Project Information
Having a grand daughter is fun. It really makes me think in different directions when it comes to designing new projects. With all the fancy toys that are available o the market, I think it would be nice to give her something a bit simpler that was made myself.
When looking around at things, I couldn't believe the cost of real wood toys. Even the simplest puzzles and blocks were priced high, and then I didn't know if they were even solid wood or composite pieces made of who knows what. So I decided to try my hand at creating some things that are not only fun, but educational as well.
I came up with the idea of these little ladybug puzzle blocks. To make them, I used scraps of 1/2" solid maple that I had left over from some other projects. The "spots" are strategically places so that the shell of the wings fits over them to form a puzzle, teaching my grand daughter to count.
They can be painted in bright colors, or tinted and left natural, as shown in the second photo. I think that if you really wanted a pretty contrast, you could use a darker wood such as mahogany or walnut for the bases of the bugs and then a light colored wood such as maple or birch for the shells. Then you can finish them with a mineral oil/beeswax mixture for protection and a beautiful finish.
For my painted bugs, I used DecoArt's Multi Surface Satin paint. I love this paint for things that are handled a lot, and it needs no primer or sealer and gives an outstanding, hard finish and comes in amazing colors. As with all of DecoArt's acrylics, it is safe and non-toxic, has no odor, and cleans up with soap and water. It really makes these cute bugs look wonderful!
I had better pack these up and send them off, or I will never get them away from my cat Pancakes! He loves playing with them too! The pattern is available on my site for those who may be interested. I hope you like them!
Thanks for looking!
When looking around at things, I couldn't believe the cost of real wood toys. Even the simplest puzzles and blocks were priced high, and then I didn't know if they were even solid wood or composite pieces made of who knows what. So I decided to try my hand at creating some things that are not only fun, but educational as well.
I came up with the idea of these little ladybug puzzle blocks. To make them, I used scraps of 1/2" solid maple that I had left over from some other projects. The "spots" are strategically places so that the shell of the wings fits over them to form a puzzle, teaching my grand daughter to count.
They can be painted in bright colors, or tinted and left natural, as shown in the second photo. I think that if you really wanted a pretty contrast, you could use a darker wood such as mahogany or walnut for the bases of the bugs and then a light colored wood such as maple or birch for the shells. Then you can finish them with a mineral oil/beeswax mixture for protection and a beautiful finish.
For my painted bugs, I used DecoArt's Multi Surface Satin paint. I love this paint for things that are handled a lot, and it needs no primer or sealer and gives an outstanding, hard finish and comes in amazing colors. As with all of DecoArt's acrylics, it is safe and non-toxic, has no odor, and cleans up with soap and water. It really makes these cute bugs look wonderful!
I had better pack these up and send them off, or I will never get them away from my cat Pancakes! He loves playing with them too! The pattern is available on my site for those who may be interested. I hope you like them!
Thanks for looking!
