DIY Puzzle Birthday Gift for Grandma
My grandma loves doing puzzles so this year for her birthday I thought I would make her a puzzle with a Happy Birthday message on it. Since her birthday is just after Frank and I get back from Italy I made this before we headed off on our trip and mailed it to her with strict notices on the outside of the box not to open until her birthday.
To make my puzzle I started by buying a kid's puzzle for a dollar from the Target One Spot. I liked this puzzle because the wide rectangle shape would work well with adding my message to it.
When I got home from Target I covered a board with butcher paper and then put together the puzzle. I then took it outside and using light coats of matte spray paint I painted the puzzle white. Because of the colorful design it took five coats before it was completely white.
I let the puzzle dry over night and then started adding my design with pink and teal markers. To add the word "Grandma" I used pencil transfer. I printed the word out on a piece of paper and then lightly penciled over the areas of the letters on the back side of the paper. I then put the paper right side up in the position I wanted and traced the outline of the letter which caused a light graphite transfer onto the puzzle. From there I went over my pencil guidelines with dark pink marker and then filled in the letters with light pink. I used a teal marker to write "Happy Birthday" and "Love Lisa" and then used the pink and teal markers to make a border to finish it off.
I think the puzzle turned out cute and it was fun to make. At only a hundred pieces this is a much smaller puzzle than Grandma usually works but hopefully it is still fun for her. Happy Birthday, Grandma!
Monday, March 19, 2012 at 6:35AM | Posted by Lisa | 11 Comments | Share Article | Email Article | Print Article 
Reader Comments (11)
What a great idea ! I have a couple of birthdays coming up and I think this would be such a fun way to wish them a happy day. This idea could work for any special wishing day. Thanks for sharing Lisa.
Thank you so much, Mary-Lou! I'm so glad that you like it!
Cute idea! I actually like the original puzzle, it's so bright and fun ;p
Thank you, Hilary! I actually decided to use pink and teal because of the original puzzle.
Love this idea! Might have to try it out for my grandmas birthday! She would love it!
Thank you, Jennifer!
Lisa, what a thoughtful & creative gift - am sure she will love it! You also organized your bathroom with finds from Target's One Spot - I need to start checking that section, too.
I do hope she likes it, too! I am addicted to the One Spot. They always have such cute stuff there and I can't resist when it is just a dollar!
It's gorgeous, your Grandma must have been thrilled with her gift, and I love the pink and teal colours too! You are more creative than me though, mine would just look messy :(
Thank you, Belinda! You are so sweet! My grandma did enjoy it and worked the puzzle on the very day that she got it.
Great post! Thank you so much for this great idea.