INSIDE: How to make a Christmas or winter snowflake front door wreath using old jigsaw puzzles, Mod Podge and craft acrylic paints.
When my daughter first started elementary school, I (over) enthusiastically put my name down as a volunteer for everything. Yes, I was that mom. Which is how I found myself as 1st grade “Room Parent”.
And as part of that gig, I was tasked with creating a classroom art project for the school’s Winter Arts Festival’s silent auction. Say what?!
The challenge: create a project led by 6 and 7 year olds to warrant a few bids at the silent auction and earn $ for the school. Did I miss this in the job description write-up?!
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How to Make Winter Snowflake Wreath From Puzzle Pieces
While this snowflake wreath was created with 25 wiggly first graders, it can be just as easily crafted with one coffee-drinking adult! Peruse the kids game collection or scour your local thrift store ’cause it’s time to put the pieces together.
Supplies:
– Puzzle pieces (I used a medium size puzzle piece)
– White spray paint + primer
– Glitter craft paint
– Mod Podge
– Craft glue (this is my go to fave glue)
– 1″ craft mirrors
– Popsicle sticks
– Craft scissors
– Cardstock
– Cardboard wreath form (I used an 18″ size)
how to turn thrift store puzzles into snowflake wreath
Lay the puzzle pieces out on an old sheet and give each side a spray of paint + primer.
Once dry, add glittery craft paint to the front of each little puzzle piece. Yes, this is a little time-consuming so put on a good TV show or some motivating music!
To add some variety and depth to the wreath, I glued some puzzle pieces together to make larger flakes.
To make the job of adhering individual, glittery puzzle pieces together to form a snowflake shape, I cut cardstock circles on which to glue the pieces.
Once all the snowflakes were glued together, a small 1″ craft mirror was added.
Add some popsicle sticks for extra support to the large snowflakes.
After giving the sticks a simple spray of white paint, I cut three sections out of one stick and glued them to the back of each snowflake. This is an optional step but I didn’t want pieces breaking off.
And while I had the spray can out, I gave my wreath form a coat of color as well. Once dry, I covered it with some of the glittery acrylic paint.
How to arrange the puzzle pieces snowflakes
Now the fun part! Arranging your snowflakes onto the wreath form.
Simply put, just glue and place. Once everything is set, add a layer of Mod Podge over the ‘flakes for extra security.
I wound up with a couple extra snowflakes that couldn’t fit onto the wreath. So, I hung the last two snowflakes in the center by gluing fishing wire to the cardstock circle.
I cut a second cardstock circle and sandwiched the fishing wire in the middle. The other end of the fishing wire was wrapped around the snowflake wreath form and hidden under the bow.
Add a pretty bow and hang on your door.
This snowflake wreath can stay out all season long ’til the snow melts!
Other Christmas Ideas You May Like:
- DIY felt cactus tree ornaments
- Ugly Christmas sweater turned (cozy and comfy) skirt
- 5-minute Dollar Store Christmas cookie plate
- Thrift store puzzle pieces turned holiday door wreath
- Snowman hair pin for girls
- $2 Christmas poinsettia wreath from plastic tablecloths
- LARGE! Easy sew door-mounted Advent calendar for kids
Other Winter Ideas You May Like:
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Audra @ Renewed Projects says
What a cute project! This turned out GREAT! Looks like the kids had fun putting it together.
Suzy Ray says
This is such a cute wreath. What a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
Lacey Haskell says
What a great way to relove old puzzle pieces!… and I love how you’ve created snowflakes!! just darling! 🙂 Have a Merry Christmas!
Patty says
Great idea! I have a few puzzles with missing pieces I think I will use to try this. I love the name of your blog also because your right, even when frazzled we can dazzle!
[email protected] says
Thank you for the positive comments! Much appreciated as I set off on this new adventure that is blogging!!
Suzan says
What a great idea – LOVE how it turned out – and such a perfect past time for kids ( or grandkids 🙂
XOX
Amy @ StowandTellU says
I’ve seen so many old boxes of puzzles at the thrift store. What a creative way to use up an old puzzle. This is such a pretty wreath and I love how the kiddos helped make it!!
