Projects / Spring

Leprechaun Puzzle

Make a puzzle or pendant with this St. Patrick’s Day pattern
By Tony and June Burns

Share the luck o’ the Irish by making a leprechaun! Intended as a three-piece puzzle, the pattern is a snap to cut and paint. You could also skip the interior cuts and paint the hat and face lines instead, making a pendant, pin, or display figure. Pair your finished project with a bag of gold (chocolate coins) for a perfect St. Patrick’s Day present.

Tips
• Use the larger blade to cut the three puzzle pieces. Use the smaller blade to cut the shamrock detail on the hat.
• Be absolutely certain the table is square before you cut. If it isn’t, the puzzle pieces won’t slide smoothly together. Use a digital square, such as a Wexey <link>, or a small metal square to be sure the tensioned blade is vertical.
• If you prefer, you can draw the face with permanent markers rather than painting the features.
• Mix the paint with water to create thin washes so a bit of the wood grain shows through.

 

Materials:
• Pine, 1/2″ to 3/4″ (1.3cm to 1.9cm) thick: 4 1/2″ x 5 1/4″ (11.4cm x 13.3cm)
• Spray adhesive
• Graphite paper (to transfer the face pattern for painting)
• Acrylic paint: light green, dark green, orange, flesh, white, black, light brown, red
• Spray finish

Tools:
• Blades: #5 skip tooth; #2 skip tooth
• Sandpaper: 100 to 150 grit
• Paintbrushes

 

CLICK HERE to download the Leprechaun Puzzle

 

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