeleteThanks Tammy! I'm so glad you popped by to check it out and I'm glad you liked it! It's just a reinterpretation of an old teacher craft! So easy!
DeleteSuper cute idea!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Diana~ so glad you popped by to check it out! :)
DeleteReally adorable! Thanks for sharing at the Creative Muster Party!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Denise! I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for the chance to link up! :)
DeleteThis is very very cute! How clever! I would just love to have you share this and anything else at my link party! http://www.madetobeamomma.com/2013/09/homemade-by-you-69.html
ReplyDeleteThanks Katie! I will check it out for sure! :) Glad you popped by!
DeleteSuch a cute craft! Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays! x
ReplyDeleteThank you Danielle. It is one of my favorites. Hope you are enjoying this first full weekend of fall! :)
DeleteAbsolutely awesome!! Oh, I love it, and so did lots of other people! You had one of the top view features at A Bouquet of Talent last week. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing with us! Hope you are having a fabulous weekend.
HUGS
Kathy
Kathy, I am having a fabulous weekend NOW!! Thanks so much, I am so very flattered! :) Thanks so much for the opportunity to link up each week!
DeleteVery impressed with your up cycle thinking on this project!! Love It!
ReplyDeleteThanks JoAnn! It's an old favorite, modified from my teaching days! Thanks for checking it out! Happy October!
DeleteThis is such a creative and cute project! I love it,
ReplyDeleteLina
Thanks Lina and it's super easy too! :)
Deletesuper cute! puzzle frames would make awesome gifts! thanks so much for linking up at The Humble Brag last week and hope to see you back tonight!
ReplyDeleteThanks much, Jocie. Yes, they are really cute gifts...or holiday ornaments or gift tags....you get the idea! ;) Thanks for the invite...I love a party!
DeleteHi, I just saw this at the DIY party. One of my kids did one for Christmas one year, and I've always loved it. You've inspired me to actually attempt it--lots of old, missing puzzle pieces here! Dee :)
ReplyDeleteTry it Dee! It is so simple and a great way to use up all those old pieces! :)
DeleteThat is a really cute idea for a pumpkin.
ReplyDeleteKim, thanks so much for popping by to check out my puzzle piece pumpkin! I'm so glad you liked it! :)
DeleteGreat seasonal craft! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Crystal~ it is super easy, very cheap and adaptable! :)
DeleteGreat idea! Found you via Pin Junkie!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
http://www.ccmcafeeperspective.com/
Thanks Carolyn, glad you popped by! :)
DeleteOh goodness!! ADORABLE! Thanks for sharing at Throwback Thursday.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Denyse
Thanks Denyse, it's one of my favorites! :)
DeleteWhat a great fall project! Thanks for sharing this at The Pin Junkie Link Party! It was featured in a collection of fall decorating ideas. http://www.thepinjunkie.com/2013/11/fall-decorating-roundup.html. Make sure to link up your fall recipes at Friday's party!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Thanks so much~ I'm totally flattered! :)
DeleteVery cute! What a great project, and for kids, too. Happy Fall! :-)
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't know how I missed this cute thing, Kim! I love this, and now my mind is spinning with all kinds of ideas! Leave it to a teacher to come up with something so darn cute!
ReplyDeleteI just can't get enough of the puzzle pieces Carol, they really are very versatile! Have fun!
DeleteWhat a GREAT idea! I so have to make this.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alexis! They're super easy and super versatile! Have fun! :)
DeleteHey Kim! Congrats on making the Huff Post 45 Fabulous (and Fast!) Ways to Decorate Your Home! You're #13!
ReplyDeleteI love this type of art. I made a puzzle piece pumpkin - about 9" wide - a few yrs ago and mounted it on black felt inside of a picture frame. I love seeing it on my wall each fall. I plan to make the "love banner" from puzzle pieces for Valentine's Day.
ReplyDeleteI am a big fan of puzzle piece crafts, too, Barb! There is so much you can do with them and contrary to what most people think, they can look very elegant. Your own puzzle piece pumpkin sounds amazing! If you do make that love banner, please post a picture of it on my Exquisitely Unremarkable Facebook page or email it to me so I can share your creativity! The same with the pumpkin! Thanks! 😊
DeleteSuper cute! Now I know what to do with my old puzzle pieces!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute idea!! I love the the place cards!! Very creative!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Sam! THat's my favorite, too...
DeleteHow creative! These are adorable! Great way to reuse old jigsaw puzzles.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Linda!! I have to say this has always been one of my favorites.
Delete