Picture to Puzzle - Easy Popsicle Stick Craft - Better in Bulk

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Several months ago, I was challenged to come up with several different DIY puzzle designs for an article I wrote on Home Made Simple and absolutely fell in love with one of the designs ? a picture to puzzle popsicle stick craft. I knew I had to make some with my kids and share this easy craft ? perfect for summer and kids! ? with my readers.

I know a project is popular with my kids when I start out crafting with one child and my other kids wander in the room and join in on their own.

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Here?s what I love about these DIY craft stick puzzles:

• they are simple enough for kids to help with
• they are cheap!
• they are quick to make
• they are sturdy ? they should last for a long time!
• they are compact ? small enough to fit in a snack-sized plastic baggie
• they are unique and personalized
• they are great as gifts (for teachers, friends, grandparents, etc)

Supplies:

• 4?6 photo (or any other picture?from a magazine, a child?s artwork, etc)
• Popsicle sticks (craft sticks) ? I used the narrow sticks (4 1/2 in x 3/8 in)
• Elmer?s glue
• Tape (scotch tape, packing tape, masking tape. I wouldn?t recommend Duct tape)
• Rotary cutter or Exacto knife
• Cutting mat

Directions:

1. Lay popsicle sticks side-by-side on top of the picture you want to make into a puzzle. We used 16 small sticks for a standard 4?6 photo.
2. Use two straight edges to tap the sticks until they are lined up evenly and close.
3. Replace any craft sticks that are distorted ? you want them to lay as flat as possible.
4. Carefully place tape across the lined-up popsicle sticks ? use enough so that the sticks will stay together when moved/flipped over.
5. Spread white glue over the entire surface (the side of the sticks where there is NOT tape)
6. Slowly lay your photo on top of the glue and firmly but carefully press down, wiping away any excess glue that comes out the sides.
7. Let dry (I recommend letting the glue dry for a few hours ? if you move ahead too soon, there will be lots of slipping and sliding)
8. Lay picture-side down on a cutting mat and remove the tape.
9. Using a rotary cutter, cut in between each stick. This is a step that requires parental supervision!
10. Separate each stick, shuffle the pieces, and enjoy putting together your unique photo puzzle.

?And now for the visual instructions:

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This Picture to Puzzle Popsicle Stick Craft?is being featured on Skip to My Lou?s Summer Craft Camp ? this is my 4th year participating and I love that it makes me get crafty each summer! There are already a ton of amazing crafts shared by other bloggers this summer ? go check them out!

See my previous summer crafts featured on the craft camp:

No-Sew Recycled T-shirt Bags

Easy Crocheted Flower Headbands

Simple Paper Kites for Pre-school and Beyond

? 2013, Lolli. All rights reserved.

Source: http://betterinbulk.net/2013/07/picture-to-puzzle-craft.html

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