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CRAFT
TIME AT THE MESSAGE TREE;
WOODEN
PUZZLES
by Ann Crabtree
As the days
grow shorter and the weather cooler,
indoor activities become of more interest,
especially crafts. Many of the readers of
THE MESSAGE TREE are themselves
experienced crafters, but we would like to
invite those of you with little or no
experience at crafting to try your hand at
some simple wood work.
What
a better Christmas present for your
children or grand kids than a heirloom
quality craft, lovingly produced by your
own two hands. These two simple farm
animal puzzle patterns can be made from
beautifully figured hard wood or from
scrap pine, and then finished with wood
stain, painted, or covered with fabric,
the possibilities limited only to your,
the artist, imagination.
Directions;
(1)Click
on the image below to open the pattern in
a new window, then using your own
computer's software to enlarge the pattern
or print a copy and take it to your local
copy center and use the copying machine to
enlarge the pattern to the size you
desire.
(2)With
carbon or graphite paper, trace the
pattern onto the wood of your
choice.
(3)Cut
the pieces with a scroll saw, sabre (jig)
saw, or coping saw, being careful to
observe all safety precautions outlined in
the instruction manual that came with your
tools.
(4)Sand
all surfaces of the wooded pieces smooth,
making sure no splinters remain that might
harm those little hands that will soon be
playing with your puzzle.
(5)You
can then apply an appropriate finish to
your craft pieces, remembering to use
paints or stains that are not hazardous to
little children.
CLICK
HERE TO SEE LARGER "COW" PATTERN
CLICK
HERE TO SEE LARGER "ROOSTER" PATTERN
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By
far the easiest method
in which to cut out the
puzzle peices above is
with a Scroll saw such
as the one at right.
These saws are
relatively inexpensive,
starting at about
$100.00 and are as easy
as a sewing machine to
operate.
The
sabre or jig saw is
another simple tool
suitable for the above
items and a useful item
just to have around the
house for general
purpose cutting. They
range in price from
$29.95 to about $150.00
for machines such as the
one at left.
Finally,
the simple coping saw,
although time consuming
can also be used for the
projects above.
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THE
MESSAGE TREE ASSUMES NO
RESPONSIBILITY FOR INJURIES IN
THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECTS
ABOVE OR IN THE USE OF THE TOOLS
DESCRIBED. PLEASE READ AND
OBSERVE ALL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
PACKED WITH YOUR POWER
TOOLS.
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