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Puzzle Piece Pumpkin Place Cards

November 19, 2013

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Puzzle piece Thanksgiving place cards are a fabulous DIY way to dress up your holiday table for fall.

They're also a great way to upcycle those old puzzles with missing pieces. 

It's a win-win for sure!

Puzzle Piece Place Card on a Thanksgiving table setting

About a month ago, I made this pretty puzzle piece pumpkin and used it as part of my fall home décor.

I mentioned that in addition to a fall sign or a picture frame, it could be employed in many other ways.

Today I'm sharing one such example.

I simply printed up my guest's name on a piece of card stock and voila, now I have another pretty Thanksgiving place card.

I like drama in my decorating, so my pumpkins are big. I want them to make a statement equal to that of my hot glue/ painted pumpkin centerpiece

I also want them on the larger side, as my guests will take them home and a big pumpkin will be more functional for them to use in their own decorating next fall.

Larger place cards can also be hung off the back of a chair, if you add twine.

Of course, if you want smaller place cards, it's very easy to resize your pumpkins.

Smaller pumpkins can also be mounted on a slice of paper towel roll to make name card napkin holders. The shape can be altered to fit your fancy, as well ~ turkeys, acorns, leaves, etc.

Like I said in the original post, which also includes the complete how to, the possibilities are truly endless.

Making A Pumpkin With Puzzle Pieces

Here are the quick and easy instruction. You can peek at the craft card below for the steps and supplies, too.

I started with an old puzzle.

You can find them at garage sales and thrift stores for like a quarter apiece and at the dollar store for, well, a dollar.

The pattern doesn't matter. Just grab one that had puzzle pieces in a size you feel will work well.

Old Jigsaw Puzzle For Crafts

Next, I cut up an old cereal box to make a pumpkin template.

As I said, any shape you like will do, but keep the outline simple. It's easier to work with that way.

Cardboard Puzzle Pattern

In order to have a cohesive look, I painted the frame in same color as the pieces I applied.

This way if I missed a spot, you'd never know. I painted all my puzzle pieces and my cardboard with craft paint.

In the old days, when I made crafts like this at school, I would spray paint the pieces. It's much quicker when you're working with a large batch.

Painting Puzzle Pieces and cardboard pattern orange for Crafts

Lastly, I glued the puzzle pieces on to the frame with hot glue and went over the entire pumpkin with sparkly Mod Podge.

Holidays deserve a little sparkle, don't you think?

Orange Puzzle Piece Pumpkin Craft For Fall

Now, place cards are fun, but if you really want to raise the hostess bar, you could take a Thanksgiving group shot and send everyone home with a copy, ready to be framed in their puzzle piece name card party favor to remember the holiday!

Wait. What?

You don't think you'll have time to orchestrate the perfect group shot, download the pictures and print up a copy for your army of guests in between cooking, serving & cleaning up?

Don't worry, neither will I!

Puzzle Piece Place Card on a Thanksgiving table setting

I'm not just a pumpkin puzzle crafter, check out my puzzle piece craft ideas for Christmas.

I've also used them to make Valentine pretties, too!

I hope that you are enjoying fall and this wonderful Thanksgiving season!

What do you think of my puzzle piece recycle?

LOOKING FOR MORE PUMPKIN CRAFTS?


OUTDOOR PUMPKIN PLANTER
PUMPKIN COOKIE JAR VASE
PAINTED PUMPKIN PILLOW


Thanksgiving place card, DIY name cards, Puzzle piece craft, pumpkin craft
Author: Kim @ Exquisitely Unremarkable

Puzzle Piece Thanksgiving Name Card

prep time: 20 Mperform time: 15 Mtotal time: 35 M
You can make a cute pumpkin place card for your Thanksgiving table with this puzzle piece craft. It's an unexpected and elegant way to set your holiday table.

materials:

  • Puzzle Pieces
  • Paint - Craft paint or spray paint
  • Cardboard 
  • Cardstock for Names
  • Mod Podge

tools:

