Steve's mom made a nativity puzzle just like this years and years ago and it has become a favorite holiday decoration for the grandchildren. When my sister-in-law mentioned last year that she wanted the puzzle - I immediately knew I wanted to re-create it for their family this year when the family gift giving rotation had us giving to them (we won't give to them for another 8 years!)
This gift has been on my mind most the year. I figured I'd purchase a scroll saw sometime this year which would make this puzzle a breeze. But I didn't buy one. So I looked to use someone else's. I couldn't find anyone. The other problem was trying to find the pattern. The original pattern was out of print and try as I may, I couldn't find it. By October, I was starting to think of new ideas for gifts. But I couldn't let this great gift idea go.
In November, I found a laser cutting facility in the area, Phoenix Custom Lasering. They were great to work with and totally affordable. I took a picture of the puzzle and created a pattern from it using Illustrator and they cut it up for me - I figured if I was going to the trouble I might as well make two so we could enjoy one.
I've never tole painted so it was a little daunting. But I painted and painted...and painted some more.
For three whole weeks our kitchen table looked like this:
There was sheer panic when my sister-in-law was stopping by and this is how the table looked. We threw it all in a box and put it in the back room!
I finished it with 18 hours to spare! Painting it wasn't necessarily difficult - just very detailed and time consuming. If I never tole paint again...it will be okay!
Like the Lego costumes of Halloween...the puzzle was a lot of work that I won't do again - but still totally worth it.
That is darling! Would you be willing to share your pattern?
ReplyDeleteyou are AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteI love all your posts and projects! I second please share your pattern!
ReplyDeleteamschafer.blogspot.com
You did a fantastic job wiht the puzzle. What a treasure of a gift!
ReplyDeleteWould love to buy that nativity puzzle if you ever decide to do another! Amazing!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to let time cloud my memory before I embark on such a journey again!!
DeleteI'm amazed that you made these. My husband's uncles made like 30 of these for all the grandkids about 5 years ago at Christmas. They're almost identical to yours (I think your's are painted cuter).
ReplyDeleteYou've got to be kidding, 30 of them?? I thought painting two was going to kill me. I've never known anyone else to have this puzzle, it's a small world!
Delete