You can frame and hang your jigsaw puzzle when you finish it, but what would you do when you find one piece missing in the final step? You can contact the seller to send a new replacement. But what if you don't want to waste more time? You can consider to create the missing piece by yourself.
One of the most aggravating things about jigsaw puzzles isn't the fact that it takes so long to put them together; it's the fact that, usually, a piece or two ends up missing. You know what it feels like when the realization comes over you, after working so hard to assemble the puzzle, that there aren't enough pieces to finish it! After you have a fit and slap all the pieces off the table, calm down, pick them all up, and use them to make cool things for your house.
Create a giant "Peace" sign by using the puzzle pieces and a cardboard pizza tray. The circular trays make a great background for the "Peace" sign. Spray paint the clean cardboard circle and allow it to dry completely. Draw a "Peace" sign on the cardboard then glue jigsaw pieces to it. Choose any colors of the puzzle to make the sign. Align the single puzzle pieces down the branches of the sign and glue them in place. Hang the finished sign on a wall or use it as a giant stamp. Paint the pieces then stamp the "Peace" sign onto a shirt or even the front of a trunk. Make smaller versions to create a stamp for a shirt pocket, a lampshade, a purse or another item.
You don't necessarily have to use the pizza tray technique to make "Peace" signs. There are lots of different images you can create. Draw simplistic patterns on the painted cardboard then glue on puzzle pieces to finish the creation. Make logos, pet images, store signs and more. The finished creations can be hung or used as stamps.
Create shapes from other items you may have around the house to make all sorts of decor items. For example, glue three popsicle sticks into a snowflake shape then glue the jigsaw puzzle pieces all over it. Use glitter paint to jazz up the creation or just hang the snowflakes as-is. Make smaller versions of these, during the holidays, and use double-sided tape to stick them to curtain tie-backs, napkin rings and more. The shapes of the perimeters of the puzzle pieces give anything a frilly, lacy look.
Scan puzzle pieces and take them to your computer print program. Enlarge the pieces, print them out, then use them to make cardboard patterns. Use the cardboard puzzle shapes to stamp colorful jigsaw pieces onto the walls of a child's room. This is a cheap and easy way to create a colorful theme that's unique and fun. The pieces can also be stamped onto bedroom trash cans, hampers, lamps and more.
Make matching decor pieces with the original jigsaw puzzle pieces. Glue the small pieces onto light switch covers, picture frames, hung mirrors, vases, drawer pulls, pencil holders, lampshades and many other items. If the room has a ceiling fan with an ordinary string pull you can glue the pieces on the string to change the look of the fan pull. Look around the room and see what else you can decorate with the colorful puzzle pieces.
If you have a puzzle that has all the middle pieces use them to make unique wall hangings. Take the center portion - or even a large corner - and place the unusually shaped section in a picture frame. Or, glue the section together, so the pieces won't come apart, then use the funny-shaped sections as coasters. The coasters can be disposable or you can coat them with clear lacquer to use them many times.
Make any number of organizers, containers and trays by using the jigsaw puzzle pieces. Glue the pieces all over small boxes and canisters to make desk and night stand organizers. Glue the pieces to a disposable meat tray, paper plate or similar item to make a tray that holds jewelry, change and other items. Glue painted thread spools, large beads or even soda lids to the bottom of the trays to make cute legs for the finished creation.
Kids will have lots of fun making finger stamps from jigsaw puzzle pieces. Use a couple of pieces of tape to make a strap. Place the sticky sides together on one small piece of tape, and one larger piece, then stick it to the back of the puzzle piece. Now kids can slip their finger into the strap without the tape sticking to them. Dip the puzzle piece in paint then stamp it on the shirt. Tape two or more pieces together, then attach the finger strap, to create even more patterns for tees, belts, purse straps, tennis shoes and even slippers.
It's infuriating to put together a puzzle only to find a piece or two missing but it's lots of fun to use all those pieces to make other cool things. Create the jigsaw theme for a child's bedroom or just let the kids use the old pieces to paint t-shirts. Either way you'll get your money's worth out of a puzzle that will never be completely assembled.