  • Paint Brushes
  • Scissors
  • Glue Gun
  • Glue Sticks

steps:

  1. Paint your pumpkin pieces orange and green - you can use craft paint or spray paint if you'll be painting a lot of them
  2. While they dry, cut out a pumpkin shape from cardboard
  3. Glue the painted pieces onto the puzzle shape with a hot glue gun
  4. Coat the entire pumpkin with Mod Podge or a clear sealer
  5. Print up names on cardstock and glue them to the back of the pumpkin

NOTES:

You can adjust the size of this pumpkin to make it larger or smaller to hang on the back of chairs or to use as a napkin holder.
Created using Craft Card Maker
Kim Signature


Post a Comment | 25 Comments

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  1. THAT is SUCH a cute idea, Kim. I just love it-it is very clever! xo Diana

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    1. Thanks Diana, you always leave to nicest comments! :) I

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  2. Another puzzle project? fabulous idea again Kim!!!!

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    1. Thanks Vel...I couldn't resist! I had all those orange pieces leftover, I figured why not! :)

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  3. You are so clever, Kim. Love this! I can't wait to see what you do for Christmas with puzzle pieces. I'm watching you. ;)

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    1. Oh Nancy! I'd better get that green paint out, pronto! ;)

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  4. Love this idea! Very cute . I use to make picture frames with my older kids with puzzle pieces.
    Very creative!!
    Kim
    http://www.thisolemom.com

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    1. It's an oldie, but goodie, Kim and, as you know, easy and adaptable for the kiddos! :) Thanks for popping by!

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  5. Kim, while reading the comments, I remembered an invitation I made ages ago to a mystery dinner that Bob and I had for our church share group in Texas. Simply posted all info on the card, added puzzle pieces on my invitation and then cut them into probably about 10 pieces and mailed to the guest list. Of course, they had to assemble the small puzzle in order to read the details. I love your ideas for Christmas...green was a terrific hint! Keep us informed, please!

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    1. Helen, I love the puzzle piece invitation idea! How fun that would be to receive in the mail! What a great way to build anticipation or an event. I have to remember that one! I am still trying to decide exactly what I am going to make with my green puzzle pieces for Christmas...there are so many things I could do! I may be just as surprised as everyone else!

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  6. These are adorable! My name is Katie and I host Fall Into the Holidays, now open. All entries get pinned. I would love to have you link up!

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    1. Thanks so much, Katie, I'll check it out! :)

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  7. Hey Kim, I meant to tell you how cute this is--love that it can be used in several ways. That's my kind of craft! Have a good week! Dee :)

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    1. Thanks Dee...I am a lazy crafter and decorator...I am all about easy and reusable! :) Thanks for taking the time to comment!

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  8. Kim, you are quite the professional 'pretty maker'; you make such pretty things so perfectly! These pumpkin puzzle place cards are definitely dramatic as well as smart!

    Thanks for sharing!

    Poppy

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    1. Oh Poppy, thank you for your lovely words, but don't look too close, it's all slight of hand! I choose very simple projects where there is little room for error, so I just look like a creative superstar...this one is a perfect example! ;)

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  9. Beautiful idea. So creative! I'd love if you'd link up to The DIY'ers. http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-diyers-39.html

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  10. So cute! Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays. x

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  11. This is adorable Kim! I am featuring it on my blog tomorrow! Thank you so much for linking up to Get Your DIY On! I hope you'll join us tomorrow with your Holiday Wreaths or Door Decor!

    Mandy @ The Hankful House Blog

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    1. Thanks so much, Mandy! You just made my morning! :) Happy December!

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  12. This is such an adorable idea! Love it!

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

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    1. Thanks Jess, this is one of my favorites! :)

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  13. What a fun and novel idea! I love this. Thank you so much for linking it up at SHARE IT SUNDAY linky party at Fine Craft Guild! ~ Rose

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