Cecilia says
Coming over from the Share It One More Time party! I love this! It caught my eye right away and I just had to know how you created it. And wow, with first graders. I’m impressed! Very, very cool. I would buy it at your school fair. 🙂
Alison says
These are seriously cute! My husband and I love puzzles, and a puzzle wreath would be completely fitting as a decoration around here. We’ll have to give this a try for next Christmas!
Denise says
What a great idea.
Have a wonderful week.
Denise
Kim (TheKimSixFix) says
Wow. This is really clever and it looks so great! Thanks for sharing at You’re Gonna Love it!
Rick says
Fabulous! Great idea! Terrific results!
Carolyn G. says
I love this project idea! Will definitely get some puzzles and keep this in my project stockpile for grandchildren visits. My granddaughters always want to do a craft project at Ama’s house. Thanks for sharing.
Sonja @ SustainMyCraftHabit says
Such a clever idea to use puzzle pieces! Perfect winter wreath!
Laurie says
This is really pretty! Thank you for sharing with us at Snickerdoodle Sunday! Pinned and tweeted to share.
Sam @ Raggedy Bits says
This is such a great project!!! Love how you have repurposed the puzzle pieces!! So clever!! 🙂
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks Sam!
Kimm at Reinvented says
Love it! What a creative project, I’m sure that the kids had tons of fun. Thanks for linking up to Funtastic Friday!
[email protected] says
Adorable wreath. A great project for us thrifters. Thank you for sharing at Vintage Charm.
debbie says
This is the second time today in the TADA! Thursday’s party I have seen something totally new. I love this. It comes across as looking like snowflakes. I could totally see it in other colors like to announce a new baby or Valentines Day and more. Super Cute!
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks Debbie! I need to make myself one as this post creation was auctioned off for a school charity. Love your suggestions!
Florence @ VintageSouthernPicks says
How pretty and eye-catching! You created this with first-graders? How fun! I’m impressed! It’s beautiful! Love the addition of the glitter.
Lisa says
This is so cute. I think the puzzle piece snowflake wreath would be the perfect decoration for a game room. Thanks so much for sharing your tutorial.
Angela Boone says
I really like this idea- so cute and unique!
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks Angela! One of my favorite projects.
[email protected] says
Such a cute project. The addition of the mirrors gives the wreath just the right amount of sparkle. Pinned.
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks Joanne!
Nina says
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop and Linky Party last week. I featured this post on my blog today at Vintage Mama’s Cottage: http://vintagemamascottage.com/2017/12/04/monday-discoveries-favorite-blog-posts/
I linked back here so my readers can find the tutorial – and I’m thinking that this will be a great project to do with my girls. Thanks for sharing at the party, hope to catch up with you this coming week. Nina @ Vintage Mama’s Cottage
Debrashoppeno5 says
What a cute idea. They do look like snowflakes.
Leslie says
This is so cute! The puzzle pieces really do look like snowflakes. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
Teresa says
It’s so pretty, thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party. Happy holidays!
Michele Morin says
Amazing! I’d love to try this with my grandson!
Wendy says
wow – this is such a great idea! Very pretty!
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thank you Wendy, one of my fave projects.
Carol Cassara says
Over from WW. This is super clever and so adorable!
Crystal says
I love this idea! Now I know what to do with all those puzzles that have missing pieces.
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks Crystal!
Debbie-Dabble says
Absolutely genius!!! Love it! Thanks for sharing!
Hugs,
Deb
Donna @ Modern on Monticello says
I love making wreaths and I have a few puzzles around the house that may or may not be missing some pieces. This is such a great project!
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thank you Donna! It was a fun project.
Bobbi says
This is so pretty and your tutorial was so easy to follow.
April J Harris says
What a fun idea, Victoria! This is so clever! I like the idea of having winter decorations we can keep after Christmas, otherwise it goes a bit bleak until Spring/Easter. Shared on the H&S Facebook page. Hope you had a lovely Christmas. Hope to see you at the first Hearth and Soul Blog Hop of the New Year on 7th January!
Kari says
What a great idea for a winter wreath Victoria. So clever…thank you for joining our Celebrate Your Story Link Party.
Kari @ Me and My Captain